Contents
Doug Burgum, First Wife, Biography, Wiki, Height, Net Worth, Political Career
Douglas James Burgum is a prominent American entrepreneur and politician who is the 33rd governor of North Dakota since 2016. He is one of the wealthiest governors in the United States.
In this article we will look at Doug Burgum Biography, first & Second wife, political career, net worth and a whole lot about him.
Biography and Wiki
Full Name: Douglas James Burgum
Known as: 33rd Governor of North Dakota (December 15, 2016 – Present)
Party: Republican
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: August 1, 1956
Place of Birth: Arthur, North Dakota, U.S.
Spouse: Karen Stoker (m. 1991 and div. 2003), Kathryn Helgaas (m. 2016)
Children: 3
Profession: Politician, Businessman, Investor
Height: not available
Weight: not available
Net Worth: $1.1 billion
Early Years and Education
Douglas James Burgum, born on August 1, 1956, in Arthur, North Dakota, is the son of Katherine and Joseph Boyd Burgum.
He attended North Dakota State University (NDSU), graduating with an undergraduate degree in 1978. During his senior year at NDSU, Burgum applied to the Stanford Graduate School of Business while simultaneously initiating a chimney-sweeping venture.
His unique story as a chimney sweep gained attention, even reaching the Stanford admissions office, where he was ultimately accepted. At Stanford, he forged a friendship with Steve Ballmer, the future CEO of Microsoft, collaborating on a project team during his final year.
In 1980, Burgum earned his MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, after which he commenced his professional journey in Chicago as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company.
Over the years, he received honorary doctorates from North Dakota State in 2000 and the University of Mary in 2006. Despite being offered the role of president at North Dakota State University in 2009, Burgum was passed over for Dean Bresciani in 2010.
Read more: Rick Scott – Net Worth 2024, Daughter, Height, Bio, political career
Career
Founded Great Plains Software
In March 1983, Douglas James Burgum embarked on a significant chapter of his career by mortgaging $250,000 of farmland to establish Great Plains Software, an accounting software company based in Fargo, North Dakota.
Taking the reins as the company’s president in 1984, he orchestrated a buyout with a small group of family members.
During the 1980s, under Burgum’s leadership, Fortune magazine consistently recognized Great Plains Software among the nation’s top 100 companies to work for.
By 1989, the company had expanded to around 250 employees, achieving approximately $300 million in annual sales and culminating in a successful initial public offering (IPO) in 1997. Burgum’s strategic use of the Internet played a pivotal role in expanding the company beyond North Dakota.
In 1999, Great Plains Software acquired Match Data Systems, a development team based in the Philippines. In a pivotal move in 2001, Burgum negotiated the sale of Great Plains Software to Microsoft for a staggering $1.1 billion. He attributed the success of building the company in Fargo to its proximity to North Dakota State University, which served as a valuable source of engineering talent.
Senior Vice President of Microsoft Business Solutions Group
Following the acquisition, Burgum assumed the role of Senior Vice President of Microsoft Business Solutions Group, a subsidiary formed by integrating Great Plains into Microsoft. At Microsoft, he played a key role in prioritizing enterprise applications.
In 2005, expressing a desire for change, Burgum considered stepping down as senior vice president to become the chairman of Microsoft Business Solutions.
However, by September 2006, he announced his intention to leave Microsoft by 2007. His departure paved the way for Satya Nadella, who credited Burgum with inspiring him to uncover the essence of Microsoft’s identity.
Co-founder of Arthur Ventures/ Founder of Kilbourne Group
In 2008, Burgum diversified his endeavors by co-founding Arthur Ventures, a venture capital firm specializing in technology, life sciences, and clean technologies.
Beginning with a $20 million fund, Arthur Ventures initially focused on investments in North Dakota and Minnesota but expanded its reach to Nebraska, Missouri, Arizona, and Iowa by 2013.
Simultaneously, Burgum established the Kilbourne Group, a real estate development firm concentrated on revitalizing Downtown Fargo. One of its notable projects was the construction of the RDO Tower, formerly known as Block 9 or Dakota Place, a 23-story mixed-use building completed in 2020.
Board Memberships and Advisory Positions
Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Burgum has played an influential role in board memberships and advisory positions. He served on the advisory board for the Stanford Graduate School of Business and was on the board of SuccessFactors, eventually becoming its chairman from 2007 until the company’s sale to SAP in 2011.
Read more: Dean Phillips biography, net worth, height, weight, career, Leadership
In 2012, he assumed the role of the first chairman of the Board for Atlassian. Additionally, Burgum contributed to Intelligent InSites as interim CEO in 2011 and 2014, where he has served as the executive chairman of the Board since 2008. His extensive board involvement also includes joining Avalara’s board of directors in 2011.
Political Career
Douglas James Burgum initially entered politics through endorsements, backed Republican Steve Sydness for a U.S. Senate seat in 1988, and supported gubernatorial campaigns of Republicans John Hoeven and Jack Dalrymple in 2008 and 2012.
Governorship (2016 to Present)
Burgum ventured into electoral politics in 2016, entering the race for governor of North Dakota as a Republican. Despite lacking formal political experience, he secured the party’s nomination by defeating longtime Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem in the primary election.
Subsequently, he triumphed in the general election against Democrat Marvin Nelson and Libertarian Marty Riske, winning with over 75% of the vote. Burgum and Lieutenant Governor Brent Sanford were inaugurated on December 15, 2016.
Distinguishing himself among Republicans, Burgum committed North Dakota to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 while supporting a robust fossil fuel industry. His strategy involves implementing carbon capture and storage technology to sequester carbon dioxide in the state’s geological formations.
Additionally, he advocates for using carbon dioxide in enhanced oil recovery and supports agricultural practices promoting carbon storage in soil.
Under Burgum’s leadership, the Vision Zero project, launched in 2018, significantly reduced traffic deaths in North Dakota. He was reelected in 2020 with over 65% of the vote.
In 2023, Burgum faced challenges, with Lieutenant Governor Brent Sanford resigning in December, leading to the appointment of Tammy Miller as his successor. Burgum vetoed a bill to raise the state interstate speed limit to 80 mph and signed legislation offering tax relief exceeding $500 million.
Burgum’s political positions reflect a nuanced approach. His stance on abortion involves signing a near-total ban in the state but expressing a preference for states to decide on abortion restrictions. He has been supportive of gun rights, receiving an A grade from the NRA Political Victory Fund.
On national security, Regarding LGBT issues, he criticized the 2020 Republican platform and signed bills with some labeling them as “anti-trans.”
In education, he signed a law banning the teaching of critical race theory in North Dakota K-12 schools, expressing a belief that federal regulations hinder school innovation.
Notably, Burgum embarked on a presidential campaign for the 2024 United States election. Despite spending heavily on advertisements and qualifying for several primary debates, he suspended his campaign on December 4, citing frustration with the Republican National Committee’s high thresholds for donations and polling.
Doug Burgum first wife first and second wife
Here we will take a look at Doug Burgum’s personal life and family.
Doug Burgum first wife
Doug Burgum married his first wife, Karen Stoker, in 1991, and together, they welcomed three children into their family before concluding their marriage in 2003.
Doug Burgum second wife
Subsequently, in 2016, he remarried Kathryn Helgaas. Serving as the first lady of North Dakota, Kathryn Burgum has been an advocate for the Recovery Reinvented program, addressing issues related to addiction and recovery.
Philanthropy
Beyond his political endeavors, Burgum is actively engaged in philanthropy, extending support to various causes, including the Plains Art Museum. In 2001, he contributed to a refurbished school building acquired in 2000 by North Dakota State University.
Named Renaissance Hall, the building now houses the university’s visual arts department, significant architecture and landscape architecture department, and the Tri-College University office.
Also, Burgum established the Doug Burgum Family Fund in 2008. The fund was dedicated to charitable contributions, specifically concerning youth, education, and health.
Doug Burgum Height, Weight
Doug Burgum height and weight is not available at the moment, we will keep you updated when it is made public.
Net Worth
Burgum is one of the wealthiest governors known for his business prowess and has a net worth of $1.1 billion, which is quite impressive.