Voting Members
Jonathan Fortner
Chairman
Representing: Lignite Research, North Dakota Lignite Energy Council
Email: JonathanFortner@lignite.com
Date Appointed: 03/18/2025
Darcy Neigum
Representing: Lignite Processing, Montana-Dakota Utilities
Email: darcy.neigum@mdu.com
Date Appointed: 03/31/2025
Gavin McCollam
Representing: Lignite Processing, Basin Electric Power Cooperative
Email: gmccollam@bepc.com
Date Appointed: 05/03/2023
Trinity Turnbow
Representing: Lignite Processing, Basin Electric Power Cooperative
Email: tturnbow@bepc.com
Date Appointed: 03/31/2025
Ethan Vaagene
Representing: Lignite Processing, Rainbow Energy Marketing
Email: ethan.vaagene@rainbowenergycenter.com
Date Appointed: 03/31/2025
Tim Hagerott
Representing: Lignite Processing, Minnkota Power Cooperative
Email: thagerott@minnkota.com
Date Appointed: 05/03/2023
Brad Hawk
Representing: Native American Tribal, North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission
Email: hawkbrad47@gmail.com
Date Appointed: 02/07/2024
Charles Gorecki
Representing: Lignite Research, Energy & Environmental Research Center
Email: cgorecki@undeerc.org
Date Appointed: 05/03/2023
Vacant
Representing: State Agency
Randy Christmann
Representing: State Agency, Public Service Commission
Email: rchristmann@nd.gov
Date Appointed: 05/03/2023
Vacant
Representing: State Agency
Tom Oakland
Representing: State Agency, Department of Commerce
Email: thomas.oakland@nd.gov
Date Appointed: 05/03/2023
Representative
Anna Novak
Representing: Legislators
Email: anovak@ndlegis.gov
Date Appointed: 09/08/2025
Jay Kost
Representing: Mining, North American Coal Corporation
Email: jay.kost@nacoal.com
Date Appointed: 05/03/2023
Donn Steffen
Representing: Mining, Coyote Creek Mine
Email: donn.steffen@nacoal.com
Date Appointed: 03/31/2025
William Sawyer
Representing: Transmission Interests, Allete Clean Energy
Email: wsawyer@alletecleanenergy.com
Date Appointed: 05/03/2023
Joe Heringer
Representing: Landowners, North Dakota Department of Trust Lands
Email: jheringer@nd.gov
Date Appointed: 05/03/2023
Rita Faut
Representing: Landowners, North Dakota Farm Bureau
Email: fauthaus@msn.com
Date Appointed: 05/03/2023
Reese Boehm
Representing: Transmission Interests, Nexus Line LLC
Email: reese.boehm@rainbowenergycenter.com
Date Appointed: 03/31/2025
Andy Hawbaker
Representing: Mining, North American Coal Corporation
Email: andy.hawbaker@nacoal.com
Date Appointed: 11/25/2025
Mark Hager
Representing: Mining, IBEW 11th District
Email: MarkHager@ibew.org
Date Appointed: 05/03/2023
John Phillips
Representing: Political Subdivisions, Coal Counties
Email: jpbeulah@westriv.com
Date Appointed: 05/03/2023
Brad Zimmerman
Representing: Lignite Processing, Otter Tail Power Company
Email: bzimmerman@otpco.com
Date Appointed: 03/31/2025
Dan Laudal
Representing: Lignite Research, UND College of Engineering & Mines
Email: daniel.laudal@und.edu
Date Appointed: 03/06/2026
Individuals interested in serving on the Lignite Research Council are encouraged to submit a Board Application to be considered when vacancies occur.
Submit a Board Application: Governor Appointed Boards