The Northern Valley Careers initiative is a dynamic effort on a mission to capture 10th graders’ interest in future careers right here in northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. A dedicated group of passionate educators, industry leaders, economic development champions, and diligent workforce organizations work collaboratively throughout the year. Their shared goal? To find ways to ignite the curiosity of our high schoolers as they explore companies, careers, and education for their next steps in training and education.
Expo Planning Committee
Becca Cruger
Director of Workforce Development
Grand Forks Region EDC
Brenna Mathiason
Workforce Development Specialist
Grand Forks Region EDC
Cara Davis
Career Educator
Grand Forks Public Schools
Dustin Hillebrand
Workforce Center Manager
Job Service North Dakota
Eric Ripley
Director of Career and Technical Education
Grand Forks Public Schools
Jen Aamodt
Director of Admissions
University of North Dakota
Mark Maliskey
Marketing & Communications Manager
Grand Forks Region EDC
Mary Feller
Career Coach & Mentor Coordinator
UND Career Services
Mary Houdek
Business Service Consultant
Job Service North Dakota
Nan Thurston
Career Services Coordinator
University of Minnesota Crookston
Nicolas Thompson
Admission Advisor
Northland Community and Technical College, EGF & TRF
Paul Gorte
Economic Development Director
City of East Grand Forks
Sam Jenson
Executive Director
Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals
Shari Elgin
Human Resources Manager
Construction Engineers
Stephanie Larson
Counselor
East Grand Forks Public School
Expo Planning Committee
Becca Cruger
Director of Workforce Development
Grand Forks Region EDC
Brenna Mathiason
Workforce Development Specialist
Grand Forks Region EDC
Cara Davis
Career Educator
Grand Forks Public Schools
Dustin Hillebrand
Workforce Center Manager
Job Service North Dakota
Eric Ripley
Director of Career and Technical Education
Grand Forks Public Schools
Jen Aamodt
Director of Admissions
University of North Dakota
Mark Maliskey
Marketing & Communications Manager
Grand Forks Region EDC
Mary Feller
Career Coach & Mentor Coordinator
UND Career Services
Mary Houdek
Business Service Consultant
Job Service North Dakota
Nan Thurston
Career Services Coordinator
University of Minnesota Crookston
Nicolas Thompson
Admission Advisor
Northland Community and Technical College, EGF & TRF
Paul Gorte
Economic Development Director
City of East Grand Forks
Sam Jenson
Executive Director
Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals
Shari Elgin
Human Resources Manager
Construction Engineers
Stephanie Larson
Counselor
East Grand Forks Public School
Supporting Organizations
- Grand Forks Public Schools
- East Grand Forks Public Schools
- Economic Development and Housing Authority, East Grand Forks
- Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation
- Job Service North Dakota, Grand Forks
- Northland Community and Technical College, East Grand Forks and Thief River Falls
- Northwest Private Industry Council, Crookston
- University of North Dakota
- University of Minnesota, Crookston