Former Bismarck mayor appointed to chair NDPERS board

Gov. Doug Burgum appointed Seminary to fill an unexpired term on the board through June 2025, said Mike Nowatzki, spokesperson for Burgum’s office.

Nowatzki said Seminary’s experience on the Bismarck City Commission and his time as mayor will be invaluable to the board.

“Mike Seminary will provide the steady leadership needed as the PERS board continues its work to implement the state’s newly created defined contribution plan,” Nowatzki said in an email.

In an interview with the North Dakota Monitor, Seminary said he has a long history of service on boards and councils that dates back to high school.

“They have a wonderful board in place and I thought I could add some value … primarily because of my serving, and board experience, and chairing meetings … and I was just blessed to be asked to serve as chair,” said Seminary, who now lives in Fargo.

Seminary will replace Michelle Kommer, a former North Dakota commerce commissioner who announced her resignation from the board in February. Her resignation came on the heels of the removal of the previous chair, Mona Tedford Rindy, by Burgum. Tedford Rindy had refused Burgum’s request to resign and was later removed after lawmakers changed a law in October making it clear that members serve at the pleasure of their appointed authority.

The NDPERS board will be focused on implementing House Bill 1040, which was passed during the 2023 session and closed the public pension plan to new employees starting January 2025, shifting new hires to a 401(k)-style plan.

Rebecca Fricke, executive director of NDPERS, said the role of the board chair is to facilitate meetings, create an open dialog among members and work with staff as new items come up to the board for discussion and decisions.

“I look forward to working with Mr. Seminary,” Fricke said. “I do think that his experience with other boards is definitely going to help him as board chair for NDPERS.”

Fricke said she was in contact with the governor’s office about responsibilities of the board chair after Kommer resigned, but was not part of the selection process.

Seminary is expected to attend his first NDPERS meeting on Tuesday in Bismarck.