News Releases for July 2007
July 18, 2007
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Hoeven Announces Klipfel To Take New Position, Nelson Appointed H.P. Superintendent
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today announced that North Dakota Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Bryan Klipfel will resign as of August 9, 2007, and take a position as Target Industry Liaison with Job Service North Dakota. Hoeven named Maj. Mark Nelson, who currently serves as Highway Patrol’s Field Operations Commander in Bismarck, as Klipfel’s successor. He will be promoted to the rank of Colonel.
“I want to thank Col. Klipfel for his outstanding leadership of the Highway Patrol and his service to the people of North Dakota,” Hoeven said. “Safe streets and highways are among the most important features of a good quality of life, and Bryan and his team have made public safety a priority. We’re pleased he’ll be working with us in the future to continue to make a positive difference for North Dakota.”
A native of Ashley and a 30-year veteran of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, Klipfel began his career as a trooper in Rolla and Minot. He also served as district sergeant and district commander in Williston. In 1992 he was assigned to serve as the department’s Training Director at the Law Enforcement Training Academy in Bismarck. In 1995 he was assigned to Highway Patrol headquarters as Administrative Services Commander.
Hoeven named Klipfel superintendent of the North Dakota Highway Patrol in November 2003. In 2006, Klipfel was awarded the Lone Eagle Award, which is given in recognition of outstanding and dedicated law enforcement in the State of North Dakota.
“The North Dakota Highway Patrol is an internationally accredited law enforcement agency, with wonderful and dedicated employees,” Klipfel said. “They make a real difference every day in the safety of the motoring public, and all of us should be proud of them. I sincerely appreciate having had the opportunity to serve as Superintendent of the Highway Patrol. It has been a pleasure working for Governor Hoeven and the people of North Dakota in this special role.”
Klipfel’s new position with Job Service actively supports North Dakota’s Talent Initiative. As a member of Job Service’s Industry Liaison Team, he will work with key industry constituents to advance the Governor’s targeted industries. He will work to identify predominant workforce needs and develop solutions to meet those needs. The team will initially focus on Advanced Manufacturing and Energy, as well as a broader group of industries with high wage jobs.
Nelson has served with the North Dakota Highway Patrol since 1981, where he began as a trooper assigned to Rolla. In 1989, he was promoted to Sergeant, and was stationed in Richardton and Dickinson. Nelson was promoted to Captain in 1996, and served as District Commander in Grand Forks. Following the 1997 flood, Nelson was asked to serve as the interim Chief of Police, which he did for six months while maintaining his commander duties within the patrol. In 2002, Nelson was promoted to the rank of Major and accepted the position of Field Operations Commander stationed at Headquarters in Bismarck.
Nelson holds a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Criminal Justice from Park University in Missouri, and is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command. During his career with the NDHP, he has received the Colonels Award for Excellence following the flood of 1997; the Legion of Honor Award for injuries sustained in the line of duty; and the Governor’s Heritage Award for efforts in DUI enforcement.
“I am both honored and humbled to serve as the superintendent of an agency with men and women of the caliber of the North Dakota Highway Patrol,” Nelson said. “We stand ready to provide the best possible services to the citizens of this state. ‘Public Safety through Quality Service’ will continue to be our focus. I also want to thank Col. Klipfel for his dedication and commitment to the North Dakota Highway Patrol and to the citizens of our state. I wish both him and Bonnie all the best in the future!”
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