NDIRF PROMOTES WAHL TO DIRECTOR OF UNDERWRITING

Bismarck, ND – The North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund (NDIRF) is proud to announce Jordan Wahl has been promoted to Director of Underwriting.

Wahl joined the NDIRF in November 2021 as an Outside Claims Adjuster, supporting NDIRF members throughout the claims reporting and resolution processes for liability, automobile, public assets, and property coverage types. In July 2024 he was promoted to Assistant Director of Underwriting. Prior to working at the NDIRF, Wahl served for nearly 12 years as a multi-line claims adjuster, including property, auto, and liability (personal injury protection, bodily injury, and medical payments).

Wahl’s first day as Director of Underwriting will be June 16, 2025. In his new role, he will oversee the operations of the Underwriting Department, provide strategic direction and participate in the planning and implementation of departmental objectives, policies, and priorities.

Wahl has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Dickinson State University (Dickinson, ND), and he holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) and Senior Claim Law Associate (SCLA) designations. He is currently pursuing a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation with 2026 as his slated completion date.

 

People sit in chairs placed behind tables. The table are set up in rows in a room. In the front of a room is a speaker gesturing to information displayed on a presentation screen.

NDIRF Sponsors CPSI Course Scholarships

Bismarck, ND – The North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund (NDIRF) is proud to support safe playgrounds in North Dakota communities and schools by providing scholarships for local government employees to attend the Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) course and certification program. The two-day course was held March 11-12, 2025, in Bismarck and was hosted by the North Dakota Recreation and Park Association (NDRPA) and Bismarck Parks and Recreation District. This year’s course was attended by 44 local government parks and recreation and school district employees.

The CPSI certification program is the most comprehensive training program on playground hazard identification and risk management methods offered nationwide. Program attendees learn how to identify hazards on public playgrounds and playground equipment, rank hazards according to injury potential, and establish a playground safety program (National Recreation and Parks Association, 2025).

“The NDIRF’s sponsorship of the CPSI course provides local governments with further resources to help ensure their playgrounds continue to offer fun, healthy, and safe environments for their communities,” NDIRF CEO Keith Pic said. “As we are an extension of our membership, we are proud to continue to support this risk management training through our partnership with the NDRPA.”

The NDIRF has sponsored CPSI course scholarships for over the past 17 years.

“We appreciate NDIRF’s sponsorship and continued support of the course,” NDRPA Executive Director Shannon Schutt said. “We’ve had park districts tell us how grateful they are for the scholarships because, without the scholarships, they would not be able to afford the course.”

Photo: 2025 CPSI course and certification program attendees at March 11-12, event hosted by NDRPA in Bismarck, ND. Photo provided by NDRPA.

NDIRF Hires Krause, Kondos, and Ziegler

Bismarck, N.D. – The North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund (NDIRF) is proud to announce Dani Krause, Renae Kondos, and Kristin Ziegler recently joined its organization.

Dani Krause, Staff Legal Counsel

Dani Krause joined the NDIRF as Staff Legal Counsel, a new position within the nonprofit, member-owned organization. In this role, Krause is responsible for performing internal policy and coverage document legal analysis and review, providing human resource management risk control information and education, and leading government relations efforts for local and state elected officials.

Krause holds a bachelor’s from North Dakota State University and a law degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law. She brings over 10 years of legal experience to the NDIRF, including seven years as in-house counsel, specializing in litigation and employment law.

Krause is a licensed attorney in North Dakota, Minnesota, and the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota. She serves on the Board of Directors for Legal Services of North Dakota.

Renae Kondos, Administrative Services Manager

Renae Kondos is the NDIRF’s new Administrative Services Manager, replacing Nancy Reis who retired in January 2025. In this role, Kondos is responsible for developing and administering the NDIRF’s human resource programs, maintaining compliance with applicable human resource laws and regulations, and managing building and property maintenance.

Kondos holds an associate degree in accounting and finance. She brings nearly 11 years of human resource management, retirement plan administration, and operational office experience to the NDIRF.

Kristin Ziegler, Assistant Director of Claims

Kristin Ziegler is the NDIRF’s new Assistant Director of Claims. In this role, Ziegler is responsible for supervising NDIRF claims department employees, providing support and expert advice to employees and the Director of Claims, and adjusting and settling claims.

Ziegler holds a bachelor’s degree from Minot State University. She brings over 26 years of insurance industry experience, serving in roles from claims assistant and senior adjuster to supervisor. In the supervisory role, Ziegler led adjusters in 18 western U.S. states.

She holds a Senior Claim Law Associate (SCLA) designation from the American Educational Institute (AEI), the insurance industry’s leader in claims law education, and Associate in Insurance (AINS) and Associate in Claims (AIC) designations from The Institutes, the insurance industry’s leading continuing education organization.

Close up of Grant Edison.

NDIRF Hires Edison as Special Funds Underwriter

Bismarck, N.D. – The North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund (NDIRF) is proud to announce Grant Edison recently joined its team as Special Funds Underwriter. In this role, Edison is responsible for underwriting and renewing North Dakota State Fire & Tornado Fund (NDFT) policies as well as assisting with the administration of the North Dakota State Bonding Fund.

Edison holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in finance from North Dakota State University. He brings nearly two years of commercial underwriting experience to the NDIRF.

Headshot of Tony Burbach with a white background.

NDIRF Hires Burbach as Director of Claims

Bismarck, ND – The North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund (NDIRF) is proud to announce Tony Burbach recently joined its team as Director of Claims. In this role, Burbach oversees all services and activities within the NDIRF claims department, including staffing, budgeting, and implementing and monitoring all claims department policies and procedures.

Burbach brings nearly 35 years of claims experience to the NDIRF, previously serving nearly 24 years in claims leadership and supervisory positions. He also has experience as a claims examiner and adjuster.

Burbach has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Minot State University and holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) and Senior Claims Law Associate (SCLA) professional designations. He serves on the North Dakota Assigned Auto Claims Plan Board of Directors and North Dakota Insurance Guaranty Fund Board of Directors.

Renae Keller wears a black blazer in front of a tan background.

Keller Promoted to Multi-Line Underwriter

Bismarck, N.D. – The North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund (NDIRF) is proud to announce Special Funds Underwriter Renae Keller was recently promoted to Multi-Line Underwriter. In this role, Keller is responsible for underwriting and renewing members’ NDIRF liability, auto, and public assets coverages.

Keller first joined the NDIRF in 2020 as an Underwriting Support Specialist, bringing with her nearly 10 years of industry experience including underwriting and operations management for home, auto, farm, life, and business insurance. She was promoted in March 2024 to Special Funds Underwriter.

Keller has a bachelor’s and associate degree from National American University (Rapid City, SD). She also holds property and casualty and life and health insurance licenses, and certified insurance service representative (CISR), certified insurance counselor (CIC), associate in general insurance (AINS), and associate in underwriting (AU) designations from The Institutes. The Institutes is “the leading provider of risk management and insurance education and resources” (global.theinstitutes.org/history, accessed 24 Sept. 2024).

For more information about the NDIRF, visit www.NDIRF.com.

Photo: Renae Keller

Cody Arendt headshot. Cody wears a dark blazer over a light-colored button-up shirt.

NDIRF Adds Arendt as Outside Claims Adjuster

Bismarck, N.D. – The North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund (NDIRF) recently hired Cody Arendt as an Outside Claims Adjuster. In this role, Arendt is responsible for processing and resolving claims, conducting on-site investigations, and writing property and auto repair estimates.

Arendt brings nearly nine years of insurance industry experience to the NDIRF, including customer service, claims adjusting, and claims management. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

For more information about the NDIRF, visit www.NDIRF.com.

Photo: Cody Arendt

Photo of NDIRF CEO Keith Pic

NDIRF Board of Directors Names Pic CEO

Bismarck, ND – The North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund (NDIRF) Board of Directors is proud to announce Director of Claims Keith Pic has been named CEO of the local government coverage provider.

Pic begins his new role on July 16, 2024, in which he is responsible for working with the organization’s management team to uphold the NDIRF’s mission to be the source of risk services for North Dakota political subdivisions and fulfill the organization’s strategic plan goals.

“I’m grateful to have the opportunity to lead the NDIRF,” Pic said. “By building strong relationships with local agents, members, member associations, and other partners for the past 38 years, the NDIRF’s Board of Directors and employees have built an incredible organization to provide risk services to North Dakota political subdivisions. I look forward to continuing those relationships and serving the NDIRF’s membership.”

Pic has a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University (Fargo, ND) and a master’s degree in risk management and insurance from Florida State University – College of Business (Tallahassee, FL). He has obtained the CPCU, CIC, AIC-M, AINS, and SCLA insurance designations.

Pic first joined the NDIRF in June 2012 as an Outside Claims Adjuster. In January 2018, he was promoted to Assistant Director of Claims, supervising the organization’s multi-line claims department. He was promoted in October 2021 to Director of Claims, overseeing all operations within the claims department.

Pic served 14 years in the Army National Guard. His military career included deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as well as state activations for various flood response efforts, COVID-19 support, and a humanitarian mission to Haiti.

Photo: NDIRF CEO Keith Pic

Jordan Wahl wears a black suit coat with purple tie and black wire-rimmed glasses while smiling for his professional headshot. The background is a gray blue color.

NDIRF Promotes Wahl to Assistant Director of Underwriting

Bismarck, ND – The North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund (NDIRF) is proud to announce Jordan Wahl has been promoted to Assistant Director of Underwriting.

Wahl joined the NDIRF in November 2021 as an Outside Claims Adjuster, supporting NDIRF members throughout the claims reporting and resolution processes for liability, automobile, public assets, and property coverage types. Prior to working at the NDIRF, Wahl served for nearly 12 years as a multi-line claims adjuster, including property, auto, and liability (personal injury protection, bodily injury, and medical payments).

Wahl’s first day as Assistant Director of Underwriting will be July 1, 2024, allowing the NDIRF to ensure the transition is smooth for members and employees alike. In his new role, he will perform a variety of technical and supervisory work in support of the organization’s Underwriting Department.

Wahl has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Dickinson State University (Dickinson, ND), and he holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) and Senior Claim Law Associate (SCLA) designations. He is currently pursuing a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation with 2026 as his slated completion date.

Photo: Jordan Wahl

A group of 20 law enforcement officers, including two K9 officers, pose for a photo in front of the Williston Police Department's white Mobile Command Center trailer.

NDIRF Sponsors Law Enforcement Drone Training Course

Bismarck, N.D. – The North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund (NDIRF) sponsored a recent three-day drone training course from May 7-9 in Williston (N.D.) to help North Dakota law enforcement unmanned aerial systems (UAS) teams learn how to maximize drone usage and best relay information to ground officers. The course was led by Jack Schonely, a retired 36-year law enforcement officer who is “nationally recognized expert in the area of suspect tactics and perimeter containment” (accessed from www.OfficerTactics.com on May 20, 2024).

Schonely’s training helps UAS teams improve their communication, search techniques and tactics, K9 handler and officer coordination, and drone positioning. A UAS team includes a drone pilot, a spotter, and ground officers these teams The training’s goal is to help UAS teams effectively track, locate, and safely pursue a suspect by establishing a perimeter and providing clear direction to ground officers.

A total of 20 North Dakota law enforcement officers attended the training and represented the Bismarck Police Department, Minot Police Department, Williston Police Department, Stark County Sheriff’s Office, Williams County Sheriff’s Office, and North Dakota Highway Patrol.

“On behalf of the North Dakota Law Enforcement Canine Association, I would like to thank the NDIRF for its support of this training,” NDLECA President Lyle D. Sinclair said. “When law enforcement gets new tools, there is a learning curve, and this training has helped us understand how to maximize drones to help keep the public safe.”

Photo: 20 North Dakota law enforcement officers attend a three-day UAS team training from May 7-9, 2024, in Williston, N.D. Photo credit: NDLECA