News Releases for December 2000
December 15, 2000
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Hoeven Takes Office, Announces New Cabinet Posts
BISMARCK - Governor John Hoeven today used his first day in office to announce key members of his cabinet and other top agency personnel who will focus on strengthening North Dakota’s economy.
“We are building a great team who can handle the challenge of helping create better-paying jobs,” Hoeven said at a Capitol news conference. “The transition has gone very well, and we are ready to get down to work for North Dakota.”
The appointments are:
- Job Service North Dakota, Executive Director Maren Daley, Grand Forks
- Department of Tourism, Director Allan Stenehjem, Bismarck
- Division of Community Services, Director Ron Rauschenberger, Kenmare
- Department of Economic Development and Finance, Chief Operating Officer Linda Butts, Fargo
Hoeven also announced that Bob Barnett will serve as interim state health officer in the Department of Health.
The governor started his first day in office in meetings with Lt. Governor Jack Dalrymple and senior staff members.
At 3:30 p.m. today he speaks to the Board of Directors of the Greater North Dakota Association on economic development issues. The statewide meeting is being carried on the University System’s IVN network from Bismarck State College.
Biographies of the new appointees follow.
MAREN DALEY
Maren Daley rose steadily during her 17-year career as a banker and lawyer with First National Bank North Dakota in Grand Forks. From 1996 until this earlier this year, she was senior vice president, loan product manager and corporate secretary for the bank.
Former Governor George Sinner appointed her to the Bank of North Dakota Advisory Board in 1991, and she was reappointed by Governor Ed Schafer. The advisory board oversees the operations and loans of the Bank of North Dakota, headed by Hoeven between 1993 and last May.
“In my dealings with Maren, I have always been impressed by her thoroughness, her critical thinking, and her good sense of how the Bank of North Dakota can better serve the state’s citizens,” Hoeven said. “She can bring those same excellent qualities to Job Service North Dakota, helping in our job-creation efforts.”
Job Service North Dakota administers the state and federal unemployment insurance program, provides labor market information and provides specific services to targeted work-force sectors. The agency also delivers Workforce 2000. Hoeven is recommending a $1 million increase in funding for the workforce development program.
A graduate of Midway High School in Inkster, Daley earned a bachelor’s of science degree in business administration from the University of North Dakota in 1980, where she majored in aviation administration. She earned her law degree from UND in 1983.
ALLAN STENEHJEM
A former legislator and businessman from Wahpeton, Stenehjem has been executive director of the 550-member North Dakota Hospitality Association since November 1997.
“Allan has the right marketing background to raise North Dakota’s national profile, while at the same time using his business expertise to make the state more attractive to potential investors,” Hoeven said. “He also knows how to run a statewide association, administrative skills that will translate to running a state agency.”
The Hospitality Association represents North Dakota restaurants, bars, hotels and motels, providing the backbone of the state’s tourism industry. During Stenehjem’s time with the association, he increased its membership by 25 percent.
Stenehjem represented District 25 in the North Dakota House for 10 years, retiring in 1998. In his final session, he sat on the Judiciary Committee and the Government and Veteran Affairs Committee.
Stenehjem holds a B.A. in elementary education from Valley City State University and a B.A. in political science from UND.
RON RAUSCHENBERGER
Rauschenberger has been actively involved with economic development at the local and state level throughout his professional career.
Owner of Kenmare Clothing, Rauschenberger is chairman of the North Dakota Development Fund, on which he has served since 1993, holding the seat designated for rural representation. The fund provides “gap financing” not available from most conventional lenders.
Rauschenberger also served as interim director of the Department of Economic Development and Finance in May and June 1997. He also served with Hoeven from 1990-93 on the MAGIC Fund board based in Minot.
“Ron and I have worked closely for the past decade, and I have always appreciated his commitment to building the economy of rural North Dakota,” Hoeven said. “As head of community services, he can continue that commitment by working day-to-day with local leaders.”
The Division of Community Services is part of the Office of Management and Budget. It provides technical assistance to local governments, state agencies, and the executive branch in the areas of community and rural planning and development, and implementing of grant programs.
The division works closely with the state’s eight regional development councils. Hoeven noted that Rauschenberger also sits on the Souris Basin Regional Revolving Loan Fund Committee.
Rauschenberger holds an associate’s degree in business from UND Williston.
LINDA BUTTS
As chief operating officer of the Department of Economic Development and Finance, Linda Butts will be responsible for day-to-day administration of the cabinet agency. She brings a broad background in business, farming, insurance and accounting to the position.
“I admire Linda’s tremendous energy, organizational skills and grassroots knowledge of North Dakota’s economy,” Hoeven said. “Her skills will mesh well with Lee Peterson’s as we target more, better-paying jobs.”
Hoeven highlighted her service as a member of the Agriculture Products Utilization Commission, charged with diversifying North Dakota’s farm and ranch economy.
Butts worked for the Hoeven campaign since this spring, overseeing events and other campaign activities throughout the Red River Valley. From 1999-2000, she was a partner with Benefits Education LLC, an employee benefits consulting company, while operating Taste of Dakota Consulting, as well. Between 1976 and 1998, she was owner and president of Prairie Inn Restaurant and Bakery in Carrington. At the same time she worked with the Butts Farm and Cattle Feeding Operation.
Butts earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from North Dakota State University in 1969, and an accounting degree from UND in 1988. She is a Certified Public Accountant.
BOB BARNETT
Bob Barnett joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 1981and is currently the section chief of the Administrative Services Section. Barnett served as interim state health officer from December 1992 to April 1993 and again from September 1997 to February 1998.
“I want to take a thorough approach toward filling the health officer’s post,” Hoeven said. “At the same time, I have faith in Bob’s ability to manage the department and shepherd its budget through the Legislature.”
Barnett received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of North Dakota and did graduate work at the University of North Dakota, the University of Minnesota and the University of Michigan.
Before returning to North Dakota, Barnett worked as a CPA for an accounting firm in Minneapolis, concentrating on manufacturing auditing and Securities and Exchange Commission work. A Bismarck native, he is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
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