Fargo, N.D. — The North Dakota State University Foundation welcomes three new Trustees who will help advance its mission to maximize advocacy and philanthropy in support of North Dakota State University. These volunteer leaders will help guide the Foundation’s Executive Governing Board and offer their unique experiences and perspectives to move NDSU forward.
Trustees are nominated by current Trustees, Foundation staff, or campus leaders. The NDSU Foundation Nominating and Governance Committee reviews all nominations and sends a slate of nominees to the full Trustee group to be voted on for approval.
Trustees are appointed to five-year terms, and there is no limit to the number of terms they can serve.
Meet the incoming slate of Trustees below:
Jim Buus ’91 is a Fargo native with more than 30 years of experience in community development and commercial real estate. Jim has built a distinguished career marked by leadership, entrepreneurship, and a deep commitment to the Fargo-Moorhead community. Jim spent 23 years with Fargo-based GOLDMARK Commercial, the region’s largest commercial brokerage firm, where he concluded his tenure as President and Managing Broker. During that time, he played a key role in shaping commercial real estate strategy, mentoring professionals, and supporting growth across the region. In late 2019, Jim co-founded JBC Commercial Real Estate and ABT Property Management, continuing his focus on thoughtful development, strong client service, and long-term community value. Highly engaged in civic and business leadership, Jim has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation, NDSU Research & Technology Park, 701 Angel Funds, and the City of Fargo Tax Exempt Review Committee. His ongoing involvement reflects a career dedicated not only to business success, but also to strengthening the economic vitality of the Fargo community. His wife, Cheri ’92, is also an NDSU graduate and serves on the Bison Arts Committee.
Colleen (Brandt) Emery ’89 is a retired global operations executive with more than 34 years of experience at 3M. With academic training in industrial and manufacturing engineering from NDSU and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, Colleen built a distinguished career spanning engineering, plant management, and executive-level manufacturing leadership. Her roles culminated in executive positions, including Vice President of Plant Operations for U.S., Canada, and Mexico within 3M’s Healthcare Business Group, and Vice President of Global Manufacturing for 3M’s Separation and Purification Sciences Division. Colleen held leadership positions in multiple manufacturing facilities in Minnesota and was plant manager in Cynthiana, Kentucky. Throughout her career, she led complex global operations across multiple 3M business groups and contributed to executive decision-making through global operating committees. Her leadership excellence has been recognized nationally, including being honored by The Manufacturing Institute’s STEP Ahead Awards. Colleen remains deeply connected to NDSU as an enthusiastic Bison fan, a supporter of fundraising efforts, and an active contributor to Industrial Engineering and College of Engineering Advisory Boards. A proud ambassador for the university, she frequently returns to campus to engage with students — delivering leadership presentations and serving as a mentor in the College of Engineering’s mentorship program. She and her husband, Scott, live in Woodbury, Minnesota, and have two adult children.
Savannah (Lauf) Welch ’13 graduated from NDSU with a degree in university studies and was actively involved in the student community, especially with Alpha Gamma Delta and Blue Key. She graduated from Mitchell Hamline School of Law (formerly William Mitchell College of Law) in 2016 where she served as student body president. Savannah currently serves as a licensed attorney at Best & Flanagan in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she practices family law and represents clients in complex, high-asset matters. In her role, Savannah and her team manage more than 25 family litigation cases at any given time, navigating a wide range of financial and social issues with care, precision, and discretion. She works in a service-based profession that requires thoughtful advocacy, regularly communicating with opposing counsel and the court to advance her clients’ interests clearly and effectively. As a leader, Savannah manages teams of paralegals and administrative assistants, fostering a collegial and supportive workplace built on respect, collaboration, and shared purpose. Savannah has earned significant professional recognition, including being named a Super Lawyer annually since 2023, a Top Lawyer in Minnesota beginning in 2024, and one of the Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch since 2024. She also contributes to the legal profession through thought leadership, including presenting at the Minnesota Family Law Institute. Beyond her practice, Savannah is deeply committed to service and philanthropy. She remains actively engaged in professional associations and community organizations, and she lives by a guiding philosophy of generosity and shared responsibility — believing that giving one’s time, talents, and resources is essential to building stronger communities for future generations. She co-chaired Bison Bidders Bowl for three years. Savannah and her husband, Nick, live in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with their two children.
The NDSU Foundation Executive Governing Board (EGB) has elected officers for the coming year. Dave Goodin’83 is moving to past board chair. Keith Peltier ’75 was elected as board chair. Mike Vipond ’82 was elected as vice chair. Dave Clouston ’90 was reelected as treasurer. Jo Burdick ’79 was elected as secretary.
We welcomed Kim Timmers ’83 as a new Board member. She has served as a Trustee since 2018 and served nine years previous to that on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. She recently retired after more than 40 years at BDH, one of the most recognized interior architecture and design firms in the Twin Cities.
We thank Dave Olig ’75 for serving seven years on the EGB. He has been a Trustee since 2007 and remains an active Trustee.
