IT MAT TERS.

Providing engineering and related services to help communities achieve success.

schools did not give them the opportunities that others had,” El-Rewini said.

So in addition to encouraging on-campus living, paring the curriculum of nonessential requirements, targeting financial aid and the like, the systems are radically reforming student support. Years ago, for example, students who struggled were on their own. Some handled it; some didn’t, and dropped out.

Today, data systems such as Starfish — used in both Dakotas — alert advisers and key faculty when students trend downward on indicators such as exams. “And those data could trigger an action in which we’d intervene to help,” El-Rewini said.

Another ambitious data set is PAR, or Predictive Analytics Reporting. A nonprofit with 351 member institutions, PAR tracks those schools’ anonymized students throughout their studies, offering vast data that can show, for example, exactly which classes seem to be tripping up high numbers of students.

“We might find three-quarters of the students affected,” said Gary Hagen, president of Mayville State University in Mayville, N.D., and the head of the statewide committee to boost graduation rates.

“We might learn we need a prerequisite for that class. We may never have known that without this software, and the power of these numbers is just going to be unbelievable.”

Here’s another change: In South Dakota, “we’ve all but eliminated undecideds,” said Paul Turman, system vice president for academic affairs.

“You as a student can’t come in and say, ‘Oh, I’m not sure what I want to do, so I’m just going to wander the curriculum for awhile.’”

Why? Because too many of those students wound up behind, without the courses they needed once they chose a major.

Today, students commit to exploring within a broad field, such as agriculture. “The exploratory track introduces them to the various career options, but also makes sure they’re getting the right courses for their eventual major,” Turman said.

“That way, nothing is wasted.”

The Bluto factor

In 1978, when John Belushi (as Bluto Blutarsky) said “Seven years of college down the drain” in the movie “Animal House,” it was a laugh line. That’s because few people spent seven years in college back then.

“The expectation was, ‘You’re done in four,’ and that was that,” said McMaster, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities vice provost.

“Somehow, things slipped along the way. But I think we’re returning to the sense that this is, in fact, a four-year degree, and let’s make sure we provide the resources to ensure that. ” PB

Tom Dennis EDITOR, PRAIRIE BUSINESS TDENNIS@PRAIRIEBUSINESSMAGAZINE.COM 701.780.1276

3m

HEADQUARTERS: Brookings, S.D. (plant); St. Paul, Minn. (corporate)

EMPLOYEES: 1,055

DESCRIPTION: 3M Brookings serves as 3M’s largest health care manufacturing plant. Our employees are experts in medical product manufacturing and new product development. For more than 45 years, the plant has continually applied 3M science to produce complex medical dressings and tapes, surgical drapes, biological indicators and food safety products. Our employees work together 24/7 to produce more than 1,700 products that help health care professionals improve quality of care.

WEBSITE: 3m.com

This list of great workplaces has become a staple of Prairie Business’ coverage, awaited eagerly by the nominees and the employees who nominate them.

Congratulations to all this year’s winners, chosen from more than 1,000 nominations. They are excellent role models for forward-thinking, team-driven success.

Ae2s

HEADQUARTERS: Grand Forks, N.D. EMPLOYEES: 243

DESCRIPTION: AE2S focuses on planning, financing, designing and building infrastructure that is the foundation of our communities and our lives. Our primary focus is to help ensure clean drinking water, safe wastewater disposal and smart water resource development. That focus is supported by synergistic and strategic services that help our clients navigate infrastructure challenges.

Our team of professionals is dedicated to making a positive impact on our communities by doing things that matter.

WEBSITE: ae2s.com

Alerus

HEADQUARTERS: Grand Forks, N.D.

EMPLOYEES: 794

DESCRIPTION: Based in the Midwest, Alerus is an independent, multibillion-dollar financial services company serving individuals, families and businesses around the country. Alerus offers a broad array of banking, mortgage, retirement, employee benefits and wealth management products and services through a relationship-focused philosophy that puts customer well-being at the forefront.

WEBSITE: alerus.com

Apex Engineering Group

HEADQUARTERS: Fargo, N.D..

EMPLOYEES: 65

DESCRIPTION: Apex Engineering Group was founded with our clients in mind. We focus on the fundamentals, providing customers with engineering solutions from employees who believe that it’s only the best solution if it’s also the best experience. We are proud to have earned the trust and support of partners across the region.

Apex has offices in Bismarck, Dickinson, and Fargo, N.D., and Detroit Lakes, Minn.

WEBSITE: apexenggroup.com

Applied Engineering

HEADQUARTERS: Bismarck, N.D.

EMPLOYEES: 98

DESCRIPTION: Applied Engineering is an employee-owned engineering and technology company that combines talent and technology to solve its customers’ unique challenges. For over 30 years, Applied has provided engineering, product development and manufacturing consulting services, as well as IT and custom programming services and large-format digital printing.

Applied also sells industry-leading design and manufacturing software and provides classroom training and support from its offices throughout North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.

WEBSITE: go-applied.com

Bismarck Aero Center

HEADQUARTERS: Bismarck

EMPLOYEES: 33

Arvig

HEADQUARTERS: Perham, Minn.

EMPLOYEES: 734

DESCRIPTION: Established in 1950, Arvig is one of the largest independent telecommunications providers in the nation, focused on delivering cutting-edge broadband technology to residential and business customers.

In addition to providing traditional telecom services, Arvig also provides high-capacity connectivity solutions such as dark fiber, wavelength and Ethernet, as well as managed IT, security, answering services and a full suite of digital media services.

WEBSITE: arvig.com

Braun Intertec

HEADQUARTERS: Minneapolis

EMPLOYEES: 919 (all Braun Intertec locations)

DESCRIPTION: Braun Intertec is a 100 percent employee-owned geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting and testing firm for both the private and public sectors. With locations across the central U.S., we have been providing innovative solutions to our North Dakota clients for more than 40 years.

Employees from our five North Dakota offices, as well as those in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Kansas, Louisiana and Texas, collaborate as one team to achieve our vision as both consultant and employer of choice.

WEBSITE: braunintertec.com

DESCRIPTION: Bismarck Aero Center is an organization with a family-centric culture that is driven by a hard-working group of team members with a shared set of values. With locations at the Bismarck and Mandan Municipal Airports, the organization has 10 aircraft storage hangars that are dedicated to serving business and private aircraft owners. The company offers 24/7 aircraft fueling, aircraft maintenance, avionics, flight instruction, contract pilot, aircraft rental and charter brokerage services.

WEBSITE: bismarckaero.com

Construction Engineers

HEADQUARTERS: Grand Forks, N.D.

EMPLOYEES: 73

DESCRIPTION: “Do Something Constructive” is more than a clever saying for the team at Construction Engineers; it is the founding principle for how our company approaches each and every day.

Headquartered in Grand Forks, N.D., Construction Engineers provides construction management and design-build services for a commercial division focusing on education, health care and public facilities and an industrial division that builds processing plants and infrastructure systems.

WEBSITE: constructionengineers.com

Corporate Technologies, LLC

HEADQUARTERS: Eden Prairie, Minn.

EMPLOYEES: 191

Cornerstone Bank

HEADQUARTERS: Decentralized, with offices located across North and South Dakota

EMPLOYEES: 204

DESCRIPTION: Cornerstone Bank provides an expansive product offering while staying true to its mission of providing access to financial experts who give straight answers and the best possible financial options.

Cornerstone provides business and personal loans, deposits and cash management services, online and mobile banking, and mortgage services. With 14 locations in North and South Dakota, Cornerstone Bank’s financial experts not only help customers get ahead, but take the time to figure out where they want to go.

WEBSITE: cornerstonebanks.net

DESCRIPTION: Corporate Technologies is a leading provider of managed IT solutions to businesses and institutions in Minnesota, North Dakota, Idaho, Southern California, Michigan and New Jersey.

With over 30 years of experience and the continued dedication of its employees, Corporate Technologies is able to support its clients on a national level. It offers a wide range of IT solutions, including: managed IT services, staffing, storage, virtualization, VoIP systems, consulting and networking. Corporate Technologies’ Technology Advantage program provides a niche service for small and medium-size businesses requiring IT support and services.

WEBSITE: gocorptech.com

General Steel & Supply Company is the manufacturing division of Fisher Industries. We have been designing and fabricating high-quality aggregate processing equipment in southwest North Dakota for the past 50 years. Our equipment pieces are being used by numerous companies all over the world.

We strongly believe in inspiring the next generation of manufacturers, which we do by providing hands-on shop tours to area students, donating materials to welding programs, and sponsoring Manufacturing Day events. Learn more about us at www.fisherind.com.

FISHER INDUSTRIES

3020 ENERGY DRIVE - DICKINSON, ND 58601

701.456.9184 | 800.932.8740

WWW.FISHERIND.COM

Manufacturing supports more than 18.5 Million U.S. Jobs

$1.00 = $1.40

$1.00 spent in manufacturing creates $1.40 for the U.S. economy

$77k+

Annual average salary of manufacturing workers in the U.S.

DFC Consultants

HEADQUARTERS: Fargo, N.D.

EMPLOYEES: 18

EAPC Architects Engineers

HEADQUARTERS: Grand Forks, N.D.

EMPLOYEES: 127

DESCRIPTION: EAPC is a design consulting firm offering architecture, engineering, wind energy, industrial and business excellence services from 11 offices throughout the United States and Argentina. As EAPC celebrates 50 years, the firm remains focused on the client’s needs with a view toward creative, sustainable solutions that surpass project goals in form as well as function. Careful planning, design expertise and hard work deliver positive results that clients are truly happy with long after the ribbon cutting.

WEBSITE: eapc.net

DESCRIPTION: Since 1989, DFC Consultants has been matching companies with business management software solutions that meet their unique needs. As a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner, DFC specializes in Microsoft Dynamics GP, Dynamics 365, Office 365 and Customer Relationship Management Software. DFC has experience working with small and medium-sized businesses in all industries and all across the United States. Additionally, DFC offers accounting and bookkeeping services, custom software development and programming, and cloud hosting solutions.

WEBSITE: DFCconsultants.com

Eide Bailly

HEADQUARTERS: Fargo, N.D.

EMPLOYEES: 274 (includes the firm’s administrative team; 1,700 employees across the entire company)

DESCRIPTION: Eide Bailly’s journey began in 1917 with pencil and paper. By embracing change and focusing on innovative ideas, we’ve grown along with our clients to become one of the top 25 accounting firms in the nation, all while being headquartered in Fargo. With 29 offices in 13 states, Eide Bailly’s professionals are trusted business advisors who serve passionately and intelligently with unique expertise designed to help clients succeed.

WEBSITE: eidebailly.com

First International Bank & Trust

HEADQUARTERS:

Watford City, N.D.

EMPLOYEES: 503

Epicosity

HEADQUARTERS: Sioux Falls, S.D.

EMPLOYEES: 24

DESCRIPTION: Epicosity is an ideas company specializing in creative digital strategy, video production, web development and media. We have clients in 23 states and five countries. We’re not a mega-agency – and we’re proud of that. We’re a tight group of idea people that executes nimbly and effectively. Founded in 2008 as Epic Multimedia and rebranded as Epicosity in 2013, we’ve grown from a small video production firm to a full-service international agency in just a few years.

WEBSITE: epicosity.com

First Western Bank & Trust

HEADQUARTERS:

Minot, N.D.

EMPLOYEES: 170

DESCRIPTION: First Western Bank & Trust strives to be the premier bank and financial service provider in the communities we serve by building strong customer relationships, providing great customer service, offering diverse financial products and maintaining satisfied, friendly professional employees. First Western Bank & Trust is a full-service financial center providing traditional banking products (deposit accounts and loans) as well as trust services, all lines of insurance, investments, leasing and much more.

WEBSITE: firstwestern.bank

DESCRIPTION: From its humble beginnings in 1910, this community bank has been delivering on its mission of helping dreams come true, one customer at a time.

Today, four generations strong, the Stenehjem family continues to lead the company with a focus on long-term customer relationships. They operate 27 locations throughout North Dakota, Minnesota and Arizona.

WEBSITE: FirstIntlBank.com

Fisher Industries

HEADQUARTERS: Dickinson, N.D.

EMPLOYEES: 1,125

DESCRIPTION: Built on a solid foundation of ethics and integrity, Fisher Industries is a vertically integrated family of businesses striving to provide innovative products and sustainable solutions for the world’s infrastructure.

We serve all aspects of the aggregate processing industry. Whether it’s manufacturing aggregate processing equipment, mining and delivering aggregate products or the final roller pass across freshly laid asphalt, Fisher stands ready to tackle the toughest jobs.

WEBSITE: fisherind.com

H2m

HEADQUARTERS: Fargo, N.D.

EMPLOYEES: 17

Gate City Bank

HEADQUARTERS: Fargo, N.D.

EMPLOYEES: 600

DESCRIPTION: At Gate City Bank, we believe in making a difference in our communities and in the lives of our employees and customers, For a Better Way of Life. We offer unique benefits to our employees – benefits such as paid maternity and paternity leave, generous PTO packages, paid volunteer time, mission leave assistance and more. Gate City Bank is a $1.9 billion mutual community bank with 36 convenient banking offices across North Dakota and western Minnesota.

WEBSITE: gatecitybank.com

High Point Networks

HEADQUARTERS: West Fargo, N.D.

EMPLOYEES: 75

DESCRIPTION: High Point Networks is a value-added reseller (VAR) of information technology, providing solutions to the small-business, medium-sized business and enterprise-level markets in the upper Midwest. We offer organizations best-inclass voice and data networking solutions, supported by the best professional services team in the region.

WEBSITE: HighPointNetworks.com

DESCRIPTION: H2M is a marketing agency headquartered in downtown Fargo, N.D., that serves clients throughout the upper Midwest. To deliver best-in-class creative that, in turn, delivers obscenely impressive results for their customers, H2M prioritizes honesty over ego, originality over mimicry and culture over custom.

While unafraid to capitalize on a hip trend, this “traditional” ad agency with over a century of combined expertise is more than happy to throttle the competition with old-fashioned hard work, research and killer execution. You’ve been warned.

WEBSITE: h2m.biz

Houston Engineering, Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: Fargo, N.D.

EMPLOYEES: 180

DESCRIPTION: Houston Engineering, Inc.

(HEI) is a full-service, multidisciplined consulting firm that provides civil engineering, surveying, environmental, GIS, web applications and planning services to clients in the public and private sectors.

Despite its name, HEI is not based in Houston, but rather is named after George Houston, who founded HEI in 1968. Since that time, HEI has expanded its capabilities, staff and the geographic area it serves and will be celebrating 50 years of service next year.

WEBSITE: houstoneng.com

ICON Architectural Group

HEADQUARTERS: Grand Forks, N.D., with additional offices in the North Dakota communities of West Fargo, Mandan, Minot and Watford City.

EMPLOYEES: 44

DESCRIPTION: Since its creation in 2002, ICON Architectural Group has established itself as one of the mainstay architectural and engineering firms in the area. Our mission is to provide clients with innovative design and effective building solutions that meet their exact needs. We measure our success by the success of our clients. Our relationships with clients and the individualized attention throughout the planning and design process are the keys to our success.

WEBSITE: ICONarchitects.com

John Deere Electronic Solutions

HEADQUARTERS: Fargo, N.D.

EMPLOYEES: 700

JLG Architects

HEADQUARTERS: Minneapolis

EMPLOYEES: 105

DESCRIPTION: JLG Architects is a 100 percent employee-owned, full-service architecture firm, founded in 1989 by Lonnie Laffen and Gary Johnson. Today, the firm has grown to 12 offices in North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota with over 105 employees, and has been named one of the 50 Best Places to work in the U.S. by Inc. Magazine and one of the Giants of American Architecture by Building Design+Construction Magazine.

WEBSITE: JLGarchitects.com

DESCRIPTION: John Deere Electronic Solutions is a company with a strong technological focus and extensive engineering design capabilities. We also have extensive experience in product design, product test, manufacturing and support services. This enables us to handle any and all aspects of providing solutions to industries that require quality electronics which operate in harsh or extreme environments.

WEBSITE: deere.com/en/electronic-solutions/

Lemonly

HEADQUARTERS:

Sioux Falls, S.D.

EMPLOYEES: 19

Klj

HEADQUARTERS: Bismarck, N.D. EMPLOYEES: 523

DESCRIPTION:

An exceptional experience – every project, every time. Since the 1930s, we have worked alongside communities of all sizes, partnering with cities, counties and developers, just to name a few. We create solutions that turn your visions into reality, improving the lives of people and communities across the nation.

We do this by focusing on a business model that puts you first, providing an exceptional experience that truly reimagines what your project can become.

WEBSITE: KLJeng.com

DESCRIPTION: Home of the world’s best infographics, Lemonly is a Sioux Falls, S.D.-based visual design firm. In our six-year history, we’ve helped brands such as Marriott International, Major League Baseball, Netflix, Johnson & Johnson and the United Nations tell their stories using visuals, focusing on our mission of making the world an easier place to understand. We attribute our success to a culture where people come first, and to constantly striving to make Lemonly the best place to work in the Midwest.

WEBSITE: lemonly.com

Lloyd Companies

HEADQUARTERS:

Sioux Falls, S.D

EMPLOYEES: 185

DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1972 by Craig and Pat Lloyd, Lloyd Companies is a family-owned, community-oriented business that has evolved from a single apartment property to a collection of real estate companies focused on promoting well-maintained and profitable investments for our clients. Our specialized divisions – development, commercial real estate, construction, property management and residential real estate – lead the way with flexible and creative solutions designed to get the job done.

WEBSITE: lloydcompanies.com

Marco

HEADQUARTERS: St. Cloud, Minn. (national); Fargo, N.D. (local)

EMPLOYEES: 1,083 (entire company); 46 (Fargo office)

DESCRIPTION: Marco is one of the largest technology providers in the country, with 47 offices throughout the Midwest and 32,500 customers nationwide.

Marco specializes in business IT services, copier/printer solutions and managed and cloud services. Our technology experts break down complex solutions into simple terms to position your business for success.

WEBSITE: marconet.com