Rural Leadership North Dakota Selects New Advisory Council Members

Kristi Schultz and Brady Pelton have been selected to serve a three-year term on North Dakota State University's Rural Leadership North Dakota (RLND) Council. In addition to providing overall program direction, council members also develop policies and procedures, advocate for the program, maintain appropriate fiscal policies, and assist with class selection.

"The RLND Council serves to help steer the program towards the future and ensures RLND continues to prepare and develop effective leaders to strengthen rural North Dakota," says Katie Tyler, NDSU Extension specialist and program director for RLND.

Kristi Schultz is an RLND Class VII alum. She currently serves as a learning and development facilitator and coach at Border States. She has served as a member of the North Dakota Soybean Council Communication Committee (2016-2019), the secretary for North Dakota Cattlewomen (2017-2019), the president of the RLND Alumni Association (2022-2023), a program advisor for the Women in Leadership Program at University of North Dakota, and as parish secretary for two congregations (2014-current). The Schultz family farms near Embden, and she works diligently to strengthen the community.

Brady Pelton is the vice president and general counsel for the North Dakota Petroleum Council, where he advises on legal matters and advocates for Council membership on key issues affecting the oil and gas industry. Prior to this role, Pelton was the deputy executive director of the North Dakota Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties (today the Western Dakota Energy Association), acting as the organization's lead lobbyist and representing the interests of western North Dakota's counties, cities and school districts. Pelton is also an active member of the Bismarck Rotary Club, the State Bar Association of North Dakota, the North Dakota Lobbyist Association and the Landman's Association of North Dakota. He also serves as a trustee of the Fairview Cemetery Association.

"It is with great pleasure we welcome Kristi and Brady to the RLND Advisory Council," says Cory McCaskey, chair of the RLND Council. "We look forward to their involvement and commitment as we continue to advance leaders, communities, and agriculture throughout North Dakota."

The RLND Program is a statewide leadership development program that includes seminars with experts; on-site tours and presentations; meetings with agriculture, business, and government leaders; an international experience and personal skills development. The RLND Program is dedicated to strengthening the agriculture community, communities, and the state of North Dakota for the future.