Categories: Statewide

As Superintendent of Public Instruction, Kirsten Baesler is committed to providing the best possible learning environment and educational experience to every child in North Dakota.

Superintendent Baesler’s life-long passion for education has inspired her entire adult career—she spent 22 years working for Bismarck Public Schools as an instructional assistant to students with intellectual disabilities, a classroom teacher, library media specialist, technology integration specialist and vice principal. Superintendent Baesler was elected to the Mandan Public Schools Board in 2004 and served as its president from 2006 until stepping down after her election as State Superintendent. She served as Southwest Regional Director for the North Dakota School Boards Association; as a governor-appointed member of the North Dakota Educational Technology Council, and has more than a decade of experience working with North Dakota’s state legislators and congressional delegation on public education policy.

A native of Flasher, ND, Superintendent Baesler earned two Associate degrees from Bismarck State College, her bachelor’s degree in Education from Minot State University and her master’s degree in Education and Library Information Technology from Valley City State University.

Superintendent Baesler makes her home in Mandan, where she serves her community as a board member for several local non-profit organizations.

Brian was appointed to the Public Service Commission in March, 2017, by Governor Doug Burgum. Brian has a background in business, agriculture and energy.

Prior to his appointment to the Public Service Commission, Brian spent 30 years in business management in the publishing industry, including 10 years (1987-1997) at Forum Communications, Fargo, N.D. and 20 years (1997-2017) with Lee Enterprises, Bismarck, N.D. During his time with Lee Enterprises, Brian spent 10 years as publisher of The Bismarck Tribune, 17 years as publisher of Farm and Ranch Guide and 13 years as Group Publisher of Lee Agri-Media.

Brian has served as a board member and trustee for numerous organizations including United Way, Bismarck-Mandan Chamber, Bismarck-Mandan Development Foundation, Sanford Health Foundation, Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation and Bismarck State College Foundation. Brian served as president of the Bismarck State College Foundation in 2012-2013 and co-chaired the United Way Missouri Slope Area Wide Annual Gift Giving Campaign in 2009.

Julie Fedorchak was appointed to the Public Service Commission in December 2012 by Gov. Jack Dalrymple. She fills the position vacated by U.S. Congressman Kevin Cramer.

A third generation North Dakotan and the youngest of eight children, Julie was born in Williston and had the great fortune of growing up in several regions of the state. She completed elementary and junior high school in Fargo, spent many summers on her family’s farm and ranch south of Stanley, N.D., and graduated from Bismarck Century High School in 1986.

Julie earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of North Dakota in 1990 then launched her professional career with the University of North Dakota Alumni Association and Foundation where she was director of communications and editor of alumni publications.

Julie ventured to the East Coast for a couple years, living in Washington, D.C., and working at the University of Maryland College Park. In 1995, North Dakota Gov. Ed Schafer invited her back home to serve as communications director. As a senior member of his team, Julie advised on all budget and policy decisions and was Governor Schafer’s principal speech writer, spokesperson and media liaison. She held that position until he retired from office in 2000.

Following this period in government, Julie started her own business, Liffrig Communications, a small firm that provided marketing, communications, media relations and government relations services. Through a diverse base of public and private sector clients, Julie deepened her involvement in and understanding of state government, economic development and North Dakota’s key industries including energy and agriculture. She also expanded her writing credentials, publishing a bi-weekly column in the Bismarck Tribune and collaborating with her mother on two books: I’m Strong. I can Make It and Growing Up Rich in a Poor Family. After 10 years in the private sector, John Hoeven’s election to the U.S. Senate in 2010 called Julie back to public service, first as Deputy Director of Senator Hoeven’s state operations. She was promoted to State Director in 2011. In that capacity, Julie managed statewide issues and staff including five state offices while advancing Sen. Hoeven’s top priorities including national energy policy.

Julie is married to Mike Fedorchak of Minot. They have three children and live in Bismarck where they are involved in a number of activities and organizations including youth soccer, basketball, football and baseball, the Bismarck Figure Skating Club, Shade Tree Players, and Cathedral of the Holy Spirit school and parish. Julie also serves on the Board of Trustees for the University of Mary.

In her free time, Julie runs and swims and enjoys traveling, outdoor activities, entertaining, reading, family gatherings and escaping to their farm and ranch northwest of Bismarck.

Contact Information

North Dakota Public Service Commission
600 E. Boulevard, Dept. 408
Bismarck, ND 58505-0480
701.328.2400

Website

www.psc.nd.gov

Randy Christmann was elected to the North Dakota Public Service Commission in November of 2012. He brings to the Commission a background in agriculture, telecommunications, and 18 years in the North Dakota Senate representing energy country. Most of all, he brings what the Minot Daily News called a “let’s work together” attitude.

Outside of government service, Randy operates a 107-year-old third generation cattle ranch west of Hazen, North Dakota. His wife, Bethanie, is the mortgage loan officer and a vice president at the Union Bank of Beulah, Hazen, and Halliday. Before graduating from Hazen High School in 1978, Randy enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard. He also enrolled at North Dakota State University and graduated from there in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Randy was elected to the North Dakota Senate in 1994 when he upset a long-time incumbent Democrat committee chairman, helping Republicans achieve majority status in the North Dakota Senate. He initially focused mostly on energy, taxation, and natural resources issues.

Governor Ed Schafer appointed Randy to serve as one of the two legislative appointees on the Lignite Research Council. He continued to serve in that position under Governor John Hoeven and Governor Jack Dalrymple. Following the statewide general election in 2000, Senate Republicans chose Randy to serve as their Assistant Majority Leader. He was re-elected to that post every two years through 2012. He also served on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

In 1999 the members of West River Telecommunications Cooperative elected Randy to serve on its board of directors. From then through 2012 WRT nearly doubled in size, growing into a $100 million company with more than 70 employees. They provide telephone and broadband service to part or all of 17 counties in North and South Dakota. West River is also a leader in the development of cellular service in North Dakota. During part of this time Randy also served as the president of the North Dakota Association of Telecommunications Cooperatives.

Randy now brings his agriculture, telecommunications, and energy industry background to the Public Service Commission. His portfolios include:

• Coal mining, reclamation, and abandoned mine lands
• Licensing (grain dealers and auctioneers)
• Weights and measures
• Railroads

Contact Information

North Dakota Public Service Commission
600 E. Boulevard, Dept. 408
Bismarck, ND 58505-0480
701.328.2400

Website

www.psc.nd.gov

Doug Goehring has been North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner since April 2009 and was elected to a full, four-year term in November 2010.

A third-generation family farmer, Commissioner Goehring, along with his son, Dustin, operates a 2,000-acre, no-till farm near Menoken in south central North Dakota, where they raise corn, soybeans, spring wheat, field peas, sunflowers, canola, winter wheat and alfalfa. In the past, the Goehrings have also produced durum, barley, mustard, millet and safflower, and have had a feeder cattle operation.

Commissioner Goehring believes the future growth and prosperity of North Dakota agriculture depends on the expansion of overseas trade and on new technology. He strongly supports increased research into cereal grains and biofuel crops.

A recognized authority on crop insurance, Commissioner Goehring is the former president and chairman of the board of Nodak Mutual Insurance Co. and a director of American Agricultural Insurance Co. He is an advocate for improved crop insurance and other risk management products for farmers and ranchers.

Long active in farm organizations, Commissioner Goehring has served as vice president of the North Dakota Farm Bureau and is a member of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, the North Dakota Grain Growers, the North Dakota Soybean Association, and the National Association of Corporate Directors. An early supporter of agriculture-based, renewable fuels, he is an investor in the Red Trail Energy Ethanol Plant at Richardton.

Commissioner Goehring is a former director of the United Soybean Board and the North Dakota Soybean Council, a former secretary/treasurer of the North Dakota Grain Growers Association and a member of USDA’s Area 4 Research Farm Steering Committee. He serves as president of the Menoken School Board and past chairman of the Bismarck Mandan Chamber Agriculture Committee.

He chairs the Biotechnology Task Force of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, and is secretary-treasurer of the Midwest Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

Commissioner Goehring attended Bismarck State College and is a licensed medical laboratory technician. He is the proud father of a daughter, Kacie (Steve) Iglehart, and two sons, Dustin and Clint, and has two grandchildren. He attends Evangel Assembly of God in Bismarck.

Contact Information

ND Department of Agriculture
600 E Boulevard Ave, Dept 602
Bismarck, ND 58505-0020
701.328.4754

Website

www.agdepartment.com

Jon Godfread currently serves as vice president of government affairs for the Greater North Dakota Chamber, representing statewide business interests to the legislature, executive branch officials, and to companies looking to operate in North Dakota.

During his time at the GNDC, Jon has made a difference as the voice for North Dakota business:

• Led the GNDC’s grassroots efforts to defeat Measure 2 on the statewide ballot in June 2012, which would have abolished property taxes. The measure was defeated 77%-23%.
• Heavily involved in the creation of the North Dakota Outdoor Heritage Fund and its advisory board, where he currently serves as vice chair. He partnered with members of the agriculture, conservation, energy and business communities to effect this legislation during the 2013 session.
• Was a lead proponent of significant across-the-board tax reductions. His efforts helped promote and pass the largest tax cuts in state history.
• In 2014, Jon served as chair of North Dakotans for Common Sense Conservation, which successfully defeated Measure 5, 79%-21%.
• He is also the GNDC’s representative for education initiatives including Succeed 2020 and the National Math and Science Initiative.
• For his work, Jon was honored as the first North Dakotan to be selected for the prestigious American Swiss Foundation’s Young Leaders Conference in 2015.

Prior to his time with the Chamber, Jon earned a law degree and MBA from the University of North Dakota. He was able to study abroad in Austria under U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, was a member of the North Dakota Law Review, and a legislative intern for the North Dakota 2009 Legislative session, working on the House Finance and Tax Committee. In his final year of study, Jon worked full time as a legislative aide to the State Tax Department.

From 2005-2007, Jon worked for Alerus Financial in Grand Forks as branch manager and a personal banker.

Jon also played professional basketball in Ehingen, Germany, after graduating with honors from the University of Northern Iowa.

As a lifelong resident of North Dakota, community service is important to Jon. He serves as a member of the North Dakota Special Olympics board of directors, for which he volunteered while growing up in Grand Forks. He is also a member of the Bismarck-Mandan Sports Commission and attends Charity Lutheran Church.

Jon and his wife, Amanda, live in Bismarck and have two young children.

Contact Information

North Dakota Insurance Department State Capitol, fifth floor 600 E. Boulevard Ave. Bismarck, ND 58505-0320 701.328.2440

Website

www.nd.gov/ndins

Ryan Rauschenberger is the twenty-fourth North Dakota State Tax Commissioner. He was appointed to the role after serving for nearly five years as the state’s Deputy Tax Commissioner.

As Deputy Tax Commissioner, Ryan promoted sound fiscal management, successfully kept the department within budget, and ensured strong customer service for North Dakota’s taxpayers.

Ryan is a former associate accountant at PriceWaterhouseCoopers. At PwC, Ryan audited Fortune 500 companies in the energy, manufacturing, and financial services industries. Ryan’s experience enforcing appropriate financial procedures within large companies makes him uniquely qualified to enforce North Dakota’s tax laws.

Ryan returned to Bismarck in 2007 to join the North Dakota Department of Commerce where worked to recruit energy-related businesses to North Dakota and staffed provided assistance and policy guidance for EmPower North Dakota, the state’s Energy Policy Commission.

He graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in accounting and a Masters of Business Administration.

Contact Information

Office of State Tax Commissioner
600 E Boulevard Ave., Dept 127
Bismarck ND 58505-0599
701.328.7088

Website

www.nd.gov/tax

Josh Gallion lives in Bismarck with his wife Becky of 13 years and their two daughters, Brooklyn and Sasha. His combination of education, experience, and long history of service are a perfect fit for the Office of Sate Auditor.

Education:

The right education is essential to effectively performing the responsibilities of any position. Josh possesses the education that allows him to hit the ground running from day one.

Associate in Arts, Bismarck State College
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Dickinson State University
Bachelor of Science in ACCOUNTING, Dickinson State University
Masters of Business Administration, University of North Dakota

Experience:

It’s important to build experience that compliments your education and creates opportunities for greater levels of responsibilities. Josh grew up in a family owned and operated small business. This experience taught him the value of hard work with his father joking that working for yourself was great because you only had to work half days, 6 am to 6 pm. This work ethic allowed him to learn government accounting from the ground up.

Customer Service Manager, Fougner Engineered Sales
Program Manager/Finance, Department of Transportation
Accounting Manager, Public Service Commission

Dedication to Service:

Giving back to others has been a way of life for Josh for over 15 years. He is a military veteran, state employee, and active in the Bismarck community.

United States Air Force, Minot Air Force Base (1998 – 2002)
State Employee since 2008
Treasurer for District Senator
District 7 Precinct Committee Chairman

Josh’s belief in continuous improvement along with his education and experience provides a solid understanding of the auditing process. These principles, combined with his long history of service, makes him a perfect fit for the office and allows him to have the working knowledge of the agency’s business activities.

State Treasurer Kelly Schmidt has spent the last decade bringing accuracy, transparency and technology to the Office of State Treasurer. She believes strongly in limited and efficient government, and has worked hard to ensure taxpayer dollars are used in an economical and effective manner.

Growing up in North Dakota, Treasurer Schmidt learned the values of hard work, keeping her word, and serving her community. Those are the same values that led her to public service and continue to guide her decisions as she represents the people of North Dakota.

Always believing “the people’s treasury is the people’s business,” Schmidt was elected North Dakota’s 33rd State Treasurer in November 2004 and re-elected in 2008 and 2012. She and her staff provide analysis and data and bring transparency to the state treasury.

As mandated by statute, the State Treasurer also serves her state as a member of the North Dakota State Investment Board, the Teachers Fund for Retirement Board (TFFR), State Canvassing Board, State Board of Tax Equalization, State Historical Board, and the North Dakota Board of University and School Lands.

Recognized by her peers as a national leader, Treasurer Schmidt was elected Chair of the State Financial Officers Foundation in September 2014. She served as President of the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) in 2011 and also chaired its foundation. The Council of State Governments has also named her a “Toll Fellow” for her achievement and service to state government.

In 2015, Schmidt was awarded the Desjardins Financial Education Award by the Credit Union National Association for her leadership on behalf of financial literacy.   She is a founding member of the North Dakota Jump$tart Coalition, past member of the Board of Directors for the National Jump$tart Coalition and the American Savings Education Council.

Schmidt and her husband, Chuck have four sons and five grandsons. She is a proud “Navy Mom”.

Contact Information

Office of ND State Treasurer
State Capitol – 3rd floor
600 E Boulevard Ave, Dept 120
Bismarck , ND 58505-0660
Phone (701) 328-2643
Fax (701) 328-3002
treasurer@nd.gov

Website

www.nd.gov/treasurer

Secretary of State Al Jaeger was elected North Dakota’s fourteenth Secretary of State in 1992 and was reelected in 1996, 2000, 2004 (two-year term), 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018.

He serves on the North Dakota Emergency Commission, the Board of the North Dakota State Historical Society, and the North Dakota Board of University and School Lands.

Since becoming Secretary of State on January 1, 1993, Jaeger has been an active participant in the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS). He has served ten terms on its Executive Committee.  For 2018/2019, he is the Member-at-Large on the Executive Committee and liaison to the Notary Public Administrators’ section of NASS.  In July 2018, he was appointed to his 23rd consecutive term as Chairman of the NASS Standing Committee on Awards.

Jaeger was born in Beulah, ND in 1943. Raised in Beulah, he graduated from its high school in 1961. He attended Bismarck State College and in 1963 earned an Associate of Arts degree. In 1966, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from Dickinson State University majoring in Business Education with a minor in Speech. He also took post-graduate courses at the University of North Dakota in 1968 and Montana State University in 1970. Jaeger was chosen by the Bismarck State College National Alumni Association as the recipient of the 2009 BSC Alumnus of the Year Award. In 2011, he was named by Dickinson State University as an Alumni Fellow for the Department of Business and Management.

During his high school and college years, Jaeger worked for his father’s excavating and ready-mix concrete company. He taught at Killdeer (ND) High School for three years (1966-1969) and for two years (1969-1971) at Kenmare (ND) High School. For two years (1971-1973), Jaeger worked as a marketing analyst in Fargo, ND, for the Mobil Oil Corporation. From 1973 to 1992, he was self-employed in Fargo as a real estate broker and owned his own real estate brokerage business.

He served in the North Dakota Army National Guard (1966-1972). Jaeger was an active member of Jaycee chapters in Killdeer, Kenmare, and Fargo where he was Secretary and Vice President. Before moving to Bismarck in 1993, he was an eighteen-year member of the Fargo Rough Riders Kiwanis Club where he served a term as President and several terms as club Secretary. Jaeger is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Bismarck and was its President for 2007-2008. He has been a Kiwanian for over 44 years. In Fargo, Jaeger belonged to Hope Lutheran Church and served a term as a council member, foundation board member, and for eighteen years as head usher. Now, a member of Charity Lutheran Church, Bismarck, he serves on several ministry teams.

Jaeger’s wife, Kathy, died November 24, 2016.  They have three adult children.

Although not actively practicing after his election in 1992, Jaeger maintained his North Dakota real estate broker’s license until 2018 and is an Emeritus member in the Fargo-Moorhead Area Association of REALTORS and the North Dakota Association of REALTORS. He was an officer and a member of committees pertaining to education, professional standards, by-laws, and the Multiple Listing Service. Along with holding two professional REALTOR designations, he was named REALTOR of the Year in 1980 for the Fargo-Moorhead Area Association of Realtors (FMAAR) and was a nominee for North Dakota REALTOR of the Year. In 1997, FMAAR presented him with a Distinguished Service Award.

A long-time blood donor, Jaeger attained the Gold Reward Level in November 2010 and has over 111 donations.

Contact Information

Secretary of State
State of North Dakota
600 E Boulevard Ave Dept 108, 1st Floor
Bismarck ND 58505-0500
701.328.2900

Website

www.nd.gov/sos