BILT

Business and Industry Leadership Team (BILT)

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

Brent Lohnes, General Manager-North Dakota, Hess Corporation
Brenda Nagel, President, Bismarck Mandan Economic Development Chamber
Cindy Griffin, Chair of ND Workforce Development Council, VP HR & Corp. Services, Harvestone
Dan Wogsland, Executive Administrator, ND Grain Growers Association
Dave Farnsworth, BILT Chair, Retired from Great River Energy
Dr. Todd Schaffer, President & CEO, Sanford Bismarck
Jace Beehler, Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor
Jason Herner, Account Manager, High Point Network
Katie Ralston, Director, Workforce Division of ND Department of Commerce
Kelvin Hullet, Market Manager for Economic Dev. & Gov. Programs, Bank of ND
Kirsten Baesler, Superintendent, ND Department of Public Instruction
Kristin Hedger, VP, Killdeer Manufacturing
Patrick Mineer, Chief Executive Officer, Golden Path Solutions
Roz Leighton, Chief of Staff, Office of Governor Office
Ryan McNally, Strategic Operations Manager, Doosan Bobcat
Shawn Riley, Chief Executive Officer, BisBlox
Steven Edwardson, Executive Administrator, ND Barley Council
Wayde Sick, Director, ND Department of Career & Technical Education

Agriculture

Amanda McClean, Farm Management Specialist, North Dakota Farmers Union
Brenda Elmer, Executive Director, North Dakota Corn Growers Association
Brent Horner, Region Manager, Precision Planting
Chad Olson, CEO/Owner, Wholesale Ag Products
Darin Spelhaug, Supervisor Ag. Education, ND Dept of Career & Technical Education
Dennis Haugen, Vice President, ND Grain Growers Association
Jessie Pfaff, BILT Chair, Vice President, Independent Community Banks of ND
Josh Messer, Certified Crop Advisor, AGINTEL Agronomy Consulting
Julie Ellingson, Executive Vice President, ND Stockman’s Association
Nancy Johnson, Executive Director, North Dakota Soybean Growers Association
Nicole Wardner, Marketing & Industry Relations Specialist, ND Beef Commission
Paul Overby, Owner, Verdi-Plus
Pete Hanebutt, Director of Public Policy, North Dakota Farm Bureau
Steven Edwardson, BILT Chair, Executive Administrator, ND Barley Council
Todd Neurohr, VP, Security First Bank of North Dakota
Tyler Schau, Commodities Broker, AgMarket.Net
Wade Bott, State Soil Scientist, Natural Resources Conservation Service Soils
Warren Woroniecki, Owner, Woroniecki Ranch

Cybersecurity

Art Bakke, Information Security Officer, Starion Bank (BSC Adjunct)
Bill Heinzen, Information Security Project Manager, NISC (BSC Adjunct)
Brad Hoffart, Supervisor, ND Dept. of Career & Technical Education
Chad Davis, IT Director, Turtle Mountain Community College
Jason Herner, Account Manager, High Point Networks
Justin Forde, President, Technology Council of North Dakota
Leah McLean, VP, Cybersecurity Specialist Mastercard Data and Services
Mary Ann Byrnes, Global Manager, Cybersecurity Academy, Palo Alto Networks
Sean Wiese, Cybersecurity Operations Director, Montana Dakota Utilities
Shawn Riley, Chief Executive Officer, BisBlox
Taya Spelhaug, TechSpark Manager, Microsoft Philanthropies
Tony Aukland, Information Systems Security Analyst, ND ITD Department
Troy Walker, Director of Sales & Marketing, Dakota Carrier Network
Valmiki Mukherjee, Chairman & Founder, Cyber Future Foundation & Constituents

Energy

Brent Lohnes, BILT Chair, General Manager-North Dakota, Hess Corporation
Chase Dauenhauer, Regional Wind Site Manager, NextEra Energy Resources
Cheryl Froelich, Director Human Resources, BNI Coal
Cory Gullickson, Plant Manager, Harvestone Low Carbon Partners
Darcy Neigum, System Operations & Planning Manager, MDU Company
Dave Farnsworth, BILT Chair, Retired from Great River Energy
Dean Volesky, VP Bakken Operations, Crestwood Midstream Partners
James H. Auld, J.D., External Training Initiative Director, NextEra Energy Resources
Kevin Blinkmann, Wind Site Manager, NextEra Energy Resources
Kevin McMurtrey, HR Manager, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Ryan Turk-Bly, VP North US, KS Industries of North Dakota
Shannon Holter, Superintendent, Murex Petroleum
Stan Wilson, Manager Resource Development, Continental Resources
Tracy Becker, Supervisor, ND Dept. of Career & Technical Education
Travis Bower, Engineering Manager, ONEOK
Troy Tweeten, Senior VP, Operations & Chief Operating Officer, Basin Electric

Health Sciences

Dr. Todd Schaffer, BILT Chair, President & CEO, Sanford Bismarck
Micheal Silbernagel, Sports Performance Manager, Sanford Bismarck
Pete Edis, CEO, McKenzie County Healthcare System
Rachel Lawlor, Essentia Health Representative
Raumi Kudrna, Nursing Director, CHI St. Alexis Health
Reed Reyman, President, CHI St. Alexis Health
Reier Thompson, Executive Director, Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center
Robert Arndt, Director, Northern Plains Laboratory Administration
Scott Schneider, Chief Executive Officer, Vibra Hospital
Tim Blasl, President, North Dakota Hospital Association
Todd Porter, Owner, Metro Area Ambulance Services
Wendy Kopp, Vice President of Nursing, Sanford & Clinical Services

Manufacturing

Bob Larson, Chief Operating Officer, Baker Boy
Brent Kovash, NPD Engineering Manager, Steffes
David Lehman, Adv Mfg. Business Develop Manager, ND Dept. of Commerce
Dean Pennington, Maintenance Manager, Dakota Growers Pasta
Jodie Mjoen, CEO/Business Development Advisor, Impact Dakota
Kristin Hedger, VP, Killdeer Manufacturing
Pat Ackerman, Plant Manager, Cavendish Farms
Ryan McNally, Strategic Operations Manager, Doosan Bobcat
Sara Helbing, Human Resources, Cloverdale
Tracy Becker, Supervisor, ND Dept. of Career & Technical Education

BILT Program Membership

Diesel Technology

Andy Luikens,Talent Acquisition, RDO Equipment
Barry Wegner,General Manager, Nelson International of Bismarck/Mandan
Bryan Diede, Service Operations Manager, RDO Equipment
Christina Craine, Service Manager, Northern Plains Equipment
Cody Small, Service Advisor, Butler Machinery Company
Dan Stadick, Recruiter/Training Coordinator, Gooseneck Equipment
Glen Huettl, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Plains Ag LLC
Jerry Goodburn, Service Director, Nelson International of Bismarck/Mandan
Josh Wooledge, Service Operations Manager, Peterbilt
Lukas Masseth, Maintenance Analyst, BNI Coal
Mike Leintz, Regional Aftermarket Manger, RDO Equipment
Mike Sanden, Training & Development Manager Coordinator, Butler Machinery Company
Tyler Reisenauer, General Manager, Bismarck & Dickinson Area, Titan Machinery

Finance

Amy Mazigian, SVP of Western ND, Gate City Bank
Brandon Reems, Bismarck Market President, Choice Financial
Craig Hanson, SVP of Business & Banking, Bank of ND
Devin Melvie, Financial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
Jason Arenz, President, BNC National Bank
Jessica DeVaal, HR Supervisor, ND Department of Career and Technical Education
Joe Morrisette, Director of Office of Management and Budget, State of ND
Kirk Cristy, Chief Financial Officer, Sanford Health Bismarck
Lee Weisbeck, Market President, Starion
Lisa Chaffee, Certified Public Accountant, Eide Bailey
Mike Schmitz, CPA & Managing Partner, Schmitz-Holmstrom
Renae R. Bloms, Fiscal Management Analyst, State of ND
Susan Sorensen, VP & Treasurer, Basin Electric Power Cooperative

Heavy Equipment Operator

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

North Dakota's Polytechnic Institution