Garrison Diversion Board of Directors Overview

The Garrison Diversion Conservancy District includes 28 counties within North Dakota. Each county elects a citizen to serve a four-year term as a member of the Garrison Diversion board of directors.

Garrison Diversion directors serve on one or more of the seven standing committees: Executive; Agriculture and Natural Resources; Budget and Finance; Engineering and Operations; Municipal, Rural and Industrial; Public Relations and Red River Valley; and Recreation.

John Leininger, Griggs County - Chairman
John Leininger, Binford, was elected in 2000. He currently serves as chairman of the board of directors. Leininger is also the chair of the Binford Eagle Fisheries and chair of the Binford Economic Development Corporation.  He is past president of the North Dakota Community Education Association and past co-chairman of the National Rural Revitalization Task Force.  He has received many honors throughout his years, including the Terry Jaycees Community Service Award, the NDSU Agriculturist Award, the FHA Farm Family of the Year Award and the ND Water Wheel Award. Leininger and his wife, Linda, have three daughters and two sons. He replaced his father, Kenneth Leininger, on the Garrison Diversion board of directors.

Ken Vein, Grand Forks County - Vice Chairman
Ken Vein, Grand Forks, was elected to the Garrison Diversion board in 2005. He is a member of Garrison Diversion’s Executive Committee and the Public Relations and Red River Valley Committee. Ken is a graduate of the University of North Dakota with a bachelor of science in civil engineering. Ken is employed by Altru Health System as the division administrator for plant and facilities. Prior to Altru Health System, he was the city engineer/public works director for Grand Forks for 16 years. He currently serves as a board member on the International Water Institute and Crime Stoppers and is a past president of the UND Letterwinner Board. Some of the awards and recognition Ken has received are Corps of Engineers Recognition of ‘97 Basin Flood Response Effort, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Achievement Award, North Dakota Water Wheel Award and the North Dakota Chapter of American Public Works Association President Service Award. Ken and his wife, Debra, have two sons.

Ken Royse, Burleigh County - Second Vice Chairman
Ken Royse has been a board member since 2005. He is second vice chairman of the board and is on the Missouri River Committee.  In addition, Ken serves on the Executive Committee.  Ken is vice president and principal at Bartlett & West of Bismarck. He graduated from Montana State University with a bachelor of science in engineering. Throughout his career, Ken has worked for the State Water Commission, state highway department, Old West Regional Water Office and Public Service Commission. Ken belongs to various organizations and holds various offices, including: chairman of Missouri River Joint Board, member and past chairman of the Burleigh County Water Resource Board, executive member and past president of North Dakota Water Users Association and executive board member and first vice president of the North Dakota Water Resource Board.  Ken also served on the North Dakota Education Board and was appointed by Governor Hoeven to serve on the Missouri River Task Force to deal with issues of the Missouri River. Ken is also a North Dakota representative to the Upper Missouri River Association. Ken and his wife, Kay, reside in Bismarck. They have three children.

Rick Anderson, McLean County
Rick Anderson has been a member of the board since 1986 and has acted as second vice chairman, vice chairman and is immediate past-chairman. He currently serves as ex-officio on the Executive Committee and is a member of the Missouri River Committee. Originally from Neche, ND, Anderson graduated from NDSU in 1966 with a bachelor of science in agricultural economics and currently farms near Coleharbor. Agriculture has played a large part in Anderson’s life as he has held distinguished positions with the McLean County and North Dakota Farm Bureau, U.S. Durum Growers Association and many other agricultural organizations. Rick was a 2011 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for the Upper Missouri Water Association. He also served on the Underwood school board and the McLean County ASCS County Committee.  He and his wife, Charlotte, have two adult children.

Dave Anderson, Pierce County
Assuming position in 2011, Dave Anderson is one of the newest members of the board.  He was elected to represent Pierce County, and currently serves on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.  Dave was born and raised in Rugby, ND.  He currently works at Bremer Bank in Rugby as an Ag Banker and fills some of his spare time as a hobbyist cattle and grain farmer.  Dave is also a dedicated public servant.  He is in his second term on the Rugby School Board and currently serves as President. Dave is involved with several other community and church organizations, and has served in chairman and treasurer positions over the years. Dave resides in Rugby with his wife, Pam.  They have three grown children and two grandchildren.

Roger Bischoff, Barnes County
Roger Bischoff, Valley City, was elected in 2008. He serves on the Engineering and Operations Committee. Roger spent two terms on the Valley City commission, from 1978-1986. He has also been involved in many other capacities throughout his community. Roger has been the president of multiple organizations, including Church Council, Cass County Administrators, ND Municipal Power Association and the ND Landowners Association. He was also the commander of the American Legion, chaplain of American Legion Post 60 and the affinity director of Star Ministries Alliance. Roger owns and operates Allard Trophy Co. in Valley City. Roger and his wife, Marlene, live in Valley City. They have three children.

Jeff Breker, Sargent County
Jeff Breker, Havana, was elected in 2008. Jeff is serving on Garrison Diversion’s MR&I Committee. Jeff has served his community for numerous years and being elected to Garrison Diversion’s board of directors is just another outlet for him to serve Sargent county citizens. Other areas Jeff has served include being the Tewaukon township supervisor for 26 years. He has been a director on the Southeast Rural Water District since 1989.  Jeff operates a farm, ranch and feedlot near Havana.  He is married to Jody and they have three children.

James Burbidge, Renville County
Jim Burbidge has been a board member since 1999.  He serves on the Missouri River Committee. Jim farms near Mohall. He attended a rural school until 8th grade and graduated from Mohall High School. He then received his diesel technician degree from the State School of Science in Wahpeton. He is a past director of the Renville County Farm Bureau and served on the Renville County Water Resource District board for 20 years. He and his wife, Theresa, have three children.

Richard Cayko, McKenzie County
As the first board member from McKenzie County, Richard Cayko joined the board of directors in 2003.  Richard serves on Garrison Diversion’s Recreation Committee.  He is also a McKenzie County commissioner. Richard has an extensive agricultural background and serves as the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project district director and Mon-Dak Sugar Beet Growers Association director and is a former school board member. From 1992 to 2000, he was named among the top ten sugar beet producers. He and his wife, Patricia, have four children.

Roger Fenstad, Cass County
Roger Fenstad is one of the newest members elected to the Garrison Diversion board, beginning his service in January 2011.  Roger represents Cass County, and currently serves on the Public Relations and Red River Valley Committee.  Roger is a civil engineer employed with Moore Engineering in West Fargo. Roger has been active within his community, serving in various capacities on school and church committees, as well as holding the position of National Director of the American Council of Engineering Companies of ND.  He has received several honors over the years, including the ND Chapter of the American Public Works Association President Service Award.  Roger lives in Fargo with his wife, Jan.  They have four adult children and four grandchildren. 

Richard Fugleberg, Steele County
Richard Fugleberg’s membership on the Garrison Diversion board began in 1988, serving as chairman of the board from 2001-2005. He is now a member of the Recreation Committee. Having worked as a farmer for the past 40 years, Richard Fugleberg brings many years of agricultural experience to the board. Born in Mayville, ND, Fugleberg went on to graduate from Mayville State College in 1967 with a bachelor of science in business education and physical education. Fugleberg’s community involvement includes his positions as a board member on the North Dakota State Seed Commission and the Mayville State University Foundation. Richard is a former member of the Northern Crops Institute, Northharvest Bean Growers, Union Hospital, First and Farmers Bank and many others. Richard and his wife, Vicki, live near Portland and have four children.

Norman Haak, Dickey County
Norman Haak has served on the Garrison Diversion board of directors since 1987, serving as chairman of the board from 1997-2000. Currently, Norman is a member of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.  Norman served in the United States Navy from 1961-1964; he also attended the Commercial Trades Institute. Originally from South Dakota, Norm now lives near Oakes, ND. He and his wife, Arlene, owned and operated a farm for the past 40 years. They now raise beef and Norm also does some consulting on high value crops. The Haak’s have four children and seven grandchildren. Norman has been very active in his local community and church, serving on several boards.

Cliff Hanretty, McHenry County
Chairman, Missouri River Committee
Cliff Hanretty lives and ranches in Towner. He has been on the board of directors since 1999, and currently serves as chairman of the Missouri River Committee. He also serves as chairman for the Eaton Flood Irrigation District and has served eight years as a board member for the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association. Cliff served in the U.S. Army for two years. Cliff and his wife, Mary, have three daughters and three grandchildren.

David Johnson, Benson County
Chairman, Recreation Committee
David is the chairman of the Recreation Committee. He has been on the board of directors since 1987. He lives near Minnewaukan where he is a crop insurance agent and farms with his son, Derek. Dave is also a farm equipment dealer in Maddock. He has been active in both the Minnewaukan and Maddock communities, serving on several local boards over the years.

Kelly Klosterman, Richland County
Kelly Klosterman has been a board member since 2007 and currently serves on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.  He farms near Mooreton. Kelly is also a member of the Richland County Soil Conservation District. He and his wife, Mickey, have two children.

E. Ward Koeser, Williams County
Ward Koeser is a director from one of the newest counties to join the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District; he began his service in 2003.  Ward serves on the MR&I Committee. Ward is General Manager of Kotana Communications, Inc. and the Mayor of Williston. He is currently a Board Trustee at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Ward has been presented with many awards, including the Army Commendation Medal in 1977. He and his wife, Joetta, have three children.

Dr. Bill Krivarchka, Traill County
Chairman, Public Relations & Red River Valley Committee
Bill Krivarchka began his role as director in January 2003. Bill serves on Garrison Diversion’s Executive Committee and also chairs the Public Relations and Red River Valley Committee. A native of Bowman, Krivarchka now lives in Mayville as a retired dentist and former president of the Goose River Dental Association. Bill serves on the Mayville Improvement Association and is president of MPCG Dollars for Scholars. He and his wife, Heidi, have four daughters.

Warren (Bud) Lyons, Ransom County
Bud Lyons is a farmer from the Lisbon area. He has served as a board member since 1997 and is a member of the Public Relations and Red River Valley Committee. Lyons is a director for the Sheldon Farmers Elevator. He and his wife, Carmen, have three children and four grandchildren.

Dan Marquart, Nelson County
Dan Marquart was elected to the Garrison Diversion board in 2008, and he serves on the Recreation Committee. Dan is a former Nelson County commissioner, serving from 1998-2006. Dan previously owned and operated his own business as an aerial crop sprayer for 25 years and is now a farmer with land between Stump Lake and Devils Lake.  Dan resides in Lakota and has three daughters.

Steve Metzger, Foster County
Steve Metzger, Carrington, was first appointed and later elected to the Garrison Diversion board of directors in 1983. He is a member of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.  Steve is a graduate of Langdon High School and North Dakota State University, where he earned undergraduate and graduate degrees. Steve is currently serving the Carrington area as a farm business management instructor and is the regional coordinator for ND Farm Business Management in south-central North Dakota. He and his wife, Jane, have five children.

Thomas Olson, Stutsman County
The Stutsman County commission appointed Thomas to Garrison Diversion’s board in 2008. Thomas currently serves on Garrison Diversion’s MR&I Committee. He graduated from North Dakota State University with a bachelor of science degree in agriculture. Thomas has held a number of positions in the agricultural field but most recently worked as the Stutsman County extension agent. He is also a life member of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. Thomas has been recognized several times for his achievements. In 1997, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award for the National Association of County Agricultural Agents.  Thomas also received the Agricultural Achievement Award from the NACAA.  He currently lives in Jamestown with his wife, Mary.  They have four children.

Bill Ongstad, Wells County
Bill Ongstad, Harvey, was appointed as the Wells County director in 2008, and he currently serves on the Missouri River Committee. He farms near Harvey. Bill belongs to many organizations and has held various offices including former president and current member of the US Durum Growers, vice chairman of board of directors for Farm Credit Services of ND, Wells County Better Seed & Grain Association and Advisory Committee Wells County Mentoring Partnership. He is also a 4-H leader and a past member of the Harvey school board and was the Fram Township treasurer. Bill and his wife, Anne, have four children. 

John Peyerl, Ramsey County
John has served on the board of directors since 1999 and is on the Garrison Diversion Engineering and Operations Committee. John Peyerl is a farmer and former school teacher from Penn. He received a major in mathematics and minors in chemistry and accounting; he has taught high school mathematics and science for 25 years. He’s served as the township supervisor for 25 years, serves on the BTR Farmers Co-op board, and is a former member of Churchs Ferry-Penn Fire District board and Ramsey County Farm Bureau. Peyerl has received awards such as the Ramsey County Conservation Award and the ND Water Wheel Award. He and his wife, Diane, have six children and twelve grandchildren.

Charles Richter, Eddy County
Charlie Richter has represented Eddy County as the director for the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District since 1968. He served as the chairman of the board and is currently on the MR&I Committee. Charlie is a retired farmer and truck driver. He has served on the school board and is a township supervisor. He’s received several awards including the Commodore Award in 1984. He is a member of several community organizations, such as the Masons, Eagles and Elks. He is a native and current resident of New Rockford. Charlie and his wife, Neola, have seven children.

Kenny Rogers, Bottineau County
Chairman, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
Kenny Rogers, a Maxbass native, was elected in 1997 and serves on the Executive Committee.  He also chairs the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. He is a semi-retired farmer and is presently serving on the All Seasons Water Users District Board. He is also chairman of the Lewis Township board. Kenny has served on the North Central Experiment Station Board, Bottineau County Crop Improvement Association, Bottineau County NDSU extension advisory board, English Lutheran Church council and the Maxbass Rural Fire District board. He and his wife, Elaine, have two children.

Tim Schindler, Sheridan County
Tim Schindler, McClusky, was appointed in 1999 and is currently a member of the Engineering and Operations Committee. He has held many positions with the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, including Sheridan County supervisor and director. Schindler has received several awards, such as the Moisture Manager of the Year Award in 1996. Tim and his wife, Delila, farm near McClusky and have two children.

Alan Walter, Ward County
Chairman, MR&I Committee
Alan Walter has been on the Garrison Diversion board since 2002. He serves as chairmas of the MR&I Committee. Walter is a civil engineer and has served the city of Minot since 1968. He became the city’s public works director in 1992. Walter is on the North Dakota Water Association board and is a member of the North Dakota Water Coalition. He was appointed to the North Dakota Air Quality board by former Governor Schafer and again by Governor Hoeven. He is a 2011 recipient of the Commodore Award, recognizing his efforts in the North Dakota water industry. He is also a retired member of the ND National Guard. Alan and his wife, Judy, have four children.

Dennis Wendel, LaMoure County
Chairman, Engineering and Operations Committee
Dennis Wendel has held his position on the Garrison Diversion board since 1997. He is a chairman of the Engineering and Operations Committee and serves on the Executive Committee. Wendel is a North Dakota State Fair board director and past president of the LaMoure ambulance squad. He has also been a 4-H leader for 30 years and received awards such as Community Volunteer of the Year. He farms and works as the owner and operator of a feed and seed plant. Dennis and his wife, Marsha, have twelve children.