Our Officers

Get to know our board members! Your input matters and we want to hear from you. Contact us to share your insight on land issues.

Our Officers

Get to know our board members! Your input matters and we want to hear from you. Contact us to share your insight on land issues.

Executive Board

Troy Coons, Donnybrook : Chairman

Troy Coons, Donnybrook

Chairman

701-721-4258

troynwla@gmail.com

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Troy Coons is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Northwest Landowners Association and has served on the Board of Directors since founding the organization in 2007.  Coons is a graduate of North Dakota State University and hails from Donnybrook, ND. Before founding Northwest Landowners Association, Coons has been involved in a variety of different industries both in North Dakota and California, including leading a fitness facility, catering company, and building his family farm into a registered and certified seed farm.  In addition to serving as the CEO of C&C Farms, Coons also serves on several regional, statewide, and international boards of directors, including Meridian Seeds, State Crop & Seed Association, Mountrail County Ag Improvement Board, Agronomy Seed Farm in Casselton, Mountrail County Township Association, Loland Township Association, Dakota Select Seeds, High Country Land Association, NDSU Advisory Board, Kenmare Economic Development Board (past), and Ward County Ag Improvement Board (past).

David King, Kenmare : Vice Chairman

David King, Kenmare

Vice Chairman

701-848-6032

kingd@restel.net

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David is the Vice Chairman of the ND Landowners Association and has served on the Board of Directors since 2009.

David and his wife Stephanie live in rural Kenmare, ND and are 4th Generation farmers in Mountrail and Ward Counties near Coulee, ND. David started farming over 40 years ago with his dad and brother. After his dad's passing a partnership was formed with his brother. They have two children; son Jacob, and daughter Saundra (Jesse).

David attended Dickinson State University, ND in Agriculture and Business, and then attended the ND State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND for Welding.

David has been very proactive in his community and state:
Mountrail County FSA Board for 12 years (past)
Ward and Mountrail County Assessor (past)
Kenmare School Board for 15 years, 1997-2011, President from 2004-2011.
NW Director ND State School Board 2005-2009; and Vice-President from 2010-2011.
Pathfinders Board of Minot, ND for 12 years representing children in Ward County with learning disabilities and other disabilities; received their leadership award in 2013. (past)
Treasurer of Baden Township Board (present)
Trustee of St. Agnes Church Board. (present)

Bob Grant, Berthold : Treasurer

Bob Grant, Berthold

Treasurer

701-453-3218

grants@srt.com

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Bob and wife, Helen farm and ranch in Mountrail County, near Berthold since 1972.   Children are all involved in the cattle operation.

4 Children – Rob (Kristin), Garry (Lori), Rebecca (Byron),  and Adam (Kimberly)

8 grandchildren – Abigail, MacKenzie, Mason, Marcus, Tenleigh, Bentley, Jess, and Jenna.

Education:

Tagus grade school  (1-8 grades)

Palermo High School  (graduated 1967)

North Dakota State University  -----BS in Mechanized Agriculture & Agricultural Education (1971)

Bob operated a portable grain cleaning mill (28 years), Secretary/Treasurer of the North Dakota Simmental Association (15 years),  Secretary/Treasurer Northwest North Dakota Select Simmental Group (30 years), substitute teacher,  Sunday School teacher and 5th/6th grade basketball coach.  Member of the North Dakota Stockmen’s  Association -- 35 yrs

Honorary Chapter Farmer – Berthold FFA Chapter

Promoter of the Year -- North Dakota Simmental Association

Pioneer Award – North Dakota Simmental Association

Board Service:

Egan Township, Berthold Farmers Elevator, Berthold School, North Dakota Simmental Association, St Olaf Lutheran Church (Tagus), St. Olaf Cemetery Association, Palermo Lutheran Parish, Zion Lutheran Church (Berthold), Mountrail Bethel Home (Stanley), Mountrail County Medical Center & Mountrail County Health Foundation (Stanley). National Rural Electric Cooperative (NRECA)/ National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) --  Governance Task Force Member. Currently serves as a director of Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative (first elected 1981), Coordinating Council of Cooperatives, Rural Development Finance Corporation, North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (since 1998 – President since 2008), and Northwest Landowners Association (Incorporator --- Treasurer).

Marvin Heller, Berthold : Secretary

Marvin Heller, Berthold

Secretary

701-453-3173

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Marvin and his wife Sandra live on a farm in Berthold Township, Ward County. They operated a dairy farm there for forty years. They currently operate a cash grain and beef farm in Berthold and Passport Townships. They have one daughter, Marcie who resides in Minot and she has three children Leah, Kaeden, and Ralie. Marvin currently serves as secretary of the Berthold/Carpio Farmers Union Oil Co-op Board of Directors. Marvin is a long time member of the Berthold Township Board of Supervisors and currently serves as Township Chairman. Marvin also serves on the board of the Ward County Township Officers Association as well as serving on the Ward County Planning and Zoning Commission

Board of Directors

Tom Henry :

Tom Henry

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Tom Henry and his wife Roberta live north of Newburg, ND. They have been raising small grains and row crops for the past 43 years in the Westhope/Newburg area. They have three adult children and two grandchildren. Tom graduated from NDSU in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in Ag Economics. He is a member of St. Andrew’s Catholic church in Westhope, the Knights of Columbus, North Dakota Grain Growers, U.S. Durum Growers, North Dakota Soybean Association, LAND, as well as the Northwest Landowner’s Association. Tom has served on numerous boards over the years and currently serves on the board of directors of AgCountry Farm Credit Services, the Bottineau County Farm Bureau, and Newburg Fire District. Tom was first elected to the NWLA board in December 2023.

Duane Essen :

Duane Essen

Kurt Swenson :

Kurt Swenson

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Kurt Swenson has served on the NWLA board since 2022.  He and his wife FayE live on her home farm and ranch south of Beulah.  Kurt holds a degree in Civil Engineering from NDSU (91) and has spent his career in energy related fields, including petroleum refining and alternative fuels operations along with leading engineering and construction of industrial projects.  Kurt and FayE’s private property in Oliver and Mercer counties has been the target of governmental takings for the use of private companies.

Myron Hanson, Souris :

Myron Hanson, Souris

701-243-6386

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Myron Hanson joined the NWLA Board of Directors in 2017

Patty Jensen, Tioga :

Patty Jensen, Tioga

701-641-2019

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Patty Jensen joined the NWLA Board of Directors in 2017

Hal Ross, Bowbells : Board Member

Hal Ross, Bowbells

Board Member

701-310-0031

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Hal grew up on his family farm 5 miles SW of Bowbells, in Burke County.   He graduated from NDSU with a degree in Agronomy.  In 1981 Hall started working with Dacotah Bank in Bowbells as a Loan Officer and finished his career as Vice President 2011. While working for the bank, Hal farmed on the side with his dad and now he farms full time with his son, Tyler. Tyler is married with two children and the hope is some day his son will farm and be the 5th generation in the Ross family to farm. Hal also sell grain cleaners (Grain Cleaning Systems) and has a daughter in Arizona who is taking up nursing and sells Real Estate.

Howard Rice, Burlington : Board Member

Howard Rice, Burlington

Board Member

701-721-7873

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Howard Rice grew up on a farm northeast of Tioga in Mountrail County. I graduated from NDSU in 1980 with a general agricultural degree. After college, I worked in the oilfield as a rig hand and as a rig operator for several oil companies in the Tioga area for six years. In 1987, I took a job with Farm Service Agency
which lasted for 25 years. During this time, I worked as a Farm Loan Officer and then a Farm Loan Manager. In 2012, I took a job with American Bank Center in Minot as an Ag Loan Officer. I was then promoted to Market President in Stanley. I then transferred to Bismarck to be with my now wife, Lisa. Lisa and I have six kids between us, Chris, Anthony(AJ), Brooke, Katie, Jaycee and Jared. In 2016, Lisa and I both retired to move closer to help my aging parents in Stanley. We currently reside in a new development annexed into the city of Burlington. I still enjoy being involved in farming as I spend my time working for family and friends putting in and harvesting their crops.

Shirley Meyer, Dickinson : Board Member

Shirley Meyer, Dickinson

Board Member

701-225-2736

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Shirley was first elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives in 1997. During her time in the legislature, she served on the Judiciary, Transportation, Finance and Tax, Political Subdivisions, Natural Resources, and Appropriations Committees. Shirley was elected to serve on the Legislative Management Committee for three sessions, and chaired the Judicial Process Committee.

Accomplishments:

  • Co-Chair of the ND Oil Refinery Task Force.
  • Awarded the Flemming Fellowship in 2006.
  • Awarded the BILLD Fellowship in 2000.
  • Current board member of the ND Cowboy Hall of fame.
  • Served on the Advisory Committee of the Dickinson
  • State University Department of Nursing.
  • Represented ND on the National Meat Export Federation,
  • Served on the ND Beef Commission for six years.
  • Served on the North Dakota State University Agricultural Board, and the State Board of Ag Research.
  • Named outstanding Agriculturist of the year

Shirley Meyer farms and ranches south of Dickinson along with her husband Dean. She has two grown children, and six grandchildren.

Larry Novak : Board Member

Larry Novak

Board Member

701-770-7370

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Larry Novak is a third generation farmer from McKenzie County. As an active member of his community, Larry has served on the Western Cooperative Credit Union board, Tri Township board, Alexander Fire District board, McKenzie County water District board, Western Area Water board. Larry has also spent over 30 years volunteering as an EMT/Fireman. If Larry isn't in a board meeting or volunteering, he can be found attending sporting events for his three kids; leaving no time for hobbies! Larry joined the Northwest Landowners Association board in December 2021.

Candyce Kleemann : Board Member

Candyce Kleemann

Board Member

701-260-9366

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I have spent my entire life in Southwestern North Dakota where I grew up on a ranch, received a teaching degree at Dickinson State, and continued ranching with my husband.  For 35 years, I taught high school mathematics and physical education along with working on the ranch.  My husband, Bob and I have 3 grown children and 8 grandchildren, and all returned home to ranch and work after receiving college degrees.  After retiring from teaching, I became a Certified Core Synchronism Practitioner which is still my part-time occupation. While teaching I was a director with NDEA, a negotiations specialist, and worked on several committees.  I was a peer trainer for many years at annual teacher conferences.  I also belonged to and worked with several farm and ranch organizations. I am happy to be on the NWLA board and am hoping to be a more active participant as I become more knowledgeable with the workings of the organization. Kleemann joined the Northwest Landowners Association board in December 2020.

Michael L. Haupt : Board Member

Michael L. Haupt

Board Member

bazmakillc@icloud.com

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Michael has a 30-year career with the ND Department of Trust Lands as a Land Management Professional dealing with oil field surface development, right-of-way easements, permits, surface damage agreements, and negotiated settlements.

Executive Director

Sierra Coons : Executive Director

Sierra Coons

Executive Director

701-340-1448

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Sierra is a North Dakota native with family roots near Donnybrook, where her family farms. Sierra graduated from the University of Minnesota, Crookston where she received her Bachelor of Science in Farm Business Management.

For general information, please contact

northwestlandownersassociation@gmail.com

Please send snail mail correspondence and membership forms to:
Northwest Landowners Association
6050 Old Highway 2
Berthold, ND 58718

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