This month, we celebrate the 2025 Leaders & Legacies award recipients. Prairie Business received a number of impressive nominations for this honor as well as nominations from our staff.
Career accomplishments and highlights were considered, as well as the professionals' beneficial impacts on their organizations, communities and industries. The class of 2025 consists of nine outstanding business leaders in the region who are honored with the Leaders & Legacies award.
This year’s recipients come from the following industries: health care, architecture, engineering, telecommunications, manufacturing, agriculture and finance.
Prairie Business recognizes exceptional business professionals and leaders in several other contests during the year, but Leaders & Legacies recognizes only top executives in the region, past and present. Each honoree has established high-level leadership throughout their career, influencing lives and impacting livelihoods. We are happy to celebrate and honor this year’s recipients. They are the region’s leaders who are role models for the next generation of leaders.
Congratulations to all!
Profiles were compiled by Prairie Business staff based on nomination forms and biographical information provided by each winner’s company.
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Mike Bittner
PE, PTOE, PTP, TSP, PMP, IMSA II
Director of Strategic Initiatives and Principal
Bolton & Menk, Inc.
Fargo, N.D.
Mike Bittner, PE, is a principal at Bolton & Menk, Inc. in Fargo, North Dakota, and a recognized leader in transportation engineering. He seamlessly manages projects from initial planning through complex construction phases. Over the past decade, he has led more than 70 transportation projects across urban centers in the Dakotas and Minnesota, working with over 40 agencies to help program $600 million in improvements, a nominator wrote.
Bittner takes great pride in helping communities solve their biggest transportation challenges, whether it’s saving lives through innovative roadway strategies or saving time through more efficient designs.
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He is deeply committed to helping communities tackle major transportation challenges, whether by improving safety with innovative roadway strategies or increasing efficiency through smart design. In his current role, Bittner guides strategic resource allocation for a 1,100-plus-employee firm, focusing on long-term success and emerging opportunities.
He has a strong dedication to building up his team and ensuring they are getting the most out of their career. Known for his hands-on leadership and team-building, Bittner is respected for his willingness to do any task he asks of others.
Bittner’s public engagement work has earned multiple ACEC awards for projects like the ND Transportation Management Center and the I-29 SMART Corridor. He has led over 100 stakeholder meetings, emphasizing community input in decision-making.
Bittner’s exemplary work and leadership have resulted in an invitation to the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Leadership training program and being elected to serve on the Midwest ITE Board of Directors. His work with ITE had led to several changes, most notably improving the organization's inclusivity. He’s most proud of helping the board develop an Endowment Fund and the Student Leadership Summit, both of which led to a substantial increase in student support as they transition to professionals. His unique interchange design at Sheyenne Street and I-94 in West Fargo won multiple national awards. He’s also received the ITE Rising Star Award due in large part to his innovative intersection designs.
He volunteers his time in a variety of local STEM and community events, including judging robotics competitions to developing and facilitating workshops and events for student programs.
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Michael Burns
AIA, CID
Founder and President
Michael J. Burns Architects, Ltd.
Moorhead, Minn., and Grand Forks, N.D.
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Michael Burns has been a successful architect working in the Fargo-Moorhead and Grand Forks areas for nearly five decades. He founded his firm, Michael J. Burns Architects, Ltd., in 1983 and it’s become one of the region’s top firms for historic preservation and adaptive reuse.
Over his career, Burns has taught dozens of architects and promotes a workplace where “Facilitate, Collaborate, and Engage” is not just a motto, a nominator wrote. He recognizes the importance of investing time in younger team members and works with an inclusive mindset, considering ideas from all team members. This philosophy builds confidence and creativity in those who have worked with him while also allowing new architects and staff to try out their own ideas.
Burns believes that “leadership must be consistent and unbiased, open to listening to all ideas, including opposing opinions,” he wrote in a 2024 Prairie Business feature about leadership. “Long ago, I recognized that I don’t know what’s best in all cases, so I encourage others to provide feedback to do what’s best for the entire group.”
Burns is involved in his community in a number of ways. He’s been a member of the AIA (American Institute of Architects) Historic Resources Committee, and the North Dakota State Capitol Grounds Planning Commission, is a former commissioner on the city of Fargo’s Planning Commission and National Trust for Historic Preservation, and chaired the Moorhead Economic Development Authority. He’s also a Downtown Moorehead, Inc. board member.
His legacy lies in the renovated and preserved buildings on which he’s worked. His firm's focus on historic preservation and adaptive reuse has enabled him to honor the community's founders while providing safer, more comfortable buildings.
A career highlight is the restoration of Renaissance Hall in downtown Fargo, which involved bringing a former farm implement warehouse and dealership, and later a school supply building, back from the brink of demolition to be used by North Dakota State University to teach future generations and provide a space for the promotion of art in the community. The creation of the Roberts Street Chaplet has not only been one of the smallest projects but also one of the most accessible, with its unveiling in both Grand Forks and Fargo.
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Dr. Joshua Deere
President
Altru Health System
Grand Forks, N.D.
Since taking on the role of president of Altru Health System in September 2022, Dr. Joshua Deere has led with clarity, compassion and a commitment to advancing care across the region. His leadership is rooted in the belief that every patient deserves access to high-quality, patient-centered care. It’s a principle that continues to guide his strategic decisions.
In early 2025 and under Deere’s leadership, Altru opened a new state-of-the-art hospital in Grand Forks. The transformational achievement marks one of the most significant milestones in the organization’s history. He played a significant role in the development of the facility. In his previous medical director role, Deere led many important aspects of the project early on and saw them to fruition as the company’s president. The hospital positions Altru as a medical destination for care, supporting the health of the region, along with the economic vitality of Grand Forks.
“What sets Dr. Deere apart is his unwavering authenticity – he leads with integrity, stays true to his values, and genuinely cares about those around him. This recognition is a testament to the impact of leading with heart and purpose, which he does consistently,” said Altru CEO Todd Forkel. “One of the qualities I admire most about Dr. Deere is his relentless commitment to growth and improvement, not for recognition, but to better serve others and lead with greater impact. His journey is a true example of lifelong learning in action. I’m proud to work with him as his administrative dyad.”
Deere is also leading the strategic acquisition of a hospital in Devils Lake, North Dakota, expanding Altru’s footprint and ensuring continuity of care for rural communities in the region. His vision for regional health access has been bold yet balanced, consistently prioritizing quality, sustainability and community need, a nominator wrote.
Deere has also championed innovation in medical technology, workforce culture and community engagement, fostering an environment where employees feel valued and patients feel seen. He’s more than a health system executive. Deere is a trusted leader within the broader Grand Forks and regional communities. His calm and steady leadership through change has earned the respect of staff, patients and partners alike. During the pandemic, Deere was the face of Altru, sharing important information, answering hard questions and playing a pivotal role in keeping the community safe and at ease.
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Brady Hansen
CEO
BeMobile Verizon
Grand Forks, N.D.
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Grand Forks native Brady Hansen has been the CEO and president of BeMobile Verizon since 2009. In this role, his vision and foresight have been instrumental in leading and meeting the challenges of countless emerging innovations in the communication industry.
Hansen thrives in spaces where he can be a visionary. He has grown a single-location Verizon retailer into a company with nearly 100 locations coast to coast. The company celebrated its 25th anniversary in May. The company’s target is to serve three million guests annually by 2030.
“Brady leads with faith and vision, setting a tone of purpose across BeMobile. He’s deeply committed to ensuring that if people leave the company, they will leave better than they arrived. He has an incredible ability to delegate with trust that creates space for others to grow,” said Chief Revenue Officer Jason Prinsen.
Hansen has kept the legacy of promoting BeMobile’s purpose of increasing company teams while keeping communities connected. His leadership style is singularly focused on developing the team around him to be the best and have the best opportunities, a nominator wrote. It’s evident in BeMobile’s back-to-back national Agent of the Year wins in 2022 and 2023.
“When we succeed, he's quick not to take credit; when we fall short, it's never without his support,” said Chief Operating Officer Jake Miller. “That mix has empowered the whole organization to continuously grow into a national retailer under his leadership. Most importantly, he has positively impacted the lives of so many young leaders and individuals early in their careers.”
Hansen and his family have been part of the Grand Forks community for generations and have always generously donated to causes that help support children and families in need. The company has handed out thousands of backpacks stuffed with school supplies for 11 years running. The Hansen family is often the first to raise a hand to help out a neighbor and are well-known in the area for being willing to volunteer.
He and his wife, Cristiane, are parents of two sons, Eddie and Isaac. Hansen has served as a member of the board of directors for the Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce. When he’s not leading the company, he enjoys spending time with his family, including coaching his young son’s soccer team. In his downtime, he enjoys cooking, working out and reading.
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Dan Kadrmas
President
TrueNorth Steel
Fargo, N.D.
As president of TrueNorth Steel and Rommesmo Companies since 1999, Dan Kadrmas leads with a long-term mindset and deep respect for those who make up these organizations, which include FTC Transport, Minnkota Windows and TrueNorth Compliance Services.
A family business headquartered in Fargo, TrueNorth Steel was established in 1945 and includes diverse product lines such as structural steel, bridges, tanks, corrugated pipe and construction services. Kadrmas has honored the Rommesmo family legacy while guiding the company into the future, balancing tradition with innovation, ensuring family values remain a cornerstone of the company’s growth.
Under his 30 years of leadership, TrueNorth Steel has expanded to 11 locations across five states, employing more than 800 team members. The growth is a direct result of Kadrmas’ vision and desire to do right by his team, partners and clients. Under his leadership, TrueNorth Steel has acquired Dakota Steel (Rapid City, South Dakota), Precision Stair and Steel (Mandan, North Dakota), Roscoe Steel & Culvert (Billings and Missoula, Monta, and Casper, Wyoming), Beck Steel (Lubbock, Texas), and a 300,000-square-foot facility in West Fargo, North Dakota.
“What truly sets Dan apart is how he makes people feel,” a nominator wrote. “Whether you’re a colleague, client or someone new to the team, Dan somehow finds a way to make time for everyone! He listens and leads with kindness.”
He oversees community engagement and philanthropic giving initiatives in alignment with the team’s talents and focus areas. He’s been a supporter of United Way, Habitat for Humanity and Giving Hearts Day, inspiring his team members to dedicate their time to causes that are meaningful to them.
Colleagues say his character has created a culture in which individuals feel seen, supported and proud to belong. He holds a steadfast belief that leadership is about helping others be their best.
He’s also involved in industry organizations, including being a board member of Cornerstone Bank, the National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association and the American Institute of Steel Construction, roles in which he continues to uplift the industry and advocate for progress.
Kadrmas and his wife, Sue, live in Fargo, where they’ve raised four children. Together, they’ve remained committed to their faith and the mission of the JPII Catholic Schools, embodying the same values of service and community that he brings to work each day.
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Joan McCusker
Executive Vice President, Operations and Corporate Strategy
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota
Fargo, N.D.
Joan McCusker deserves recognition as both a leader and a legacy because of the meaningful and lasting contributions she has made throughout her career. Serving in executive leadership roles across multiple industries, she has shaped organizations with clarity, empathy and a deep sense of purpose.
At Blue Cross Blue Shield North Dakota, she has led three critical divisions – Human Resources, Strategy, and the Operations Member Experience division. In each role, McCusker worked to align teams, systems, and decisions with the organization’s mission. She transformed the company’s approach to strategic planning, moving it from a set of internal goals to a framework guided by the company’s four strategic pillars: simplifying health care, ensuring affordability, elevating well-being, and enhancing talent and operational effectiveness, a nominator wrote.
She elevated the HR department into a strategic partner by embedding leadership development, succession planning, employee engagement, and leadership competencies into the company’s broader initiatives and goals. McCusker ensured that talent development was not an afterthought, but a core driver of business success. Through her leadership of Operations Member Experience, she helped teams focus on service delivery that reflected the company’s values and strengthened the connection between internal operations and customer experience.
As a leader, McCusker listens deeply, encourages diverse perspectives and creates space for others to grow. She is steady, thoughtful and genuinely invested in the people around her. Her influence can be seen in the culture she helps shape and the leaders she leaves behind.
Her experience in finance, HR, technology and operations gives her a unique ability to see the big picture while paying attention to what makes people and organizations thrive. She’s been recognized as Minnesota CFO of the Year and was inducted into the UND Accounting Hall of Fame. She has built systems that last and help others succeed long after her role has changed.
In her community, she shows up with purpose and gives of her time and expertise without seeking recognition. McCusker has served as CFO and vice president of administration for a nonprofit focused on behavioral health and social services at the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation in the Twin Cities. She’s served on the boards of several mission-driven organizations, including the National Kidney Foundation, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Lee Carlson Center for Mental Health and Wellbeing. She has also mentored business students at Minnesota State University Moorhead and served with the Northern Lights Council for Boy Scouts of America.
McCusker will retire in July and her legacy will continue to ripple outward for years to come.
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Carl Peterson
President
Peterson Farms Seed
Harwood, N.D.
Carl Peterson is the founder and president of Peterson Farms Seed, the largest independent corn and soybean seed company in the Upper Midwest. Since launching the company with his wife Julie in 1995, he has built it on research, innovation, and farmer-first service.
A third-generation farmer from Prosper, North Dakota, Peterson has left a lasting impact on agriculture through his entrepreneurial drive, advocacy for independent farming, and commitment to rural development. Under his leadership, the company established the region’s largest independent crop research organization and recently opened a trans-loading facility in Pingree, North Dakota, helping farmers access premiums for identity-preserved crops.
He’s not only a strategic thinker but a dogged advocate of lifelong learning. An avid reader, Peterson continually challenges himself and those around him to learn, grow and evolve, a nominator wrote. This relentless curiosity has translated into a culture of innovation at Peterson Farms Seed, where he has led the company through constant reinvention to meet the ever-changing needs of agriculture.
His leadership goes beyond product development. Peterson established the “Plus20” initiative to equip farmers with the tools and knowledge to boost yields by up to 20 bushels per acre, demonstrating his belief in education as a key to farm success.
Technology investment is important to Peterson, who serves as an investor and advisor to a number of ag tech startups, including InnerPlant, Impetus Ag, Varimax and several others.
As an industry advocate, he has served on the board for the Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA) beginning in 2009 and engages with legislative and regulatory bodies to represent farmer interests. He was honored in 2024 as IPSA’s Independent of the Year, which recognized his career and service.
Peterson’s community contributions include supporting local schools, 4H and FFA programs to help develop the next generation of ag leaders. He’s contributed to many scholarships, civic organizations and local boards, prioritizing investments that build stronger, more resilient rural areas and promote agricultural literacy.
Peterson’s leadership continues to shape the future of the seed industry while preserving the core values of integrity, independence and service.
He and his wife have three children – Eric, Kyle and Josie – and six grandchildren.
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Peter Stenehjem
Chief Executive Officer
First International Bank and Trust
Watford City, N.D.
Peter Stenehjem, a fourth-generation community banker, has dedicated more than two decades to First International Bank & Trust. He began his career at FIBT as a teller and has since held a variety of leadership roles, including commercial lender, Fargo market president, chief retail banking officer, and president. In January 2025, Stenehjem stepped into the role of chief executive officer at FIBT.
Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his leadership and impact in the banking industry. He was named to Prairie Business Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in 2016 and Independent Community Bankers of America’s 40 Under 40 in 2020. In 2021, he received the Young Alumni Achievement Award from the University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation.
In addition to his responsibilities as CEO, Stenehjem serves on the board of directors for First International Bank & Trust and Watford City Bancshares, Inc., and is a member of the bank’s Strategic Planning Committee.
"Watching Peter step into the CEO role has been one of the greatest honors of my life, not just as his father, but as someone who has devoted his career to FIBT,” said Stephen L. Stenehjem, chairman of the board and former CEO at First International Bank & Trust. “Peter brings a sharp mind, a steady presence, and a deep-rooted sense of purpose to the bank. I know he’ll lead with the same values that have guided our family for generations, while steering FIBT into its next chapter of growth and innovation.”
Beyond banking, Stenehjem is an active entrepreneur. He has been involved in several ventures, including Alati Energy, Stenehjem Holdings, Stonehome Brewing Company, Outlaws Bar & Grill and JL Beers, and serves as a managing partner of Stenehjem Development.
He earned his degree in Banking & Financial Economics from the University of North Dakota in 2007 and completed graduate banking school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2014.
Peter and his wife, Stacey, currently reside in Wayzata, Minnesota, with their two children, Evelyn and James.
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Kathy Torske
President and CEO
Bravera Wealth
Bismarck, N.D.
Kathy Torske is the president and CEO of Bravera Wealth in Bismarck, North Dakota. Her rise from a part-time bank employee while in high school to leading multi-division financial organizations is a testament to her work ethic and leadership acumen. She’s been described as “one of the most well-liked and respected people in the company.” She is not afraid to tackle challenges head-on and does so with dignity and respect, consistently earning admiration and loyalty.
She exemplifies leadership through her integrity, humility and strong sense of responsibility. Her leadership style is defined by transparency, approachability and an innate curiosity that drives continual learning and organizational growth. Torske builds trust at every level, a nominator wrote, whether with clients, colleagues or the broader community.
After working in banking throughout college and then as a CPA at Eide Bailly, she joined Bravera Wealth in 2005 (then known as American Trust Center) as an administrative officer and steadily rose through the ranks. Torske became CEO in 2011, when the organization managed approximately $135 million in assets. Under her leadership, Bravera Wealth has grown to manage more than $2.4 billion in assets and expanded into new markets across Minot, Fargo, Montana and Minnesota.
Torske was asked to take on the additional role of leading Bravera Insurance as interim president/CEO in 2021. She guided that division for more than two years until a permanent leader was found for the position. She earned the respect and trust of the entire organization by assuming the interim role.
Throughout her tenure, she has been instrumental in shaping the operational foundation of Bravera. She implemented key policies, audit structures and corporate governance strategies.
Torske’s commitment to her community is evident through years of active service with organizations such as the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, where she’s served on the church council in several officer roles, as well as treasurer of the Legacy High School boys basketball team. She’s also been involved in the Bismarck Optimist Club, Western Dakota Estate Council, Girl Scouts financial committees, and volunteer efforts with St. Alexius Medical Center and United Way.
Her industry involvement includes serving on the board of the North Dakota Bankers Association from 2018-2022, and as chair from 2022-2023.
Torske is a role model for balancing professional excellence with genuine care for her community. Whether volunteering, mentoring professionals or leading statewide industry groups, her impact is far-reaching and heartfelt.
The Trust Project
