JACE BEEHLER

Chief of Staff OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH DAKOTA

“Jace’s impact on North Dakota communities stretches to every corner of the state and every level of government including federal, state, local, and tribal.”

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF:

I’m a Grand Forks native and proudly graduated from North Dakota State University. I have always been passionate about community building, public service, and politics. After college, I applied for an internship at the White House in Washington, D.C., where I served in operations and logistics.

I returned to North Dakota to teach before continuing my career in public service. I joined the Mayport-CG team in Mayville, N.D., where I taught band and choir. Yet, my passion for public service and politics remained a driving force within me. Coincidentally, at this juncture, Doug Burgum announced his candidacy for Governor, and I jumped at the opportunity to join his campaign team.

Before returning to North Dakota, I earned my Master of Public Administration at the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to return to my home state to serve the Burgum administration as a policy advisor and later policy director before becoming Chief of Staff.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?

I am motivated by serving and seeing others succeed and enjoy experiences. I have always been drawn to creating new opportunities and experiences for friends, family, and colleagues which has drawn me to service. I have been lucky to have mentors and family who have taught me the value of servant leadership and I am motivated each day to be a better servant leader than I was the day before.

CHALLENGES IN YOUR CAREER PATH:

One of the greatest challenges in public service and policy is the reduction of healthy debate. Too many feel that disagreeing on something is an argument rather than a good discussion or debate. We need to find ways to increase respectful dialogue even if the participants are at the opposite ends of the topic.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER OTHER YOUNG PROFESSIONALS?

Create a plan for your future, but always be willing to change course, take a detour and explore what you may not have originally thought you would be doing. If you show up, find a way to get to “yes” and work hard, opportunities will be abundant.