September 25, 2003

 

Rural Leadership North Dakota Accepts Applicants for Two-Year Program

Rural Leadership North Dakota recently selected their 2003 class. Twenty-seven individuals have been chosen to participate in the two-year interactive study and travel program.

"RLND is dedicated to preparing and developing effective leaders to strengthen rural communities, says Marie Hvidsten, RLND program director. "It is an intensive program for individuals who are interested in creating conditions in which rural North Dakota can grow and prosper. The program seeks participants who will invest time and energy and are open to broadening their perspectives."

The individuals selected for these qualities on the basis of an application process were:

• Jean Brandt of Kramer is a self-employed farmer/rancher and owner/operator of G and B Upholstery.
• Scott Bullinger from Dickinson is the accounting manager for Kadrmas, Lee and Jackson, Inc.
• Marty Campbell of Beach is the executive director for the Prairie West Development Foundation.
• Keith Draeger a café/lodge owner is from Dawson.
• Brent Ekstrom from Linton is a loan fund manager for the Lewis and Clark Regional Development Council.
• Heather Feiring of Epping is a partner farmer at Davidson Farms.
• Kurt Froelich an NDSU Extension Service agent for Foster County is from Carrington.
• Susan Goplen from Hannaford is the city coordinator for the cities of Hannaford and Hope.
• Dawn Jarolimek an insurance representative for Royal Neighbors of America is from Forest River.
• Rene Johnson from Watford City is a CPA for a local accountant.
• Deborah Kantrud from Dickinson works in community relations for the Roosevelt-Custer Regional Council.
• Jeffrey Klemetsrud of Devils Lake is the director of marketing for a family operated mechanical contracting firm.
• Donald Longmuir Jr. of Stanley is the economic development planner for Souris Basin Planning Council and co-owner of the Montrail County Abstract and Title Company.
• Michelle McCormack of Regent is the business manager for Slope Electric Cooperative.
• Becky Meidinger the lead development specialist for the TechLink Rural Assistance Program is from Ashley.
• Tammy Meyer of West Fargo is the major gifts officer and assistant director for the NDSU Development Foundation.
• Vicki Monsen the vice-president and loan officer at McKenzie County Bank is from Watford City.
• Mary Mooridian of Jamestown is the assistant communications director for the Garrison Diversion.
• Tracy Nerem from Surrey is the executive director for Habitat for Humanity Northern Lights and the broker associate/owner of Signal Realty.
• David Olson the economic development director for the Divide County Job Development Authority is from Crosby.
• Allen Orwick of Michigan is president and owner of LFS Professional Services.
• Connie Ova from Cleveland is the North Dakota State College of Science’s workforce training and projects coordinator.
• Patricia Patrie a retired teacher and current manager of Patrie’s Raspberries on the Prairie is from Bowdon.
• Kelli Schollmeyer from Killdeer is Dunn County’s deputy clerk of district court.
• Lori Wagner of South Heart is the community project coordinator for St. Joseph’s Hospital and Health Center in Dickinson.
• Beth Wieland of Sanborn works as the deputy auditor for Barnes County.
• John Zetocha of Oakes is an agriculture loan officer at First Southwest Bank in Oakes and also a part-time farmer.

The participants will attend eight seminars and one study tour over the two-year period. The seminars will be held in different locations throughout North Dakota, and the tour will take RLND students on a six-day trip to various sites across the United States. During the remaining time, students will interact by means of electronic media.

RLND is led by NDSU Extension staff and partially funded through the NDSU President’s Office. For more information, contact Hvidsten at (701) 231-5803 or visit the RLND Web site at www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/rlnd.

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Source: Marie Hvidsten, (701) 231-5803, r-leader@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Writer: Teresa Oe, (701) 231-8371, teresa.oe@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu

Click here for photos of individuals listed above.