About Us

Board of Directors

Legislation enacted in 1997 created a 10 member, customer-based Board of Directors. This legislation was amended in 2003 to reflect the Governor appointing 11 members to the Board. Six members represent employers of different premium levels; three members represent employees (one of which must have received Workforce Safety & Insurance benefits and one must represent organized labor); one member is a member of the North Dakota Medical Association; and one member is a "member-at-large," who must be a resident of North Dakota and at least 21 years of age.

In 2007 the legislature further refined how the Board would be appointed. A coordinating committee appointed by the Governor, composed of representatives of business associations around the state will submit a list of three potential candidates for the six employer positions. The Governor then selects from that list of nominees, or can reject all the nominees after reviewing them for up to 30 days. The Governor also appoints the two employee representatives and the at-large representative. One of those members must have received WSI wage-loss benefits at some time during the 10 years before the member’s initial appointment. A labor organization will submit the list of three candidates to the Governor for the organized labor representative, and the North Dakota Medial Association will submit a list of three candidates for the medical association representative. In all cases the Governor may reject the names submitted, and has up to 30 days to consider the nominees. Board members may serve no more than two consecutive four-year terms.

The role of the Board is to ensure continuity of leadership at WSI and to ensure that WSI operates efficiently and effectively. The Board has adopted the Carver Model of Board governance, which provides a clear structure for Board leadership and organizational accountability to the Board. This structure includes regular performance monitoring reports and an internal auditor that reports to the Board so the Board can ensure continued improvements are being made in all key areas of WSI operations and services.

While WSI has achieved tremendous improvements, it also recognizes the need to ensure that every aspect of its operation meets or exceeds private industry standards. Recognizing that no competition exists in the North Dakota workers' compensation market that would force WSI to "operate efficiently or cease to exist", WSI and its Board believe they have a special obligation to maintain the highest standards of performance and efficiency.

Board Members:

John Dyste
(Employer Representation)
Term:
February 2008-December 2010
(John Dyste assumed this Board position in February 2008, filling an unexpired term that will run through December 2010)

Brad Ballweber
(Employee Representation)
Term:
January 2007 - December 2010

Mark Gjovig, Chief Governance Officer
(Employer Representation: $10,000 - $25,000 in Premium)
Term:
January 2003 - December 2008

Mark Jackson
(Employer Representation: Over $25,000 in Premium)
Term:
January 2007 - December 2010

Ed Grossbauer
(Employee Representation - WSI Benefit Recipient)
Term:
November 2007 - December 2008
(Ed Grossbauer assumed this Board position in November 2007, filling an unexpired term that will run through December 2008)

Roberta Ripplinger
(Member At Large)
Term:
January 2007 - December 2010
August 2003 - December 2006
(Roberta Ripplinger assumed this Board position in December 2004, filling an unexpired term that ran through December 2006.)

Michael Gallagher
(Employer Representation: Under $10,000 in Premium)
Term:
February 2008-December 2008
(Michael Gallagher assumed this Board position in February 2008, filling an unexpired term that will run through December 2008)

John Eickhof
(Employer Representation: Over $25,000 in Premium)
Term:
January 2007 - December 2008
(John Eickhof assumed this Board position in January 2007, filling an unexpired term that runs through December 2008.)

J.P. Wiest
(Employer Representation)
Term:
January 2005 - December 2008

Ernest Godfread, M.D.
(North Dakota Medical Association Representation)
Term:
January 2007 - December 2010

Terry Curl
(Employee Representation: Organized Labor)
Term:
December 2003 - December 2008
(Terry Curl assumed this Board position in December 2005, filling an unexpired term that will run through December 2008.)

Contacting a Board Member:

You can write to a Board member at any time at PO Box 2174, Bismarck ND 58502-2174.