2023 Wisdom Chain
October 2 – 4, 2023
Medora, North Dakota
Servant Leadership
Featured guests from Yellowstone Strategies will uncover the future of work and leadership. Engage with thought leaders on topics including technology’s societal impact, adaptable leadership, healthy work environments, and driving positive change.
Wisdom Chain Registration
Business Members
FREE
General Registration
$500.00
Featured Speakers
Vern Dosch
Vern Dosch has over 40 years of experience in leading information technology, and utility and telecommunications cooperative solutions. Vern was most recently the CEO of National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC), and information technology cooperative headquartered in Mandan, North Dakota.
Vern is a true believer in the values outlined in “Wired Differently”, a book which he co-authored in order to highlight the benefit of servant leadership and to tell the story of how cooperative values can lead to better solutions. The essence of the book came down to this: Do the right thing always. Serve others. Live your ethics out loud.
Vern is a graduate of Bismarck State College and the University of Mary, both in Bismarck, ND.
Mike Eggl
Mike Eggl has nearly 30 years of public policy, administrative and leadership experience. During his service as Senior Vice President at Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Mike was responsible for the successful completion of $100 million plus agreements as well as the development of the enterprise-wide planning process. In addition, he was in charge of a $50 million per year IT budget, human resources, communications, government relations and corporate services.
Mike started his career working in Washington, D.C. for the U.S. Senate with a primary focus on energy, natural resources and economic development.
Mike is also one of the founders of Brave the Shave, a non-profit organization that provides financial support to children with cancer and their families as well as for cutting edge children’s cancer research.
Wally Goulet
Wally Goulet is a former Trial Attorney and business executive who has led major business development and property acquisitions in various industries including the Electric, Telecommunications and Software Industries. He has represented municipal, civic, church and professional groups and been involved with public policy development throughout his career, having served as both a federal and state lobbyist.
Wally retired in 2015, after serving thirteen years as General Counsel and Chief Risk Manager for a 1300+ employee software organization that creates and installs enterprise software for over 750 Electric and Telecommunication companies in 50 States and Canada. In 2015, Wally co-authored the book entitled ‘Wired Differently,’ describing the cooperative business model, servant leadership and creating a shared value business culture.
Wally currently is a board member for the Center for Action and Contemplation. He has been appointed by four different North Dakota Governors to serve on state commissions including service as the Chairperson of the North Dakota Economic Development Foundation and as Co-Chairperson of the Olmstead Commission. As a servant leader, he brings his legal background, negotiation, public relations and counseling skills helping make good organizations great and reach their full potential.
Niles Hushka
Niles Hushka has built a career based on his innovative philosophies and creative solutions in the engineering and business community. He served as president and CEO of KLJ. During his nine-year term he led the company from a 300-person local firm to an 800-employee regional company.
He serves on several boards of directors including Blue Cross Blue Shield North Dakota. He is a longtime member of the American Consulting Engineers Council and the National Society of Professional Engineers. He also chaired the Bismarck-Mandan Development Association.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from NDSU in 1978. He retired from KLJ in December 2016 and has since started several small businesses.
Eric Washburn
Eric Washburn has a lifetime of experience in the public policy and consulting sector on matters relating to energy, natural resources, international trade and a wide range of other issues. Clients look to Eric for seasoned expertise stemming from a career in key leadership posts on Capitol Hill, including stints as legislative director for Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, senior advisor to Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Democratic Staff Director for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
Eric wrote the first Renewable Fuel Standard legislation while working for Majority Leader Daschle and oversaw the development and Senate passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2002. Eric also led the development of Senate Democratic Caucus strategy on a range of environment and energy issues, including tax policy, oil and gas production, biofuels, regulatory reform, clean air, endangered species and global climate change. He previously worked for Senator Harry Reid as the Democratic Staff Director for the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee.
JOE WIEGAND
Joe Wiegand is the world’s premiere Theodore Roosevelt reprisor. As an actor and historian, Joe’s portrayals of Theodore Roosevelt in live performances have people wondering if TR has come back to life.
Joe Wiegand is a political science graduate of The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Joe launched his own business as a political campaign consultant and public policy expert and was working in public policy and running election campaigns when he began performing as Theodore Roosevelt in 2002.
In 2008, Joe, his wife, Jenny, daughter, Sam, and golden retriever, Faith, traveled across America in celebration of Theodore Roosevelt’s 150th birthday and the final centennial year of TR’s historic presidency. Performances at the White House and TR’s New York City birthplace highlighted the fifty state adventure. Joe has been featured as President Roosevelt in “The Men Who Built America” on the History Channel, served as the model for the newest TR sculpture at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, and has a feature role in “National Parks Adventure” a film about our national parks still showing in IMAX theaters throughout the country.
Event Itinerary
Monday, October 2
4:00pm Arrivals begin | Rough Riders Hotel
5:30pm hors d’oeuvres and Welcome from Joe Wiegand and Vern Dosch
Tuesday, October 3
7:30am Connecting in Nature: a business strategy | Point to Point Trail
*please bring clothes and shoes suitable for a short, moderate hike.
10:00am Servant Leadership with Vern Dosch | Rough Riders Hotel
11:15am Break Out Sessions | Rough Riders Hotel
– “Keeping your balance” – Wally Goulet
– Connecting to nature in business – Eric Washburn
– Moving the needle – Mike Eggl
– Becoming a leader – Vern Dosch
12:30pm Lunch
2:15pm Break Out Sessions | Rough Riders Hotel
3:30pm Break Out Sessions | Rough Riders Hotel
6:00pm Dinner
Wednesday , October 4
8:30am Breakfast
9:30am Responding to the Speed of Change with Niles Huschka | Rough Riders Hotel
10:30am Break Out Sessions | Rough Riders Hotel
11:30am Wrap Up
7:30pm Million Dollar Quartet | Old Town Hall Theater
*Not required but a Medora Must See