PROFOUND GROWTH

North Dakota is booming – bringing the opportunity for both business growth, and to build a better and healthier state for generations to come. As Engineering News Record’s top firm in the region, Bismarck-based KLJ has more than doubled in size in the past few years. These new jobs mean more payroll dollars that will stay in North Dakota to boost the local economy, which will later be returned to KLJ in the form of new work…keeping KLJ strong well into the future.

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Wilson to lead SD School of Mines and Technology

Heather Wilson, a former member of Congress, Rhodes Scholar and small business owner who has worked with large defense and scientific companies, has been named the 19th president of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. She is the first female president in the school’s 128-year history.

Wilson will assume her duties on the Rapid City campus this month. She succeeds the late Robert Wharton, who passed away in September. Duane Hrncir, provost and vice president for academic affairs, had served as acting president over the past several months.

Finken re-elected to U.S. Chamber board

Patrick Finken, majority owner and president of Odney, a full-service marketing firm with offices in North Dakota and Idaho, has been re-elected to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce board of directors for a second three-year term.

“I’m honored to serve a second term on this board,” Finken said in a statement. “The U.S. Chamber is taking a lead role in the country’s economic recovery, and I’m looking forward to working with them to strengthen the business environment, allowing businesses to create the jobs Americans need.”

SBA names Warberg Block ND small business person of year

Kari Warberg Block, CEO of Earth-Kind Inc. in Bismarck, N.D., has been selected as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2013 North Dakota Small Business Person of the Year.

Nominated by The Center for Technology & Business, Warberg Block was selected following a statewide competition. The award recognizes exceptional small business owners who demonstrate the entrepreneurial spirit in starting and growing a successful business, according to the SBA.

Warberg Block 's business began selling earthfriendly rodent repellent products in 1995. In 2007, Earth-Kind’s Fresh Cab rodent repellent gained U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration as the first rodent repellent certified for indoor use. Earth-Kind now occupies a 7,000 square foot facility and achieves $5 million in annual revenue.

Warberg Block will be among the nation’s top entrepreneurs honored at SBA’s National Small Business Week events June 17-21 in Washington, D.C.

SBA hires ND economic development specialist

Brittany Sickler has been selected as an economic development specialist for the North Dakota District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration in Fargo.

Sickler is a returning Peace Corps volunteer with her most recent assignment as a volunteer leader in the Sustainable Community Tourism program in Guatemala. Prior to serving a threeyear term with the Peace Corps, Sickler worked as a marketing and outreach specialist for ACCION USA in Miami, Fla. Her duties at the SBA will include marketing and outreach in southeastern North Dakota.

Thomas joins Cornerstone Bank

Jeff Thomas recently joined Cornerstone Bank, Fargo as senior vice president and business banking manager. In this role, he will oversee the overall operations and management of the business banking department, including maintaining and generating new business.

Thomas has more than 26 years of experience in the financial services industry in the Fargo area. He currently serves as the 2013 United Way Campaign chairman, board member of the American Diabetes Association and serves on the investment committee of the Friends of Chimbote. He is a past chair of the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce.

NDITC recognizes outstanding achievers

The Information Technology Council of North Dakota recognized three of the state’s IT providers for outstanding achievements during the group’s 13th annual awards program, held May 1 in Fargo.

Fargo-based Sundog received the Premier IT Business award for its success in developing and providing IT business solutions to its clients.

Minot-based Eid Passport Inc. received the Technology Innovator award for its use of innovative technology to serve its primary customer.

Randall Thursby, chief information officer for the North Dakota University System received the North Dakota IT Champion award for his use and development of IT in the academic realm.

Bismarck-Mandan YP elect new leadership

The Bismarck-Mandan (N.D.) Young Professionals Network recently elected Heather Welle, a Bemidji, Minn., native who has lived in Bismarck for 10 years, as its next vice president. Welle will serve one year as vice president before assuming the role of president. Joe Fink, a mortgage consultant at Wells Fargo, currently serves as president. Angil Wanner of SIA Marketing/Schmidt Insurance moved from president to chairwoman of the network.

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