Our Board

Andrist graduated from Divide County High School, Crosby, and  the University of North Dakota. He worked at daily newspapers in North Dakota and before moving back to Crosby in 1991 to take ownership of the family newspaper business. In 2022 he helped found a journalism nonprofit called the North Dakota News Cooperative.

Steve and his wife, Barbara, who retired after a long career in public health, are the parents of three adult sons and have seven grandchildren.

To complement her development work with NDAREC, Lori provides administrative services to the Rural Development Finance Corporation, a nonprofit development corporation with assets of $7.2 million, and the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education. She serves as vice chair on the CooperationWorks board of directors and secretary/treasurer for Dakotas America, LLC’s governing board.

Some of Lori’s recent work include the development of rural childcare cooperatives; building awareness and developing solutions related to rural food access; and the development of small, locally owned rural meat plants.

Lori holds a bachelor of science degree in business management from the University of Mary, Bismarck. She is a certified economic development finance professional by the National Development Council. She was a 2018 Fellow for the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), now known as Common Future.

Julie holds a degree from Minnesota State University, Moorhead. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Matt Engen, and his two grown sons. In her free time, Julie loves reading and outdoor activities.

Joan received a bachelor’s degree in education from Valley City State University and a master’s degree in Special Education from Minot State University. She serves on numerous task forces and Interim Committees and is involved in community service organizations and church.

Joan and Dewey have 4 married children and 10 grandchildren. When not busy attending grandchildren’s school and community activities, Joan enjoys quilting and reading.

Her motto is “go forth and do good things!”

She received a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Jamestown and a PhD in cell biology from the University of Kansas Medical Center. She spent a number of years in the Kansas City region studying various developmental processes before her return to McKenzie County in 2013. Erica is also a Class VII graduate of the Rural Leadership ND Program.

In her spare time, Erica and her husband, Chas, enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, attending sporting events, relaxing at the lake, and following the activities of their five nieces and nephews.

Previously, Stacey served as Executive Director of the Wakpa Sica Historical Society, Inc.; Executive Director of the Great Sioux Nations; Acting Director of the He Sapa Repatriations Alliance; Project Coordinator for the Great Plains Economic and Commerce Association; and Co-Founder of the South Dakota Indian Business Alliance, among other positions.

Stacey is a first cohort member of Native Nation Rebuilders selected by the Bush Foundation in 2010. For many years, Stacey has advanced the training and education of emergency medical professionals and has been recognized for her contributions. Stacey is the recipient of several professional and civic awards, including recognitions from the National Indian School Board Association and for work supporting crime victims. Stacey has served on numerous civic boards and committees, including City of Fort Pierre, SD, Board of adjustments and Appeals; Fort Pierre, SD, Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary; Law Enforcement Auxiliary; Fort Pierre American Legion Auxiliary, among others.

Stacey is married to Brian LaCompte, BIA Supervisory Special Agent, Internal Affairs, and is a proud mother of five children and grandmother of four grandsons and one granddaughter.