Advisory and Advancement Board

The purpose of the College of Engineering Advisory and Advancement Board is to provide support for the Dean and the College to help improve the quality of the academic, research and outreach programs. Members of the board advise the College, advocate for the College and advance the College.

Members

Nick Borman

Retired - Tenaska Energy

Nick Borman enjoyed a long and successful career in the energy sector since graduating from NDSU in 1984 with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. Prior to his retirement in 2021, he served as senior vice president and board member for privately-held Tenaska Energy based in Omaha, Nebraska.

Kevin Bucholz

President - Moore Engineering

Kevin Bucholz, PE, has served as the president of Moore Engineering, Inc. since 2018. In the more than 35 years he’s worked at Moore, Kevin has played a leading role in the company’s growth and success. Kevin earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University.

Paul Dlugosch

President and CEO - Natural Intelligence Semiconductor

Paul Dlugosch is the President and CEO of Natural Intelligence Semiconductor, a Boise, ID based fabless semiconductor company dedicated to the development of new and highly innovative semiconductor architectures inspired by processing models derived from the human neocortex. Paul earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from NDSU in 1989.

Spencer Duin

Retired - Operating Vice President - Eaton Corporation

Spencer Duin worked in the electrical industry for 37 years, retiring from Eaton Corp. in 2000 as an Operating Vice President. Spencer graduated with a degree in industrial engineering from NDSU in 1966. He later attended the Stanford University Executive Program. Spencer served the U.S. Army and spent 18 months in Turkey.

Spencer Duin

Colleen Emery

Retired - Vice President Plant Operations - 3M Healthcare Business Group

Colleen Emery is a former Vice President of Plant Operations at 3M in Maplewood, MN. She joined 3M in 1989 and has over 30 years of experience in manufacturing operations, including plant, area, global and lean six sigma leadership roles. Colleen earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from NDSU and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN.

Randy Gerhold

Chief Technology Officer - Bushel

Randy Gerhold is the Chief Technology Officer at Bushel. Prior to joining Bushel in 2020, Randy was a Partner Engineering Leader for Microsoft as well as the Microsoft Fargo R&D Site Leader. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from NDSU and has served as Board Chair for the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation

David Goodin

Retired - President and CEO - MDU Resources Group

David Goodin is the former President and CEO and a Director of MDU Resources Group, Inc. He joined Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. as an electrical engineer in 1983 and moved to the General Office in Bismarck, ND in 1993, where he oversaw the electric system operations. Dave earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering from NDSU in 1983. He has an MBA from UND and has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard.

Jennifer Gora

Senior Project Manager, Aviation - RS&H

Jennifer Gora is a Senior Project Manager, Aviation, at RS&H in Minneapolis. Her career has focused on transportation, in particular aviation, design and construction in various roles. Jennifer earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s in environmental engineering from NDSU. She is a Professional Engineer registered in MN, IN, and KY. She has also been active in the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Joel Honeyman

Vice President of Global Innovation - Doosan Bobcat

Joel Honeyman is the Vice President of Global Innovation for Doosan Bobcat Inc. In his innovation role, he is responsible for driving a culture of innovation in order to research, pilot, and apply new technologies that can create new products, processes and businesses. He graduated from NDSU with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree agricultural and applied economics.

Jennifer Hopkins

Managing Partner - Crescendo Capital Partners

Jennifer Hopkins has over 20 years of management experience in the electronics industry. Prior to co-founding Crescendo, she was Vice President of Agilent's Global Solutions Organization with 4 divisions and over $500MM in sales. She has an MS from Stanford University and BS in Industrial Engineering from North Dakota State University.

Jennifer Hopkins

Jon Horn

Retired - Principal - Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.

Jon Horn retired in 2021 as a Principal of Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., a national planning and design consultant. Jon graduated from NDSU in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, and spent his entire career in the consulting industry. His practice included serving state and local government clients on a wide variety of project types, with a primary focus on transportation engineering.

Dan Johnson

Retired - President and CEO - Mortenson

Dan Johnson is the former President and CEO of Mortenson. He joined Mortenson in 1986 and has served many roles including estimating, operations, business development and senior leadership. Dan holds a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering from NDSU.

Dennis Johnson

Chairman and CEO - TMI Systems Corporation

Dennis Johnson joined TMI Systems Corporation, located in Dickinson, ND, in 1974 as Plant Industrial Engineer. He became President in January 1982. Since January 1982 he has served continuously as either President, Chief Executive Officer, or Board Chair. Dennis earned a bachelor's degree in electrical and electronics engineering from NDSU in 1971. He earned a master's degree in industrial engineering from NDSU in 1974.

Adrian Kallis

Advanced Engineering Manager - John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group

Adrian Kallis is the Advanced Engineering Manager at John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group. As a supporting business within John Deere, the Intelligent Solutions Group develops reliable and rugged electronic components and systems, that function under the most extreme conditions. Adrian received his bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering from NDSU in 1988.

Gavin McCollam

Sr. Vice President and COO - Basin Electric Power Cooperative

Gavin McCollam, PE, has worked for Basin Electric Power Cooperative over 30 years and has held various leadership positions, culminating in his current role as Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Gavin has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Dakota State University, a Master of Science Degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California.

Bill Plombon

Retired - Vice President of Engineering, CRHF - Medtronic

Bill Plombon is a former Vice President of Engineering at Medtronic and is responsible for leading an R&D engineering team of over 230 engineers. Bill started at Medtronic in 1989 and helped develop one of Medtronic’s first commercialized implantable defibrillators. He graduated from NDSU in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering.

Alissa Smith

Chief of Staff for Power Providers - Black & Veatch

Alissa Smith serves as the Chief of Staff for Power Providers at Black & Veatch, where she plays a pivotal role in advancing renewable energy and power generation solutions. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from NDSU and a Master of Civil Engineering from the University of Kansas. Alissa is a Registered Professional Engineer in Kansas, LEED accredited, and an Envision Sustainability Professional.

Jerry Specht

Assistant General Manager Signals and Communications – Southern Region – CPKC

Jerry Specht is the Assistant General Manager of Signal & Communications for the Southern Region at CPKC. Jerry also serves as the Senior Vice President for the 2024-2025 Term within the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) and on the AREMA Board of Governors. He graduated from NDSU in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

Jerry Specht

Paul Steffes

CEO and Chairman of the Board - Steffes, LLC

Paul Steffes is CEO and Chairman of the Board at Steffes, LLC. Paul earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from NDSU in 1973 and founded the company in Dickinson, ND that same year. His dedication to a strong company culture, quality work and entrepreneurial spirit has propelled him to lead Steffes to be one of the largest and most diverse manufacturing companies in the region.

Emmy Vareberg

Vice President - Vareberg Engineering

Emmy L. Vareberg, PE, is the Vice President of Vareberg Engineering, Ltd., a consulting engineering firm based in Fargo. She has served in this position since joining the company in 1999. Prior to working at Vareberg, Emmy was employed at a consulting engineering firm as an industrial engineer. She graduated from NDSU in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and management.

Warren Walhaug

Retired - Director - Hess Corporation

Warren Walhaug retired from Shell Oil in 2013 and from Hess Corporation in 2017, with broad engineering and leadership positions in domestic and international assignments. Warren earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from NDSU and his MBA from Tulane University (New Orleans) and the Institute for Management Development (Switzerland).

Tim Welch

President - Welch Engineering

Tim Welch is the President of Welch Engineering. He specializes in consulting civil engineering with experience in planning, design, construction, project management and contract administration. His experience encompasses many fields of design with his primary focus in land development projects. Tim graduated from NDSU in 1986 with a BS in Civil Engineering.