Stuart Savelkoul

Stuart Savelkoul is a talker. That’s what earned him the North American Debating championship, and it’s how he became the director of a state association at a young age. That, and he’s motivated.

Age: 27

Position: Executive director, North Dakota Public Employee Association

Family: Wife, Rebecca

Hobbies: I’m a big sports fan; I just wish that I were a little better at playing them.

Career Path: I spent four years working for Dickinson State as its housing coordinator and as an adjunct lecturer of communications. Last summer, I was hired to be the campaign director for a coalition that had formed in opposition to Statewide Ballot Measures 1 and 2. NDPEA was a member of the coalition, and I was pegged to fill the position of executive director after our success in the November elections.

Mentors: I have an incredibly supportive mom. Growing up, she provided me with daily guidance and encouragement. I also had a truly great supervisor at DSU, Dr. George McClellan, who taught me discipline and professionalism.

Briefly, tell us about yourself: Everything that I have ever accomplished in my life can be pretty easily traced back to the fact that I like to talk. I talk so much that I’ve gotten pretty good at it. I was able to talk a truly wonderful woman into marrying me and I was able to talk my way into some really great jobs. For a while, I even had a job teaching other people how to talk. Our lives are nothing if not a collection of stories, and I share mine with anyone who will listen.

What motivates you? I am competitive to a fault. I like to win and I hate to let down anyone who is counting on me.

Challenges in your career path: The decision to leave my first job was a difficult one for me. It is hard to abandon a job that you know how to do, with people that you enjoy working with, for the unknown.

What challenges do you face as a young professional, particularly during difficult economic times? Everything comes down to expectations and credibility. When someone has been working in the same field for 20 years, they are expected to know what they are talking about. When they meet potential clients or investors, they do so with the automatic credibility one gains from experience. When you are young and working in a field dominated by people 20 years older than you are, the expectations are the opposite and you have to earn your credibility.

What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken? Tough to say, but I’ll bet it happened at a roulette wheel somewhere.

Anything you’re particularly proud of? My senior year of college I competed in the 2004 North American Debating Championships against Harvard, Yale, and the top graduate schools in the U.S. and Canada. I was the only American to make it into the Public Speaking finals and I won.

What advice would you offer other young professionals? Figure out what you like to do and then figure out a way to make a living doing it. When your high school guidance counselor told you that you should look forward to going to work in the morning, he or she wasn’t lying to you.

What are you thankful for? My great friends and family, my good luck, and the fine people in my professional life who have been willing to take a chance on me.

What do you see yourself doing in 10 years? I see myself as the executive director of NDPEA. Hopefully, I’ll be in better shape by then and maybe I’ll have a mustache. -marriage and counseling services); 2) 4-H adult leadership, promotion and fundraising, past chair of State 4-H Foundation; 3) past president of Minot Sunrise Rotary; 4) past Chair of “Project CLEAN”, a Minot Chamber-based community betterment organization; and 5) currently serve on many non-profit boards directed at rural development, trade, economic development, & community development.

Career Path: NDSU – Ag Econ Degree (1992); Hamline University School of Law – J.D. in Law (1994); McGee Law Firm, Minot – Attorney/ Partner (1995-2001); Federal Housing Finance Board – Counsel to Chair (2002-2003); USDA Rural Development – Special Assistant to Under Secretary (2004), Acting Associate Administrator, Rural Housing Service (2004), Chief of Staff (2004-2005); Deputy Commerce Commissioner (2005); Commerce Commissioner (2005- Present)

Mentors: Grandfather (Leonard Goettle), Parents (James & Doris Goettle)

Briefly, tell us about yourself (you in a nutshell): I was raised on a cattle ranch and small grains farm near Donnybrook, North Dakota. I have always loved learning. I have a strong appreciation for family and community. I enjoy public service, politics, and working with a team to accomplish results.

What motivates you? Family, faith, freedom, competition, and excellence in human effort. I also have a deep appreciation for history and the “American Experiment”.

Challenges in your career path: My two biggest challenges were building my law practice and then making a significant career move to Washington, D.C. But I enjoy challenges, and met both of these challenges successfully.

What challenges do you face as a young professional, particularly during difficult economic times? Despite the global and national economic challenges, North Dakota is positioned better than most other states and regions. My personal challenge is to keep the momentum going at the Commerce Department in our efforts to support entrepreneurship, business development, workforce development, tourism and community development.

What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken? Starting a new career path in Washington, D.C. It was a big risk professionally, because I left a growing legal practice to embark on a new professional career adventure.

Anything you’re particularly proud of? Of all the things I have done in life, I am most proud of my marriage and my children.

What advice would you offer other young professionals? Every moment at work is an opportunity for excellence, integrity, leadership and service. If you put these values at the forefront of everything you do, you will earn respect and a great sense of fulfillment, no matter the type of work.

What are you thankful for? The gift of life and good health. I am also thankful for family and many deep and abiding friendships.

What do you see yourself doing in 10 years? My experience has taught me to keep my options open. In all honesty, I can see several “paths”. One path is continuing public service, perhaps running for and serving in an elected capacity. Another path is a return to private sector, perhaps starting my own business, joining an established business in a management role, or returning to the practice of law. All of these things are possibilities within my 10 year horizon.