About 

I grew up in Mandan, ND and graduated high school there.  I then graduated from the University of North Dakota with honors, earning a BA in Communications while working at the Grand Forks Herald and living in Downtown Grand Forks.  I moved back to the Bismarck area and worked for the Bismarck Tribune before volunteering and then working for the Downtown Business Association starting in 2010.  From there I became the Chief Operating Officer, as well as the Founder and President of our Downtown Bismarck Community Foundation 501c3 development arm, and President and Founder of our North Dakota Downtown Coalition.  I currently sit on numerous public and private committees and boards throughout the Bismarck and North Dakota region.  I coach high school girls golf and teach junior golf lessons through my work on the DJGA board.

My passion is creating and supporting great communities.  Over my time working in Downtown Development, Bismarck has seen a turnaround in Downtown property values (up 150M), jobs, businesses, walkability, livability and housing.  We've also consulted with other Downtown groups to assist their creation, staffing and policy initiatives.

In my spare time I love to golf, coach, drink too much coffee and spend time with family and friends.  I am revitalizing my small 1930s cottage home and enjoy bringing it to life.  

COO, Downtown Business Association of Bismarck 

President/Founder, DOwntown Bismarck Community Foundation 

President/Founder, ND Downtown Coalition

National and Regional Speaking Engagements 

• Centers for Disease Control DNPAO National training on quick build projects 

(Atlanta, GA)

• Speaker at National Main Street Conference (2x)

  • (Seattle WA, Richmond VA)

• Speaker at AARP Livable Cities Conference 

  • (Charlotte, NC)

• Speaker, moderator, organizer and panelist at ND Downtown Conference (6x)

  • Bismarck, Grand Forks, Williston

• Speaker, moderator, organizer and panelist at ND Main Street Summit Initiative (4x)

  • Bismarck, West Fargo

Honors: 

• Best Community Builders: Downtowners

  • Issued by Makewell · Dec 2019

• North Dakota Downtown Impact Award: Inaugural 2019 Downtown Leadership Winner

  • Issued by ND Downtown Conference · Aug 2019

• Business Watch 40 Under 40

  • Issued By Bismarck Tribune

• Prairie Business 40 Under 40

  • Issued by Prairie Business Magazine

Community Involvement

• Board Involvement:

  • Dakota Junior Golf Association (Secretary)

  • North Dakota Opportunity Fund Loan Board Member

• Organizing Committee:

  • 1 Million Cups Bismarck-Mandan

  • Tedx Bismarck

  • Western Planner 2022 (Bismarck-Mandan)

  • Bismarck State College BILT Marketing Committee

  • Other: Assistant Girls Golf Coach- Legacy High School

  • Other: Golf Instruction- Dakota Junior Golf Association

Dr. Karel Sovak, Herzog for Parks Treasurer