Making a living. Making a life.     

For some people, this probably means the same thing, for others, not so much.     

In listening to the stories of those who are moving back or relocating to North Dakota, I am finding that those two statements “living” and “life” are mingling in exciting ways.     

Tom and Katy Kassian moved from Colorado to Wilton, ND. "Coming home provided me the opportunity to grow a business unique to the state," said Tom.

 

 Those who are former North Dakotans, know that the “life” they are looking for is here, so they’re ready to come make their “living” here after spreading their wings elsewhere. For new North Dakotas–those relocating to the state–many are coming to make a “living,” driven by the need of work and a new place to be. However, they are quickly finding a “life” they hadn’t expected filled with good, caring, helpful people and that love of North Dakota “life” begins in a new way.     

Here’s a great testimonial from one of our recent North Dakota relocators. Gilberto Karalus recently moved from Florida to Dickinson, N.D. (Thanks for permission to post your story Gilberto!)     

I had filed an application in the North Dakota Workforce where you (Commerce’s relocation program) forwarded me in October.  Around November, I received a surprise call to setup a phone meeting and 2 days later I got a job offer to start December 4.  That made me run because I had only a week to be in and at the job place. At the time I never been in North Dakota. I had spent the last 18 years in Miami, Florida, with a few months in Oklahoma City.      

I compared the weather with Anchorage, Alaska at that moment and it was 0 degrees farenheit in Alaska and 32 degrees farenheit in North Dakota.  I said to myself: “I can survive that!” The comparison was because my grandsons are in Alaska.      

So I threw all the “junk” I owned that I could fit in my Geo Metro and drove the 2,300 miles in three-and-a-half days. I got to Dickinson, North Dakota on December 1st around 3 p.m. I decided to go to my employer first, and they where surprised! Everyone was really helpful; helping me those first days. A few days ago I was at a gas station and a local notice the Florida Tag in my car, and asked me “Did you made the wrong turn in Albuquerque?”      

No, I got a job!     

Take a moment and read more relocation to North Dakota stories.   

Drew Johnson and his dad on Table Rock, Boise, Idaho. Photo Courtesy of 48by48.com.

This Ambassador stumbled across a really interesting post by a blogger named Drew Johnson (

drew@48by48.com) that chronicles his journey through North Dakota. Drew is on a mission, and a rather interesting one at that, as he is volunteering in 48 states in 48 weeks. He experienced a some cool programs while in North Dakota we thought you’d be interested in. Check out his adventure in North Dakota below (Thanks Drew for being willing to guest blog!) or learn more about his journeys at www.48by48.com. 

Update: North Dakota (Guest Blog)

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any colder, I crossed over the North Dakota border. Not that I was surprised, I simply consider myself an optimist and therefore naive.

North Dakota is unfortunately one of the least visited states in the Union. I had a few of the fine citizens inform me that it is the least traveled. (Not sure if they were saying that as a mark of honor.) I know people are always complaining that it is too cold or too hot or too boring to drive through or the people are too friendly, or the bison are in the middle of the road, or {fill in the blank}. I just don’t buy it.

Wonderful people like Theodore Roosevelt had this to say about the state: “I grow very fond of this place, and it certainly has a desolate, grim beauty of its own, that has a curious fascination for me.” I can only echo those words and say they are true for my experience as well, but I also add to them in regards to the large-hearted people scattered everywhere across the territory.

After driving the four hundred mile plus miles from Billings to Bismarck, I settled into the city. I had a mix up in the housing department which left me without shelter for the evening. (Must I remind you that the temperatures never made it above zero the entire time I was in the state. That first night, the forecast called for negative twenty five (without wind chill). Let me just cut to the chase to tell you I spent the night in the Best Western, not because I chose to, or paid to stay there, but a stranger I helped at a quarter to two in the morning, put me up for the night. (Click here for the full story.) I spent the next few nights in the capital city staying on an available mattress someone from courchsurfing.org (Benjamin and crew) just happened to have laying around. (Thanks guys! Nice to glean an understanding of your world. Best of winds and safe travels in your own adventures.)

I braved the cold and went in search of people to help. I came to a very quick conclusion that people in the frozen tundra don’t go outside when it hits these sub-human temps. I checked with some great organizations, but because of the weather, the opportunities to serve just weren’t there. When this happens, I usually get a little worried that I won’t meet my goals…oh me of little faith…

I stepped into the offices of the United Way of the Missouri Slope to find the same answer to my question: is there anywhere I can serve? They were fully staffed but took me down the hall to the RSVP+ office which shared the building. Success!

My instructions were to head over to help the Mental Health America of North Dakota follow up with phone calls to see if people got their invitation to the annual Celebration of Lights. I took to the phones in a furry and finished the five page list in a matter of hours. MHAofND hosts a variety of programs aimed to help people with and people who are around those with mental health issues. It was a privilege to work along side them.

While working with MHAofND, I got a call from the United Way informing me that they needed my help the following day to hang up banners on the downtown parking ramps. I jumped on the offer to serve. We spent the morning picking up the signs, getting the fastening chords, and swapping gloves while the cold nipped away at our hands. The signs made it up and the message was clear: “99% of your donation stays in your local community!” I was treated to lunch and then to an interview by CBS12 out of Bismarck. (Click here to watch the interview.)

I also got involved with the Central Dakota Humane Society walking dogs. It’s easy to forget about these cuddly creatures when it’s so cold outside, but they still need to be taken care of. I can honestly say that the coldest I’ve ever been was there walking a dozen dogs in negative seventeen degrees (thirty-five below with wind). Those dogs were so adorable and in need of a good, long-legged walk, I came back a second time, right before traveling another two hundred to Fargo.

I left for Fargo knowing I had a nice warm place to stay, thanks to my second cousin Noel and his wonderful family, whom I hadn’t seen for over eight years. I pulled into town…got lost…got found…got lost again…and then finally parked outside my destination. One of the perks to doing a journey like this is catching up with a lot of people you don’t see on a normal basis. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with my cousins and am overly appreciative of them letting me stay even though I was there during a scheduled slumber party and an unscheduled sickness going through the family.

Fargo brought with it a host of great places to volunteer! I was connected with the RSVP+ office in Fargo and was connected with two organizations. The first was the Great Plains Food Bank and the second was the Fargo/Moorhead Community Bike Workshop.

The Great Plains Food Bank touches the lives of more than 52,000 children, seniors and working families each year who struggle with, or are at risk of hunger. Each year over 5 million pounds of surplus food is donated by local, regional and national food industry partners… [which] is then distributed to people in need through… [their] statewide network of 230 member food shelves, emergency shelters, soup kitchens and other charitable feeding program in 80 communities.” Turns out that the GPFB is the only food bank in the state which means they oversee a lot of food!

I have a few different tasks to work on over the course of my time there: cutting forms, creating manuals, putting together food boxes, and stacking pallets. I spent most of my time tackling the giant bins of food brought in from a local school drive and ordering a variety of those items into manageable boxes which would then be loaded onto trucks and shipped to the counties around the state. Many people would look at that job as boring, I thought the complete opposite! I imagined the people these boxes would get handed to and the relief on their faces when they were offered a way for them to make ends meet. There’s so much more that goes into those boxes then just food. They bring comfort and hope to people who really need help.

I can’t pass up the opportunity to thank the kind folks at Great Plains for taking me out to lunch and for helping me get connected with the local media. (Click here to watch the interview.) They really were a fun crew to get to know and was made even better by their delightful Scandinavian accents. Also, they blew me out of the water by sending me away with all kinds of gifts and a lot of kind words. I’ve told them to keep a truck driving job available for me when the whole adventure ends.

On Thursday night, I had the opportunity to check out something that made me super curious when I was initially told about it. That being the F/M Community Bike Workshop in downtown Fargo. I got down-and-dirty stripping old bikes of their usable parts and even messier putting a bike back together (thanks to the peddle grease). The purpose of the FMCBW is to be “a community-run learning space, committed to the reclamation and distribution of recycled bicycles by providing tools, education and an inclusive space for all members of our diverse community.” In a nutshell, they try to get bikes out to people who need transportation.

It was great to hear that they have been helping many people in the community, but it’s not just by giving the bikes away. The individual commits to volunteering at the workshop for at least seven hours and learns how to take care of bike and is invited back anytime to keep it well maintained.

I really think the community bike workshop idea is a great one. Google “community bike workshop” plus your city’s name to get connected with an organization like this one near you. And even though I was reminded that I really have no idea what I’m doing mechanically, I was brought to cheer knowing there are places for everyone to get involved with.

After saying goodbye to all the fine people I met in North Dakota, I hopped over the Red River into Minnesota. (Don’tcha know.)

The below is a guest blog by Kelvin Hullet, Bismarck-Mandan Chamber President on his perspective about North Dakota’s shifting national image. A big thanks to all our Ambassadors, and especially Kelvin, for hard work in promoting what is positive about North Dakota. Check out Kelvin’s blog or visit The Bismarck-Mandan Chamber web site, but first make sure you read below.  

Kelvin Hullet, Bismarck-Mandan Chamber President

It’s been an interesting 6-years for me in Bismarck-Mandan. One of the most exciting things to happen is the evolution of the perception of what North Dakota is on the national stage. When I was leaving Nebraska, my going away gifts included ice fishing poles, copies of the movie Fargo and other jibes about how cold it was going to be “On the Tundra”. 

Intern at Dakota Growers Pasta does a quality check.

Many of us have heard the phrase “give it to the intern” in our careers, but it’s doubtful we’ve given much thought to how vaulable interns are to businesses, or how valuable the opportunity is to the intern. Internships provide real-world experience to students across our state, and give businesses the opportunity to foster potential workforce. Through internship experiences, many of the state’s youth are finding job opportunities and recognizing that they have the ability to build their careers without leaving North Dakota.  

Internships in a variety of industries can participate in Operation Intern.

Think about hosting an intern in your company. The Operation Intern program provides up to $6000 per new internship position for companies in the targeted industries of energy, advanced manufacturing, tourism, value added agriculture and technology. Not sure where to start to get an intern or even what kinds of things they should be doing? Not to worry, the Department of Commerce can help you get started.  Apply today for spring and summer internships at www.operationintern.com  

North Dakota State University Professor Larry Leistritz today presented the results of a new study showing that the North Dakota Centers of Excellence program has leveraged $19.9 million in funding into an economic impact of $329.4 million through June 30, 2009.

With only one third of the total available program dollars invested as of June 30, 2009, the Centers of Excellence program had the following economic benefits:

Economic Impact: $329.4 million
The Centers of Excellence program has had $329.4 in estimated total economic impact to North Dakota’s economy. This includes a direct impact of $115.5 million generated by the Centers and their partners.

Job Creation: 2060 jobs
The Centers of Excellence program has lead to the creation of 2,060 total jobs. This includes 922 jobs at an estimated annual payroll of $44.5 million created by the Centers themselves or by partnering companies. In addition, the efforts of the Centers and their partners have supported the creation of another 1,138 jobs within the state of North Dakota.

Private Sector Partners: 132 Companies
The Centers have formed partnerships with 132 companies. These include companies in target industries such as advanced manufacturing, energy, technology, and value-added agriculture, as well as emerging industries such as life sciences and unmanned aircraft systems.

New Businesses: 17 New or Expanded Businesses
Seventeen new or expanded businesses have resulted from the Centers of Excellence program. This includes seven new spinoff companies, five companies that expanded to North Dakota, and five companies that have expanded within the state.

Funding: $19.9 million Invested

Only one third of the investment allocated to Centers of Excellence was invested as of June 30, 2009. Due to careful due diligence and project requirements on the part of the program and the university system, projects are funded and dollars spent only when the required match is available and the project is ready to move forward.

Status of Centers of Excellence Investment June 30, 2009

Spent $ 19.9 million
Disbursed to Centers (not yet spent) $ 11.5 million
Approved (waiting disbursement) $ 10.9 million
Available for Awards $ 20.0 million
Total $ 62.3 million

“The Centers of Excellence program is North Dakota’s major initiative to participate in technology and information-based economic development,” wrote Leistritz and his coauthors. “Although many Centers are in early stages of development, the economic effects of the program to date are encouraging. With a direct economic impact of $115.5 million and total impact of $329.5 million for the period January 1, 2007 – June 30, 2009, the program’s contribution to the North Dakota economy is already considerable. Further, the jobs resulting from Center activities are relatively high-paying.”

Also on hand to discuss the study were Gov. John Hoeven, Sen. Tony Grindberg, Commerce Commissioner Shane Goettle, Centers of Excellence Commission Chair Mark Nisbet and Jeff Johnson, V.P. of Business Development for Appareo Systems, one of the private sector companies participating in the Centers of Excellence program.

“With just a third of the program’s funding distributed, our Centers of Excellence are already having a significant economic impact on our state,” Hoeven said. “At this rate of development, we shouldn’t be surprised to see a $1 billion impact when all of the projects are funded and mature.”

“Projects are funded and dollars spent only when the required match is available and the project is ready to move forward,” Goettle said. “So this economic impact is really outstanding.”

In the report, Leistritz said another measure of the program’s success is Centers’ ability to obtain matching and leveraged funds. “To date, the Centers have obtained $134.8 million of matching and leveraged funds, an amount far exceeding the $31.4 million of state funds dispersed to the Centers,” Leistritz said.

“I am excited to see that the Centers of Excellence are becoming the economic engine that the North Dakota Economic Development Foundation believed they could be,” said Nesbit. “I am especially pleased that 132 businesses have partnered with our University system in the effort to commercialize research and provide quality jobs throughout the state of North Dakota.”

“The Governor’s Centers of Excellence initiative is a good example of a great idea that is working at the local level and that is making a difference for our students, our businesses, and our community,” said Johnson of Appareo.

Goettle also reported that Commerce has implemented all audit recommendations included in a performance audit of the Centers of Excellence program released last September.

“We have implemented or begun to implement all of the recommendations made by the auditor’s office,” Goettle said. “We are in communication with the auditor’s office and attempting to get their input on the steps we are taking to ensure we are on track.”

The full Economic Impact study and a summary of the Center’s Annual Report is available at Economic Impact Report: http://www.commerce.nd.gov/uploads/resources/162/draft5-coe-fnl-rpt-12-17-09.pdf . The Summary Document: http://www.commerce.nd.gov/uploads/resources/163/2009-coeannual-report-summary.pdf

A white Christmas has arrived in North Dakota! I was chatting with some other North Dakota ambasadors this week, some in-state and some out-of-state and all expressed such a strong bond to North Dakota, especially at Christmas time. It got me to thinking, why is that?

When I asked that very question, I got a variety of answers. Most people could remember some great Christmas present, or a visit from an unexpected relative, playing with cousins, or Grandma telling a Christmas tale, a favorite holiday tradition, but none of them spoke specifically of a link to North Dakota. That is when it hit me, that link to the state comes from the quality of life people find or remember having here. Holiday memories, at least all those I received when I asked, had one thing in common … family and friends, those roots that always call us here.

The time we make and spend with family and friends is always more precious at the holidays. In North Dakota, maybe we make a little more time year round to connect with our families and friends, to appreciate them outside of the holidays. Perhaps that’s why our bond to the state always calls us a little louder during the holidays, especially if we are outside her borders.

Holiday wishes to all our Ambassadors worldwide. North Dakota wishes you a Happy Everything and a prosperous New Year. View our Ambassador Greeting to you!

If you are wondering what to get this Ambassador for Christmas … all I want is MORE AMBASSADORS! Please get another North Dakota lover in our ranks and have them join our social networks.

Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
Join Officially at ExperienceND.com
YouTube

Words like “Bio Safety Level 3″ and “protease research” sound a little foreign to me when I think of North Dakota. They seem big and scientific, and to be honest, challenge me to think of North Dakota in a new way. This ambassador had never thought about the ground-breaking research that scientists and companies are conducting right in my own backyard, mostly because I didn’t know it was happening. Well, the cool thing is, it is happening!

Life science and bio-medical companies are beginning to recognize the benefits of doing business in North Dakota. The state has been working diligently to put in place the infrastucture and private and public partnerships that help support this growing industry. Programs like the Centers of Excellence are helping businesses to leverage the expertise of North Dakota researchers in our higher education facilities to innovate and grow their business in North Dakota.

The Center of Excellence in Life Science and Advanced Technologies, often referred to as COELSAT, features both wet lab and animal room spaces and houses the region’s only Bio Safety Level 3 germ reserach lab. It is the only lab in North Dakta that can be leased by the month, giving companies the opportunity to conduct specialized research without investing in their own costly infrastructure.

The Center for Passive Therapuetics is working to develop passive therapeutics (antibodies) from value-added ag products to combat virus and infectious disease.

The Center for Biopharmaceutical Research and Prodcution is working to discover new vacicines to help treat some of mankinds most challenging diseases.

The Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering is working on coatings with antimicrobial properties.

Avianax, a life science company based in Grand Forks, is creating therapeutic products using antibiodies from geese and goose products. These antibodies are proving effective against West Nile Virus in research being conducted right here in North Dakota.

Members of the state’s business development team are participating in events like the Life Science Alley Conference, being held in Minneapolis this week. The relationships built and the connections make at events like these help the state to continue to position itself for a bright future in this industry. Not to mention that both UND and NDSU, along with MoorheadState and Concordia College, are providing a strong base of research workforce in a variety of science-based study.

Life sciences will definitely be an industry to watch in the near future in North Dakota. To learn more about the industry, check out Comerce’s Life Sciences in North Dakota publication.

Tune in at www.urlradio.net and connect with North Dakota each Thursday from 10-10:30 a.m.

Commerce’s own radio program airs each Thursday from 10 – 10:30 a.m on URLRadio.net, Bismarck-Mandan’s local internet radio station. The program features Travel Talk with the Tourism Division the first Thursday of each month, and North Dakota Rocks the remaining Thursdays, featuring state happenings, Commerce programs and more. Simply set your browser to www.URLRadio.net and click the “Click here to Listen” link. You’ll be happy you did, and so will we!

Speaking of URL Radio, it just so happens that they are one of North Dakota’s entrepreneurs. Having started the station in 2008, Stacy Sturm and Nicole Morrison Mathern are working on making Bismarck’s first solely Internet radio station a success. And, just what are they doing to help them in the venture? Enrolling in the Innovate ND competition, of course! They had this to say about their decision to compete:

“Innovate ND is more than just a contest. It’s an experience,” says Sturm. “I’ve received guidance, support and mentoring that no amount of money could buy. That’s priceless to a new business owner.”

Deadline to enroll for this year's competition is December 4, 2009.

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today announced that Kilbourne Group is sponsoring a major new Innovate ND award category aimed at encouraging people with retail-based business ideas to compete in the annual venture building program.

The winner of the Innovate ND In the Zone Award will receive 2,000 square feet of prime downtown Fargo retail space at no cost for one year. The award is valued at $32,000. Doug Burgum, founder and chairman of Kilbourne Group, said the goal of the incentive is to motivate more retail entrepreneurs in downtown renaissance zones in North Dakota. Kilbourne Group is a collective team that is committed to inspiring and supporting the redevelopment of downtown districts.

“In spite of the great successes to date, one of the remaining challenges to the successful economic revival within the North Dakota renaissance zones is finding business owners willing to locate or launch a start-up in the downtown area,” Burgum said. “We are hoping that this significant incentive prize will help us uncover the next generation of retail innovators.”

“We are very pleased about this new partnership with Kilbourne Group and the excitement it adds to our growing program,” Hoeven said. “North Dakota is a great place to do business and with the growth of Innovate ND, North Dakota is also becoming a great place to be an entrepreneur.”

The In the Zone category is for innovative retail companies as well as those companies that plan to sell aggressively through the Internet and yet need a storefront or place for demonstrations for their product/service.

Kilbourne Group will select the In the Zone winner. The raw retail space offered by Kilbourne Group will be ready for the winner’s creative “fit-up.” Judges will look at the following main criteria in choosing the winner: innovation; a winning business model; the ability to succeed as a “destination retail location” in a Renaissance Zone; and the ability to take their product/service beyond the local level to the regional, national and even global levels.

The deadline for enrolling in Innovate ND is Dec. 4. Enrollment costs $100 ($50 for students) and includes online entrepreneur education, business planning tools, and coaching and mentoring from successful entrepreneurs and proven business owners.

The top 20 entries for Innovate ND will get the chance to pitch their business idea to a panel of potential investors. Up to five $10,000 cash prizes are awarded, as well as a wide variety of business services and potential seed capital investments to launch their businesses.

“Innovate ND is a powerful resource for entrepreneurs statewide,” Shane Goettle, commissioner, North Dakota Department of Commerce, said. “Some terrific business ideas have come through Innovate ND in the past three years and many past participants say the program has been vital to their success.”

Goettle said to date, nearly 500 people with 250 ideas have participated in the program and 70 new businesses are operational or in the development stage as a result.

DETAILS ABOUT INNOVATE ND
• Launched in November 2006 by Gov. John Hoeven.
• Coordinators: the North Dakota Department of Commerce and a statewide network of partners including the UND Center of Innovation, the NDSU Research and Technology Park, Dickinson State University Strom Center for Entrepreneurship, the IDEA Center in Bismarck, the Southern Valley Innovation Center in Wahpeton, Williston State College, Minot State University, and Bismarck State College – CETI.
• Sponsors: Forum Communications (lead sponsor), Cavendish Farms (premier sponsor), Great River Energy, State Bank & Trust, Bremer Bank, North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Bremer Bank, Montana Dakota Utilities, Weather Modification, Solarbee, Agency MABU, Qwest and Kilbourne Group.
• Cost: $100, $50 for students.
• Program includes online entrepreneur education, business planning tools, and coaching and mentoring from successful entrepreneurs and proven business owners.
• The top 20 entries pitch their business idea to a panel of potential investors.
• Up to five $10,000 cash prizes are awarded plus a wide variety of business services and potential seed capital investments to launch their businesses.
• One retail-based project will be selected for the Innovate ND In the Zone Award, which provides 2,000 square feet of prime downtown Fargo retail space at no cost. ($32,000 value)
• To date, nearly 500 people with 250 ideas have participated in the program and 70 new businesses are operational or in the development stage as a result.
• Enrollment runs through Dec. 4 and can be completed online at www.InnovateNd.com. For more information about the program contact Brandi Schoenberg at the ND Department of Commerce, 701-328-5300 or bschoenberg@nd.gov.
•

I had to share this cool story about North Dakota’s own Doug Burgum by Dave Kolpack, AP writer. Governor Hoeven awarded Burgum, the man responsible for Great Plains software success, North Dakota’s highest honor on Friday.
——-
FARGO, N.D. — A philanthropist and former Microsoft Corp. executive who built a big-time company with small-town people is the recipient of North Dakota’s highest honor, the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider award.

Gov. John Hoeven presented Doug Burgum with the award during a surprise ceremony Friday at Microsoft’s Fargo campus, where Burgum served as the company’s senior vice president. Burgum is the 37th person to receive the award, given first in 1961 to entertainer Lawrence Welk.

Burgum fought back tears during much of a presentation, which included video messages from Microsoft founder Bill Gates and current Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Burgum had built his previous company, Great Plains Software, Inc., into a billion-dollar company before selling it to Microsoft.

“Wow. I’m humbled, I’m grateful and I really appreciate it,” said Burgum, joking that he would have shaved if he had known about the ceremony. “I thought I was coming out here to get a tour with some people.”

Burgum, 53, a native of Arthur, a town of about 400 people in southeastern North Dakota, talked about his small-town roots and told the audience about a pledge he made with friends who attended high schools in the state’s Class B division.

“Look, we’re going build a world-class company, and we’re going to build it with Class B kids,” Burgum said.

Burgum joined Great Plains, in 1983, when it was still a startup. He became its chairman and chief executive officer, and he and his family bought a large share of it.

Microsoft bought Great Plains in 2001 for $1.1 billion in stock, and Burgum worked for Microsoft until 2007.

Gates and Ballmer said Burgum’s contributions were critical to developing Microsoft’s business applications. Burgum taught everyone about customer service, strong work ethic and commitment to the well-being of others, they said.

“I think he’s probably embarrassed by all the attention tonight, but it’s well-deserved,” Gates said.

Ballmer talked about the time he and Burgum were working on their master’s degrees at Stanford, and Gates asked Ballmer to drop out of school and join his startup company, Microsoft.

“Doug told me I would be nuts to take the job,” Ballmer said. “Doug told me he was going to go work for a startup called Great Plains Software in Fargo. It was my turn to tell him he was nuts.

“In the end, things worked out pretty well for both of us,” he said.

Longtime Great Plains employee Jodi Uecker-Rust said one of Burgum’s strongest assets is building relationships, not only with the “really big dogs” around the globe, but everyone who works for him. She remembered when Burgum smashed eggs in his own face during a presentation about a software project that failed.

“How many of us would stand on stage in front of 3,000 people and hit eggs on their head?” Uecker-Rust said.

Much of Burgum’s charitable work has revolved around the development of downtown Fargo. In 1996, he founded the Kilbourne Group, named for his mother, who grew up in Fargo. The company has invested more than $14 million in nearly 244,000 square feet of space in the downtown area.

Burgum also created the Arthur Ventures Growth Fund, a regional venture capital fund that invests in businesses, and the Doug Burgum Family Fund, a charity focused on youth and education.

Burgum said others deserve credit for his accomplishments.

“People who know me well know I have been surrounded by an incredible group of people,” he said.