Doug Burgum: Difference between revisions

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| party = Republican
| party = Republican
| education = Stanford University (MBA)
| education = Stanford University (MBA)
| occupation = Politician, businessman
| occupation = Businessman, politician
| known_for = CEO of Great Plains Software, Governor of North Dakota, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
| known_for = Former CEO of Great Plains Software, 33rd Governor of North Dakota, 55th U.S. Secretary of the Interior
| title = 55th United States Secretary of the Interior
| children = 3
| children = 3
| awards =  
| awards = Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2002)
| website = https://www.doi.gov
}}
}}


'''Douglas James Burgum''' (born August 1, 1956) is an American businessman and politician serving as the 55th [[United States Secretary of the Interior]] since February 1, 2025, under President [[Donald Trump]]. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], Burgum previously served as the 33rd [[Governor of North Dakota]] from December 2016 to December 2024. Before entering politics, Burgum built a career in the technology industry, most notably as the president and chief executive of [[Great Plains Software]], a Fargo-based accounting and business management software company that he helped grow from a small startup into a publicly traded firm before selling it to [[Microsoft]] for $1.1 billion in 2001. Born and raised in the small town of Arthur, North Dakota, Burgum later became a prominent figure in the economic development of downtown Fargo through his real-estate firm, the [[Kilbourne Group]], and co-founded [[Arthur Ventures]], a venture capital firm focused on software companies. He served on the boards of major technology firms, including Australian software company [[Atlassian]] and human capital management firm [[SuccessFactors]]. Burgum launched an unsuccessful campaign for the [[2024 Republican presidential primaries|2024 Republican presidential nomination]] in June 2023 before withdrawing in December of that year and subsequently becoming an advisor on energy policy to the Trump campaign. As Secretary of the Interior, Burgum has overseen significant policy changes regarding energy development on federal lands, including expanded drilling and minerals extraction.
'''Douglas James Burgum''' (born August 1, 1956) is an American businessman and politician serving as the 55th [[United States Secretary of the Interior]] since February 1, 2025, under President [[Donald Trump]]. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], Burgum previously served as the 33rd [[Governor of North Dakota]] from December 2016 to December 2024. Before entering politics, Burgum built a prominent career in the technology industry as the president and chief executive officer of [[Great Plains Software]], a Fargo-based accounting software firm that he helped grow from a small startup into a publicly traded company before selling it to [[Microsoft]] for $1.1 billion in 2001. Born and raised in the small town of Arthur, North Dakota, Burgum's trajectory from rural grain elevator operator's son to software executive, governor, and cabinet secretary has made him one of the most consequential figures in North Dakota's modern political and economic history. He is also the founder of [[Kilbourne Group]], a real-estate development company focused on revitalizing downtown Fargo, and the co-founder of [[Arthur Ventures]], a venture capital firm investing in software companies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arthur Ventures Looks to Provide Capital Lift to Local Innovation |url=http://siliconprairienews.com/2011/05/arthur-ventures-looks-to-provide-capital-lift-to-local-innovation/ |publisher=Silicon Prairie News |date=2011-05 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Douglas James Burgum was born on August 1, 1956, in Arthur, North Dakota, a small community in Cass County with a population of fewer than 400 people.<ref name="ndhorizons">{{cite web |title=Doug Burgum |url=http://www.ndhorizons.com/featured/index.asp?ID=16 |publisher=ND Horizons |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He grew up in a family with deep roots in the community. His family had ties to the grain elevator business and farming in the area. The Burgum family operated a grain elevator and chimney sweep business in Arthur, providing the young Burgum with an early exposure to small-town commerce and agriculture that would later inform both his business ventures and his political career.<ref name="ndsu_magazine">{{cite web |title=Doug Burgum |url=http://www.ndsu.edu/ndsu/news/magazine/vol01_issue02/burgum.html |publisher=North Dakota State University Magazine |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Douglas James Burgum was born on August 1, 1956, in Arthur, North Dakota, a small community in Cass County with a population of fewer than 400 people.<ref name="ndhorizons">{{cite web |title=Doug Burgum |url=http://www.ndhorizons.com/featured/index.asp?ID=16 |publisher=North Dakota Horizons |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He grew up in Arthur, where his family had deep roots in the agricultural economy of the Northern Great Plains. His family operated a grain elevator and other businesses in the community, providing Burgum with early exposure to business operations and the rhythms of rural life in North Dakota.<ref name="ndhorizons" />


The town of Arthur, situated along the railroad line in the flat terrain of the Red River Valley, was representative of the small agricultural communities that have long defined North Dakota's economic and cultural landscape. Burgum's upbringing in this environment instilled in him a familiarity with the challenges facing rural communities, including economic volatility tied to agricultural commodity prices and the persistent difficulty of retaining young professionals in small towns.<ref name="ndhorizons" />
Burgum's upbringing in a small farming town shaped much of his later identity as a political figure and businessman. Arthur, like many small towns in the Northern Great Plains, depended heavily on agriculture, and Burgum developed an understanding of the economic challenges facing rural communities from an early age. The values of hard work, self-reliance, and community that characterized life in Arthur would become recurring themes in his later political career.<ref name="ndsu_mag">{{cite web |title=Doug Burgum |url=http://www.ndsu.edu/ndsu/news/magazine/vol01_issue02/burgum.html |publisher=North Dakota State University Magazine |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Burgum's family also had connections to [[Northern School Supply]], a Fargo-based business that distributed school supplies and educational materials across the upper Midwest. The company had been founded in the early twentieth century and became a significant regional enterprise.<ref>{{cite web |title=Northern School Supply |url=http://library.ndsu.edu/fargo-history/?q=content/northern-school-supply |publisher=NDSU Libraries, Fargo History |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> These family business connections gave Burgum an early understanding of entrepreneurship and regional commerce that would prove foundational to his later career in technology and real estate.
The Burgum family had longstanding ties to the Arthur area. The family's business interests, including the grain elevator, made them a fixture of the local economy. Burgum's connection to the family's farmland would later prove pivotal in his career, as he would mortgage inherited farmland to make his initial investment in the software company that transformed his professional trajectory.<ref name="ndhorizons" />


== Education ==
== Education ==


Burgum attended [[North Dakota State University]] (NDSU) in Fargo, where he earned a bachelor's degree in university studies in 1978.<ref name="ndsu_magazine" /> He then pursued graduate education at [[Stanford University]]'s Graduate School of Business in California, one of the most competitive business programs in the United States. He earned his [[Master of Business Administration]] (MBA) from Stanford in 1980.<ref name="ndsu_magazine" /> The combination of his North Dakota roots and his Stanford business education would prove significant in shaping Burgum's career trajectory, providing him with both a deep connection to the Great Plains region and exposure to the entrepreneurial culture of Silicon Valley during a formative period in the personal computing revolution.
Burgum attended [[North Dakota State University]] (NDSU) in Fargo, where he earned a bachelor's degree in university studies in 1978.<ref name="ndsu_mag" /> His time at NDSU connected him to the Fargo community, which would become the center of his business career.
 
After completing his undergraduate degree, Burgum enrolled at [[Stanford University]]'s Graduate School of Business in California, one of the top-ranked business schools in the United States. He earned his [[Master of Business Administration]] (MBA) from Stanford in 1980.<ref name="ndsu_mag" /> The combination of his North Dakota roots and a Stanford MBA positioned Burgum to bridge the worlds of technology entrepreneurship and Great Plains pragmatism—a duality that would define his career in both business and politics.


== Career ==
== Career ==
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=== Great Plains Software ===
=== Great Plains Software ===


In 1983, three years after completing his MBA at Stanford, Burgum made a pivotal financial decision: he mortgaged farmland he had inherited to invest in Great Plains Software, a small accounting software company based in Fargo, North Dakota.<ref name="ndsu_magazine" /> The investment was a considerable risk, leveraging tangible agricultural assets to fund a stake in a young technology firm at a time when the software industry was still in its early stages of development. Burgum became president of Great Plains Software in 1984, assuming operational leadership of the company and guiding its strategic direction over the next seventeen years.<ref name="ndhorizons" />
In 1983, three years after completing his MBA at Stanford, Burgum made a pivotal decision that would shape the rest of his career. He mortgaged farmland he had inherited from his family in the Arthur area to invest in Great Plains Software, a small accounting and business software company based in Fargo, North Dakota.<ref name="ndhorizons" /><ref name="ndsu_mag" /> The investment was a significant financial risk, staking family assets on a fledgling technology company in a region not known for its tech industry.
 
Burgum became president of Great Plains Software in 1984, taking on the role of leading the company's growth and strategic direction.<ref name="ndhorizons" /> Under his leadership, Great Plains Software developed accounting and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software products aimed primarily at small and mid-sized businesses. The company became one of the notable success stories of the technology industry outside of the traditional coastal tech hubs, demonstrating that a software firm could thrive in the upper Midwest.
 
Burgum guided Great Plains Software through a period of sustained growth over the 1980s and 1990s. In 1997, the company went public, a major milestone that brought national attention to the Fargo-based firm and validated Burgum's strategy of building a competitive software enterprise in North Dakota.<ref name="ndsu_mag" />
 
The most transformative moment in the company's history came in 2001, when Microsoft acquired Great Plains Software for approximately $1.1 billion.<ref name="ndsu_mag" /> The acquisition was one of the largest technology deals involving a North Dakota company and made Burgum a prominent figure in the national technology industry. The sale also generated significant wealth for Burgum and other stakeholders in the company.


Under Burgum's leadership, Great Plains Software grew from a small regional firm into a nationally recognized enterprise software company specializing in accounting and business management applications for small and mid-sized businesses. The company established its headquarters in Fargo, becoming one of the most prominent technology employers in North Dakota and contributing to the city's emergence as an unexpected hub for technology enterprise in the Great Plains region.<ref name="seattle_times">{{cite news |title=Fargo 2.0: It's not like the movie |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/business/fargo-20-itrsquos-not-like-the-movie/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
=== Microsoft ===


A significant milestone came in 1997, when Burgum took Great Plains Software public, listing the company on the [[NASDAQ]] stock exchange. The initial public offering marked a major achievement for the company and for the Fargo business community, demonstrating that a technology company based in the upper Midwest could compete successfully in national capital markets.<ref name="ndhorizons" />
Following Microsoft's acquisition of Great Plains Software, Burgum joined Microsoft in a leadership role. He was appointed to manage [[Microsoft Business Solutions]], the division that incorporated Great Plains' products along with other business application software.<ref>{{cite web |title=Interview: Doug Burgum on Microsoft's Business Apps Plan |url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/2671404/application-development/interview--doug-burgum-on-microsoft-s-business-apps-plan.html |work=InfoWorld |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> In this capacity, Burgum oversaw the integration of Great Plains' software products into Microsoft's broader portfolio of enterprise solutions. His role at Microsoft gave him experience managing operations within one of the world's largest technology corporations, a significant shift from leading an independent mid-sized company.


In 2001, Microsoft acquired Great Plains Software in a deal valued at $1.1 billion, one of the largest technology acquisitions involving a North Dakota company.<ref name="ndsu_magazine" /> The acquisition brought Great Plains Software's product line under the Microsoft umbrella and resulted in Burgum joining Microsoft to manage the integration. At Microsoft, Burgum oversaw [[Microsoft Business Solutions]], the division that incorporated Great Plains' products along with other business application software.<ref>{{cite web |title=Interview: Doug Burgum on Microsoft's Business Apps Plan |url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/2671404/application-development/interview--doug-burgum-on-microsoft-s-business-apps-plan.html |publisher=InfoWorld |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His tenure at Microsoft provided him with experience managing a large division within one of the world's largest technology corporations.
=== Board Service and Investments ===


=== Post-Microsoft Business Ventures ===
Beyond his direct operational roles, Burgum became involved in corporate governance and venture capital. He served as board chairman for [[Atlassian]], an Australian software company known for its collaboration and project management tools, joining the board in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Atlassian Adds Doug Burgum to Board |url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/07/19/atlassian-board-doug-burgum/ |work=TechCrunch |date=2012-07-19 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He also served as board chairman for [[SuccessFactors]], a human capital management software company.


After leaving Microsoft, Burgum turned his attention to a range of business ventures, many of them centered in Fargo. He founded the [[Kilbourne Group]], a real-estate development company focused on revitalizing downtown Fargo. The firm invested in significant commercial and mixed-use development projects in the city's urban core, contributing to a broader effort to transform Fargo's downtown into a more vibrant, walkable district.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fargo's Burgum eyes ND tallest building |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/blog/real_estate/2013/09/fargos-burgum-eyes-nd-tallest-building.html |work=Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Burgum's development activities through the Kilbourne Group were part of a broader downtown Fargo revitalization effort that included a riverside master plan approved by city leaders.<ref>{{cite news |title=River dreams: Fargo city leaders OK downtown riverside master plan |url=http://www.inforum.com/news/3670126-river-dreams-fargo-city-leaders-ok-downtown-riverside-master-plan |work=Inforum |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Burgum co-founded [[Arthur Ventures]], a venture capital firm named after his hometown, which focused on investing in software and technology companies, particularly those outside of Silicon Valley.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arthur Ventures Looks to Provide Capital Lift to Local Innovation |url=http://siliconprairienews.com/2011/05/arthur-ventures-looks-to-provide-capital-lift-to-local-innovation/ |publisher=Silicon Prairie News |date=2011-05 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The firm's investment thesis aligned with Burgum's broader belief that technology innovation could flourish in communities beyond the traditional coastal tech centers.


Burgum also co-founded [[Arthur Ventures]], a venture capital firm named after his hometown that focused on investing in software and technology companies, particularly those operating outside of traditional technology hubs such as Silicon Valley and New York. Arthur Ventures sought to provide growth-stage capital to innovative companies in underserved markets across the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arthur Ventures looks to provide capital lift to local innovation |url=http://siliconprairienews.com/2011/05/arthur-ventures-looks-to-provide-capital-lift-to-local-innovation/ |publisher=Silicon Prairie News |date=2011-05 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
=== Kilbourne Group and Fargo Development ===


Beyond his own ventures, Burgum served on the boards of directors of several prominent technology companies. In 2012, he joined the board of [[Atlassian]], the Australian software company known for products such as Jira and Confluence, eventually serving as board chairman.<ref>{{cite news |title=Atlassian Board: Doug Burgum |url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/07/19/atlassian-board-doug-burgum/ |work=TechCrunch |date=2012-07-19 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He also served as board chairman for [[SuccessFactors]], a human capital management software company that was later acquired by [[SAP SE|SAP]].<ref name="bloomberg">{{cite web |title=Doug Burgum |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=742111&privcapId=36833945 |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Burgum founded the [[Kilbourne Group]], a real-estate development company based in Fargo, North Dakota, focused on revitalizing and developing downtown Fargo. The firm undertook significant development projects in the city's urban core, including plans for what was projected to be the tallest building in North Dakota.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fargo's Burgum Eyes ND's Tallest Building |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/blog/real_estate/2013/09/fargos-burgum-eyes-nd-tallest-building.html |work=Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal |date=2013-09 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
The Kilbourne Group's development work was part of a broader effort to transform downtown Fargo into a vibrant urban district. Burgum's vision for the city included supporting a downtown riverside master plan that Fargo city leaders approved, aimed at enhancing the riverfront area and attracting further investment to the city center.<ref>{{cite news |title=River Dreams: Fargo City Leaders OK Downtown Riverside Master Plan |url=http://www.inforum.com/news/3670126-river-dreams-fargo-city-leaders-ok-downtown-riverside-master-plan |work=Inforum |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The company's activities contributed to Fargo's evolution from a city primarily associated with agriculture into one with a growing technology and urban development scene.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fargo 2.0: It's Not Like the Movie |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/business/fargo-20-itrsquos-not-like-the-movie/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


=== Governor of North Dakota ===
=== Governor of North Dakota ===
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==== 2016 Election ====
==== 2016 Election ====


In January 2016, Burgum announced his candidacy for Governor of North Dakota, entering the Republican primary as a political outsider with no prior experience in elected office.<ref>{{cite news |title=Doug Burgum announcement |url=http://www.inforum.com/news/3924330-live-stream-doug-burgum-announcement-11-am |work=Inforum |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His campaign emphasized themes of government reinvention, economic diversification, and leveraging technology to modernize state government operations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Burgum to emphasize government reinvention |url=http://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/burgum-to-emphasize-government-reinvention/article_b1e8e320-c0a7-548f-bcc1-63a0ebd60234.html |work=Bismarck Tribune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Burgum positioned himself as a business-minded candidate capable of bringing private-sector efficiency and innovation to state government at a time when North Dakota was grappling with the economic consequences of a downturn in oil prices, which had significantly impacted the state's budget following years of rapid growth fueled by the [[Bakken formation]] oil boom.<ref>{{cite news |title=How North Dakota went boom |url=https://www.vox.com/2014/12/11/7328019/north-dakota-fracking-money |work=Vox |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
In 2016, Burgum entered the political arena by announcing his candidacy for Governor of North Dakota as a Republican.<ref>{{cite news |title=Live Stream: Doug Burgum Announcement |url=http://www.inforum.com/news/3924330-live-stream-doug-burgum-announcement-11-am |work=Inforum |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Running as a political outsider with extensive business experience, Burgum campaigned on themes of government modernization and economic development. He emphasized the need for what he described as "government reinvention," proposing to apply private-sector principles to the operations of state government.<ref>{{cite news |title=Burgum to Emphasize Government Reinvention |url=http://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/burgum-to-emphasize-government-reinvention/article_b1e8e320-c0a7-548f-bcc1-63a0ebd60234.html |work=Bismarck Tribune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Burgum won the Republican primary and then won the general election in November 2016 in a landslide victory.<ref>{{cite web |title=Doug Burgum elected governor |url=https://www.wday.com/news/4155069-doug-burgum-elected-governor-speech-upcoming-wday |publisher=WDAY |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Statewide Election Results |url=http://results.sos.nd.gov/resultsSW.aspx?text=Race&type=SW&map=CTY |publisher=North Dakota Secretary of State |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He took office as the 33rd Governor of North Dakota on December 15, 2016, succeeding [[Jack Dalrymple]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Doug Burgum takes office as ND governor today |url=http://www.valleynewslive.com/content/news/Doug-Burgum-takes-office-as-ND-governor-today-406748135.html |work=Valley News Live |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His lieutenant governor was [[Brent Sanford]].
Burgum won the 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial election by a wide margin, defeating his Democratic opponent in a landslide victory.<ref>{{cite web |title=2016 North Dakota Election Results |url=http://results.sos.nd.gov/resultsSW.aspx?text=Race&type=SW&map=CTY |publisher=North Dakota Secretary of State |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Doug Burgum Elected Governor |url=https://www.wday.com/news/4155069-doug-burgum-elected-governor-speech-upcoming-wday |work=WDAY |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He took office as the 33rd Governor of North Dakota on December 15, 2016, succeeding [[Jack Dalrymple]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Doug Burgum Takes Office as ND Governor Today |url=http://www.valleynewslive.com/content/news/Doug-Burgum-takes-office-as-ND-governor-today-406748135.html |work=Valley News Live |date=2016-12-15 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His lieutenant governor was [[Brent Sanford]].


==== First Term (2016–2020) ====
==== First Term (2016–2020) ====


Burgum's first term as governor coincided with several significant issues for North Dakota. Among the most prominent was the [[Dakota Access Pipeline]] (DAPL) controversy, which involved large-scale protests by Native American tribes and environmental activists near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation against the construction of a crude oil pipeline beneath [[Lake Oahe]] on the Missouri River. Burgum addressed the situation through video messages and public statements during the extended standoff.<ref>{{cite news |title=Burgum posts video message about DAPL |url=http://bismarcktribune.com/mandannews/local-news/burgum-posts-video-message-about-dapl/article_89fe54a0-7760-510b-9ba8-25b4f646da4e.html |work=Bismarck Tribune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Burgum's first term as governor coincided with significant events and policy challenges in North Dakota. One of the earliest and most prominent issues he faced was the controversy surrounding the [[Dakota Access Pipeline]] (DAPL), which had generated large-scale protests near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. Burgum addressed the pipeline situation through video messages and public statements as the state navigated the complex intersection of energy development, Indigenous rights, and public safety.<ref>{{cite news |title=Burgum Posts Video Message About DAPL |url=http://bismarcktribune.com/mandannews/local-news/burgum-posts-video-message-about-dapl/article_89fe54a0-7760-510b-9ba8-25b4f646da4e.html |work=Bismarck Tribune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
North Dakota's economy during Burgum's tenure was closely linked to the energy sector, particularly oil production from the Bakken Formation. The state had experienced a dramatic oil boom in preceding years that transformed its economy and demographics.<ref>{{cite news |title=North Dakota's Fracking Money |url=https://www.vox.com/2014/12/11/7328019/north-dakota-fracking-money |work=Vox |date=2014-12-11 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Burgum's approach to governance reflected his business background, with an emphasis on technology, innovation, and economic diversification alongside continued support for the state's energy industry.


During his tenure, Burgum worked on issues related to workforce development, with businesses in the state citing workforce struggles as a key concern. The state legislature considered measures related to discrimination protections in the context of attracting and retaining workers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Businesses cite workforce struggles, push discrimination ban |url=http://www.inforum.com/news/legislature/3710503-businesses-cite-workforce-struggles-push-discrimination-ban |work=Inforum |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
During his first term, Burgum also engaged with workforce development issues. Businesses in North Dakota cited workforce challenges, and the state legislature considered measures related to employment protections and workplace discrimination as part of broader efforts to attract and retain workers in the state.<ref>{{cite news |title=Businesses Cite Workforce Struggles, Push Discrimination Ban |url=http://www.inforum.com/news/legislature/3710503-businesses-cite-workforce-struggles-push-discrimination-ban |work=Inforum |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


==== 2020 Reelection ====
==== 2020 Reelection ====


Burgum sought and won reelection in 2020 by a wide margin, continuing to serve with Brent Sanford as lieutenant governor before [[Tammy Miller]] later served in that capacity. His second term extended through December 15, 2024, when he was succeeded by [[Kelly Armstrong]].
Burgum won reelection in 2020 by a wide margin, securing a second term as governor. His second term saw [[Tammy Miller]] serve as lieutenant governor. Burgum served as governor until December 15, 2024, when he was succeeded by [[Kelly Armstrong]].


==== 2024 Presidential Campaign ====
==== 2024 Presidential Campaign ====


In June 2023, while still serving as governor, Burgum launched a campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. He entered a crowded primary field that included former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor [[Ron DeSantis]], former South Carolina Governor [[Nikki Haley]], and several other candidates. Burgum's campaign focused on energy policy, economic competitiveness, and his experience as both a technology executive and a governor. Despite participating in Republican primary debates, his campaign struggled to gain significant traction in national polling. Burgum ended his candidacy in early December 2023. Following his withdrawal from the presidential race, Burgum became an advisor to Donald Trump's campaign on energy policy, a role that positioned him for a potential appointment in a future Trump administration.
In June 2023, Burgum launched a campaign for the [[2024 Republican presidential nomination]], entering a crowded field of candidates seeking the party's nomination. His campaign emphasized energy policy and his record as a governor and business executive. However, Burgum struggled to gain significant traction in the primary race and ended his candidacy in early December 2023. Following his withdrawal from the presidential race, Burgum became an advisor on energy policy for Donald Trump's presidential campaign, a role that positioned him for a potential appointment in a future Trump administration.
 
=== U.S. Secretary of the Interior ===


=== Secretary of the Interior ===
On November 14, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Burgum as the [[United States Secretary of the Interior]]. The nomination reflected Burgum's emphasis on energy policy during his political career, as well as the advisory role he had played on the Trump campaign.


On November 14, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Burgum as the United States Secretary of the Interior. The nomination placed Burgum in line to oversee the Department of the Interior, which manages approximately 500 million acres of federal lands — about one-fifth of the total land area of the United States — as well as the nation's natural resources, national parks, wildlife refuges, and relations with Native American tribes.
Burgum's confirmation process proceeded through the [[United States Senate]], where he received bipartisan support. On January 30, 2025, the Senate confirmed Burgum in a 79–18 vote, a margin that reflected substantial cross-party backing for his nomination. He was sworn in as the 55th United States Secretary of the Interior on February 1, 2025, succeeding [[Deb Haaland]], who had served in the role under President [[Joe Biden]]. His deputy secretary is [[Katharine MacGregor]].


Burgum's confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate proceeded without major obstacles. On January 30, 2025, the Senate confirmed Burgum in a bipartisan vote of 79–18, reflecting substantial cross-party support for his nomination. He was sworn in as the 55th Secretary of the Interior on February 1, 2025, succeeding [[Deb Haaland]], who had served in the role during the [[Biden administration]]. His deputy secretary is [[Katharine MacGregor]].
==== Energy and Land Management Policies ====


==== Energy and Land Management Policy ====
As Secretary of the Interior, Burgum has overseen significant policy shifts in the department's approach to energy development and land management. The department under his leadership has promoted expanded drilling on federal lands, expanded metals extraction from federal lands and wildlife refuges, and supported coal-fired power, while curtailing wind energy projects.<ref>{{cite news |title=Interior Claws Back NEPA Regs |url=https://www.eenews.net/articles/interior-claws-back-nepa-regs/ |work=E&E News by POLITICO |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


As Secretary of the Interior, Burgum has overseen significant shifts in federal land management and energy policy, consistent with the Trump administration's emphasis on what it has described as "energy dominance." Under his leadership, the Department of the Interior has promoted expanded oil and gas drilling on federal lands, increased coal-fired power production, and expanded metals extraction from federal lands and wildlife refuges, while curtailing the development of wind energy projects on federal land.
In a notable action, the Department of the Interior under Burgum issued Public Land Order No. 7966, opening approximately 2.1 million acres in Alaska's Dalton Utility Corridor to expanded economic activity. The order revoked previous public land orders that had restricted use of the area, a move that was welcomed by Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Department of the Interior Opens 2.1 Million Acres in Alaska's Dalton Corridor |url=https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/department-interior-opens-21-million-acres-alaskas-dalton-corridor |publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Governor Dunleavy Welcomes Interior Department Actions Opening 2.1 Million Acres in Dalton Corridor |url=https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-welcomes-interior-department-actions-opening-2-1-million-acres-in-dalton-corridor/ |publisher=State of Alaska |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


In a notable action in early 2026, Burgum's Department of the Interior issued Public Land Order No. 7966, opening approximately 2.1 million acres in Alaska's Dalton Utility Corridor to economic development by revoking earlier public land orders that had placed restrictions on the land. The move was welcomed by Alaska Governor [[Mike Dunleavy]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Department of the Interior Opens 2.1 Million Acres in Alaska's Dalton Corridor |url=https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/department-interior-opens-21-million-acres-alaskas-dalton-corridor |publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Governor Dunleavy Welcomes Interior Department Actions Opening 2.1 Million Acres in Dalton Corridor |url=https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-welcomes-interior-department-actions-opening-2-1-million-acres-in-dalton-corridor/ |publisher=State of Alaska |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Burgum has also partnered with state governments on permitting reform. He signed a memorandum of understanding with Idaho Governor Brad Little aimed at fast-tracking permitting for energy and infrastructure projects on federal lands within Idaho.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gov. Little, Trump Administration Partner to Fast-Track Permitting for Energy, Infrastructure Projects |url=https://gov.idaho.gov/pressrelease/gov-little-trump-administration-partner-to-fast-track-permitting-for-energy-infrastructure-projects/ |publisher=Office of the Governor of Idaho |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Burgum has also partnered with state governments to streamline permitting processes for energy and infrastructure projects. Idaho Governor [[Brad Little]] signed a memorandum of understanding with Burgum to fast-track permitting for energy and infrastructure projects in the state.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gov. Little, Trump administration partner to fast-track permitting for energy, infrastructure projects |url=https://gov.idaho.gov/pressrelease/gov-little-trump-administration-partner-to-fast-track-permitting-for-energy-infrastructure-projects/ |publisher=Office of the Governor of Idaho |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
The Department of the Interior under Burgum issued a final rule that altered the department's environmental review processes under the [[National Environmental Policy Act]] (NEPA), streamlining and reducing the scope of environmental reviews. Critics of the rule change argued that the move was legally questionable.<ref>{{cite news |title=Interior Claws Back NEPA Regs |url=https://www.eenews.net/articles/interior-claws-back-nepa-regs/ |work=E&E News by POLITICO |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


The Department of the Interior under Burgum issued a final rule curbing and streamlining environmental reviews conducted under the [[National Environmental Policy Act]] (NEPA). Critics of the rule argued that the changes were legally questionable and could undermine environmental protections.<ref>{{cite news |title=Interior claws back NEPA regs |url=https://www.eenews.net/articles/interior-claws-back-nepa-regs/ |work=E&E News by Politico |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
==== International Energy Diplomacy ====


In February 2026, Burgum was part of a delegation of senior Trump administration officials, alongside EPA Administrator [[Lee Zeldin]] and Energy Secretary [[Chris Wright]], dispatched to Japan to engage with Indo-Pacific leaders on energy policy and resource security.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump dispatches top brass to Japan in energy dominance push |url=https://www.eenews.net/articles/trump-dispatches-top-brass-to-japan-in-energy-dominance-push/ |work=E&E News by Politico |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
In his role as Secretary, Burgum has participated in international energy diplomacy efforts. He was among senior Trump administration officials dispatched to Japan for meetings with Indo-Pacific leaders as part of the administration's energy dominance strategy, joining EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump Dispatches Top Brass to Japan in Energy Dominance Push |url=https://www.eenews.net/articles/trump-dispatches-top-brass-to-japan-in-energy-dominance-push/ |work=E&E News by POLITICO |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Burgum has also been involved in the Trump administration's push regarding [[Greenland]], publicly casting the territory as a strategically vital asset for the U.S. economy and national security, particularly with respect to mineral rights and resource extraction opportunities.<ref>{{cite news |title=Burgum reups Trump's push to take Greenland: 'So much opportunity up there' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5749416-greenland-us-mineral-rights/ |work=The Hill |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Burgum has also been involved in the Trump administration's public interest in Greenland, characterizing the island as a strategically important asset for the U.S. economy and national security, particularly with regard to mineral resources.<ref>{{cite news |title=Burgum Reups Trump's Push to Take Greenland: 'So Much Opportunity Up There' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5749416-greenland-us-mineral-rights/ |work=The Hill |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


The department's policies on offshore wind energy drew criticism from some state officials. New York Governor [[Kathy Hochul]] wrote directly to Burgum raising concerns about the Department of the Interior's actions affecting offshore wind projects, arguing that such projects had already undergone extensive federal review.<ref>{{cite web |title=Letter to Secretary Burgum regarding offshore wind |url=https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2025-12/Final_DOI_Letter_OSW_24_DEC.pdf |publisher=Office of the Governor of New York |date=2025-12-24 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
==== Offshore Wind Controversy ====
 
The department's approach to offshore wind energy under Burgum's leadership drew criticism from some state officials. New York Governor Kathy Hochul sent a letter to Burgum in December 2024 raising concerns about the Interior Department's handling of offshore wind projects, arguing that such projects had national security relevance and had already undergone extensive federal review.<ref>{{cite web |title=Letter to Secretary Burgum Regarding Offshore Wind |url=https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2025-12/Final_DOI_Letter_OSW_24_DEC.pdf |publisher=Office of the Governor of New York |date=2024-12-24 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Burgum was born and raised in Arthur, North Dakota, and has maintained strong ties to the state throughout his career. He has three children. His business activities through the Kilbourne Group and his personal investment in downtown Fargo real estate have made him one of the most prominent figures in the city's urban development. Burgum's connection to Fargo extends beyond real estate; his decision to base Great Plains Software in the city, rather than relocating to a larger technology market, was instrumental in establishing Fargo as a center for technology employment in the northern Great Plains.<ref name="seattle_times" />
Burgum was born and raised in Arthur, North Dakota, and has maintained strong ties to the state throughout his career. He has three children. His connection to the Arthur community has been a consistent element of his public identity, reflected in the naming of his venture capital firm, Arthur Ventures, after his hometown.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arthur Ventures Looks to Provide Capital Lift to Local Innovation |url=http://siliconprairienews.com/2011/05/arthur-ventures-looks-to-provide-capital-lift-to-local-innovation/ |publisher=Silicon Prairie News |date=2011-05 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
Burgum's personal wealth, derived in significant part from the sale of Great Plains Software to Microsoft, has been a factor in both his business ventures and his political campaigns. His self-funded gubernatorial campaign in 2016 drew attention to his financial resources and his willingness to invest personal funds in his political aspirations.


Burgum has been involved in philanthropic activities in North Dakota, including support for education and community development initiatives, though the full scope of his charitable giving has not been comprehensively documented in public sources.
Burgum's primary business and personal base has been in Fargo, North Dakota, where he built his career at Great Plains Software and later pursued real-estate development through the Kilbourne Group. His investments and development activities in downtown Fargo reflected a personal commitment to the city's urban revitalization.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fargo 2.0: It's Not Like the Movie |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/business/fargo-20-itrsquos-not-like-the-movie/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


Burgum's career in technology earned him recognition in the business community. His leadership of Great Plains Software from a small startup to a billion-dollar acquisition by Microsoft has been cited as one of the most notable business success stories in North Dakota's history.<ref name="ndhorizons" /> His role in developing downtown Fargo through the Kilbourne Group has been recognized as a significant contribution to urban revitalization in the upper Midwest.<ref name="prairiebiz">{{cite web |title=Doug Burgum profile |url=http://www.prairiebizmag.com/event/article/id/23302/#sthash.YRLWRus7.dpuf |publisher=Prairie Business |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Burgum has received recognition for his achievements in the technology and business sectors. He was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2002, an award that recognized his role in building Great Plains Software into a major enterprise before its acquisition by Microsoft.<ref name="ndhorizons" />


His election as governor in 2016 as a political outsider with no prior experience in elected office attracted national attention as part of a broader trend of business executives entering politics. His subsequent appointment as Secretary of the Interior placed him in one of the most consequential cabinet positions in the federal government with respect to land management, natural resources, and energy policy.
His career has been profiled in various regional and national media outlets, with particular attention to the story of a North Dakota businessman who built a billion-dollar software company in a state more commonly associated with agriculture and energy production.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fargo 2.0: It's Not Like the Movie |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/business/fargo-20-itrsquos-not-like-the-movie/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="ndsu_mag" />


Burgum's bipartisan Senate confirmation vote of 79–18 reflected a level of cross-party support that was notable in the context of an otherwise polarized political environment. The margin of his confirmation suggested that senators from both parties viewed his background in business and state governance as relevant qualifications for the role.
As governor, Burgum received attention for applying technology-sector approaches to state governance. His transition from the private sector to political office and then to the federal cabinet has been noted as an example of the increasing movement of business executives into government leadership roles.


== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />


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Latest revision as of 06:04, 24 February 2026


Doug Burgum
BornDouglas James Burgum
1 8, 1956
BirthplaceArthur, North Dakota, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationBusinessman, politician
Known forFormer CEO of Great Plains Software, 33rd Governor of North Dakota, 55th U.S. Secretary of the Interior
EducationStanford University (MBA)
Children3
AwardsErnst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2002)

Douglas James Burgum (born August 1, 1956) is an American businessman and politician serving as the 55th United States Secretary of the Interior since February 1, 2025, under President Donald Trump. A member of the Republican Party, Burgum previously served as the 33rd Governor of North Dakota from December 2016 to December 2024. Before entering politics, Burgum built a prominent career in the technology industry as the president and chief executive officer of Great Plains Software, a Fargo-based accounting software firm that he helped grow from a small startup into a publicly traded company before selling it to Microsoft for $1.1 billion in 2001. Born and raised in the small town of Arthur, North Dakota, Burgum's trajectory from rural grain elevator operator's son to software executive, governor, and cabinet secretary has made him one of the most consequential figures in North Dakota's modern political and economic history. He is also the founder of Kilbourne Group, a real-estate development company focused on revitalizing downtown Fargo, and the co-founder of Arthur Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in software companies.[1]

Early Life

Douglas James Burgum was born on August 1, 1956, in Arthur, North Dakota, a small community in Cass County with a population of fewer than 400 people.[2] He grew up in Arthur, where his family had deep roots in the agricultural economy of the Northern Great Plains. His family operated a grain elevator and other businesses in the community, providing Burgum with early exposure to business operations and the rhythms of rural life in North Dakota.[2]

Burgum's upbringing in a small farming town shaped much of his later identity as a political figure and businessman. Arthur, like many small towns in the Northern Great Plains, depended heavily on agriculture, and Burgum developed an understanding of the economic challenges facing rural communities from an early age. The values of hard work, self-reliance, and community that characterized life in Arthur would become recurring themes in his later political career.[3]

The Burgum family had longstanding ties to the Arthur area. The family's business interests, including the grain elevator, made them a fixture of the local economy. Burgum's connection to the family's farmland would later prove pivotal in his career, as he would mortgage inherited farmland to make his initial investment in the software company that transformed his professional trajectory.[2]

Education

Burgum attended North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo, where he earned a bachelor's degree in university studies in 1978.[3] His time at NDSU connected him to the Fargo community, which would become the center of his business career.

After completing his undergraduate degree, Burgum enrolled at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business in California, one of the top-ranked business schools in the United States. He earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Stanford in 1980.[3] The combination of his North Dakota roots and a Stanford MBA positioned Burgum to bridge the worlds of technology entrepreneurship and Great Plains pragmatism—a duality that would define his career in both business and politics.

Career

Great Plains Software

In 1983, three years after completing his MBA at Stanford, Burgum made a pivotal decision that would shape the rest of his career. He mortgaged farmland he had inherited from his family in the Arthur area to invest in Great Plains Software, a small accounting and business software company based in Fargo, North Dakota.[2][3] The investment was a significant financial risk, staking family assets on a fledgling technology company in a region not known for its tech industry.

Burgum became president of Great Plains Software in 1984, taking on the role of leading the company's growth and strategic direction.[2] Under his leadership, Great Plains Software developed accounting and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software products aimed primarily at small and mid-sized businesses. The company became one of the notable success stories of the technology industry outside of the traditional coastal tech hubs, demonstrating that a software firm could thrive in the upper Midwest.

Burgum guided Great Plains Software through a period of sustained growth over the 1980s and 1990s. In 1997, the company went public, a major milestone that brought national attention to the Fargo-based firm and validated Burgum's strategy of building a competitive software enterprise in North Dakota.[3]

The most transformative moment in the company's history came in 2001, when Microsoft acquired Great Plains Software for approximately $1.1 billion.[3] The acquisition was one of the largest technology deals involving a North Dakota company and made Burgum a prominent figure in the national technology industry. The sale also generated significant wealth for Burgum and other stakeholders in the company.

Microsoft

Following Microsoft's acquisition of Great Plains Software, Burgum joined Microsoft in a leadership role. He was appointed to manage Microsoft Business Solutions, the division that incorporated Great Plains' products along with other business application software.[4] In this capacity, Burgum oversaw the integration of Great Plains' software products into Microsoft's broader portfolio of enterprise solutions. His role at Microsoft gave him experience managing operations within one of the world's largest technology corporations, a significant shift from leading an independent mid-sized company.

Board Service and Investments

Beyond his direct operational roles, Burgum became involved in corporate governance and venture capital. He served as board chairman for Atlassian, an Australian software company known for its collaboration and project management tools, joining the board in 2012.[5] He also served as board chairman for SuccessFactors, a human capital management software company.

Burgum co-founded Arthur Ventures, a venture capital firm named after his hometown, which focused on investing in software and technology companies, particularly those outside of Silicon Valley.[6] The firm's investment thesis aligned with Burgum's broader belief that technology innovation could flourish in communities beyond the traditional coastal tech centers.

Kilbourne Group and Fargo Development

Burgum founded the Kilbourne Group, a real-estate development company based in Fargo, North Dakota, focused on revitalizing and developing downtown Fargo. The firm undertook significant development projects in the city's urban core, including plans for what was projected to be the tallest building in North Dakota.[7]

The Kilbourne Group's development work was part of a broader effort to transform downtown Fargo into a vibrant urban district. Burgum's vision for the city included supporting a downtown riverside master plan that Fargo city leaders approved, aimed at enhancing the riverfront area and attracting further investment to the city center.[8] The company's activities contributed to Fargo's evolution from a city primarily associated with agriculture into one with a growing technology and urban development scene.[9]

Governor of North Dakota

2016 Election

In 2016, Burgum entered the political arena by announcing his candidacy for Governor of North Dakota as a Republican.[10] Running as a political outsider with extensive business experience, Burgum campaigned on themes of government modernization and economic development. He emphasized the need for what he described as "government reinvention," proposing to apply private-sector principles to the operations of state government.[11]

Burgum won the 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial election by a wide margin, defeating his Democratic opponent in a landslide victory.[12][13] He took office as the 33rd Governor of North Dakota on December 15, 2016, succeeding Jack Dalrymple.[14] His lieutenant governor was Brent Sanford.

First Term (2016–2020)

Burgum's first term as governor coincided with significant events and policy challenges in North Dakota. One of the earliest and most prominent issues he faced was the controversy surrounding the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), which had generated large-scale protests near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. Burgum addressed the pipeline situation through video messages and public statements as the state navigated the complex intersection of energy development, Indigenous rights, and public safety.[15]

North Dakota's economy during Burgum's tenure was closely linked to the energy sector, particularly oil production from the Bakken Formation. The state had experienced a dramatic oil boom in preceding years that transformed its economy and demographics.[16] Burgum's approach to governance reflected his business background, with an emphasis on technology, innovation, and economic diversification alongside continued support for the state's energy industry.

During his first term, Burgum also engaged with workforce development issues. Businesses in North Dakota cited workforce challenges, and the state legislature considered measures related to employment protections and workplace discrimination as part of broader efforts to attract and retain workers in the state.[17]

2020 Reelection

Burgum won reelection in 2020 by a wide margin, securing a second term as governor. His second term saw Tammy Miller serve as lieutenant governor. Burgum served as governor until December 15, 2024, when he was succeeded by Kelly Armstrong.

2024 Presidential Campaign

In June 2023, Burgum launched a campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, entering a crowded field of candidates seeking the party's nomination. His campaign emphasized energy policy and his record as a governor and business executive. However, Burgum struggled to gain significant traction in the primary race and ended his candidacy in early December 2023. Following his withdrawal from the presidential race, Burgum became an advisor on energy policy for Donald Trump's presidential campaign, a role that positioned him for a potential appointment in a future Trump administration.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior

On November 14, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Burgum as the United States Secretary of the Interior. The nomination reflected Burgum's emphasis on energy policy during his political career, as well as the advisory role he had played on the Trump campaign.

Burgum's confirmation process proceeded through the United States Senate, where he received bipartisan support. On January 30, 2025, the Senate confirmed Burgum in a 79–18 vote, a margin that reflected substantial cross-party backing for his nomination. He was sworn in as the 55th United States Secretary of the Interior on February 1, 2025, succeeding Deb Haaland, who had served in the role under President Joe Biden. His deputy secretary is Katharine MacGregor.

Energy and Land Management Policies

As Secretary of the Interior, Burgum has overseen significant policy shifts in the department's approach to energy development and land management. The department under his leadership has promoted expanded drilling on federal lands, expanded metals extraction from federal lands and wildlife refuges, and supported coal-fired power, while curtailing wind energy projects.[18]

In a notable action, the Department of the Interior under Burgum issued Public Land Order No. 7966, opening approximately 2.1 million acres in Alaska's Dalton Utility Corridor to expanded economic activity. The order revoked previous public land orders that had restricted use of the area, a move that was welcomed by Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy.[19][20]

Burgum has also partnered with state governments on permitting reform. He signed a memorandum of understanding with Idaho Governor Brad Little aimed at fast-tracking permitting for energy and infrastructure projects on federal lands within Idaho.[21]

The Department of the Interior under Burgum issued a final rule that altered the department's environmental review processes under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), streamlining and reducing the scope of environmental reviews. Critics of the rule change argued that the move was legally questionable.[22]

International Energy Diplomacy

In his role as Secretary, Burgum has participated in international energy diplomacy efforts. He was among senior Trump administration officials dispatched to Japan for meetings with Indo-Pacific leaders as part of the administration's energy dominance strategy, joining EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.[23]

Burgum has also been involved in the Trump administration's public interest in Greenland, characterizing the island as a strategically important asset for the U.S. economy and national security, particularly with regard to mineral resources.[24]

Offshore Wind Controversy

The department's approach to offshore wind energy under Burgum's leadership drew criticism from some state officials. New York Governor Kathy Hochul sent a letter to Burgum in December 2024 raising concerns about the Interior Department's handling of offshore wind projects, arguing that such projects had national security relevance and had already undergone extensive federal review.[25]

Personal Life

Burgum was born and raised in Arthur, North Dakota, and has maintained strong ties to the state throughout his career. He has three children. His connection to the Arthur community has been a consistent element of his public identity, reflected in the naming of his venture capital firm, Arthur Ventures, after his hometown.[26]

Burgum's primary business and personal base has been in Fargo, North Dakota, where he built his career at Great Plains Software and later pursued real-estate development through the Kilbourne Group. His investments and development activities in downtown Fargo reflected a personal commitment to the city's urban revitalization.[27]

Recognition

Burgum has received recognition for his achievements in the technology and business sectors. He was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2002, an award that recognized his role in building Great Plains Software into a major enterprise before its acquisition by Microsoft.[2]

His career has been profiled in various regional and national media outlets, with particular attention to the story of a North Dakota businessman who built a billion-dollar software company in a state more commonly associated with agriculture and energy production.[28][3]

As governor, Burgum received attention for applying technology-sector approaches to state governance. His transition from the private sector to political office and then to the federal cabinet has been noted as an example of the increasing movement of business executives into government leadership roles.

References

  1. ↑ "Arthur Ventures Looks to Provide Capital Lift to Local Innovation".Silicon Prairie News.2011-05.http://siliconprairienews.com/2011/05/arthur-ventures-looks-to-provide-capital-lift-to-local-innovation/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Doug Burgum".North Dakota Horizons.http://www.ndhorizons.com/featured/index.asp?ID=16.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "Doug Burgum".North Dakota State University Magazine.http://www.ndsu.edu/ndsu/news/magazine/vol01_issue02/burgum.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Interview: Doug Burgum on Microsoft's Business Apps Plan".InfoWorld.http://www.infoworld.com/article/2671404/application-development/interview--doug-burgum-on-microsoft-s-business-apps-plan.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "Atlassian Adds Doug Burgum to Board".TechCrunch.2012-07-19.https://techcrunch.com/2012/07/19/atlassian-board-doug-burgum/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Arthur Ventures Looks to Provide Capital Lift to Local Innovation".Silicon Prairie News.2011-05.http://siliconprairienews.com/2011/05/arthur-ventures-looks-to-provide-capital-lift-to-local-innovation/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "Fargo's Burgum Eyes ND's Tallest Building".Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal.2013-09.http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/blog/real_estate/2013/09/fargos-burgum-eyes-nd-tallest-building.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "River Dreams: Fargo City Leaders OK Downtown Riverside Master Plan".Inforum.http://www.inforum.com/news/3670126-river-dreams-fargo-city-leaders-ok-downtown-riverside-master-plan.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "Fargo 2.0: It's Not Like the Movie".The Seattle Times.http://www.seattletimes.com/business/fargo-20-itrsquos-not-like-the-movie/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "Live Stream: Doug Burgum Announcement".Inforum.http://www.inforum.com/news/3924330-live-stream-doug-burgum-announcement-11-am.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Burgum to Emphasize Government Reinvention".Bismarck Tribune.http://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/burgum-to-emphasize-government-reinvention/article_b1e8e320-c0a7-548f-bcc1-63a0ebd60234.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "2016 North Dakota Election Results".North Dakota Secretary of State.http://results.sos.nd.gov/resultsSW.aspx?text=Race&type=SW&map=CTY.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "Doug Burgum Elected Governor".WDAY.https://www.wday.com/news/4155069-doug-burgum-elected-governor-speech-upcoming-wday.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "Doug Burgum Takes Office as ND Governor Today".Valley News Live.2016-12-15.http://www.valleynewslive.com/content/news/Doug-Burgum-takes-office-as-ND-governor-today-406748135.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "Burgum Posts Video Message About DAPL".Bismarck Tribune.http://bismarcktribune.com/mandannews/local-news/burgum-posts-video-message-about-dapl/article_89fe54a0-7760-510b-9ba8-25b4f646da4e.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "North Dakota's Fracking Money".Vox.2014-12-11.https://www.vox.com/2014/12/11/7328019/north-dakota-fracking-money.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Businesses Cite Workforce Struggles, Push Discrimination Ban".Inforum.http://www.inforum.com/news/legislature/3710503-businesses-cite-workforce-struggles-push-discrimination-ban.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Interior Claws Back NEPA Regs".E&E News by POLITICO.https://www.eenews.net/articles/interior-claws-back-nepa-regs/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "Department of the Interior Opens 2.1 Million Acres in Alaska's Dalton Corridor".U.S. Department of the Interior.https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/department-interior-opens-21-million-acres-alaskas-dalton-corridor.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "Governor Dunleavy Welcomes Interior Department Actions Opening 2.1 Million Acres in Dalton Corridor".State of Alaska.https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-welcomes-interior-department-actions-opening-2-1-million-acres-in-dalton-corridor/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "Gov. Little, Trump Administration Partner to Fast-Track Permitting for Energy, Infrastructure Projects".Office of the Governor of Idaho.https://gov.idaho.gov/pressrelease/gov-little-trump-administration-partner-to-fast-track-permitting-for-energy-infrastructure-projects/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "Interior Claws Back NEPA Regs".E&E News by POLITICO.https://www.eenews.net/articles/interior-claws-back-nepa-regs/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "Trump Dispatches Top Brass to Japan in Energy Dominance Push".E&E News by POLITICO.https://www.eenews.net/articles/trump-dispatches-top-brass-to-japan-in-energy-dominance-push/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "Burgum Reups Trump's Push to Take Greenland: 'So Much Opportunity Up There'".The Hill.https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5749416-greenland-us-mineral-rights/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "Letter to Secretary Burgum Regarding Offshore Wind".Office of the Governor of New York.2024-12-24.https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2025-12/Final_DOI_Letter_OSW_24_DEC.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ "Arthur Ventures Looks to Provide Capital Lift to Local Innovation".Silicon Prairie News.2011-05.http://siliconprairienews.com/2011/05/arthur-ventures-looks-to-provide-capital-lift-to-local-innovation/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  27. ↑ "Fargo 2.0: It's Not Like the Movie".The Seattle Times.http://www.seattletimes.com/business/fargo-20-itrsquos-not-like-the-movie/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  28. ↑ "Fargo 2.0: It's Not Like the Movie".The Seattle Times.http://www.seattletimes.com/business/fargo-20-itrsquos-not-like-the-movie/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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