TechND is preparing for the 2027 legislative session, and member input will help set priorities. Focus areas include innovation, workforce development, infrastructure, and policies shaping North Dakota’s tech economy.

The 2027 Legislative Planning Survey gives members and stakeholders a direct role in identifying key issues and guiding TechND’s advocacy strategy. The survey is open through May 29, 2026, and all perspectives are encouraged.

For ongoing updates, visit ndlegis.gov to track interim activity, bills, and hearings. TechND will continue working with members to support a strong, forward-looking policy environment.

TechND’s March TechWire captures a pivotal moment for the state’s technology community. This month highlights growing engagement around infrastructure and data center policy, including early momentum toward a broader statewide education coalition aimed at improving local understanding and decision-making.

The issue also looks ahead to a strong year of member activity, with expanded TechTalk programming, new opportunities for networking and collaboration, and continued rollout of the student membership initiative to better connect North Dakota’s future workforce with employers.

With early groundwork underway for the 2027 legislative session, TechND remains focused on convening stakeholders, shaping key policy conversations, and ensuring members stay informed, engaged, and positioned for what’s next.

Bismarck, Oct. 1, 2025 - At this year’s annual CyberCon event hosted by Bismarck State College at their Advanced Technology Center, TechND presented DCN’s Troy Walker with an award to show appreciation for his dedication and leadership during his time with the non-profit group.

Current TechND President Tony Ambrose closed the TechND awards ceremony with the special presentation, expressing that “Our last award is a unique one, as we’d like to take a moment to acknowledge our 2023-2024 President Troy Walker. His outstanding leadership, commitment, service, passion, and hard work have helped to cement TechND as a strong and prosperous organization. We’re not sure where we’d be without his effort and dedication since joining the organization over 20 years ago.”

Ambrose continued “Troy wears many hats in the community and serves on multiple boards, so we truly appreciate the time, talent, and effort he continues to give us for the betterment of TechND. ” Ambrose then took a moment to personally thank Troy for his mentorship and guidance over the years, expressing gratitude for his leadership and friendship.

TroyWalkerPressRelease.pdf

Bismarck, Oct. 1, 2025 - At this year’s annual CyberCon event hosted by Bismarck State College at their Advanced Technology Center, TechND presented the 2025 Technology Innovator award to the F5 Project for their unique and innovative use of social media to empower and improve North Dakota communities.

TechND President Tony Ambrose presented the award to F5 Project’s Chief Advancement Officer, Megan Indvik.

“We are celebrating F5 Project and their utilization of social media to create spaces for followers to share experiences in recovery and connect with others in their community. This type of peer support is key for abating feelings of isolation and potentially relapsing,” Ambrose remarked, adding that “(F5 Project) regularly showcases success stories that highlight the journeys of individuals who have successfully rebuilt their lives. Those types of stories inspire and motivate people struggling with addiction or the justice system to prevent recidivism. They also use social media to announce their community involvement and availability to individuals who may not know all the resources available to them.” 

Bismarck, Oct. 1, 2025 - The annual CyberCon event hosted by Bismarck State College saw Applied Digital awarded as 2025’s Premier Technology Company for their demonstration of outstanding performance, innovation, and community engagement in the state.

The award was accepted by Applied Digital’s Director of Community Operations, Martin Vega.

When presenting the award, TechND President Tony Ambrose remarked “Harnessing North Dakota’s natural advantages, with facilities under construction in Ellendale, ND, and now in Harwood, ND, Applied Digital seeks to provide scalable and robust capacity for the world’s leading AI companies.”

Ambrose continued, saying “Applied Digital has become an essential player in North Dakota's business and technology landscape by making substantial investments in AI centers across the state and bringing rural areas incredible amounts of economic development. We are celebrating Applied Digital and their contributions to the North Dakota’s growth as a technology hub and industry leader.”

Bismarck, Oct. 1, 2025 - This year’s annual CyberCon event hosted by Bismarck State College in their Advanced Technology Center featured the 2025 TechND Technology Awards ceremony, which saw Kayla Pulvermacher honored as North Dakota’s 2025 “Technology Champion.”

TechND President Tony Ambrose remarked when presenting the award that “Kayla has spent what seems like her whole career championing technology in one way or another;” continuing by noting a span “from her beginnings in finance and agriculture, holding executive positions helping to build infrastructure in non-profit and private sectors, modernizing organizational workflow for developing clear direction regarding policy and advocacy during legislative sessions, her involvement with TechND over the years (including recently moderating TechTalk panels and offering her insights to the Data Center Coalition of North Dakota), to her current role at Midco managing nuanced, large-scale government relations.”

After a momentary pause, Ambrose concluded with “(during this time) ...Kayla has been at the forefront in North Dakota of ushering in and utilizing technologies as they emerge.”

Available in PDF Format: 2025LEGISLATIVERECAP.pdf

Bismarck, Oct. 3, 2024 - At this year’s annual CyberCon event hosted by Bismarck State College in their National Energy Center of Excellence facility, the 2024 TechND Award for “Technology Innovator” was awarded to the Western Dakota Energy Association for their Wise Roads project.

Executive Director of TechND Terry Effertz presented the award to WDEA representatives Geoff Simon and Brent Bogar.

“This year's winner is the result of a project spearheaded by the Western Dakota Energy Association, in partnership with NDSU's North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute,” Effertz remarked, adding that “Wise Roads, as the name implies, has taken aim at drastically improving transportation information-sharing and data models which influence the oil and gas industry. Increasing efficiency for large-scale transport logistics in the energy sector, where they rely on many county and township roads subject to restriction during inclement weather, benefits the workers and citizens in our communities by maintaining the integrity of public roadways and keeping businesses operating everywhere it's safe.”

The presentation commended the project for their advanced technological approach to addressing weather monitoring needs, benefitting county road managers, industrial operations, and communities alike.

see below for official press release:

Bismarck, Oct. 3, 2024 - The annual CyberCon event hosted at the National Energy Center of Excellence by Bismarck State College saw Pavewise awarded as 2024’s “Premier Technology Business” for their cutting edge approach to large-scale infrastructure and engineering project management in the road construction field.

The award was accepted by Pavewise co-founders, CEO Bryce Wuori and COO Brittany Wuori.

When presenting the award to the winners, Executive Director of TechND Terry Effertz complimented the venture, stating they were being recognized a technology entity who has achieved outstanding success in their field by delivering technological business solutions.

“Using AI analytics and realtime data collection across a myriad of sources, Pavewise offers a fast-growing platform with accurate predictions of potential road wear and damage, which means an opportunity to intervene with preventative maintenance, extending the lifespan of roadways and reducing community costs across the board,” said Effertz. “And yes, though we don't always think about road conditions, we ALL benefit from roads staying nicer, longer. During his beginnings in an industry contingent upon innumerable variables, plagued by many important pivot points where a "weak link" brings a halt to the entire operation, CEO Bryce Wuori observed… and saw an opportunity to optimize resources, time, and energy.”

See below for official press release:

Bismarck, Oct. 3, 2024 - This year’s annual CyberCon event at Bismarck State College’s National Energy Center of Excellence featured the 2024 TechND Award ceremony, which culminated in John Nagel being honored with the 2024 award for “North Dakota Technology Champion.”

TechND Executive Director Terry Effertz remarked when presenting the award that “throughout the decorated career of our last recipient, he has consistently set the tone for a progressive and intelligent approach to marrying technology and the values we cherish in the state. As an established leader in the field, he’s been instrumental in shaping the landscape that allows us opportunities to attend and support events like today’s.”

Effertz continued, “A graduate of Bismarck State College, he serves as a beacon of professionalism in his President and Chief Security Officer roles for CyberNet Security, a BEK Company, where he’s brought top-tier information security standards and practices to the business sector.” She followed by commending John for previous awards, involvement in community organizations, business success, and track record of influencing technology policy in the state. Highlighted was Governor Burgum appointing him to North Dakota’s Economic Development Foundation in 2021, advising the Department of Commerce, his pivotal involvement with the Central North American Autonomous Transportation Association (CNATA), and the focus he has put into raising awareness of cyberbullying and safe online practices.

See below for official press release: