News Releases for October 2005
October 4, 2005
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Peterson To Depart Commerce After Successful Tenure, Hoeven Names Goettle As New Commissioner
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today praised Lee Peterson for his outstanding work as Commissioner of the Department of Commerce. Peterson will depart the post effective Nov. 30. Hoeven has appointed Deputy Commissioner Shane Goettle as Peterson’s replacement.
Beginning in 2001, Peterson oversaw Hoeven’s formation of the North Dakota Department of Commerce (DOC), which is composed of four formerly separate agencies. The plan brought the Departments of Economic Development and Finance, Community Services, Workforce Development and Tourism under one roof, creating a streamlined organization, more effective in promoting statewide economic development.
The merger tied together financing, marketing, jobs training and technical assistance services, enabling the new agency to provide a one-stop shop for economic development, reducing red tape and forging a team effort statewide among local, state and regional economic development entities. The DOC undertook a new campaign to market the state’s strong business climate and the Economic Development Foundation subsequently crafted a new strategic plan to guide the new agency’s efforts.
Since then the state has enjoyed record growth in state gross product, rising wages and income, and a solid fiscal position, as reflected in the recent upgrade of North Dakota’s bond rating by Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s Investment Services.
“Lee has helped us to develop a dynamic new economic development model for North Dakota,” Hoeven said. “He has helped us forge a better business climate, and set a path for future growth and a higher standard of living for North Dakotans. We are grateful for the energy, enthusiasm and skill he brought to the job and wish him the best in all his endeavors.”
On Nov. 30, 2005, Goettle will take over duties as Commerce Department Commissioner. A native of Donnybrook, North Dakota, Goettle currently serves as Deputy Commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Commerce. He is a graduate of North Dakota State University, where he received a degree in agricultural economics, and Hamline University School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctor. Between 1995 and 2002, he spent seven years in private practice in Minot with the firm McGee, Hankla, Backes and Dobovolny, where he specialized in the practice of agricultural law, economic development, commercial and business start-ups and planning, cooperatives and renewable energy.
Prior to serving as deputy commissioner, he served as Chief of Staff and Director of Field Operations for the U.S.D.A. Rural Development mission area in Washington, D.C., and before that, as Acting Associate Administrator for Rural Housing Programs. There, he oversaw management and day-to-day operations of an $87 billion, 7,200 employee rural capital investment organization. Between 2002 and 2004, he served as Counsel for the Federal Housing Finance Board and Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of the U.S.D.A. Rural Development.
“A native son of North Dakota, Shane brings to this position a solid understanding of North Dakota and its economic goals for the future,” Hoeven said. “His background in the private sector and at the U.S.D.A., one of the nation’s largest and most important agencies, gives him the insight and skill to help us continue to build a strong, vital economy in North Dakota.”
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