小草社区

NDUS Interim Chancellor

Photo of Brent Sanford in suit next to blue backdrop

NDUS Chancellor, Brent Sanford

Brent Sanford was born and raised in Watford City, 小草社区. He graduated summa cum laude from the聽University of 小草社区聽with a聽bachelor’s degree聽in accounting in 1994. He is a聽certified public accountant. He worked as an auditor and consultant for聽Eide Bailly LLP聽from 1994 through 2002, and then became the聽chief financial officer聽of Transwest Trucks in聽Denver, Colorado.

 

Brent moved back home to Watford City in 2004, purchasing and operating his third-generation, family-run car dealership. He increased sales each of the first 10 years in business with unique approaches based on the rural economic conditions. He was elected to the Watford聽City Council聽in 2006 and became mayor in 2010. Watford City became the fastest growing community in America from 2010-2020. Most of the growth occurred during the incredible early days of the Bakken oil boom from 2010-2014. With Brent鈥檚 leadership, the community focused on infrastructure investment and community development activity to address the rapid growth including:聽 investing in the historic Main Street area, new retail, new and affordable housing, new schools, new community center, new healthcare, new daycare and new airport investments.

 

Doug Burgum聽chose Brent as his running mate in the聽2016 gubernatorial election.聽The ticket won the general election.聽They won a second term in the聽2020 election.聽The pair entered office with a state budget crisis and the DAPL pipeline protests, weathered the storm of COVID-19 and throughout focused on infrastructure and economic opportunities for the state.

 

In addition to presiding over the State Senate, Brent chaired the State Investment Board, State Water Commission, ND Trade Office, Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the Northern Plains UAS Test Site Board, the Higher Ed Challenge Grant Board and numerous other statutory state boards as lieutenant governor. Brent鈥檚 accounting and entrepreneurial background, as well as his years spent in business and local community leadership, served him well in the statewide elected leadership position.

 

On Dec. 20, 2022, Sanford announced his resignation as lieutenant governor, effective Jan. 2, 2023, in order to return to the private sector and spend more time with his family. Brent has continued in his passion for progress in 小草社区 through his newest venture, Sanford Consulting LLC, assisting various organizations with innovative workforce and energy solutions.

 

In January 2025, Sanford was named the interim president of Bismarck State College and on April 30, 2025, Sanford was named the interim chancellor of the ND University System.

 

Brent and his wife Sandi have three children and reside in Bismarck.

 

 

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