BISMARCK, N.D. – A selection committee has forwarded the names of three finalists for the position of state Land Commissioner to the North Dakota Board of University and School Lands (Land Board) for consideration.
The three finalists are:
- Current Land Commissioner Lance Gaebe of Bismarck, who has served in the role since August 2010.
- Douglas Lee of Bismarck, who most recently worked as general manager of KLJ Progress Solutions in Bismarck.
- Jodi Smith of Bismarck, who most recently was vice president of the western region for Sanford Health Foundation.
The Land Board has scheduled a special meeting to consider the finalists at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, in the Governor’s Conference Room, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck. The five-member board consists of Gov. Doug Burgum as chair and State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler, Secretary of State Al Jaeger, State Treasurer Kelly Schmidt and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem as members.
The five-person Land Commissioner Selection Committee was made up of one designee appointed by each Land Board member: Jodi Uecker (designated by Burgum), Bob Christman (Baesler), Rick Larson (Jaeger), Linda Svihovec (Schmidt) and Tom Trenbeath (Stenehjem).
Land Board members voted last May to open a search for Land Commissioner, extending Gaebe’s appointment through Dec. 31, 2017, or until a new commissioner is appointed.