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Thirty-third Governor
Political Background:
Doug Burgum took office as the 33rd governor of North Dakota on December 15, 2016, winning the gubernatorial election in his first run for political office. Doug brings a business leader's approach to his goals of diversifying the economy, creating 21st century jobs, and revitalizing main streets.
Born August 1, 1956, Burgum grew up in Arthur and graduated from North Dakota State University in 1978 and Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 1980. He returned to his home state and helped lead Great Plains Software in Fargo from a small startup company in 1983 into an award-winning tech firm. Burgum led Great Plains as CEO through its initial public offering in 1997 and acquisition by Microsoft Corporation in 2001. He remained at Microsoft as senior vice president through 2007.
In 2006, Burgum founded Kilbourne Group, a real estate development firm. In 2008, Burgum co-founded Arthur Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in software companies.
In 2009, Burgum was awarded the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, North Dakota's highest citizen honor. The award recognized Burgum for his business leadership and numerous philanthropic efforts. He has maintained his commitment and connection to his roots by serving as a member for Arthur Companies, Inc., a diversified agribusiness company founded by his grandparents in 1906, and through a ranching partnership in the North Dakota badlands.
Burgum is married to Kathryn Helgaas Burgum and has two sons, Joe and Tom, and a daughter, Jesse.
Address:
612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
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Hours:
State Museum and Store: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F; Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
We are closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. We are closed at noon Christmas Eve if it falls on Mon.-Thurs. and are closed all day if it falls on Fri.-Sun.
State Archives: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F, except state holidays; 2nd Sat. of each month, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Appointments are recommended. To schedule an appointment, please contact us at 701.328.2091 or archives@nd.gov.
State Historical Society offices: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F, except state holidays.
Contact Us:
phone: 701.328.2666
email: history@nd.gov
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