GrowND: Workforce Showcase

Becky Bahe (Bay) is the Inaugural Endowed Chair in Leadership and Director of the Career and Advising Center at North Dakota State University where she oversees all areas related to the area including academic advising, career development, experiential learning and employer engagement. She earned a B.S. in Athletic Training from the University of North Dakota and a M.S. in College Student Personnel from Western Illinois University and is currently pursuing a doctorate in organizational learning and leadership from North Dakota State University. Becky has been a leader in her professional organizations which has allowed her to share the incredible work happening in the state of North Dakota with colleagues across the country. Prior to returning home to Fargo, Becky worked at the University of Northern Iowa and Salem State College in Massachusetts. 

PAT BERTAGNOLLI serves as the Executive Director of Job Service North Dakota, bringing extensive leadership experience to the role. He holds a B.A. in Business from Carroll College in Helena, Montana. Pat's career spans diverse leadership positions, including multistate operations management, workforce planning, and employee relations for a Fortune 100 company. Recruited to North Dakota in 2011, he spent nine years serving Western North Dakota in the oil and gas industry, recruiting talent from across the nation. Before joining Job Service, Pat was a Community Enhancement Director for Watford City, ND, leading efforts to engage the community, build industry partnerships, promote student ambassador programs, and spearhead strategic initiatives showcasing the benefits of living and working in North Dakota. A dedicated advocate for workforce development, Pat has served on the North Dakota Workforce Development Council for over 10 years and is a member of the State Board for Career and Technical Education.

MATT CHAUSSEE is the CEO and Co-founder of award-winning immersive media and virtual reality video solution, CareerViewXR. Together with his wife and company co-founder, Katie, the two have turned this once upon a time "mom and pop VR shop" into a skilled team of educators and media professionals providing career awareness solutions to schools in over 25 states. CareerViewXR’s accessible approach to delivering immersive media allows them to bring authentic and meaningful real-world career experiences into the classroom. As a passionate educator and lifelong learner, Matt strongly believes in the power of relationships to move big ideas forward. Through CareerViewXR, Matt and his team build meaningful connections between education and industry while providing educators, students, and career seekers with a dynamic, yet practical tool to better understand career pathways. Matt and his team’s vision is to close the career awareness gap and ensure every student has an opportunity to discover their dream job.

​BRUCE KLOOTWYK JR., MBA is the Career Coach for the XR for VR (Extended Reality for Vocational Rehabilitation) initiative at Bismarck State College. In this role, he supports youth and adults with disabilities in exploring career pathways and achieving competitive integrated employment through the use of immersive and assistive technologies.

Living with a lifelong physical disability, Bruce brings both professional expertise and lived experience to his work. He is a dedicated advocate for expanding opportunities and breaking down barriers for individuals with disabilities, with a strong focus on independence, access, and meaningful employment.

As a pioneer in the use of assistive and extended reality technologies, Bruce is committed to leveraging innovation to transform how individuals with disabilities learn, work, and engage with the world. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to advocacy, inclusion, and creating pathways for others to achieve their full potential.

MELISSA MARSHALL doesn’t just talk about transformation; she lives it. As the owner of Dale Carnegie of North Dakota and Northwest Minnesota, she’s spent 20 years helping leaders and teams break through barriers and unleash their genius. A student of business, life, and the school of hard knocks, she brings raw authenticity, humor, and an unshakable belief in human potential. She meets people where they are, helping them sharpen communication, lead with confidence, and create real, lasting impact.

RETHA MATTERN serves as Executive Director of Public Engagement for the Lignite Energy Council, where she leads the organization’s communications, education, membership, and public affairs efforts. Her work connects North Dakota’s lignite industry with policymakers, educators, member companies, and communities across the region, promoting an understanding of the industry’s economic and environmental contributions. She oversees major initiatives including the Lignite Education Seminar for teachers, the Lignite Energy Council Annual Meeting, CoalPAC events, and strategic outreach campaigns that promote understanding of coal’s role in grid reliability, economic strength, and national security.

Prior to joining the Lignite Energy Council, Mattern held several leadership positions at Bismarck State College, including Director of Admissions & Outreach, Director of the Great Plains Energy Corridor, and Business & Outreach Coordinator for the National Energy Center of Excellence. She also worked as a reporter and assistant news director for KFYR-TV in Bismarck and served three years on the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education.

Mattern holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science degree in Management from Minot State University.

PATRICK MINEER is the Founder and CEO of Golden Path Solutions, a company focused on workforce development and career readiness by helping today’s students find clarity in their education and career paths while strengthening connections between education and industry through their application Compass.  Compass is available to all K12 and post-secondary students in North Dakota through partnerships with ND CTE and NDUS.  In addition to Golden Path Solutions, Patrick is the founder of Blue Fire Consulting, an organization providing management and project execution services to primary sector companies in the region, and is also the president of the Minn-Dak Manufacturers Association.  Patrick has an extensive background in a variety of roles in operations, finance, marketing, development and strategy throughout his career, including ten years at Microsoft.  Patrick also serves on several college advisory boards, including North Dakota State University, Bismarck State College, and MState Moorhead.  Patrick and his family reside in Fargo, North Dakota.

JENNA MUELLER serves as Chief Operating Officer of F5 Project, a nonprofit organization working to end recidivism by supporting individuals impacted by incarceration, behavioral health conditions, substance use, and housing instability. She oversees organizational operations across multiple regions in North Dakota and Minnesota. Through F5 Project’s work breaking barriers to employment and stability, F5 Project helps connect employers with a largely untapped workforce, individuals who are ready to work, contribute, and rebuild their lives when given the opportunity while strengthening North Dakota’s workforce.

CASEY NYHUS is an HR Specialist II at Bobcat, where she supports people‑focused initiatives and helps connect talent to meaningful career opportunities. A Bismarck native, Casey brings her strengths in positivity, connection, and communication to her work, including her involvement with Bobcat’s student program and partnerships that support workforce development. She is passionate about mentoring, volunteering, and giving back to the community that shaped her. Casey is grateful for the opportunity to share Bobcat’s story and the impact of investing in students.

SHERIFF SHARMA brings over a decade of leadership experience in sales, marketing, and business growth. As the founder of Inclusive Staffing, he helps businesses scale through Remote Professionals while reducing overhead and increasing efficiency. With past roles as Director of Business Development at DTN Staffing and Chief Marketing Officer for Vibra hospital, Sheriff has led impactful growth and branding initiatives. Grounded in a people-first mindset shaped by his background as a travel nurse, he builds lasting partnerships rooted in trust. Recently honored with the Bismarck Chamber’s 20 Under 40 Award and a Small Business of the Year nomination, Sheriff continues to lead with vision and purpose.

WAYDE SICK has been involved in education and workforce development for over twenty years. His first role with the State of North Dakota was with the Workforce Division for the ND Department of Commerce, starting in that capacity in October 2012. In May of 2018, he was named the State Director for the Department of Career and Technical Education. Prior to serving for the State, Wayde was employed with the Burdick Job Corps Center in Minot from 2003-2011 where he served as an academic instructor, CTE Manager, and the Deputy Center Director. Wayde has a bachelor’s degree in Social Science Education and a master’s in management, both from Minot State University.

KAREN WITZEL is the Franchise owner of Spherion Staffing in North Dakota and South Dakota. The majority of Karen’s career has been with Spherion, primarily in a Business Development capacity, where she serves as a consultative partner to employers that address their complex and unique talent strategy to achieve their business goals.

Karen has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Moorhead State University. Her professional certifications include:

• SHRM-SCP (Senior Certifi ed Professional) from SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management)
• SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) from HRCI (Human Resources Certification Institute)

She is a member of a number of local HR chapters in Bismarck, Fargo and Sioux Falls and has served in Board positions, including Past President for the Fargo Moorhead Human Resource Association, Fargo Moorhead Chamber Ambassadors and most recently as an active Board member (5Y) and Past Chair of the American Red Cross, Eastern ND and Northwestern MN Chapter.