Ten outstanding young NDSU alumni have been selected for the Prairie Business “40 under 40” list for 2016. The magazine published the selections in its December issue.
According to the article, the recognition honors “individuals who have impressed in their careers and enhanced their communities.” The selections were made from about 150 nominations.
NDSU alumni receiving the honor include:
• Andy Bartsch, BS ’04, electrical engineering, who is a partner and director of electrical engineering for Obermiller Nelson Engineering, Fargo. He joined the firm in 2008. He volunteers with ONE and is the coordinator for the Fargo Youth Hockey Association Termites.
• Mike Bittner, MS ’10, civil engineering, is a traffic engineer and office manager for KLJ, West Fargo. He is a professional engineer in five states and was named 2015 Young Transportation Professional of the Year by the North Central Institute of Transportation Engineers and received the 2015 Rising Star Award from the Midwestern Institute of Traffic Engineers. He serves on the Midwestern ITE board.
• Leah (Halverson) Brakke, BS ’01, business administration, is the director of new business development for Black Gold Farms, Grand Forks, North Dakota. She is a board member for the AgChat Foundation and a member of its marketing committee. She also is a member of Produce for Better Health’s marketing and communications committee and the Red River Valley Potato Growers’ marketing committee.
• Mandel (Mertz) Cameron, BS ’09, environment design, MArch ’10, architecture, is a project manager for EAPC Architects Engineers, Fargo. She is a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, the Fargo-Moorhead Visual Artists board and the Arts Partnership. She volunteers with the Lake Region Arts Council.
• Greg Goodman, BS ’99, agricultural economics, is a chief credit officer for the Choice Financial Group in Langdon, North Dakota. He is active with the North Dakota Bankers Association Services Board, Cavalier County Memorial Hospital Foundation and United Lutheran Church Council.
•Kurt Lysne, BS ’06, civil engineering, is the water resources group leader for Moore Engineering Inc., West Fargo, where he supervises about 20 engineers and technicians. He is a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, Association of State Dam Safety Officials and FM Engineers Club. He volunteers with Triumph Lutheran Church, Salvation Army and Meals on Wheels.
• Jacob Manly, BS ’07, animal and range sciences, is owner of Bulls-Eye Lawn Care and co-founder and managing partner of Black Diamond Cattle Co. He also is president and managing director of Limelight Builders and rental property owner and manager for Bastille Venture Partners, Fargo.
• Eric Mauch, BS ’99, management information systems, is the chief executive officer for Razor Consulting Solutions Inc., Fargo. He also is vice president and general manager of software development for Razor Tracking. He volunteers for the YMCA Gator swim team and is a board member for three Fargo companies.
• Sara (Tanke) Wald, BS ’01, business administration, is vice president for outreach at the NDSU Foundation and Alumni Association. She has served as board member for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education District VI, NDSU Team Makers and Walk MS chair for the North Central States chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
• Jamie Wirth, PhD ’14, education, is an assistant professor of mathematics at Valley City State University. He also is director of the Great Plains STEM Education Canter. He is a member of several university committees and is a member of Viking Athletics Booster Board.
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