
10 minute read
Business news briefs and accolades from around the region
By Prairie Business
FARGO, N.D. • The North Dakota chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) presented two design awards, including the top state award, to projects led by JLG Architects at the chapter’s annual convention.
North Dakota State University’s Aldevron Tower and The Selkirk were selected for “distinguished accomplishments in design and the profession of architecture,” according to an announcement made by the company. In total five buildings were recognized by the AIA.
Honor Award: North Dakota State University Aldevron Tower, Fargo, N.D.

The rapidly growing College of Health Professions at North Dakota State University is pursuing progressive teaching pedagogies to meet critical workforce shortages and departmental accreditation requirements. The new addition and renovation to Sudro Hall — now called Aldevron Tower — co-locates the School of Pharmacy and Nursing, Allied Science, and Public Health to create a collaborative, career-focused, state-of-the-art learning environment.
The new expansion and renovation celebrates education by placing learning on display. Designed to blend with the adjacent buildings but not interfere with them, the design team centered a small courtyard between the existing Sudro Hall and the attached expansion to create a visual separation while providing a space for students to enjoy.
The new learning spaces encourage the development of integrated, team-based collaborations among the various disciplines in order to improve health outcomes.
Merit Award: The Selkirk, Grand Forks, N.D.
The Flood of 1997 in Grand Forks, N.D., left the downtown devastated. With 11 buildings burned and all of the structures in water, Grand Forks has spent the last 23 years working to not just recover, but revitalize an important district in the community’s past and future. The latest step of this revitalization was to infill a site left empty by one of the burned buildings.
Located in the heart of downtown just off of the main thoroughfare and surrounded by historic office buildings and a parking garage, the goal was to use the site to bring more people to the area and celebrate the history of the neighborhood by giving a modern look to the future.
The result is The Selkirk – a contemporary, glass-filled mixed-use building that engages from top to bottom. The arrangement of the building starts with the most public spaces towards the lower levels, such as the parking and commercial space, moving upwards to the condos that are located on floors three through five.
Ground floor materials were selected to compliment the surrounding buildings, and a skyway segment was added to start to connect the downtown for ease of movement in winter months. On the exterior, the proportions and materials of the building at street level pay respect to historic building adjacent to the site.
Above the second level, expansive areas of glazing reduce the building’s presence by allowing transparency throughout the building and reflections of the Dakota sky. Solid, lightly-colored panels near the alley façade provide a fresh modern aesthetic that will enhance the building rear elevation and allow art installations and/or projections of movies for community movie nights.
On the interior, urban landscape and vistas are the primary featured “artwork” of the space. The spaces are set up around the views and access to natural light, which truly differentiates these condo units from any other residences in the Grand Forks region. Simple polished concrete floors and light-colored walls also promote this notion.
Border Bank expands into North Dakota
FARGO, N.D. • Border Bank says it will move into North Dakota with the merger of Union State Bank in Fargo.
“We welcome all Union State Bank customers and the residents of the Fargo/Moorhead region to the Border Bank family,” David L. Felch, Border Bank CEO and Union State Bank CEO and president, said in a statement announcing the merger.
DAVID FELCH, BORDER BANK.
“Our customers should be rest assured the transition will be seamless and they will continue to receive the exceptional, personalized service they expect and value.”
Border Bank was established in Greenbush, Minn., in 1935, has deep roots in Minnesota. Besides the bank’s new location in Fargo, the company serves nine communities in Minnesota – Greenbush, Thief River Falls, Badger, Middle River, Baudette, International Falls, Roseau, Clearbrook and Coon Rapids.
“Our employees look forward to joining forces with Border Bank – a bank that shares our community banking mission and values,” said Kory Shae, Border Bank and Union State Bank senior vice president and business development director. “This merger will result in our customers having access to additional products and services, and substantially greater access to capital for business development.”
University of Mary offers scholarships for healthcare workers and teachers
BISMARCK, N.D. • The University of Mary has some good news for health care workers and teachers: it is providing a one-time Thank You Scholarship opportunity for health care workers and teachers as a thank you for their service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re excited to offer this scholarship so many in the health care and education fields can take advantage of the opportunity as they go through these trying times,” stated University of Mary Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions Jennifer Barry. Since this is a first-come first-serve award, we are encouraging professionals in these fields to act quickly so we can get them started and into the program without delay.”
Health care and education programs that qualify for the scholarship are the Master of Education (M. Ed), Master of Science in Kinesiology (MSK), Master of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology (MS CEP), Master of Arts in Music (MA), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN), Bachelor of Science in Respirato-ry Therapy (RRT to BSRT), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and the dual degree Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Business Administration (MSN/MBA).
The scholarship applies to new students only who begin their program within any spring, summer or fall 2021 semester. Students need to confirm their enrollment by April 30, 2021, in order to claim the scholarship.
Those interested or wanting to learn more should contact Barry at jlbarry@umary.edu or (701) 355-8372.
“Now, more than ever, these frontline workers are essential to the viability of our communities throughout the country and need our support,” she said. “Hopefully, this scholarship will help kickstart their degree, and lessen some of the financial burden.”
Arvig says it will join a coalition network
PERHAM, Minn. • Arvig says it has taken a strategic move forward, joining a partner network of several telecommunications providers within the central and western United States formed to streamline last-mile connectivity.

With the regional network at their disposal, partners like Arvig have the ability to provide quality voice and data services to enterprise and carrier customers across a multi-state region at costs below those charged by the big wholesale companies.

The coalition’s other members include Blackfoot, FatBeam OPTK and Range. The partnership enables providers to quickly turn up connections across multiple states via a reliable, high-capacity, low-latency fiber backbone. This unique customer-centric approach along with a stringent service level agreement (SLA) are key differentiators for partners.
“This new partnership will help Arvig attract new carrier customers as well as extend Arvig’s fiber reach to serve more multi-location enterprise customers across a broader geography,” said David Schornack, director of business development at Arvig. “In addition, it will enable Arvig to build upon recent investments in its fiber network by expanding from Minneapolis to Omaha to Chicago, bringing highspeed, reliable connectivity to a greater number of communities and businesses.”
Likewise, the partnership will enable coalition partners to service their customers via Arvig’s 10,000 route miles of fiber throughout Minnesota.
“Having Arvig become a member of the partner network is a strategic addition to the eastern side of our regional footprint,” said Todd Twete, director of carrier services at Blackfoot Communications and a partner network founder. “Arvig’s network helps fill a key component for the demand we see for unique and diverse transport routes to the Midwest.”
Alerus senior VP wins wealth management award
GRAND FORKS, N.D. • Alerus is pleased to announce that Brian Schumacher, senior vice president and director of wealth management, has been recognized by the American Bankers Association as a member of the 40 under 40 in wealth management class of 2021.
The award recognizes wealth management professionals who are committed to the highest standards of achievement at work and in their communities.
Schumacher leads Alerus’ wealth management division, which focuses on clarifying and achieving the wealth needs of individual and institutional clients. As a member of Alerus’ senior management team, he also plays a key role in shaping the company’s future by collaboratively addressing risk/return decisions, strategic issues, and organizational management.
“Brian is dedicated to the wealth management profession and the broader view of financial wellness for all, and continually seeks opportunities to enhance his industry knowledge and be a more effective leader,” said Ann McConn, chief shared services officer. “This focus on learning and knowledge, coupled with a strong desire to improve clients’ lives through financial wellbeing, makes him extremely impactful. We are fortunate to have Brian on our team and thrilled to see him receive this much-deserved recognition.”
In addition to his professional duties, Schumacher is a long-time volunteer for Junior Achievement and past investment chair for North Dakota Dollars for Scholars. He is also a Chartered Retirement Planning counselor and Chartered Retirement Plan specialist. Schumacher lives in Thompson, N.D., with his wife and their three children.
Enclave hires new project manager
FARGO, N.D. • Collin Ryan joins Enclave as project manager.
A native of Detroit Lakes, Minn., and a graduate of Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Ryan joins Enclave with more than nine years of experience as laborer, field engineer, lead field engineer, and assistant project manager.
Houston Engineering welcomes several FARGO, N.D. • Troy Borud joins Houston Engineering Inc.’s Fargo team as an Engineer I. Borud will prepare designs and assist with reports, specifications, plan creation, and permit applications. He will support designs for water resource projects, including drainage, stormwater, flood control, levee/floodwall, hydraulic structures, and other similar projects.
Originally from Lima, Peru, Borud earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University in December. His internship experience prior to joining HEI includes serving as a resident project representative for transportation, municipal, and flood protection projects across North Dakota.
HEI also has welcomed Krista Hanneman and Bethany Fraase to its corporate team in Fargo as a payroll specialist and accounting specialist, respectively.
Hanneman will be responsible for processing HEI’s bi-weekly payroll. She will also support project managers with invoicing and other accounting tasks. Her other responsibilities include supporting behind-the-scenes processes involving benefits, tax withholdings, 401(k)s, and more. Originally from Breckenridge, Minn., Hanneman earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2019.
Fraase will support HEI’s accounting team by preparing invoices and reports, and monitoring project costs and payments as well as completing special projects to support HEI’s staff, clients, and vendors.
Fraase grew up in West Fargo, and attended college at North Dakota State University, where she earned her Master of Accountancy. She has more than six years of experience in the accounting and finance industry.
In his role at Enclave, Ryan will oversee construction projects from start to finish while supporting Enclave’s mission of creating spaces where people are inspired to do their best work and live their best life.
ApeX Engineering Group welcomes new HR manager
FARGO, N.D. • Lisa Markert joins Apex Engineering Group as the company’s new human resources manager located in the Fargo, N.D., office.
Markert has more than 20 years of human resource experience, most recently working for the Fargo Jet Center.
Bolton & Menk welcomes new senior
Transportation Project Manager
Essentia Health welcomes new doctor
FARGO, N.D. • Dr. Rory Farnan, an interventional cardiologist, is now seeing patients at Essentia Health Heart and Vascular Center in Fargo.
Rory Farnan Mike bittner
FARGO, N.D. • Mike Bittner has a genuine love of building relationships and an affinity for innovation. Throughout his 10-year career, he has developed a long list of accomplishments working in seven different states for clients including DOTS, cities, counties, metropolitan planning organizations and private entities. He focuses on identifying emerging trends and staying nimble enough to capitalize on these trends.
As a senior transportation project manager for Bolton & Menk, Bittner will serve a key role in the strategic visioning of the firm’s transportation services. With the tools available to support him, he will advance transportation technology for the future.
First International Bank & Trust hires landman
BISMARCK, N.D. • First International Bank & Trust is proud to welcome Jeffrey L. Skaare, who will serve as Mineral & Land Services Business Development landman.
Jeffrey Skaare
Skaare is a North Dakota-licensed attorney who has dedicated his career to oil and gas development, bringing more than 15 years of industry experience to his role at FIBT. He is well-known and respected in the industry, having previously held numerous positions, including land manager, director of operations, and later director of business development at an
Starion Bank hires new CBO
Dave Hoekstra
FARGO, N.D. • Starion Bank has hired Dave Hoekstra as the new chief banking officer. Hoekstra was hired at the beginning of November and comes to Starion with more than 25 years of community banking experience in North Dakota and the Midwest. His extensive experience includes previously serving as a market president and chief credit officer of a local community bank where his responsibilities included bank management, credit administration, special assets, and loan independent energy company. He also owned a complete mineral and gas land services company, managing over 50 landmen and support staff providing title, leasing, curative, due diligence, seismic permitting, mapping, surface use, and land records. review. He also served on the bank Board of Directors.
Dr. Farnan received his medical education at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
Farnan completed fellowships in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, N.J. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology.
He is a member and certified professional landman with the American Association of Professional Landmen, and has served on the Board of Directors for the North Dakota Petroleum Council, is on the Board of Directors and is past president of the Landman Association of North Dakota, and is a member of the Wyoming Association of Professional Landmen.
Hoekstra is a CPA (inactive) and a graduate of Moorhead State University with a degree in accounting. As CBO, Hoekstra will serve as a member of Starion’s executive leadership team while providing oversight to the Bank’s sales and community banking functions. From the North Dakota Safety Council to Bismarck Youth Baseball, Hoekstra is actively involved in a number of Bismarck/Mandan community organizations.