About Us

We serve community members interested in being a part of the entrepreneurial community focused on startups, technology, and innovation, along with those interested in learning about it.

We believe that in order to have a healthy entrepreneurial community, we need a healthy ecosystem of connected resources. This community consists of entrepreneurs, investors, government, universities, students, service providers, large corporations, etc. These participants, working together with shared passion, are vital to the success of an entrepreneurial community.

Why we build Emerging Prairie

Our goal is to accelerate the growth and development of our communities so the region can create, attract and grow the businesses today that will create its tomorrow. Emerging Prairie is a resource that provides:

A platform to share knowledge, success and experiences

The pulse of the region’s entrepreneurial activity

A network of passionate individuals shaping the region’s future

Our Team

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DR. WILLIAM ADERHOLDT

Co-Founder and Executive Director of Grand Farm

Dr. William Aderholdt is the Executive Director of Grand Farm, a non-profit organization energizing and guiding an innovation ecosystem to solve challenges in agriculture. William joined Grand Farm in 2019 as it was getting started, and was the first hire of the initiative. He helped develop and establish the strategic vision and programs that he now has the opportunity to lead through the immense effort of an extremely talented team. Grand Farm, providing a fresh approach to innovation ecosystems, has been the lead, co-lead, and a consortium member on many of the economic resiliency federal programs established in response to COVID-19 – including NSF Engine Type II, EDA Good Jobs Challenge, and EDA Tech Hubs. It has a nearly 600-acre Innovation Campus in Casselton, North Dakota, where the initiative is headquartered, and teams starting in Georgia and Montana.

William is passionate about the process of innovation — how collaboration, competition, and collision work in chorus to inevitably lead to solutions to the world’s largest challenges. A process which has repeated itself countless times throughout human history, all around the world.

William, his wife Lana, and their two children call Fargo, North Dakota home. Fargo and North Dakota captivated Lana and William during the Fargo Marathon in 2016, during which the decision was made to move there from Montana. William was drawn to the community because it was large enough to make a global impact and small enough to have focus.

He earned both his PhD and Master in Education, and a B.S. in Cell Biology and Neuroscience from Montana State University. While completing his dissertation, he learned software development and data science – providing a foundation of understanding in emerging technologies he now uses every day in his work.

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BLAINE BOOHER

Program Director of Emerging Digital Academy

Blaine Booher is a software engineer who has a passion for community, education, and technology. As the Program Director for Emerging Digital Academy he is excited about the potential impact that EDA will have on the region and the lives of our students. Blaine has been building web-connected software projects for 20 years, including the last 10 years where he ran a technology consultancy that built custom solutions for startups and small businesses. Blaine lives in Fargo with his wife, son, two cats, and too many bicycles. He enjoys fermenting everything and can often be seen riding his bike on rural gravel roads while eating homemade sourdough bread.

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SYDNEY BRUSSEAU

Senior Experiences + Events Manager

Sydney is a Fargo native who graduated from Concordia College with a degree in Communications and Spanish and a minor in Business. Sydney is passionate about helping others reach their goals and is excited to continue to help the Fargo/Moorhead community grow and thrive. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family at the lake and trying out new coffee shops with friends.

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KATIE BURINGTON

Emerging Digital Academy Life Cycle Manager

Katie grew up in Marshall, MN and made her way to Fargo-Moorhead to attend Concordia College, where she graduated in 2011 with degrees in Psychology and Social Work.  Katie is passionate about coaching people on their strengths to help them accomplish their goals.  In her free time she enjoys running, gardening, and playing board games.  She lives in West Fargo with her husband and two energetic kiddos.

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LIZ CAMPBELL

Director of Experiences & Events

Liz Campbell is a connector of people, always wanting to know what makes them tick and how she can help them succeed. Having worked in higher education at both NDSU and Concordia College after graduating from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Minnesota State University, Mankato, Liz thrives on empowering students to discover who they are, what drives them, and bringing that to their everyday lives. Liz was selected for the 2020 “35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program”, an enthusiastic believer of personal development and growth, and can often be found in the front row at concerts, catching up with friends at local breweries and coffee shops, or wandering around Downtown Fargo. She calls Fargo home, where she lives with her husband, Scott, and their adventurous corgi, Toby.

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BRIAN CARROLL

Chief Operating Officer,
Grand Farm Co-Founder

Brian is results-driven leader with extensive experience and success in driving strategic and operational excellence.  Brian spent 8 years as the Site Leader and Director of Advanced Engineering and Launch (AEL) at HERE Technologies and loves helping people plan, optimize, and launch new initiatives. He spent much of his career building high-performing teams in the location content industry, gaining experience in building operations in India, Mexico and Europe. While operations and project management are his primary job functions by day, Brian also enjoys spending time with his family and traveling to interesting places.

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KAYTLYN COBB

Grand Farm Regional Assistant Director - UGA Grand Farm

Kaytlyn is a Georgia girl through and through. Originally from Northeast Georgia, she traveled to South Georgia and received a degree in Diversified Agriculture from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC). After college she landed in Middle Georgia in the city of Macon and has called this home ever since. Her and her family love sporting events and making memories in their city. Kaytlyn loves local coffee shops, quality time with her people, the local library, loving on kids who enter their home through Foster Care and sometimes running.

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KYLE GLANDER

Accounting Manager

Kyle is a Fargo native with a love for all things North Dakota. He studied Accounting and Wealth Management at the University of Jamestown and attained the CPA designation in 2021. When he's not crunching numbers, Kyle and his wife Maggie can be found at the park with their two dogs, grabbing a pint at one of the local breweries, solving today's crossword puzzle, or taking a road trip to visit a new national park.

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ANDREW JASON

Grand Farm Ecosystem Director

Andrew's entire professional career has been born out of a love of Fargo. During his almost nine years at Spotlight, Andrew worked his way up from unpaid intern to Editorial Director where he oversaw a team of a dozen talented staff in telling the story of Fargo-Moorhead's growth. During those formative professional years, Andrew discovered the work that Emerging Prairie is doing. He is excited about the opportunity to continue growing Fargo into being nationally recognized for its entrepreneurial ecosystem. In his free time, you can find him hiking with his wife and dog, enjoying a beer at the breweries, playing piano or counting down the days until his next trip. 
 
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DR. KIRA KNUTSON

Ecosystem Partnership Manager

Kira Knutson joins Emerging Prairie as Grants Coordinator, working her way into the nonprofit realm as an extension of a successful career in education and professional music-making. She has a heart for service and is eager to make a difference in the community. Originally from southern Minnesota, Kira landed in Fargo-Moorhead via Boston and Minneapolis. She holds degrees in music from St. Olaf College, Boston University, and the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Kira is a proud and loving wife & mother to a beautiful blended family. Somehow, she agreed to adopt a dog and has managed to maintain exactly one house plant in her lifetime. Outside her work with Emerging Prairie, Kira serves as Cathedral Choir Director and Organist at Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral in Fargo.

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TAYLOR LEE

Experiences + Events Coordinator

Taylor was born and raised in West Fargo and is still in the area - studying Nutrition Science and Public Health at NDSU! She is fascinated by all things health and wellness, which inspired me to start an organization that empowers students with a holistic perspective on healthcare and self-care. Taylor loves to spend her free time cooking, going on walks with friends, listening to podcasts, hosting dinner parties, and dabbling in new workout classes.

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JOHN MANN

Grand Farm Program Manager of Startup Ecosystem

John Mann is an inquisitive learner with a keen interest in the intersection of technology and biology. He is dedicated to constructing an ecosystem that fosters value for startups, investors, and accelerators in agriculture and adjacent sectors. Outside of his professional endeavors, John indulges his curious spirit by engaging in a variety of activities. He can often be found hiking, rollerblading, camping, gaming, or enjoying a good episode of "Psych!" In addition to these hobbies, John shares his home with two little boy cats who provide endless entertainment and frustration.

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NATHAN MARCOTTE

Grand Farm Senior Program Manager of Innovation Technology

Nathan is a graduate of North Dakota State University with a degree in computer science and a minor in entrepreneurship. While at NDSU he co-founded Pathway Ventures, a student-run venture capital fund. He has always had an interest in technology and now combines that with business and entrepreneurship. In his free time, you can find Nathan enjoying the outdoors and a good cup of coffee!

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HAILEE MEINERS

Grand Farm Field Technician 

Hailee graduated from Colorado State University and achieved a Bachelor of Science in soil and crop sciences with a concentration in plant biotechnology, genetics, and breeding. She has been working in agriculture research for over 10 years and has a passion for pursuing answers and solutions to modern agricultural challenges. She moved to the Fargo Moorhead area in 2021 in the middle of winter and has never looked back. Hailee loves traveling, hiking, camping, and spending whatever time she can outside with her Australian shepherd.

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DREW MURRAY

Grand Farm Program Manager for Field Operations

Drew is a North Dakota resident with a Bachelors Degree in Biological Sciences. He has an interest in agriculture, specifically farming and its ever evolving processes. He enjoys both learning new aspects of agriculture as well as sharing them with others. In his free time, Drew enjoys spending time with his dog, hunting, and traveling to new places.

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LISA MISTIC

Grants Manager

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ANN NOBRIGA

Grand Farm Senior Program Manager of Field Operations

Ann is a project management professional with a background in and passion for plant sciences. Her career has spanned from on-the-ground vegetation management and assisting biological research projects with government agencies and universities to coordinating software development projects and managing biologics manufacturing projects with stakeholders across the globe. Ann loves rural life with her husband by a small Minnesota lake where she gardens, dotes on her backyard chickens and house cat, and enjoys all the wild flora and fauna the area has to offer.

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CARLY PFENNIG

Marketing & Communications Intern

Carly Pfennig is from Bismarck, North Dakota currently studying at Minnesota State University of Moorhead for both Communications and Entrepreneurship. In her free time, Carly can be found thrifting or finding the best Matcha in town! Whether it be forming authentic connections or empowering our community, Carly loves it all.

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ASHLYN SCHAUER

Marketing & Communications Manager

Ashlyn is a Jamestown, North Dakota native currently working towards completing her master's degree in Strategic Communication at NDSU. She is involved in a variety of different organizations across NDSU and loves being active in the FM area. Ashlyn is passionate about community engagement and public relations especially when it comes to the Fargo/Moorhead community. In her free time she enjoys playing hockey, traveling, grabbing coffee downtown, and relaxing with friends.

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JADA SCHWINDT

Senior Experiences & Events Coordinator

Stetson is from the western edge of North Dakota in the small town of Regent, ND. He is now studying Agricultural Education and Animal Science at North Dakota State University, where he has found his home in the many clubs and organizations provided through the college of agriculture. He strives to include others in the intricate details of agriculture and spreading the word about what we do at Grand Farm. When not in class or at work you can find Stetson hanging out with friends, trying new coffee shops, or out with his cows on the prairie.

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KATIE SEVERSON

Chief Financial Officer

Katie, a North Dakota native and NDSU Accounting graduate, brings over a decade of experience in federal funding, grant management, and UG audits. She is passionate about nonprofit work and the collective effort to further the nonprofit’s mission. Katie enjoys meeting new people and learning about different perspectives, experiences, and cultures. In her free time, Katie enjoys camping, traveling, and watching movies with her husband and three children.

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MADI SIMPSON

Assistant Marketing Director for Grand Farm

Madi is a lifelong creative and lover of the Fargo-Moorhead area. She's gained real-life experience in the worlds of entrepreneurship and marketing by starting her own sustainable upcycled clothing business in 2018. In her free time, Madi can be found hanging out with her mini poodle Georgie, baking delicious pastries, interrogating strangers about their zodiac signs, tending to her jungle of houseplants, or enjoying an iced vanilla latte from one of the downtown cafes.

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MADISON STONE

Experiences & Events Coordinator

Madi has spent a good portion of her adult life away from the Fargo community which helped her grow a fondness for it that she never knew possible. After graduating from the University of St. Thomas-St. Paul in 2019, she took 2 years to travel nationally and internationally as a Christian Missionary. Upon her arrival back home she worked a variety of jobs in the Downtown Fargo area which introduced her to the thriving community of Emerging Prairie, then sparking a desire to join the team. Madi deeply enjoys time outdoors exploring nature and going on adventures with her husband, Andrew. These two will often be seen at Twenty Below Coffee, taking photos around town, or talking to strangers.

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GREG TEHVEN

Chief Executive Officer & Co-founder
Board Member

Greg Tehven is the CEO & Co-founder of Emerging Prairie, an organization creating a thriving ecosystem for entrepreneurs, innovators, and technologists, and Co-founder and Board Chair of Grand Farm, an initiative dedicated to finding innovative solutions in agriculture through technology. As a fifth-generation North Dakotan, he is proud to call Fargo home and is passionate about bringing big ideas to the region. Greg holds a degree from the University of Minnesota and has completed Stanford's Graduate School of Business Social Entrepreneurship Executive Course. He is happily married to an entrepreneur and Dad to three wonderful kids.

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STETSON URLACHER

Grand Farm Grower Program Coordinator

Jada is a Fargo-Moorhead native who is passionate about uplifting her community. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Minor in Psychology. She enjoys reaching out to the community, assessing their needs, and assisting people in achieving their goals. In her free time, she balances spending time with her family, friends, and 2 crazy cats. She loves photography, going on walks, cooking, and hosting themed dinners!

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DAVID VINSON

Emerging Digital Academy Student & Technical Support Specialist

David Vinson all about teaching and solving problems. Whether it's explaining tricky concepts or brainstorming solutions, he's in his element when he's helping others figure things out.

When David is not diving into work challenges, you'll usually find him hanging out with family and friends. Whether it's a night in or an adventurous outing, spending time with his loved ones is what keeps him grounded and inspired. Outside of that, he is all about keeping things interesting and bringing different perspectives to the table.

Bottom line? David is all about making a positive impact, whether it's through experience sharing, lending a hand, or coming up with fresh solutions. Let's tackle those challenges together!

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MATT WENDEL

Chief of Staff

Matt is passionate about creating an ecosystem that advances innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. Matt led marketing and communications for Emerging Prairie, Grand Farm, and Emerging Digital Academy before stepping into the role of Chief of Staff. Prior to that, Matt led communications and public affairs for the Colorado Technology Association to support and advance the state’s tech ecosystem and previously held senior positions in the Speaker's Office of the Colorado House of Representatives where he worked on issues including economic development, agriculture, and technology. He is a North Dakota native and a graduate of Concordia College. Matt lives near downtown Fargo with his wife Lynlee and enjoys being in the outdoors, traveling, and exploring the region.

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KYLE WHITCRAFT

Grand Farm Director of Program Management Office

Kyle is a Montana transplant with a background in process and program development. He loves to learn new things and is energized working in an ever-changing environment. He loves making genuine connections both through work and personally.

In their free time, Kyle and his wife enjoy golfing and spending time with their dogs.

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Our Board Members

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KODEE FURST

BOARD CHAIR

Byron Snider // Board Chair
VP of IT, Scheels

Byron is dedicated to developing a great team of people to accomplish technological improvements. As VP of IT at Scheels, he is a part of major technology decisions and responsible for delivering on those initiatives with the goal of helping the company improve so they can continue to provide world class customer service. Byrons serves as the Board Chair for Emerging Prairie and sits on the Advisory Board for Emerging Digital Academy.

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MIKE DERHEIM

BOARD SECRETARY

Kodee Furst // Vice Chair
Director, 50 South Capital

Kodee Furst is a Director at 50 South Capital. She is responsible for sourcing and analyzing venture capital and buyout partnership investment opportunities, as well as direct co-investment opportunities. Additionally, she is involved with fundraising activities and portfolio management. Previously, Kodee was a Program Manager at The Nice Center at North Dakota State University, where she supported the organization's mission of entrepreneurship for all. Prior to NDSU, she co-founded and served as the Managing Partner of Annie Capital, a fund that invested in female founders through funding, education and    community development.

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JONATHAN WARREY

BOARD TREASURER

Mike Derheim // Secretary
Co-founder, Bunnycup Winery

Mike Derheim is a lifelong entrepreneur. His entrepreneurial journey started at the age of 15 with his first company, and continued as he has co-founded and operated companies across a variety of industries. In 2003, Mike co-founded a digital consultancy called The Nerdery which went on to make Inc. Magazine's list of 5000 fastest-growing private companies in its first nine years of eligibility. In 2014, Mike co-founded Prime Digital Academy, a school for software engineers and UX designers. Prime has gone on to become part of The White House Tech Hire initiative. Mike recently co-founded BunnyCup Winery.

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BYRON SNIDER

Jonathan Warrey // Treasurer

VP of Managed Services, Marco / North Dakota State Representative

Jonathan combines his extensive sales and service experience to help drive Marco’s continued growth and impact. An idealist at heart, he sees what can be and then enjoys bringing people together to achieve big outcomes. Over the years, Jonathan has been instrumental in helping shape Marco’s growth and creating a place where people love to come to work and do business. When he’s not at Marco, you can find him fully investing in his community and family. He enjoys spending time at the lake, playing the drums, reading about history, watching all sports, and traveling with his wife and two adult children.

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HOWARD DAHL

Howard Dahl
President & CEO, Amity Technology, LLC

Howard Dahl is CEO of Amity Technology, a company that builds sugar beet harvesting equipment and other farm machinery and sells the equipment throughout the world. He comes from a family that developed the Bobcat loader and has been building machinery in North Dakota for 75 years. Howard received his B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of North Dakota, studied philosophy as a graduate student at the University of Florida and completed an M.A. in Philosophy of Religion from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Howard currently serves on several boards including the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C., LongWater Opportunities Private Equity Fund, Astarta (leading sugar producer in Ukraine) and the Luis Palau Association. He is a former director of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank. He and his wife Ann have three children and eight grandchildren.

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HEIDI HEITKAMP

Former U.S. Senator / Founder & Chair of the One Country Project / Director, University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics (IOP)
U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp was the first female senator elected from North Dakota, serving from 2013–2019. During her six years in the U.S. Senate, Heitkamp quickly became a proven senator who worked across the aisle to fight for North Dakotans. She personally showed that if senators work together, it can lead to real solutions. Throughout her time in public service, Heidi prioritized improving the lives of Indigenous people and working families; stopping human trafficking and violence against women; guaranteeing affordable health care; addressing childhood trauma; eliminating unnecessary regulation and securing a U.S. energy policy that keeps costs low but achieves climate goals. Providing equal economic opportunity for Rural America continues to be her lifelong pursuit. Heitkamp previously served as North Dakota’s Attorney General, and elected State Tax Commissioner. She serves on numerous boards including The McCain Institute, The Howard Buffett Foundation, Restore Democracy Initiative and The German Marshall Fund. She is the founder and Chair of the One Country Project, an organization focused on addressing the needs and concerns of rural America. She serves as a contributor to both CNBC and ABC News.

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MARY SNAPP

Mary Snapp

Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, Microsoft

Mary brings her experience and perspective from over 30 years at Microsoft to lead strategic initiatives in the office of the president. She formerly led the team responsible for Microsoft’s philanthropic efforts. That team seeks to invest the company’s strongest assets - technology, money, employee talent, and the company’s voice – to partner with nonprofits and communities to create lasting positive impact. In the most recent fiscal year, Microsoft’s total annual giving surpassed $1 billion, with cash donations of nearly $120 million and in kind donations worth nearly $950 million. Prior to Microsoft Philanthropies, Mary was Deputy General Counsel leading legal support for engineering and services. She led legal support for Bing as a start up and Microsoft Windows as an established operating system. During those years, she led legal support for a number of significant acquisitions. Mary is an active board leader and community volunteer for nonprofit organizations in Seattle and around the country. She currently serves on the board of directors YWCA of Seattle, King, and Snohomish County, The Seattle Art Museum, the National 4-H Council and The Farm Foundation. She also serves her alma mater, University of Michigan, on the President’s Advisory Group. Mary joined the company in 1988 as Microsoft’s fourth attorney, and its first female attorney. 

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GREG TEHVEN

Greg Tehven 
CEO & Co-founder, Emerging Prairie / Co-Founder, Grand Farm

Greg Tehven is the CEO & Co-founder of Emerging Prairie, an organization creating a thriving ecosystem for entrepreneurs, innovators, and technologists, and Co-founder and Board Chair of Grand Farm, an initiative dedicated to finding innovative solutions in agriculture through technology. As a fifth-generation North Dakotan, he is proud to call Fargo home and is passionate about bringing big ideas to the region. Greg holds a degree from the University of Minnesota and has completed Stanford's Graduate School of Business Social Entrepreneurship Executive Course. He is happily married to an entrepreneur and Dad to three wonderful kids.

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