School of Business

Mark Anderson, CFA
President & CEO
BlackRidge Financial, Inc.

Mark A. Anderson is currently President, CEO and director of BlackRidge Financial, Inc., a banking organization he co-founded in 2004. The company currently owns and operates three banks in the region, including a de novo bank in the Fargo market.

Anderson earned a finance degree from MSUM in 1979 and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas in 1983.  He has spent his entire career working in the banking industry.  He started with First Bank Brainerd as a management associate and worked in various capacities in the Austin and Fargo branches before being named First Bank System’s vice president and regional controller.  In 1987, he co-founded Community First Bankshares, Inc., and was its first chief financial officer.  In 2000, he was named president, CEO and director.  Community First Bankshares, Inc. was a bank holding company that operated Community First National Bank, which had 155 offices in 12 states, and owned insurance agencies in 47 communities.  Community First and BancWest Corporation merged October 31, 2004.

Anderson is a Chartered Financial Analyst, a Certified Management Accountant and holds a Certificate in Financial management.

Anderson was named the 2004 Business Administration Alumnus of the Year and the 2001 Distinguished Alumnus for MSUM.

Deneen Axtman, Vice President
Community Banking District Manager
Wells Fargo

Deneen Axtman is currently the Community Banking District Manager for Wells Fargo.  She has worked for Wells Fargo since 1988, holding various positions in the company including Product/Sales Specialist, Management Trainee, Loan Documentation Supervisor, Assistant Vice President of Business Banking, and Consumer Bank Manager.

Axtman received her Bachelor of Science Degree, Summa Cum Laude, in Business Administration from Minnesota State University of Moorhead.  She is Past Board President of the Minnesota State University of Moorhead Alumni Foundation, and has served on the Grants Committee, Merger Committee and Alumni Association.

Deneen has served as a Board Member, Chair of the Finance Committee, and Treasurer, for the YWCA of Fargo-Moorhead, as well as on their Childcare Advisory Committee, and Development Committee.  She has also served on the Planning Committee and Marketing Committee of the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Program.  Axtman has volunteered as a Loaned Executive for the United Way of Cass-Clay Small Business Campaign, and has been involved in fundraising for the Meritcare Foundation, YMCA Paul Howry Golf Tournament, Partner of Youth Campaign, YWCA Partnership for Empowerment Campaign, and MSUM Community Campaign.  She has also served as a volunteer for the Big Brother/Big Sister program, as well as the Area 6 Special Olympics Spring Games Planning Committee.

Deneen lives in Fargo with her husband, Ken, and four children.

Michael Benson, Vice President
Warner and Company

Kevin C. Carlson, President
Sterling Design

John Fiebiger, CPA, Partner
Fiebiger, Swanson, West & Co.

Greg Flack, President
Schwan's Global Consumer Brands, Inc.

Greg Flack is currently President of Schwan's Global Consumer Brands. He has worked for Schwan since 1987, holding the positions of Executive Vice President of Product and Market Strategy for the company as well as numerous, marketing, sales, and general management leadership positions in the Food Service Divisions of Tony's, Little Charlies, Stirling Soups, and Schwan's Commercial Food Service. Greg is an inaugural member of the Senior Executive Development Program at Schwan and has been an Adjunct Professor for Industrial Marketing at Southwest Minnesota State University. He has had a significant leadership presence on industry association boards such as AFFI, ASFSA, NACUFS, HFM, NAMA, NACS, IFDA, IFMA, and NFPI. In 2000 he was the recipient of the Marvin M. Schwan Heritage of Quality Award for salaried employees, designed to recognize extraordinary Schwan employees who consistently demonstrate the values of: Hard Work, Enthusiasm, Integrity, Growth, and Helping One Another. He has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing and Finance from Minnesota State University-Moorhead, where he was recognized in 2006 as the business school’s alumnus of the year.

Susan Geib, Executive Director
North Dakota Trade Office

Susan Geib is the executive director of the North Dakota Trade Office, a private-public partnership dedicated to expanding the state’s export volume.

A Grand Forks, N.D., native, Geib is a former vice president and general manager of international business for Microsoft Business Solutions (formerly Great Plains Software).  Geib’s international and export expertise comes largely from starting the international business practice for Great Plains in 1989 which grew from zero to 50 countries in nine years.

Her efforts grew to represent a significant portion of Great Plains’ overall business and were one of the highest growth areas of the company.

Over the course of her career, Geib has lived, worked and taught within the international business arena in Asia. She is a former University Professor teaching brand management and customer relationship management. Early in her career, Geib worked for Kraft/Philip Morris Inc. (now Altria) in brand management. She also worked in client relations for Leo Burnett Advertising on the Proctor & Gamble and Nestle accounts.

Barry Gish, Vice President
Planning & Development
Indigo Signworks 

Barry Gish is currently serving as Vice President Planning & Development for Indigo Signworks, the region’s largest provider of interior and exterior signs, where he oversees Strategic Planning assessment, creation, and implementation.  He has previously served in various positions, including President and COO, Consulting Manager, Sales Representative, and Teaching Leader with organizations such as GOLDMARK, IBM, RSM McGladrey, and BSF, nationally and internationally.  In addition, GISH & Co., which he opened in 1983, has provided planning and business consulting services to numerous organizations throughout the United States and Mexico.

Barry is a native of Mahnomen, MN, has two married daughters, and now lives in Fargo with his wife of 35 years.

Brian Gramer, CEO/Founder
Vtrenz, Inc.

Renee Gravalin, CPA, Partner
Eide Bailly LLP

Rick Kasper, President and COO
Global Electric Motorcars LLC 

Richard J. Kasper is the President and Chief Operating Officer, Global Electric Motorcars, LLC (GEM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler Motors Company, LLC. He was GEMs Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until being named President and COO on December 1, 2002.

Prior to joining GEM in 1999, Richard spent 11 years with the Jack Kent Cooke organization, which included responsibilities as the Chief Financial Officer for the Los Angeles Daily News.

Mr. Kasper received his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting at Minnesota State University – Moorhead in Moorhead, Minnesota. He was named the MSUM Business and Industry Alumni of the Year in 2002.  He is also a member of the MSUM School of Business Advisory Board.

Richard is currently the Chairperson for the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) Conference, most recently held in Washington, DC in November 2006, and is currently Chairing The Conference Planning Committee and the World Electric Vehicle Association (WEVA) for the 23rd Electric Vehicle Symposium to be held in Anaheim, California.  He has also been involved in a number of community and charitable organizations including President of the West Valley Boys and Girls Club, Chairman of the Warner Center Association, Vice-President of the San Fernando Economic Alliance, and a volunteer for a number of philanthropic events.

David Martin, President & CEO
FM Chamber of Commerce 

David K. Martin is President & CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Fargo Moorhead.  The Chamber is the region's largest business organization and a federation of 1,900 private, public and non-profit sector firms that collectively employ more than 69,000 people.  The Chamber's mission is unifying and advancing business and community interests in the region.  David is a native of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, has a bachelor's degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead and a graduate degree from North Dakota State University.  He has devoted his career to helping individuals and organizations, companies and communities to learn, develop and succeed – together.  David has been named an Outstanding Young Man in America, included in the Global Directory of Who's Who and is one of just 450 chamber professionals in the United States and Canada to receive the Certified Chamber Executive designation during the past 40 years.

Donald S. Meidinger, CPA, CFP, Partner
Eide Bailly LLP 

Knowledge and Experience

• More than 30 years experience in public accounting. Joined Eide Bailly in 1975. Elected to partnership in 1984. The major focus during my career has been on tax compliance, tax planning and consulting in a wide range of services.

Professional Memberships and Technical Accomplishments

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• North Dakota Society of Certified Public Accountants
• Served on AICPA Individual and Personal Financial Planning Committees, as well as numerous state society committees

Accreditation

• Certified Public Accountant, North Dakota (1974)
• Certified Financial Planner (1989)
• Investment Advisor – Series 65 (Licensed by SEC in 2000)

Education

• Bachelor of Arts, Accounting – Minnesota State University, Moorhead
  

Tammy Miller, CEO
Border States Electric 

Tammy was named CEO of Border States on January 2, 2006.  In preparation for her new responsibilities, she served as the company’s President in 2005.  Prior to 2005, Tammy was the Executive Vice President for the company.  As EVP, Tammy wore two hats.  She was the general manager for the Company’s Southwest Region with branches in Phoenix, Tucson, Albuquerque, Farmington, El Paso and Juarez.  She also served as Border States’ CFO with responsibilities for accounting, finance, credit and legal.  Tammy joined Border States in 1991 after working in public accounting for more than 8 years.

Tammy is the chair of the Company’s Board of Directors and Executive Council.  She also serves on the company’s ESOP Committee and 401(k) Investment Review Committee.

Border States is the 10th largest electrical distributor in the United Sates with 51 branch locations in 11 states in the United States and in Mexico.  Border States has approximately 1,300 employees and is 100% employee-owned through an Employee Stock Ownership Trust.  The Company provides products and supply chain solutions to the utility, industrial, construction and datacomm markets and is headquartered in Fargo, ND.

Miller leads the NAED (National Association of Electrical Distributors) as the Board Chair.  Miller is the first female in the 100 year history of NAED to serve as the Board Chair.  She has also served as NAED’s Western Region Vice President and the Distributor Chair of the SPA Process Improvement Task Force.

Tammy also serves on the board of directors for Slakey Brothers, a plumbing and HVAC distributor headquartered in California and the Grant Thornton Business Advisors Council.  In 2006 Miller was recognized as one of the most influential women in Fargo-Moorhead.

Tammy has a BS in accounting and a MBA from Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM).  She has received two distinguished alumni awards from her alma mater. Tammy is leading MSUM’s Major Gifts Initiative to fund scholarships and a new wellness center on campus.

In her spare time, Tammy loves to workout, travel and volunteer.

Tammy and her husband Craig Palmer make their home in Scottsdale, Arizona and Fargo, North Dakota.

Rod Paseka, CEO
Hebron Brick Supply Co.

Mary Jo Richard, CPA, Partner
Eide Bailly LLP

Norm Robinson, President
Advertising Marketing

Norm is president of Advertising Marketing in Fargo, ND.  Norm’s agency is a full-service consulting group that works with regional and national business accounts on all aspects of marketing, advertising, Internet, sales system development and training.

A Moorhead High School (’67) graduate and Vietnam Army veteran, Norm graduated from MSUM in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication with concentrations in journalism and advertising.

His career has included positions as: newspaper writer/reporter, television reporter and on-air personality, professional photographer, Associate Editor of an area magazine (Howard Binford’s GUIDE), sales and advertising director for a hospitality organization, and magazine publisher. In 1981 he became an account executive for an advertising agency and in 1985 founded Advertising Marketing. His university education and early-career experience prepared him well for his current position.

His community involvement over the years has included participation in many volunteer organizations focused on local and regional issues.

Ronald Robson, Regional President
US Bank 

Mr. Robson is the regional president for southeast North Dakota and state president for North Dakota, managing the six Fargo-Moorhead U.S. Bank branches as well as the Lisbon, Valley City, and Wahpeton branches.  He has been with U.S. Bank since 1981, when he started as a drive-up teller, and has held various positions with U.S. Bank in Rapid City and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as well as Bismarck and Fargo, North Dakota.  Mr. Robson is a graduate of Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Ron currently serves as the chairman of the board for the Plains Art Museum and the Downtown Community Partnership.  He is also the treasurer for the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation.  In addition, Ron serves on the Alexis de Tocqueville Committee for United Way, the advisory board for MSUM’s Department of Business, and the advisory council for United Blood Service.  Previously, he also volunteered for the YMCA Finance Committee and the Junior Achievement Board of Directors.

Ron lives in Fargo with his wife, Helane and their two daughters.

Brian Walters, President
Greater FM Economic Development