Danita Bye

Board Member, North Dakota State Board of Higher Education

Danita Bye was appointed to the State Board of Higher Education in May 2020 to fill the remainder of an open term vacated by a previous member.

Danita has been a business consultant and leadership coach since 1997 for small- to medium-size businesses in science, technology, engineering, and manufacturing industries. She previously worked as an investor and sales manager for Micro-Tech, a medical device manufacturer, and in sales and sales management for Xerox Corp., a global company best known for innovative digital products and services.

She currently serves on the board for the North Dakota Petroleum Council, as well as the board for The Triple T, Inc., and TTT Minerals, LLC, both oil and gas companies. She also served on the North Dakota Economic Development Foundation. Bye obtained degrees in Biology and Psychology (1981) from the University of Sioux Falls (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and an M.A. in Transformational Leadership (2012) from Bethel University (St. Paul, Minn.).

Danita’s been married for 36 years to Gordon Bye. They have three millennial children and five grandchildren. They currently live in Stanley, N.D.

Kyle Davison *

Senator, North Dakota Legislature

Kyle Davison has served as a Senator in the North Dakota Legislature since 2014 and represents District 41 in south Fargo. He currently serves on the Appropriations committee and previously chaired Government Veterans Affairs and was a member of the Education committee for three sessions.

In addition, Senator Davison is the Executive Director of the South East Education Cooperative (SEEC). He has held that position since July 2005. The SEEC serves 36 school districts, nearly 38,000 students and over 3500 teachers by providing support to schools in areas such as professional development, business services, special education, and curriculum development.

Kyle is a graduate of Valley City State University with a degree in Business Administration.

Brent Sanford

Commissioner , North Dakota University System

Brent Sanford was born and raised in Watford City, ND. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1994. He is a Certified Public Accountant. He worked as an Auditor and Consultant for Eide Bailly LLP from 1994 through 2002 and then became the chief financial officer of Transwest Trucks in Denver, Colorado. He moved back home to Watford City in 2004, purchasing and operating his 3rd generation family-run car dealership. He increased sales each of the first 10 years in business with unique approaches based on the rural economic conditions. He was elected to the Watford City Council in 2006 and became mayor in 2010. Watford City became the fastest-growing community in America from 2010 to 2020. Most of the growth occurred during the incredible early days of the Bakken oil boom from 2010-2014. With Brent’s leadership, the community focused on infrastructure investment and community development to address rapid growth, including investments in the historic Main Street area, new retail, housing, affordable housing, schools, a community center, healthcare, daycare, and airport improvements.

Doug Burgum chose Sanford as his running mate in the 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial election. The ticket won the general election. They won a second term in the 2020 election. The pair entered office with a state budget crisis and the DAPL pipeline protests, weathered the storm of COVID-19, and throughout focused on infrastructure and economic opportunities for the state. In addition to presiding over the State Senate, he chaired the State Investment Board, State Water Commission, ND Trade Office, Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the Northern Plains UAS test site board, the Higher Ed Challenge Grant board, and numerous other statutory State boards. His accounting and entrepreneurial background, combined with his years of experience in business and local community leadership, served him well as Lieutenant Governor.

On December 20, 2022, Sanford announced his resignation as lieutenant governor, effective January 2, 2023, in order to return to the private sector and spend more time with his family. Brent has continued in his passion for progress in North Dakota through his newest venture, Sanford Consulting LLC, assisting various organizations with innovative workforce and energy solutions.
In January 2025, Sanford was named the Interim President of Bismarck State College and in September 2025 Sanford was appointed the Commissioner of the North Dakota University System.

Brent and his wife Sandi have three children and reside in Bismarck.

Kyle Davison *

Senator, North Dakota Legislature

Kyle Davison has served as a Senator in the North Dakota Legislature since 2014 and represents District 41 in south Fargo. He currently serves on the Appropriations committee and previously chaired Government Veterans Affairs and was a member of the Education committee for three sessions.

In addition, Senator Davison is the Executive Director of the South East Education Cooperative (SEEC). He has held that position since July 2005. The SEEC serves 36 school districts, nearly 38,000 students and over 3500 teachers by providing support to schools in areas such as professional development, business services, special education, and curriculum development.

Kyle is a graduate of Valley City State University with a degree in Business Administration.

Bob Martinson

Representative, North Dakota State Legislature

Mark Sanford

Representative, North Dakota State Legislature

Ronald Sorvaag

Senator, North Dakota Legislature