Tag Archive for: Employment

2026 NDIRF Board of Directors Election

TO: NDIRF Member Officials

FROM: Keith Pic, NDIRF CEO

RE: 2026 NDIRF BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION

Annually, at least two seats on the NDIRF Board of Directors are up for election. The election is held by member voting through solicitation of proxies by mail or voting in person at the NDIRF Annual Meeting. The 2026 NDIRF Annual Meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. CDT on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck.

Directorships representing the member categories of “Schools,” and “Others” are up for election in 2026. The incumbent board members are Sonya Larson, Kidder County School District 1 Business Manager (“Schools”), and Burdell Johnson, Atwood Township Supervisor (“Others”). Larson and Johnson will seek reelection in 2026.

In its December 31, 2023, Report of Examination, the North Dakota Insurance Department recommended that NDIRF adjust its Board composition to better reflect claims activity by creating a process for electing or selecting non-member representatives.

On September 4, 2025, the NDIRF Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Bylaws adding a 10th Board position. Beginning with the 2026 election, this new position will be known as the “At-Large Member.” The only requirement for this role is that the individual be a North Dakota resident.

Elected officers or employees of NDIRF members are eligible to serve on the NDIRF Board of Directors. Candidates must represent the member category electing a director each year (for example, “Schools,” and “Others” in 2026), with the exception of the At-Large Member, who only needs to be a North Dakota resident and is elected by the entire membership.

Any eligible person who wishes to be considered by the NDIRF Nominating Committee as a director candidate must complete and submit a Candidate Application Form by January 31, 2026.

To obtain a copy of the form, please contact the NDIRF office and direct your request to CEO Keith Pic:

Phone: (800) 421-1988

Mail: P.O. Box 2258, Bismarck, ND 58502

Email: Keith.Pic@ndirf.com

NDIRF Hires Bingert as Special Funds Underwriter

Just before 2025 wrapped up, Special Funds Underwriter Samantha Bingert joined NDIRF.

Samantha is a graduate of the University of Mary with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She has been working in the insurance industry for eight years and specializing in Underwriting for three years. Samantha is really excited to work with and serve the great people of North Dakota!

There is a lot for Samantha to love about living in this great state. She loves the small town feels, landscape, and all four seasons. And her favorite North Dakota restaurant is Eat Thai in Bismarck!

Outside of work, Samantha spends a lot of time baking in the kitchen – her boys and husband are her biggest supporters!

NDIRF Hires Truesdell as Inside Claims Adjuster

Inside Claims Adjuster Nicholas Truesdell joined NDIRF in October. He specializes in Emergency and Disaster Management and even spent five years working for FEMA as an Emergency Management Specialist. He is excited to be part of such a strong team and looks forward to working with everyone for many years to come.

Nicholas studied Emergency Management at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He holds his Master’s degree in Security & Disaster Management, Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management, and continuous education over the years.

In his personal life, Nicholas is a world traveler. He’s been to at least 20 states and five foreign countries – he most recently visited Japan! He also enjoys living in this beautiful state, saying it’s a calmer place to live than the West Coast. Other things he loves about North Dakota include the sunsets, thunderstorms, and Blarney Stone!

NDIRF Hires Nelson as Outside Claims Adjuster

In November, Jon Nelson joined the team as an Outside Claims Adjuster. He is excited to work with a great North Dakota-based organization and its outstanding staff of professionals.

Jon’s career began 34 years ago as a Field Property Adjuster with American Family Insurance in Grand Forks. His specialty is Commercial/Residential Property and Risk Management. His career has really taken him places – he has driven on every major arterial and county highway in North Dakota!

He also holds an Associate of Arts degree from Bismarck Junior College and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Dakota.

Outside of work, Jon enjoys being close to his family and enjoying his favorite outdoor activities in the state’s amazing natural landscapes. Another thing he loves about North Dakota is his favorite restaurant, the original Red Pepper in Grand Forks – he recommends trying a grinder!

NDIRF Promotes Krause to Chief Operating Officer/General Counsel

In September, the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund (NDIRF) proudly announced that Dani Krause has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer/General Counsel.

Krause joined the NDIRF in January 2025 as Staff Legal Counsel, providing guidance on internal policies, risk control education, and government relations efforts. Prior to joining the NDIRF, she spent more than a decade practicing law, including seven years as in-house counsel with a focus on litigation, employment law, and regulatory matters.

In her new role, Krause oversees NDIRF’s legal, operational, and administrative functions, serves as chief legal advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors, and provides strategic direction for multiple departments.

Krause earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of North Dakota School of Law and her Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Science, summa cum laude, from North Dakota State University. She is licensed to practice in North Dakota, Minnesota, and the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota.

NDIRF Hires Price as Claims Adjuster

Bismarck, ND – In August, NDIRF also welcomed new Claims Adjuster, Marion Price. Marion brings 22 years of claims experience, and spent 13 years at the North Dakota Insurance Department.

Marion has an Associate of Arts degree from Bismarck State College. Her other licenses and accreditations include AIC, LPCS, ACLA.

NDIRF Hires Steckler as Assistant Director of Underwriting

Bismarck, ND – In August, Tina Steckler joined The North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund (NDIRF) as the Assistant Director of Underwriting. She brings 28 years of underwriting experience, previously serving as a Senior Underwriter for a national property and casualty company. Tina also holds her North Dakota Property and Casualty license.

She is truly excited to join the team and to begin this new chapter. One of the things she most looks forward to is fostering and strengthening the relationships that have already been established with NDIRF agents and members. She values the trust and collaboration that comes from those connections and can’t wait to contribute in a meaningful way.

Tina is a mom of twin boys who once made a prehistoric discovery – dinosaur bones on the land she grew up on in southwest North Dakota! The fossils are showcased at the ND Heritage Center & State Museum, Badlands Dinosaur Museum in Dickinson and even at the Smithsonian in New York!

Something Tina enjoys most about living in North Dakota is spending summertime on the Missouri River.

NDIRF Hires Bowen as Marketing & Communications Specialist

Bismarck, N.D. – The North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund (NDIRF) is proud to announce that Kori Bowen joined NDIRF in June as the Marketing & Communications Specialist. She has a Bachelor’s in Communication degree with a minor in Political Science from the University of North Dakota and has over six years of experience in media, tech, and marketing.

With a goal of being the top insurance educational resource, Kori is the person developing, creating, and evolving user-friendly learning materials. She’s most excited to make an impact in educating members and agents on what NDIRF does for their communities!

Kori is originally from the small North Dakota town, Lansford. She moved to Bismarck in 2019 and fell in love with the area. She and her boyfriend live with their two cats and Yorkie. Together, they enjoy board/table games, traveling, concerts, cooking, and spending their summers at The Desert (South Bismarck).

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.

 

Man and woman in a business setting. They are sitting next to each other at a table, and a laptop is open in front of them. They are high-fiving each other.

Understanding Performance Improvement Plans

A Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) is a document that “identifies the problems, goals, and time frame to achieve the goals” (HR Collaborative for Local Government – Human Resource Reference Guide, p. 5-2) regarding an employee’s performance. The primary goal of a PIP is to provide a clear roadmap for improvement, offering guidance and support to the employee in overcoming challenges.

A PIP is typically initiated when an employee’s performance falls below expectations or when specific issues need addressing. “Ideally, the supervisor and HR should collaborate to create the PIP together” (Mooney, J. Creating a Performance Improvement Plan: Role for HR, Supervisors. Accessed 5 February 2024 from Creating a Performance Improvement Plan: Role for HR, Supervisors).

Building an effective PIP involves several key steps. First, clearly identify the performance issues that need improvement, ensuring they are specific, measurable, and aligned with your entity’s goals. Set realistic and achievable performance goals, outlining the expected outcomes and timelines.

Next, outline the support and resources available to the employee, such as training, mentoring, or additional tools. Regular feedback and monitoring mechanisms should be established to track progress and address concerns promptly. In its Human Resource Reference Guide, the HR Collaborative recommends supervisors conduct regularly scheduled meetings with the employee to assess progress toward meeting PIP goals (p. 5-2) and modify goals as needed.

Communication is vital throughout the PIP process, fostering an open and transparent dialogue between the employee and supervisor. A successful PIP not only focuses on addressing performance issues but also aims to empower employees to reach their full potential within your entity.

By providing a structured framework for improvement, a Performance Improvement Plan not only addresses performance gaps but also fosters a positive and collaborative approach to professional development. It creates a pathway for employees to succeed, enabling employees to contribute meaningfully to your entity’s success.