Virtual Policy Summit

Shannon McQuade-Ely is graduated from Moorhead State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication. She is the third generation Owner/President of McQuade Distributing Co., Inc a beverage distributor in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Shannon has served on many community boards over the 20 years - including the Missouri Valley YMCA, Sanford Foundation, Bismarck-Mandan Chamber and served as Chair of the Greater North Dakota Chamber. Her greatest joy comes while continuing to serve on the McQuade Softball Charity board. The Sam McQuade Sr.- Budweiser Charity Softball Tournament was started by Shannon’s grandfather, Sam McQuade Sr., in 1976. It has generated donations of over $2.5 million over the years to local charities.

Shannon lives in Bismarck with her husband Dale, together they have four children.

Mike Lefor serves as the president of multiple business entities including Blackridge Capital, LLC which owns and operates Blue 42 Sports Grille and  Bar and Blackridge Enterprises, LLC,  investor in commercial and residential real estate.

In his community, he has served on numerous boards and commissions including the Dickinson City Commission and Park Board. At the present time, he serves as the chair of the West Region Critical Access Hospital Board which oversees four hospitals in the state and as a board member of CHI St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck.

Since 2014, he has served in the North Dakota House of Representatives including as Majority Caucus Leader in the 2017 session. Further, he is the chairman of the Employee Benefits Programs Committee and vice-chair of the Industry Business and Labor committee.

He is married to his wife Sherryl for 32 years and has three grown children Brett, Scott and Andi.

Blue 42 Grille & Bar has been named best sports bar in North Dakota by Yelp.com and LoveFood.com. 

As a Regional Director of Sales for Regency Hotel Management, Lisa Moltzen has more than 30 years’ experience in sales and hospitality industry.

Lisa oversees the sales efforts and productivity of 12 Regency properties and assists with many others. She has an extensive sales background of 10+ years with Regency Hotel Management, 5 which has been in the Regional Director of Sales role. She has been involved with both catering and sales but, also has a sales background in radio and television. She also previously worked in developing restaurants and bars.

Lisa and her husband, Russ, have one grown daughter. Together they spend their time at the lake and traveling.

Dusty Jensen has been with FMI Inc. for nearly 24 years with his most recently held position of Chief Operations Officer.  With nearly 35 collective years of experience within the food industry, Dusty started in the restaurant industry working at both Ground Rounds and Denny’s before moving to FMI Inc. Dusty has worked and learned all areas of restaurant operations and has been able to use this knowledge as a leader of FMI Inc.

Dusty has served for nearly 8 years on the North Dakota Hospitality Association Board and has held several roles including President. He has also worked on many industry advisory boards and focus groups.

During the wide variety of responsibilities that Dusty has in his position, his most favored role is opening new restaurants and locations. When not working, Dusty enjoys spending time with his family, which includes spending a lot of time at rinks watching his children play hockey. 

Rudie Martinson will be this panel's moderator.

Rudie Martinson has represented North Dakota’s hospitality industry as Executive Director of the ND Hospitality Association since 2008.  The ND Hospitality Association is our state’s trade association representing businesspeople involved in the restaurant, lodging, and retail beverage industries.

As a member of the Primacy Strategy Group team, he also represents a variety of clients in the energy, technology, and human service sectors.

Prior to his work with the ND Hospitality Association, he worked with the North Dakota Policy Council, Americans for Prosperity – North Dakota, and the North Dakota Republican Party. In 2013, he was named to the Bismarck Tribune’s “Top 40 Under 40.”

Mr. Martinson holds a B.S. in English from North Dakota State University. He resides in Fargo with his wife, Juli.

Justin Fisk will be this panel's chat moderator.

Justin Fisk is Marketing Director and Chief Strategy Officer at Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation.

Wonderful, driven dude working hard at work worth doing.

Eight years at TRMF, executive team member, organizational lead on strategy and marketing with previous experience in midwest real estate, advertising and extreme sports.