Brian Kalk has been named executive director of the NDSU Research and Technology Park.
Kalk has extensive experience in leadership, meaningful networks in North Dakota and beyond, as well as work in fundraising, and as an educator.
NDSU President Dean L. Bresciani, who chairs the board of the NDSU Research and Technology Park, said Kalk’s unique combination of education, experience and extensive networks throughout North Dakota made him an ideal candidate. “Brian will be able to hit the ground running and have an immediate positive impact. Business leaders will be impressed by his ideas and ability to seize on the park’s success and be the catalyst for an even brighter future.”
Kalk earned his doctorate in Natural Resource Management and master’s degree in environmental engineering, both from NDSU. He has more than 30 years of leadership experience in various roles. As a career U.S. Marine, he advanced from private to major, traveled to more than 40 countries and is a combat veteran.
He won two elections to the North Dakota Public Service Commission and served from 2009 to 2017. He previously was program manager for the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute at NDSU, and a program manager and instructor at the University of Mary.
He will depart his current role as director of energy systems development, design and operations at the University of North Dakota Energy and Environmental Research Center on a timeline yet to be finalized.
Current executive director Chuck Hoge will leave to take a position as CFO for Life Action Ministries based in his hometown in southwestern Michigan in April.
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