Incoming North Dakota governor announces changes to Cabinet

Gov.-elect Kelly Armstrong announced Wednesday new appointments to lead the Office of Management and Budget, Commerce and Information Technology departments.

Armstrong also announced the reappointment of several Cabinet members from the Gov. Doug Burgum administration.

“We’re having private conversations with everybody,” Armstrong told the North Dakota Monitor Wednesday. “Every single position is being evaluated.”

Joe Morrissette, who is part of Armstrong’s transition team, will return as director of the Office of Management and Budget. Morrissette held the role from 2018 to May of 2023 before leaving state government to teach accounting and tax courses at the University of Mary. 

Susan Sisk, the current director of the Office of Management and Budget, will no longer work for the department, according to spokeswoman Jen Raab.

Gov.-elect Armstrong announces ‘rockstar lineup’ to lead transition

Chris Schilken was named commissioner of the Department of Commerce, succeeding Commissioner Josh Teigen, who campaigned against Armstrong in the June primary with running mate Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller. Schilken recently served in the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development and began his career as executive director of Forward Devils Lake. 

Teigen said he told his team several weeks ago that his last day would be Dec. 14. He said he’s considering opportunities either in the private sector or the federal government.

Rep. Corey Mock, D-Grand Forks, who is completing his term in the Legislature after not seeking reelection, was appointed chief information officer for the North Dakota Information Technology Department. Greg Hoffman was appointed to that position last July. He will return to his former position of deputy chief information officer.

Armstrong said the new appointments aren’t personal, but he is making some structural and stylistic changes to leadership roles. He and Lt. Gov.-elect Michelle Strinden also announced they are retaining several Cabinet members:

• Brig. Gen. Mitchell Johnson, adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard
• Ron Henke, director of the Department of Transportation
• Pat Bertagnolli, executive director of Job Service North Dakota
• Dave Glatt, director of the Department of Environmental Quality
• Art Thompson, director of Workforce Safety & Insurance
• Colby Braun, director of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
• Jeb Williams, director of the Game and Fish Department
• Cody Schulz, director of the Parks and Recreation Department
• Lise Kruse, commissioner of the Department of Financial Institutions

The list did not include the Department of Health and Human Services, state health officer, Department of Water Resources, Highway Patrol, Indian Affairs Commission, the Department of Labor or Human Resource Management Services.

Armstrong said some positions will be announced at a later time. Armstrong’s term begins Dec. 15.

Health and Human Services Commissioner Wayne Salter and State Health Officer Dr. Nizar Wehbi said in emails to the department late Tuesday that they would not be continuing in their roles. 

Salter, who previously worked for Texas Health and Human Services, joined the Burgum administration in January. Wehbi, who joined the Burgum administration in 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, said his last day would be Dec. 14.

This story has been updated.