‘Tioga is in me’ TIOGA
Neset takes broad focus to service BY JILL SCHRAMM
Senior Staff Writer jschramm@minotdailynews.com
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usiness, family and community aren’t separate facets of life to Kathleen Neset. Rather, it’s her insight into their interconnections that have encouraged good things to happen in her industry and community. Known for her leadership in the Bakken oil and gas industry as owner of Neset Consulting in Tioga, Neset also is acknowledged both inside and outside the industry for her pride in her community and desire to make Tioga and North Dakota even better places to live. “She’s very loved in this area,” said Abby Salinas, Tioga’s city auditor. “She’s just one of those people that are constantly ensuring the well-being of the area.” “I have observed Kathy for many years and she really takes community responsibility very seriously,” said Dennis Lindahl, Tioga’s economic developer. “She’s a tremendous asset to the community and to the state.” As work, family and community blend together, Neset has prioritized support for child care, advancement of women in the oil and gas field and releasing employees into the community to give back.
Submitted Photos
ABOVE: Neset Consulting places importance on creating jobs for women. Female employees include, from left, Patricia Hove, accounts receivable; Jamie Eraas, chief financial officer; Holly Bryant, accounts payable; Katie Lucy, payroll specialist; Jean Datahan, petroleum engineer; and Kathleen Neset, geologist/owner.
LEFT: Kathleen Neset visits with children in the company’s childcare facility in Tioga July 8.
As a result of Gov. Jack Dalrymple asking her to serve on the steering committee for the state’s 2020 & Beyond, initiated in 2012, Neset said, she learned the scope of the childcare crisis that was affecting every city in the state. “We visited nine cities,” she said. “Every single community, the number one problem – the need for good, reliable daycare.” Shortly after joining the steering committee, Neset Consulting broke ground on a new headquarters in Tioga. “I have a young workforce here.
They’re young families, and it was all about employee retention. That was what spurred the desire to get the daycare built into the design of this building,” she said. “We designed the daycare and it’s based on the need. If I had not realized, through 2020 & Beyond and the work with Governor Dalrymple, I would not have foreseen to put the daycare in here. And we love it,” she said. Neset has become Grandma Kathy to the daycare children, who numbered 22 this past summer. Neset said the daycare fulfilled its
purpose in retaining workers, but having the children on site has meant more than that. “It is such a mood booster,” she said. “It’s wonderful. It’s a blessing. That’s the bonus part.” During the height of the oil boom, the Neset daycare served its workers first but then prioritized the community’s essential workers, such as teachers and medical and emergency personnel. Neset has given advice to other oil and gas companies that have considered on-site child care. One of the challenges is that childcare facilities aren’t cost effective, she
said. “But I really feel that it’s not just about the bottom line. It’s also about what works best for the company. I think there’s benefits by being able to retain this workforce that far outweigh the financial burden of a daycare. It’s good for the community,” she said. Beyond ensuring her company’s workers have child care, Neset also has sought to create avenues for women to get into good-paying energy jobs. She recalled the oil boom when Neset Consulting was taking on a lot of new workers. “So many of the women who
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