PRAIRIE PEOPLE

Fritz Joins Klj As Market Director

BISMARCK, N.D. – Martin Fritz has joined engineering firm KLJ as a market director for the company’s Energy and Natural Resources Division in Bismarck.

Fritz comes to the company with more than 20 years of high-level industry experience, KLJ reports. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of WBI Holdings, a pipeline and midstream company.

During his career, Fritz has also owned his own consulting firm and served as executive vice president of Midstream Operations, Land and Construction at EQT Corp.

Fritz holds a law degree from the Dickinson School of Law at Pennsylvania State University and practiced as an attorney for a number of years.

Otter Tail Companies Name Hoff To Dual Executive Role

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. – Stephanie Hoff has assumed the role of director of corporate communications for Otter Tail Corp. and director of public relations for Otter Tail Power Co.

Hoff started working with Otter Tail Power Co. in 2000 as a freelance writer. She officially joined the company in 2006 as communication specialist. For the past 11 years, Hoff has served primarily in the public relations area and as manager since 2013.

Hoff will be accountable for internal and external communication, including media relations, for both the utility and its parent. She succeeds Cris Oehler, who will retire from a similar role in mid-April.

Hoff earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, Morris, in communications with an emphasis in media. She served as executive director for the Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce before her employment with Otter Tail Power Company.

Hoff is a native of Fergus Falls, where she lives with her husband and daughter.

Mort Named Dean Of College Of Pharmacy At Sdsu

BROOKINGS, S.D. - Jane Mort, who served as interim dean of South Dakota State University’s College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions for the past two years, has been named dean of the college following a national search.

In her role as interim dean, Mort led a team that included 45 staff members and three degree programs, including the doctor of pharmacy, the Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences and the bachelor of science in medical laboratory science. The college is also the academic home for the collaborative Master of Public Health program.

Mort has been at SDSU for 31 years, serving as associate dean for academic programs, coordinator of assessment and professor of pharmacy practice, among other roles. She began her career at SDSU in 1986 as an assistant professor of clinical pharmacy.

Mort was awarded a doctor of pharmacy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1985.

GODFREAD NAMED REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF MAKE-A-WISH N.D.

FARGO, N.D. – Make-AWish North Dakota has named Amanda Godfread as its firstever regional director located in Bismarck-Mandan, N.D.

Godfread brings more than 15 years of public relations experience to this new role for the statewide chapter. She graduated from the University of North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in communication and French and served her alma mater through the Alumni Association and UND Foundation for seven years.

She has served the state of North Dakota through the governor’s office before becoming the director of strategic engagement at Odney.

She has served as a Make-A-Wish volunteer for the past year. She and her husband, Jon, have three children.

Since its inception, Make-A-Wish North Dakota has granted more than 850 wishes. The average cash cost of a wish is nearly $7,000, the nonprofit reports.

WILLISTON STATE’S BONDY NAMED TO N.D. WOMEN IN HIGHER ED BOARD

WILLISTON, N.D. – Kaylyn Bondy, vice president for student affairs at Williston State College, was named to the North Dakota Women in Higher Education Network board.

The board meets most months to discuss how it can advance women’s careers and leadership in North Dakota Higher Education.

The group has two main programs to help with its mission: The Next Step Mentorship Program and the network’s annual conference in November.

Membership open to anyone with a commitment to advancing women’s leadership in North Dakota higher education.

Dakota Resources Names New President

RENNER, S.D. – Joe Bartmann has been named president of Dakota Resources, a Renner, S.D.based nonprofit that focuses on rural economic and community development.

Bartmann’s experience includes three years as vice president of community innovation at Dakota Resources, where he also led the organization’s local rural leadership development initiatives.

Earlier this year, Bartmann was selected as one of 25 BALLE Local Economy Fellows chosen from an international pool of rural leaders.

The appointment follows the retirement of former President Beth Davis, who led Dakota Resources for 20 years.