North Dakota’s energy landscape is shifting quickly. As natural gas production grows, demand for new pipeline capacity grows with it. Without adequate takeaway infrastructure, valuable resources remain stranded in the west—limiting oil production, weakening economic output, and constraining the state’s long-term competitiveness. At the same time, expanded access to natural gas strengthens reliability for communities and industry in the east.

This session examines the coordinated effort required to build out the pipelines, transmission systems, and energy infrastructure that underpin North Dakota’s growth. From major shipper commitments to transmission capacity challenges to the rapidly emerging demand from data centers, speakers will break down how state and industry leaders are working together to ensure North Dakota has the energy backbone required for continued expansion.

KEY POINTS:

• Rising natural gas production and the economic need for new pipeline capacity
• How inadequate takeaway limits oil output and statewide opportunity
• The role of major shippers and long-term commitments
• Transmission constraints and grid planning
• Energy demands of data centers and the competitive advantages they bring
• How coordinated infrastructure investment positions North Dakota for long-term success

SPEAKERS:

• Justin Kringstad, Director, North Dakota Pipeline Authority
• Gavin McCollam, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Basin Electric Power Cooperative
• Mark Anderson, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing, WBI Energy
• Troy Walker, Dir. of Sales & Marketing, Dakota Carrier Network
• Craig Stevens, Spokesperson / Partner, GAIN Coalition / DCI

In August 2008, JUSTIN KRINGSTAD was appointed by the North Dakota Industrial Commission as Director of the North Dakota Pipeline Authority. A lifelong North Dakotan, he holds a degree in Geological Engineering from the University of North Dakota.

Kringstad supports thoughtful, long-term energy development and regularly advises stakeholders across industry and government. His market insight, clear communication style, and collaborative approach help inform strategic decisions across the state’s energy sector.

His previous experience includes roles with the North Dakota Oil & Gas Division, the Energy and Environmental Research Center, the North Dakota Geological Survey, and Terra Resources. He and his wife, Katie, reside in Bismarck with their three daughters.

MARK ANDERSON serves as Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for WBI Energy, Inc., based in Bismarck, North Dakota. WBI Energy provides natural gas transportation and underground storage services through regulated pipeline systems across the Rocky Mountain and northern Great Plains regions, along with corrosion prevention and other energy-related services.

Anderson leads WBI Energy’s marketing, business development, gas control, and system planning functions and oversees WBI Energy Corrosion Services LLC, a full-service corrosion prevention company. He brings more than 30 years of experience across the energy industry, with work spanning the Rocky Mountain, Midwest, and West Coast regions.

Anderson serves on the Board of Directors for the North Dakota Petroleum Council. He holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Washington State University and a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from North Dakota State University.

GAVIN MCCOLLAM is Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Basin Electric Power Cooperative. He joined Basin Electric in 1989 and has held a range of leadership roles, including Mechanical Engineering Supervisor at Dakota Gasification Company and Vice President of Engineering and Construction at Basin Electric.

In his current role, McCollam leads the Generation, Transmission, Engineering and Construction, and Environmental teams, with a focus on delivering affordable, reliable electricity to more than three million member-owners across Basin Electric’s nine-state service territory. His leadership supports the infrastructure systems critical to energy reliability and regional economic growth.

McCollam serves on the North Dakota State University College of Engineering Advisory and Advancement Board and is a citizen member of the North Dakota Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Sleepy Hollow Summer Theatre and Arts Park in Bismarck.

McCollam holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Dakota State University and a master’s degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of North Dakota.

TROY WALKER brings more than 27 years of experience in information technology, spanning service desk operations, application development, IT finance, and cybersecurity. He is recognized for building strong relationships with both customers and internal teams while delivering reliable, secure technology solutions.

Prior to joining DCN, Walker held leadership roles across multiple IT disciplines, combining technical expertise with a customer-focused approach. His background supports the delivery of scalable, resilient systems critical to modern digital infrastructure.

A Mandan, North Dakota native, Walker holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from North Dakota State University and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Executive Education Delivering Information Services program. He became a Certified Professional Salesperson in 2022 through the National Association of Sales Professionals and serves on the boards of the Greater North Dakota Chamber and the Technology Council of North Dakota.

CRAIG STEVENS is a partner at DCI, providing strategic communications and public affairs counsel informed by more than twenty-five years of experience in consulting, government, campaigns, and national policy.

Stevens also serves as the spokesperson for the GAIN Coalition (Grow America’s Infrastructure Now), a national alliance of businesses, trade associations, and labor groups advocating for the safe, responsible development of energy infrastructure. In this role, he leads messaging and stakeholder engagement to highlight the economic and security benefits of pipelines and related assets. His leadership helps advance a fact-based dialogue around permitting, regulatory certainty, and the long-term value of modern infrastructure networks.

Through the GAIN Coalition, Stevens has worked extensively with industry, policymakers, labor organizations, and community leaders to elevate the importance of predictable infrastructure policy. His efforts focus on strengthening America’s energy reliability, protecting supply-chain resilience, and ensuring the nation maintains a competitive edge through strategic investment in pipelines, transmission systems, and multimodal assets.

At DCI, Stevens leads crisis management strategies, develops executive-level messaging, and often serves as an on-the-record spokesperson for clients navigating high-visibility issues. He is recognized for his expertise in health and energy policy and is a frequent commentator on national television and radio programs.

Stevens has worked on some of DCI’s highest-profile public affairs campaigns, producing impactful content and guiding earned and digital media strategies across multiple platforms. His experience also includes corporate branding and the development of national advertising campaigns.

Prior to joining DCI, Stevens spent seven years in the Bush Administration—including roles at the Department of Health and Human Services and as chief spokesman for the Department of Energy—where he led communications responses to major national events such as the 9/11 aftermath, the anthrax attacks, and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. He also worked on two presidential campaigns and held senior communications roles in the private sector and on Capitol Hill.

Stevens holds an undergraduate degree from Houghton College and a master’s degree from Regent University.

Local government often sits at the starting point for development. This session examines how communities balance growth, regulation, and public expectations—and how the private sector navigates those processes to advance projects that benefit the state.

KEY POINTS:

• How zoning and permitting decisions influence growth
• Balancing landowner perspectives and community priorities
• Developer approaches to outreach and relationship management
• Practices that remove barriers without sacrificing accountability and development

SPEAKERS:

• Aaron Birst, Executive Director, ND Association of Counties
• Matt Gardner, Executive Director, ND League of Cities
• JoAnn Thompson, Vice President of Asset Management, Otter Tail Power

AARON BIRST serves as Executive Director of the North Dakota Association of Counties. Before assuming this role, he spent 16 years as legal counsel for NDACo and previously worked as a prosecutor in Cass and Stutsman counties.

Birst holds a B.S. in History Education from North Dakota State University and earned his law degree with distinction from the University of North Dakota.

MATT GARDNER has served as Executive Director of the North Dakota League of Cities since January 2022. With more than a decade of experience working with the legislature, state agencies, and statewide stakeholders, he focuses on advancing municipal priorities through strong partnerships.

Gardner chairs the North Dakota Transportation Coalition and serves on the National League of Cities Board of Directors. Previously, he served as Director of Government Affairs for the Greater North Dakota Chamber.

JOANN THOMPSON serves as Vice President of Asset Management at Otter Tail Power. Since 2014, she has overseen the company’s transmission and distribution system, including engineering, reliability, project development, operations, and regulatory strategy.

Thompson earned her degree in electrical and electronics engineering from North Dakota State University and is a graduate of the University of Idaho’s Utility Executive Course and Smith University’s Specialist to Strategist program. She serves on the Midwest Reliability Organization Board of Directors and has held numerous leadership positions in industry and community organizations.

North Dakota’s competitiveness depends on a transportation system that keeps pace with population shifts, industry growth, and evolving supply-chain demands. Roads, bridges, and runways form the backbone of commerce—linking rural and urban communities, enabling workforce mobility, and supporting the movement of goods, services, and visitors across the state.

KEY POINTS:

• Legislative investments in roads, bridges, and statewide mobility
• Community and industry transportation needs shaping project priorities
• Economic impacts of runways, aviation infrastructure, and airport expansion
• How transportation infrastructure influences business growth and workforce access
• Long-term strategies for a safe, reliable, future-ready transportation system

SPEAKERS:

• Ron Henke, Director, North Dakota Department of Transportation
• Kyle Wanner, Executive Director, North Dakota Aeronautics Commission
• KLJ
  • Shane Steiner, Assoc. VP of Aviation
  • Scott Middaugh, Lead Design Engineer and Project Manager

RON HENKE was appointed Director of the North Dakota Department of Transportation in October 2022 by Governor Doug Burgum. He brings more than 30 years of experience at NDDOT, having served in leadership roles across design, construction, planning, and project development.

Prior to his appointment, Henke served as Deputy Director of Engineering, overseeing operations, construction, maintenance, and statewide infrastructure delivery. A North Dakota native, he holds bachelor’s degrees in Construction Management and Construction Engineering from North Dakota State University and is a registered Professional Engineer.

Henke serves on the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Transportation Policy Forum and Council on Streets and Highways and remains active in his community.

KYLE WANNER has served as Executive Director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission since 2014, providing statewide leadership in aviation system development, regulatory oversight, and infrastructure planning.

Wanner’s background includes airport planning, management, fixed-base operations, and extensive work advancing aviation priorities at both the state and federal levels. He holds degrees in Airport Management and Air Traffic Control from the University of North Dakota and is an active pilot. He also serves on multiple aviation boards and committees.

SHANE STEINER serves as Associate Vice President of Aviation at KLJ, where he leads quality control for aviation projects across the region. With 18 years of experience in airport planning, design, and construction, he has managed more than $100 million in aviation projects and served as client and project manager for 22 airports in North Dakota and South Dakota.

Steiner’s project portfolio includes more than 50 aviation projects, spanning runways, taxiways, terminals, hangars, and fuel systems. He works closely with the Federal Aviation Administration, state agencies, and local stakeholders to ensure projects meet regulatory requirements while supporting long-term operational performance.

Steiner is a licensed Professional Engineer in North Dakota and South Dakota and is active in several industry organizations, including the American Association of Airport Executives and the Airport Consultants Council. He serves as Chair of the ACEC-ND Aviation Liaison Group and has been recognized as the 2015 Young Engineer of the Year by the North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers and as a Prairie Business “40 Under 40” honoree.

SCOTT MIDDAUGH is a Lead Design Engineer and Project Manager with KLJ’s Transportation team, based in West Fargo, North Dakota. He brings nearly 20 years of experience in transportation design and construction, supporting mobility projects across North Dakota and the region.

Middaugh’s expertise includes rural highways, urban arterials, interchanges, and complex multimodal corridors. He has managed and provided quality assurance for several of KLJ’s most significant infrastructure projects, including the Sheyenne Street and I-94 Interchange Reconstruction in West Fargo, the I-29 Pembina Border Crossing Improvements, and the expansion of U.S. Highway 85 for the North Dakota Department of Transportation. His work also includes railroad coordination, flood risk reduction, and urban corridor studies in partnership with state and local agencies.

Middaugh is a licensed Professional Engineer in North Dakota, Minnesota, Colorado, and South Dakota. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering from North Dakota State University and is an active member of the Association of Highway Engineers.

Successful economic development begins long before a project breaks ground. Communities that understand their assets, prepare competitive sites, and align infrastructure with industry needs can move at the speed of business. Rail access—particularly short line rail—plays a critical role in that equation, shaping location decisions, cost structures, and long-term operational viability for a wide range of industries.

KEY POINTS:

• What companies and site selectors evaluate
• Rail access and its impact on industrial development
• Community readiness and infrastructure pre-planning
• Speed-to-market considerations

SPEAKERS:

• Chris Schilken, Commissioner, North Dakota Department of Commerce
• Dan Mack, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Northern Plains Railroad

CHRIS SCHILKEN serves as North Dakota’s Commerce Commissioner, bringing a strong record of economic development leadership, project execution, and community advancement. His career includes service as South Dakota’s Commissioner of Economic Development and earlier work leading Forward Devils Lake.

Schilken has driven initiatives across value-added agriculture, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure investment, and workforce recruitment—contributing to more than 300 completed projects and billions in capital investment. He holds a degree in Business Management from Minot State University.

DAN MACK is Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Northern Plains Railroad and Northern Plains Rail Services. He leads commercial strategy and corporate development across all business units.

Mack previously held leadership roles at CHS Inc., oversaw global freight operations, and worked with Class I railroad CPKC. Earlier in his career, he managed grain and agronomy operations and supported numerous infrastructure development projects across ag and energy sectors. He holds a degree in Agricultural Economics from North Dakota State University.

North Dakota’s economic future depends on reliable, well-planned water infrastructure. Water supports communities, agriculture, energy production, and industry—and growing demand makes strategic investment more critical than ever.

Speakers will outline findings from the latest economic impact study, highlight current programs available to support local water systems, and showcase innovative business approaches to water use and efficiency. Attendees will hear what’s working and how strong water strategy can drive statewide growth.

KEY POINTS:

• Economic impact of water infrastructure investment
• Current state programs and funding tools available to communities
• Innovative business approaches to water usage, efficiency, and system design
• Engineering perspectives on community successes, challenges, and project delivery
• Long-term planning considerations for a reliable, resilient statewide water system
• How water strategy shapes competitiveness across major industries

SPEAKERS:

• Reice Haase, Director, North Dakota Department of Water Resources
• Project & engineering panel
  • Mike Berg, Principal, Apex Engineering
  • James Landenberger, Senior Project Manager/Water Resources Delivery Leader, Bartlett & West
  • Kurt Lysne, Market Leaders, Moore Engineering

REICE HAASE was appointed Director of the North Dakota Department of Water Resources in January 2025. He oversees statewide water management, including development, regulation, planning, and safety.

A native of Williston, Haase brings experience from both the private sector and government service. His background spans environmental and energy consulting, project management, and technical compliance work.

Haase previously served as Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Doug Burgum and later as Deputy Director of the Department of Water Resources. He holds a degree from the University of Iowa and maintains active involvement in community and outdoor pursuits.

MIKE BERG is a Senior Civil Engineer, Co-Founder of Apex Engineering Group, and a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives. He brings more than 30 years of experience in the design, operation, and optimization of public water infrastructure.

As a co-founder of Apex Engineering Group, Berg helped grow the firm from a startup into a 140-person, multi-disciplinary organization with seven offices across the region. Before returning to North Dakota in 2007, he worked as a design and field engineer in St. Paul, Minnesota, and St. Louis, Missouri, gaining hands-on experience with aging treatment plants, pipelines, and pumping stations. His technical focus includes water hydraulics and system modeling, and he is actively engaged in mentoring emerging engineers.

In addition to his engineering practice, Berg serves in the North Dakota House of Representatives. He was the first freshman legislator in recent history appointed to the House Appropriations Committee and also serves on the Water Topics Committee and the Interim Budget Committee. His work reflects a long-standing commitment to infrastructure that supports communities and stands the test of time.

JAMES LANDENBERGER serves as Senior Project Manager and Delivery Leader for the Water Resources Service Group at Bartlett & West. Since joining the firm in 2004, he has led water resource projects across North Dakota, including significant work on the Devils Lake Outlet Projects.

Prior to joining Bartlett & West, Landenberger spent six years with the North Dakota State Water Commission and became a registered Professional Engineer in 2002. His experience spans planning, design, and delivery of complex water infrastructure projects in partnership with state and local entities.

Landenberger holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Montana State University. He has served on the Burleigh County Water Resource District Board since 2017 and currently serves as its Chair.

KURT LYSNE serves as Market Leader for Moore Engineering in the Red River Valley. He began his career with Moore Engineering as an intern in 2004 and has since held a range of leadership roles, including leading the firm’s Water Resources Group.

Lysne holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from North Dakota State University and is a registered Professional Engineer in North Dakota and Minnesota. He is also a certified floodplain manager, with extensive experience in flood control projects, including levees, dams, agricultural drainage, and major diversion initiatives such as the Sheyenne Diversion project.

A lifelong North Dakotan raised on a farm in Barnes County, Lysne is actively involved in the engineering profession and has received multiple honors, including Young Engineer of the Year from the FM Engineers Club and the North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers, Prairie Business Magazine’s “40 Under 40,” and the American Council of Engineering Companies’ National Young Professional of the Year award.