About Us

Board of Directors

Legislation enacted in 1997 created a 10 member, customer-based Board of Directors. This legislation was amended in 2003 to reflect the Governor appointing 11 members to the Board. Six members represent employers of different premium levels; three members represent employees (one of which must have received Workforce Safety & Insurance benefits and one must represent organized labor); one member is a member of the North Dakota Medical Association; and one member is a "member-at-large," who must be a resident of North Dakota and at least 21 years of age.

In 2007 the legislature further refined how the Board would be appointed. A coordinating committee appointed by the Governor, composed of representatives of business associations around the state will submit a list of three potential candidates for the six employer positions. The Governor then selects from that list of nominees, or can reject all the nominees after reviewing them for up to 30 days. The Governor also appoints the two employee representatives and the at-large representative. One of those members must have received WSI wage-loss benefits at some time during the 10 years before the member’s initial appointment. A labor organization will submit the list of three candidates to the Governor for the organized labor representative, and the North Dakota Medial Association will submit a list of three candidates for the medical association representative. In all cases the Governor may reject the names submitted, and has up to 30 days to consider the nominees. Board members may serve no more than two consecutive four-year terms.

The role of the Board is to ensure continuity of leadership at WSI and to ensure that WSI operates efficiently and effectively. The Board has adopted the Carver Model of Board governance, which provides a clear structure for Board leadership and organizational accountability to the Board. This structure includes regular performance monitoring reports and an internal auditor that reports to the Board so the Board can ensure continued improvements are being made in all key areas of WSI operations and services.

While WSI has achieved tremendous improvements, it also recognizes the need to ensure that every aspect of its operation meets or exceeds private industry standards. Recognizing that no competition exists in the North Dakota workers' compensation market that would force WSI to "operate efficiently or cease to exist", WSI and its Board believe they have a special obligation to maintain the highest standards of performance and efficiency.

Board Members:

Michael Gallagher
(Employer Representation: Under $10,000 in Premium)
Term:
January 2009 - December 2012

Brad Ballweber
(Employee Representation)
Term:
January 2011 - December 2014

Roberta Ripplinger
(Member At Large)
Term:
January 2011 - December 2014

Darrell Kelsch
(Employee Representation: Organized Labor)
Term:
September 2011 - December 2012

Ed Grossbauer
(Employee Representation - WSI Benefit Recipient)
Term:
January 2009 - December 2012

Ryan Leininger
(Employer Representation: $10,000 - $25,000 in Premium)
Term: Appointed August, 2009
January 2013 - December 2016

Tom Coons
(Employer Representation: Over $25,000 in Premium)
Term:
January 2013 - December 2016

Karel Sovak
(Employer Representation)
Term:
January 2009 - December 2012

Wally Keller
(Employer Representation: Over $25,000 in Premium)
Term:
January 2011 - December 2014

Michael Moore, M.D.
(North Dakota Medical Association Representation)
Term:
January 2011 - December 2014

Pat Clement
(Employer Representation)
Term:
January 2011-December 2014

Contacting a Board Member:

You can write to a Board member at any time at PO Box 2174, Bismarck ND 58502-2174.