An entrepreneur at heart, Wes Henry has been a Founder, Owner and/or Partner in 4  technology-based companies:

Ignus Technologies, 1999 to 2010; Insight Technologies, 2010 to 2011; ConnectBooster, 2010 to 2014; True IT in 2012 to 2023

Wes Co-Founded True IT, a managed IT solutions provider, in 2012. In July 2023, True IT was purchased by employee-owned Advanced Business Methods (ABM).  Wes and the True IT ownership team remain on staff.

He is a compassionate leader and solution finder with over 40 years of experience in computer technology, IT, security, networking, and software development.  He loves learning new technology, exploring ways to leverage technology to help people and businesses, and sharing his knowledge with others. Wes taught college classes in technology for almost ten years and loved seeing the “A-Ha” moments when new ideas clicked for other people. When Wes is not at work, he enjoys music, bicycling, exploring new technology, and watching movies.

Wes has authored two IT-related books, including Your IT Sucks and I Can Prove It, a requested speaker/guest at IT-related conferences and events, along with being involved in numerous entrepreneurial ventures, from 3-D manufacturing to lumber processing and things in-between. 

Josh was a highly accomplished technology professional with nearly three decades of experience spanning from grassroots computer upgrades in educational settings to leading a top-tier software development firm recognized for excellence.

Josh Founded Codelation in 2009,  a premier custom software development firm renowned for its unwavering dedication to empowering businesses to unlock their full potential through tailored technological solutions.

“For the past 15 years, under visionary leadership as founder and CEO, the company has consistently delivered innovative software products and services that enable clients to amplify their core capabilities and achieve sustainable growth. My roles were in leadership development as well as business analyst and sales capacities.” – Josh

In 2017, Josh lent his expertise and experience to others as a Coach and Business Consultant.

“As a dedicated Consultant and Coach at joshchristy.com, I specialize in empowering individuals and businesses to achieve their highest potential. Leveraging a blend of strategic insights and practical experience, I provide tailored coaching and consulting services that drive meaningful and lasting change.” – Josh

In 2023, the voters of North Dakota District 27 sent Representative Joshua David Christy to the North Dakota statehouse in Bismarck starting with the 68th North Dakota Legislative Assembly. His public and entrepreneurial background in digital technology and artificial intelligence informed policy and bills he crafted and advocated for in subcommittees and on the house floor. Christy served in the 69th Legislative Assembly at the time of his death.

Ron, along with Paul Fink, opened the first Liberty Business location, in Fargo in 1986. Since, Liberty Business Systems, Inc. has focused on delivering excellent customer service and the best available products. Our knowledgeable, friendly staff can relieve your business of its day-to-day technology needs, freeing you to concentrate on what really matters to your success.

With 3,000 valued clients spread throughout North Dakota and Minnesota, Liberty is large enough to be backed by world-class vendors, yet local enough to have a family touch.

“Our formula of values, expertise and commitment to satisfaction has made us North Dakota’s premier provider of Office Technology Solutions. When you work with Liberty Business Systems, you’re more than just another business–you’re a valued partner.”

Liberty Business Systems focuses on providing solutions to business problems or opportunities.

With over 35 years of experience, Liberty has built an organization around its core values to ensure the best possible experience for clients.

With 3,000 valued clients spread throughout North Dakota and Minnesota, Liberty is large enough to be backed by world-class vendors, yet local enough to have a family touch.

In recent years Liberty has been honored as a Circle of Excellence Award winner for the number one imaging provider in the world.

Todd belongs to several leasing industry groups and has been active in various industry associations for over 30 years.

He worked for a regional CPA firm in tax and management advisory services and has experience in the commercial real estate industry. Todd was also a managing partner for Smashburger in Fargo, North Dakota. He is a former franchise partner in five Qdoba restaurants in North Dakota and Minnesota.  He has held board positions with area economic development organizations, national leasing industry association, and Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Todd serves on the Executive Committee and the Advisory Board for the Fisher Companies. He and his wife Wendy reside in Fargo and have two grown children.

Mark founded Giddings and Associates in 1990, and developed a niche in sophisticated tax and business consulting, becoming one of the most-respected CPAs in the nation, with a unique distinction of serving clients on all 7 continents.

In January 2022, Mark sold his firm to Widmer Roel, another Fargo-based CPA firm, founded in 1973. Mark spent a few months assisting with the transition, but now enjoys full-time retirement from his home in the Cormorant Lakes area. Mark has led numerous discussions for our Club over the years and we hope that we can pull him from the dock to lend his insight and experience to many more.

Mark, congratulations on a stellar career and a successful exit from your company – and THANK YOU for your long-time support and contribution to our Club!

Mark’s bio from Giddings-Associates.com, prior to Mark’s retirement:

Speaking to Mark is a unique experience. A quick mind and diverse interests have helped him sustain an amazing collection of relationships across the globe. More importantly, his ability to translate the details of his clients’ interests and goals always results in a solution tailored to them. Mark had the opportunity to work with some of the best-known CPAs in the upper Midwest before founding Giddings & Associates. He is also a co-founder of Mid America Consultants International and served as the company treasurer for several years.

Mark has developed a niche in sophisticated tax and business consulting. He is best known for:

• Supporting multiple complex business deals and tax situations;
• Focusing on the personal and business needs of farmers and multi-generational enterprises;
• Providing keen insight for individuals with multi-state or expat tax matters — including filmmakers, entrepreneurs and entertainers;
• Serving clients on all seven continents.

When Mark responds to a question or need, you can be sure that he’s rolled it over in his mind and viewed every angle. Ultimately, you will make the decision, but it will be well informed from Mark’s extensive knowledge and research. His goal — and the culture of Giddings — is to serve clients for a lifetime. And then earn the trust of their children and grandchildren.

A summa cum laude graduate of Moorhead State University (now Minnesota State University – Moorhead), Mark is a member of the Red River Valley Estate Planning Council, the American Institute of Certified Pubic Accountants, the North Dakota Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants and the National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives.

He is active in the Cormorant Lions Club and is serving on the Chamber Council for Cormorant Lutheran Church.

Mark also led a team to teach a course in Russia entitled “Farm Financial Management in the Free Market Society.” He has been a guest speaker at many conferences and conventions for professional groups such as the North Dakota Bar Association, the North Dakota Society of Public Accountants, the Red River Estate Planning Council, the Independent Association of Jackson Hewitt Franchisees, the National Exchange Club and the National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives.

While his passion for Doobie Brothers music and hot air balloons is epic, Mark’s friends, family and clients love him anyway.

Mark is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Minnesota and North Dakota and has received the designation of Chartered Global Management Accountant from the AICPA.

Mark and Diane have made their home at Middle Cormorant Lake in Becker County, Minnesota.

Founded in 1915 by Scottish immigrant Robert Gibb senior, Bob’s grandfather, today this company handles multi-million dollar commercial and industrial projects on a weekly basis.

Bob is a Fargo native, who graduated from Shanley High School and graduated from NDSU in 1968, majoring in business economics. Bob worked for Green Giant Co in Le Sueur MN for 4 years, before returning home to join the family business in 1972. Bob became CEO in 1987 and with his brother, Gregg and the entire team, celebrated 100 years in business in 2015.

On June 1, 2025, Bob and his brother, Gregg officially announced the acquisition of Robert Gibb & Sons, Inc. by Peterson Sheet Metal, a long-time vendor from Bemidji, MN. PSM will continue to operate under the Gibb name.

Congratulations, Bob!

Altel has been providing complete communications solutions for businesses since 2000 in North Dakota & Minnesota.

Altel is the only stop you need for your company to design and install a phone system best suited to support your operations, move or service your existing system, cable your facility for both voice and data, & configure and order your dial tone for local, long distance, and internet access.

Kent was the CEO of Petro Serve USA, a diversified retail petroleum business that operates twenty-four convenience stores in North Dakota and Minnesota for over 25 years, until 2025.   His cooperative employees 370 staff in a trade area that stretches from Bemidji to Bismarck and Grafton to Wahpeton.

Petro Serve received the Paul Dana Marketing Vision Award for its “Helping America Fuel Better” campaign.

Kent has a bachelor’s degree in Management from the University of North Dakota.

He became a CEO at age twenty-two in 1981.  That year he turned over his entire staff of 11 workers, in one morning, and survived to tell about it.  Petro Serve USA’s diverse young leadership currently uses the EOS Operating System and has doubled their sales five times in the last 18 years.

Dakota Storage Products’ story began in 1989 when Merlyn Nelson opened the business in Westgo Square in West Fargo to help meet the needs of companies and small businesses throughout the region.

Merlyn retired in 2008, and his daughter Kari took over the operations with the help of her family. In over 25 years, Dakota Storage Products has grown and is now reaching out to companies all over the upper Midwest.

Our team at Dakota Storage Products works with clients from many industries throughout the region. We take pride in being professional, reliable, and trustworthy and work to build a long-term working relationship with each client. We are experts in pallet racking and warehouse planning. We know what you need and can deliver in a timely manner. Dakota Storage Products has the largest on-hand inventory in the region. As your friendly, family owned pallet racking company, we strive to help find the best possible solution to your storage and warehouse needs!

Several years ago I made the decision to go out on my own and start RJ Energy Solutions. This company puts me in a position that allows me to work with many different clients in a variety of different areas. I work on site doing inspections and being involved in finding the very best solutions for the problems that we might find. My background in serving customers both in large commercial sites and residential homes has enabled me to focus on helping create and sustain safe, comfortable and energy efficient environments – and help my clients improve the performance of homes and buildings around the area.

Our focus at RJ Energy solutions is also helping clients have healthy homes and businesses with air systems and energy systems that work to make the home and business the very best they can be. Healthy inside environments that are free from problems such as radon is still another area we help our clients with.

When I not helping my customers improve their indoor air issue. I’m always up for some hiking, biking, camping or anything that keeps a person moving. The times I am good with sitting is when I’m watching sporting events (Football, Basketball, Baseball, Hockey).

Roger spent 6 years as an Outside Sales Rep with Fireside Office in Fargo, before founding Christianson’s Business Furniture in 1993. 

Christianson’s Business Furniture is the regional dealer for Haworth brand furniture, receiving the Best In Class distinction awarded to Haworth dealerships based on exceptional performance in market development, sales, customer satisfaction, operational excellence and enterprise development. This distinction was award Roger, his wife Kim and their team, in 2022 and multiple years prior.

Congratulations!

January 1, 2023, an acquisition was completed by Fluid, a Minneapolis-based interior solutions company, for Christianson’s Fargo and St. Cloud locations. Roger Christianson will become Fluid’s Regional Market President and will join its executive leadership team.

“Christiansons has always been dedicated to transforming spaces, culture, and wellbeing for our customers and their employees,” said Roger Christianson, President and Owner of Christiansons. “Fluid shares these values.” 

Roger and his team at Christianson’s operated with the vision statement “To be recognized as the leading office dealer in our community, providing superior quality, value and customer service.”

January 1, 2024, the Christiansons Furniture logo was officially retired.

Dave Co-Founded Image Printing in Bismarck in 1994 and acquired the assets of Knight Printing in Fargo in 2017.

Dave commented at the time, “Knight Printing enjoys a great reputation and will immediately help to create incremental scale advantages. Its products and services match exactly with our core expertise and we expect a smooth integration. We look forward to bringing existing new benefits to Image and Knight Printing customers.”

Knight Printing was established in 1888 when Fargo was still young, and North Dakota had not yet become a state. Fred Knight, an east coast printer, hauled a printing press west to the Dakota Territory to start his company. From this humble beginning through today, that very same passion has driven growth and change to meet the challenges of today and provide you with the best printing possible.

Knight occupies a 37,000 square foot production facility and employs over 40 people. Dedication to quality and technology, the sincerest desire to service our clients well, and providing a pleasant and respectful work environment, have led to Knight Printing’s success.

Image Printing in Bismarck, a World Premier Print Award and a World Gold Ink Award Winner, focuses on its niche in design. With a strong graphics department, Image has created and produced award-winning logos, brochures and other print pieces for clients across the country. Image Printing occupies a 31,000 square foot production facility and employs over 40 people, many of whom are working stockholders.

“I can state with confidence that I can help you in your marketing and business promotion efforts. I can also be confident that we can get you the absolute best print project you deserve. But at the heart of what we do, is a undeniable journey of creativity and solution providing.” – Dave

Stacie has spent her entire career in nonprofits, including Director of Information and Crisis Services at FirstLink for 7yrs, before joining The Emergency Food Pantry in 2015. She said every job she has had has been about connecting people with resources.

The Emergency Food Pantry’s mission is to support the community by providing food to reduce hunger. For over 45 years, they have helped feed people in difficult situations.

“For me, if we can have the system in place for people to just say, ‘I’m fed today’ or ‘I’m fed for the week,’ then that’s going to give people the ability to work on other things that need to be stabilized in their life. If we’re hungry, we don’t do well. If you’re trying to figure out how you’re going to pay bills and put food on the table, if we can minimize those choices they have to make, we can help them keep their energy up so they’re able to get beyond that survival situation.”

Stacie is also CEO of STORM Training & Consulting, LLC. Areas of focus include Suicide Prevention, Team Dynamics, Organizational Effectiveness, Resilience, and Motivational Change.

Trent Lee is the founder and CEO of Compass Leadership Advisors, which is dedicated to improving the lives and businesses of Chief Executives and Business Owners. He chairs four CEO / Business Owner private advisory boards for Vistage Worldwide, is a Predictive Index & Line-Of-Sight partner, a former EOS Implementer, and an Independent Exit Planning Strategist for NAVIX.

Trent is a former small business owner, divisional President / General Manager, and Senior Executive with 25+ years of business background.

Trent grew up in Omaha, NE, and spent his summers living and working on the family farm in Central Nebraska. He and his wife Kerri have three children and currently live in Fargo, ND. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney and holds a BS in Business Administration: Finance & Management.

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“Getting the ball over the goal line…it’s a sports analogy that everyone understands but so many businesses get stuck at the one-yard line.

We help business leaders and their organizations plow through the goal line and into the end zone.

Our secret sauce:
Our approach is unique and different. It starts with your data and analytics….which leads to you making great business decisions.

Our process:
I lead Vistage peer advisory boards in the Tri-state region. Vistage is the world’s largest CEO to CEO peer group. It starts with the peer group and includes 1-2-1 executive coaching that gives business owners, CEOs & executives the unbiased, agenda-free insights you can only get from other owners who know what it means to be lonely at the top.

We dive into your Human Capital:
With the Predictive index, Line-Of-Sight and our Talent Optimization platform we use data analytics tools to fix people problems! Spend less time solving problems by inspiring employees, hiring the best talent, measuring engagement, designing amazing teams and executing on the last yard, all rooted in data & science.

It’s all about that last yard:
When it’s time to transition your business, we get you prepared on how to plan & implement an exit strategy. NO….this is not something you can Google online. It’s a multi-disciplinary process that starts years in advance. It’s set in place to save you on taxes and maximize your value. As a NAVIX certified exit planner, we leverage the very best resources so you can have a happy exit.

It all starts with a conversation.

Katherine Kiernan is the dynamic CEO of Sterling Grace, Inc., and the broker/owner of Aspire Realty, where she has established herself as a leader in the real estate industry.

With a career that began at Merrill Lynch, Katherine honed her financial expertise before transitioning into retail banking and branch management, gaining invaluable skills that would later inform her successful real estate career.

For the past decade, Katherine has been recognized as a top real estate agent in the FM Area, a testament to her dedication, market knowledge, and unwavering commitment to her clients. Her impressive track record is complemented by her passion for fostering relationships through impactful connections, ensuring that each client feels valued and understood.

As a proud mother of four and a devoted wife, Katherine balances her professional ambitions with a strong commitment to her family. She believes that personal and professional growth go hand in hand, and is driven by a continuous pursuit of excellence in all areas of her life.

With a vision for innovation and a focus on building lasting relationships, Katherine Kiernan is not only shaping the future of Sterling Grace, Inc. and Aspire Realty but is also making a significant impact in the communities she serves.

“My passion in anything that I’ve done professionally has always grown from the relationships I have formed with my clients. Professionally my career has always been in a Finance focused role. From my first professional experiences at Merrill Lynch as a Client Associate, to an expansive career within banking in roles ranging from Personal Banking to Human Resources to Branch Management the one thing that has always propelled me is forming long-lasting, trust based relationships with all of my clients regardless of their financial standing or personal situations.

This love and passion for the client and the long term picture that recognizes “what we do today will have a long-term, lasting effect” was the catalyst that sent me into the real estate realm. It is my true belief that Real Estate is one of the best wealth harvesting and supporting arenas that one can invest their money in. However, it is one of the most dangerous as well. One bad investment decision can be financially crippling. I have seen this in the past with clients and I have seen that when this situation arrives my banking clients have felt lost.

With this client driven perspective, I dove head first into Realty to assist our clients and loved ones in avoiding these situations head on but also for people to have and advocate to call should they find themselves in this position. This is our passion and all that we strive to for; and when your passion meets your purpose the path is clear and unwavering.” – Katherine

Mac is grateful for the gift of working with 2,500+ brands over his 26-year career. He approaches each day as an opportunity to learn, adapt and grow. This approach to professional continuous improvement has helped Absolute’s clients be successful in their campaigns.

In addition to serving as president of Absolute Studios for the past 18 years, Mac was an adjunct professor for seven years at multiple colleges. Mac’s best accomplishments however are being a father to Hazel (4) and Auggie (13) and husband to Shar (17 years and counting).

Absolute Studios is a full-service agency dedicated to helping businesses build their brands. Our team of strategic thinkers has all the tools to help tell your story across all platforms through consistent, cohesive campaigns. No matter your audience, we understand how they think and how to reach them. From our largest campaigns to our smallest projects, we strive to inject our work with creative that clicks, not just for the sake of being creative, but to communicate your message in a way your audience won’t soon forget.

Absolute Studios is an award-winning creative production team dedicated to helping results-driven professionals build brands with personality. We have the tools in-house to help tell your story across all platforms through consistent, cohesive campaigns.

It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it, where you say it, and to whom you say it to. With an unmatched commitment to building collaborative relationships with our client partners, we create content that clicks with your audiences and keeps them coming back for more.

OUR STORY

In the community of Grand Forks, a groundbreaking idea took shape in 2016. Derek Nolte, with a decade of property management experience, embarked on a new adventure – launching TruHome Property Solutions. Derek’s vision was bold and straightforward: to transform the property management landscape by integrating advanced technology with a deep emphasis on personal connections.

TruHome’s philosophy extends beyond mere property upkeep. Our mission is to make each property a delightful place for its residents. We utilize the latest tech solutions to streamline processes, but our core focus remains on nurturing strong, personal relationships with our clients and residents. Every property we manage is treated as a unique community, deserving of special attention and care.

What truly sets TruHome apart is our dynamic leadership team, collectively holding over 50 years of industry expertise. Guided by Derek’s leadership, we’re a group united by a shared passion: to redefine the standards of property management. For us, TruHome is more than a business – it’s a family committed to excellence and innovation.

Today, TruHome stands as a pillar of innovation in Grand Forks, ND. We have grown to a formidable team of 20, managing 700 residential rentals. But our impact goes beyond numbers. We’re deeply invested in the community, consistently seeking ways to contribute positively and foster a spirit of togetherness.

As we look to the future, our dedication to being industry leaders remains unwavering. Our goal is to continually set new precedents in property management, creating thriving communities and enhancing the quality of living for our clients. We invite you to join us on this exciting journey as TruHome continues to innovate, grow, and reshape the world of property management.

Our four-member leadership team at TruHome Property Solutions, made up of four dedicated professionals, brings together more than 50 years of expertise in the property management industry. We’re recognized for our top-notch professionalism and extensive range of property management services.

As a results-driven organization, we believe that customer service is the pillar of everything we do. The TruHome team is comprised of knowledgeable management and maintenance professionals whose primary goal is to provide residents with an excellent customer experience and property owners with cost-effective solutions to all of their property management needs.

Some of our primary services include:
• Resident services including listing available properties, screening and interviewing potential residents, lease management, rent collection, and ongoing resident management
• Property management services such as ongoing and emergency maintenance, managing accounting and regulatory paperwork, coordinating all units and leasing, and facilitating Certificate of Occupancy inspections

In 2017, Kelsey turned her exciting fun side hustle into small yet mighty advertising, marketing, and communication agency. A former journalist turned marketing specialist, Kelsey manages client strategy, business development, and day-to-day operations.

To explore your organization’s marketing strategy, messaging and social media management with Kelsey, call us at 218-464-8851 or email hello@kerocreative.com

Copywriting • Videography • Photography • Social Media Management • Website Design & Development • Digital Ads and Analytics

Kero Creative is a full-service advertising, marketing and communications agency — and we believe honesty is the best way for companies to build brands people can truly believe in.

What We Do
• We commit. When we say, “yours truly,” we mean it. We have a solid Midwest work ethic and strong commitment to clients. We do everything we can to deliver on our promises.
• We connect. From up-and-coming startups to mid-size corporations, our creative process relies on truthful storytelling to find customers and connect them with story-driven content.

Why Work With Us
• We’re curious. We’re energetic. We’re excellent communicators.
• We’re go-getters who invest time daily in studying the latest trends impacting our industry.
• Our experienced content creators love language, and use it to capture your audience’s attention and help messages resonate.
• As a small, growing agency ourselves, we know exactly how to manage successful campaigns on a budget.
-We are open and communicative with our clients. If we make a mistake, we’ll come right out and say it.

I approach the world through the lens of an entrepreneur who believes businesses have the potential to become a driving force in the success of surrounding communities.

Over the years, I have learned to what drives the local, regional, and national economy. As I open this Schooley Mitchell location, I am focused on delivering direct, tangible financial value to businesses that allow funds to be reinvested towards furthering capital development.

I believe there are always opportunities to grow your capital, whether it be financial, physical, or human. I’ve seen firsthand the pain points that exist, limiting business leader’s ability to achieve sustainable future revenue. I take a proactive approach to helping companies improve their bottom line which is now my focus as an Optimization Specialist at Schooley Mitchell.

What We Do

We analyze our client’s expenses across several cost categories to determine whether they are overspending, and if cost-saving solutions can be found. Once we present our findings, if the client chooses to move forward with implementation, we remain as a single point of contact for ongoing monitoring, analysis, and support.

Our independent and objective recommendations are based solely on the client’s best interests. Consultants receive no kickbacks, residuals, or incentives from providers.

Schooley Mitchell’s only fees are self-funded from the savings generated. If savings aren’t found, our clients don’t pay – a truly risk-free and mutually beneficial model.

Paul Meyers