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BILT

Business and Industry Leadership Team (BILT)

Business and Industry Leadership Team (BILT) logo
The BILT model is a collaborative leadership model that allows business and industry to offer direct input in the development of college programs. This is an engaging approach to connect college programs to industry leaders.

Programs are advised by industry leaders to ensure the curriculum and hands-on learning students are conducting is exactly what employers need them to know. As a polytechnic, BSC builds the talent so employees and employers can build products and services and be successful together.
 

Business and Industry Benefits

  • Drive economic growth through public private partnerships (P3s).
  • Recruitment opportunities to develop talent and strengthen the workforce.
  • Upskill employees and develop the talent needed to drive business growth.

Student Benefits

  • Integrated learning using advanced technology through hands-on field experience.
  • Increasing and expanding pathways from K-12 through to the workforce.
  • Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) establishes the communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that employees and citizens need.

Community Benefits

  • Strong, highly skilled workforce creates a stronger economy and thriving communities.
  • Industry partnerships boost the economy and enrich communities.
  • Educational opportunities improve the economic strength, health, and wellness of the population.

BILT Sector Membership

Leadership
  • Dave Farnsworth, Chair of ND Workforce Development Council, Retired from Great River Energy 
  • Brent Lohnes, General Manager-North Dakota, Hess Corporation 
  • Brian Ritter, President, Bismarck Mandan Economic Development Chamber
  • Dr. Todd Schaffer, President & CEO, Sanford Bismarck  
  • Jace Beehler, Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor
  • Shawn Riley, Chief Executive Officer, BisBlox
  • Patrick Mineer, Chief Executive Officer, Golden Path Solutions
  • Katie Ralston, Director, Workforce Division of ND Department of Commerce
  • Kelvin Hullet, Market Manager for Economic Development & Government Programs, Bank of ND
  • Kirsten Baesler, Superintendent, ND Department of Public Instruction
  • Kristin Hedger, VP, Killdeer Manufacturing
  • Lynn Hilzendeger, Strategic Operations Manager, Doosan Bobcat
  • Steven Edwardson, Executive Administrator, ND Barley Council
  • Dan Wogsland, Executive Administrator, ND Grain Growers Association 
  • Wayde Sick, Director, ND Department of Career and Technical Education 
  • Jason Herner, Account Manager, High Point Network
Agriculture
  • Steven Edwardson, Executive Administrator, ND Barley Council 
  • Kayla Pulvermacher, Executive Administrator, ND Grain Growers Association
  • Paul Overby, Owner, Verdi-Plus
  • Brenda  Elmer, Executive Director, North Dakota Corn Growers Association 
  • Barry Haugen, President, Independent Community Banks of North Dakota
  • Nancy Johnson, Executive Director, North Dakota Soybean Growers Association 
  • Julie Ellingson, Executive Vice President, ND Stockman’s Association 
  • Amanda McClean, Farm Management Specialist, North Dakota Farmers Union 
  • Pete Hanebutt, Director of Public Policy, North Dakota Farm Bureau 
  • Nicole Wardner, Consumer Marketing & Industry Relations Specialist, ND Beef Commission
  • Warren Woroniecki, Owner, Woroniecki Ranch
  • Josh Messer, Certified Crop Advisor, AGINTEL Agronomy Consulting 
  • Chad Olson, CEO/Owner, Whole Sale Ag Products 
  • Todd Neurohr, VP, Security First Bank of North Dakota 
  • Tyler Schau, Commodities Broker, AgMarket.Net 
  • Brent Horner, Region Manager, Precision Planting
  • Wade Bott, State Soil Scientist, Natural Resources Conservation Service Soils (NRCS) 
Cybersecurity
  • Jason Herner, Account Manager, High Point Networks 
  • Shawn Riley, Chief Executive Officer, BisBlox
  • Sean Wiese, Cybersecurity Operations Director, Montana Dakota Utilities 
  • Tony Aukland, Information Systems Security Analyst, ND Information Technology Department
  • Troy Walker, Director of Sales & Marketing, Dakota Carrier Network
  • Justin Forde, President, Technology Council of North Dakota 
  • Mary Ann Byrnes, Global Manager, Cybersecurity Academy, Palo Alto Networks 
  • Chad Davis, IT Director, Turtle Mountain Community College
  • Bill Heinzen, Information Security Project Manager, NISC (BSC Adjunct) 
  • Art Bakke, Information Security Officer, Starion Bank (BSC Adjunct)
  • Leah McLean, VP, Cybersecurity Specialist Mastercard Data and Services 
  • Taya Spelhaug, TechSpark Manager, Microsoft Philanthropies 
  • Valmiki Mukherjee, Chairman & Founder, Cyber Future Foundation & Constituents 
  • Tracy Becker, Supervisor, ND Dept. of Career & Technical Education
Energy
  • Dave Farnsworth, Chair of ND Workforce Development Council, Retired from Great River Energy
  • Brent Lohnes, General Manager-North Dakota, Hess Corporation 
  • Troy Tweeten, Senior VP, Operations & Chief Operating Officer, Basin Electric 
  • Shannon Holter, Superintendent, Murex Petroleum 
  • Stan Wilson, Manager Resource Development, Continental Resources 
  • James H. Auld, J.D., External Training Initiative Director, NextEra Energy Resources
  • Cory Gullickson, Plant Manager, Harvestone Low Carbon Partners
  • Chase Dauenhauer, Regional Wind Site Manager, NextEra Energy Resources
  • Cheryl Froelich, Director  Human Resources, BNI Coal
  • Kevin McMurtrey, HR Manager, Marathon Petroleum Coporation 
  • Dean Volesky, VP Bakken Operations, Crestwood Midstream Partners
  • Darcy Neigum, System Operations & Planning Manager, Montana-Dakota Utilities Company
  • Travis Bower, Engineering Manager, ONEOK 
  • Ryan Turk-Bly, VP North US, KS Industries of North Dakota
  • Kevin Blinkmann, Wind Site Manager, NextEra Energy Resources
  • Tracy Becker, Supervisor, ND Dept. of Career & Technical Education
Health Sciences
  • Dr. Todd Schaffer, President & CEO, Sanford Bismarck 
  • Raumi Kudrna, Nursing Director, CHI St. Alexius Health 
  • Tim Blasl, President, North Dakota Hospital Association 
  • Reed Reyman, President, CHI St. Alexis Health
  • Wendy Kopp, Vice President of Nursing, Sanford & Clinical Services 
  • Daniel Kelly, Chief Executive Officer, McKenzie County Healthcare System
  • Robert Arndt, Supervisor of Microbiology & Education Coordinator, Northern Plains Laboratory Administration
  • Nancy Buchholz, Director, Northern Plains Laboratory Administration
  • Scott Schneider, Chief Executive Officer, Vibra Hospital
  • Todd Porter, Owner, Metro Area Ambulance Services
  • Dr. Amber Tincher, Clinical Director, Indian Health Service 
  • Karen L. Zimmerman, Chief Nursing Officer/VP Patient Care Services, Trinity Health
  • Kyle Kudrna, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Sanford Power
  • Tracy Becker, Supervisor, ND Dept. of Career & Technical Education
Manufacturing
  • Kristin Hedger, VP, Killdeer Manufacturing 
  • Jodie Mjoen, CEO/Business Development Advisor, Impact Dakota 
  • David Lehman, Adv Manufacturing Business Develop Manager, ND Dept. of Commerce 
  • Brent Kovash, NPD Engineering Manager, Steffes 
  • Bob Larson, Chief Operating Officer, Baker Boy 
  • Pat Ackerman, Plant Manager, Cavendish Farms 
  • Dean Pennington, Maintenance Manager, Dakota Growers Pasta 
  • Lynn Hilzendeger, Strategic Operations Manager, Doosan Bobcat 
  • James H. Auld, J.D., External Training Initiatives Developer, NextEra Energy
  • Tracy Becker, Supervisor, ND Department of Career and Technical Education 
  • Sara Helbing, Human Resources, Cloverdale
  • Kevin Blinkmann, Wind Site Manager, NextEra Energy Resources

BILT Program Membership

Diesel Technology
  • Lukas Masseth, Maintenance Analyst, BNI Coal
  • Christina Craine, Service Manager, Northern Plains Equipment
  • Tyler Reisenauer, General Manager, Bismarck & Dickinson Area, Titan Machinery
  • Dan Stadick, Recruiter/Training Coordinator, Gooseneck Equipment 
  • Mike Sanden, Training & Development Manager Coordinator, Butler Machinery Company
  • Cody Small, Service Advisor, Butler Machinery Company
  • Andy Luikens, Talent Acquisition, RDO Equipment 
  • Mike Leintz, Regional Aftermarket Manger, RDO Equipment 
  • Bryan Diede, Service Operations Manager, RDO Equipment
  • Josh Wooledge, Service Operations Manager, Peterbilt    
  • Glen Huettl, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Plains Ag LLC
  • Barry Wegner, General Manager, Nelson International of Bismarck/Mandan
  • Jerry Goodburn, Service Director, Nelson International of Bismarck/Mandan 
Finance
  • Jason Arenz, President, BNC National Bank
  • Renae R. Bloms, Fiscal Management Analyst, State of ND 
  • Lisa Chaffee, Certified Public Accountant, Eide Bailey 
  • Amy Mazigian, SVP of Western ND, Gate City Bank
  • Kirk Cristy, Chief Financial Officer, Sanford Health Bismarck 
  • Craig Hanson, SVP of Business & Banking, Bank of ND 
  • Devin Melvie, Financial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
  • Joe Morrisette, Director of Office of Management and Budget, State of ND 
  • Brandon Reems, Bismarck Market President, Choice Financial 
  • Mike Schmitz, CPA & Managing Partner, Schmitz-Holmstrom 
  • Susan Sorensen, VP & Treasurer, Basin Electric Power Cooperative  
  • Lee Weisbeck, Market President, Starion
  • Jessica DeVaal, HR Supervisor, ND Department of Career and Technical Education 

 

Heavy Equipment Operator
  • Russ Hanson, Vice President, Associated General Contractor
  • Paul Hartman, President, Traffic Safety Services
  • Carey Burke, Marketing, AGC of North Dakota
  • Tom Todd, Vice President, Building - Northwest Contracting
  • Tracy Tooz, President, Northwest Contracting
  • Dave Zavoral, Vice President, R.J. Zavoral & Sons, Inc.
  • Sally Miskavige, Vice President, Opp Construction
  • Donn Diedrich, Vice President, Industrial Builders
  • Molly Barnes, Vice President, Equipment - Northern Improvement Co.
  • Tiffany Marthaller, HR Director, Central Specialties, Inc.
  • Will Burke, Gratech Company, LLC
  • Rob Rebel, North Central River Corporation - Knife River