Burgum appoints Chief Operating Officer Tammy Miller to serve as lieutenant governor

Former CEO of Border States Electric will begin new role on Jan. 3

Gov. Doug Burgum announced the appointment of Governor’s Office Chief Operating Officer Tammy Miller, former CEO of Border States, to succeed Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford as lieutenant governor of North Dakota. Miller begins her new role on Jan. 3.

Miller has served as chief operating officer in the Governor’s Office since April 2020, working with cabinet agencies to enhance citizen focus, drive innovation and improve the delivery of government services. She had previously served as CEO and board chair since 2006 at Fargo-based Border States, the sixth-largest electrical distributor in North America. Miller joined the employee-owned company in 1991 as the accounting manager and served in a variety of roles including corporate controller, vice president of finance, executive vice president, general manager for the southwest region and president.

“Tammy’s considerable private-sector background as a finance executive and CEO of a successful, multi-billion-dollar revenue, employee-owned organization, and her deep knowledge of state government through her outstanding work as COO, make her an excellent choice to be North Dakota’s next lieutenant governor,” Burgum said. “We are deeply grateful for her passion to serve the citizens of North Dakota and help our state reach its full potential.”

A native of Brocket, N.D., Miller graduated from high school in Lakota. She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master of business administration degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Miller is a certified public accountant and early in her career spent eight years in public accounting.

“It is an incredible honor to serve our citizens as the 39th lieutenant governor of North Dakota,” Miller said. “I thank Gov. Burgum for his confidence and trust and this amazing opportunity in my home state. I look forward to working with the legislature, agency leaders and team members across all of state government to better serve the residents of North Dakota. I also want to share gratitude for my husband of nearly 35 years, Craig Palmer, for his love and support on this journey.”

The lieutenant governor serves as president of the state Senate and chairs the Capitol Grounds Planning Commission, North Dakota Trade Office, Task Force for Military Issues in North Dakota, Northern Plains Unmanned Systems Authority, Early Childhood Education Council and Clean Sustainable Energy Authority.

Sanford resigns as lieutenant governor effective Jan. 2

Sanford cites desire to return to private sector, expresses gratitude for opportunity to serve as state’s 38th lieutenant governor for six years

Gov. Burgum announced the resignation of Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford, thanking him for his six years of outstanding service to the citizens of North Dakota. Sanford’s last day in office will be Jan. 2.

Sanford has served as North Dakota’s 38th lieutenant governor since he and Burgum took office Dec. 15, 2016. They were re-elected to a second four-year term in 2020. In a statement that accompanied his resignation letter, Sanford cited a desire to return to the private sector and focus on his family and career. Sanford is a certified public accountant who served as mayor of Watford City and owned and operated a third-generation auto dealership there prior to running for statewide office with Burgum in 2016.

“We are deeply grateful for Brent’s exceptional service to the State of North Dakota and its citizens these last six years,” Burgum said. “From his leadership on key issues including energy, child care and economic development, to his influential work with the legislative branch as president of the Senate, to his leadership as the governor’s designee on multiple state boards, Brent has made a positive impact on North Dakota’s citizens, economy and communities far and wide. It’s been an honor to serve with him, and we wish him, Sandi and their children all the best in their future endeavors.”

Sanford is currently among the longest-serving lieutenant governors in the nation as well as one of the longest-serving in North Dakota’s history. He has spent nearly 17 years in public service, serving as mayor of Watford City for 10½ years and lieutenant governor for six years.

“Serving the citizens of North Dakota as lieutenant governor has been the honor of a lifetime, and this was not an easy decision,” Sanford said. “The opportunities to make a difference in the lives of North Dakotans – from solving budget challenges and helping save Coal Creek Station, to negotiating tribal tax agreements and supporting UAS expansion, to providing tax relief and launching our Clean Sustainable Energy efforts, to working with the Legislature to ensure that our state emerged strong from the pandemic – it’s been an incredible ride and I’m forever thankful to Gov. Burgum and the voters of North Dakota for entrusting me with this responsibility. After serving the last one-third of my life as an elected official, I’m looking forward to working closer with the private sector again and focusing on my family and career.”

Burgum welcomes new record population estimate of 779,261 for North Dakota from U.S. Census Bureau

Gov. Burgum welcomed the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau that show North Dakota’s population reached a new all-time high of 779,261 residents as of July 1, 2022.

The estimate released represents an increase of 4,313 residents from last year’s estimate and is 167 residents more than the official 2020 census count. North Dakota was among 32 states that saw their population estimates increase this year.

“It’s encouraging to see a record number of people taking advantage of the abundant opportunities in North Dakota and experiencing our excellent quality of life,” Burgum said. “Even with this population growth, we continue to face major workforce challenges, and we look forward to working with state lawmakers when they convene in January to make North Dakota even more attractive to families and workers, including supporting child care and eliminating income tax for the majority of North Dakotans.”

North Dakota’s 2021 population estimate was 774,948, down 4,146 from the 2020 census, which was attributed mainly to out-migration from the state. Estimates are reported as of July 1 of each year, while the official 10-year census is as of April 1 of years ending in a zero.

“Today’s release from the Census Bureau shows the rate of out-migration declining since 2020, when the pandemic negatively impacted the state,” said Kevin Iverson, State Data Center manager at the North Dakota Department of Commerce. “North Dakota remains fortunate to have a strong natural rate (more births than deaths) while nearly half the states experienced a natural decline.”

With the estimate released today, North Dakota retains its status as the 47th most populous state, just ahead of Alaska and behind South Dakota.

Since 2010, North Dakota has been among the nation’s fastest-growing states, estimated to have grown by more than 16% since 2010. Only six states – Idaho, Utah, Texas, Florida, Nevada and Colorado – are estimated to have grown by a higher percentage since 2010.

Burgum waives hours of service for haulers of propane, gasoline, diesel fuel and heating oil

Gov. Burgum signed an executive order granting a waiver of hours of service requirements for drivers of commercial vehicles transporting propane, gasoline, diesel fuel and heating oil.

Record-setting winter storms and cold temperatures are causing significant demand and decreased availability of heating fuels, including propane, natural gas, gasoline, diesel fuel and heating oil, the order states. Waiving the hours of service requirement will help carriers, agribusinesses, farmers and ranchers, and other consumers obtain and deliver the fuels to help meet North Dakota’s needs.

The 30-day waiver was effective Dec. 19, 2022. All road safety and vehicle compliance regulations still apply.

The order can be viewed here.

Click Here for more information.