Infrastructure Week: Session Details & Speakers

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, Basin Electric Power Cooperative
• Craig Stevens, 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.

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.

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:

• North Dakota Department of Transportation
• Kyle Wanner, Executive Director, North Dakota Aeronautics Commission
• KLJ

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.

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 (TBA)
  • Mike Berg, Principal, Apex 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.