Board of Directors
Richard M. Braaten - President
Retired Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer at American State Bank & Trust Co., Williston, ND. He has a Bachelor of Business Management from Evangel University, Springfield, MO. He is currently the Chair Elect of the Independent Bankers of North Dakota Association. He is past president of the Salvation Army, past president of the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce, past president of the school board for Trinity Christian School and is a former board member for United Way.
Brad Bekkedahl - Vice President
Semi-retired dentist in Williston, ND. He has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Jamestown, Jamestown, ND; a Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; and a Doctor of Dental Surgery form the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Minneapolis, MN. He served in the US Army Reserves from 1996-2000 and currently is a Colonel with the North Dakota National Guard. He served on the Williston Park Board and is a director emeritus with USA Hockey. He currently serves on the Williston City Commission and is a North Dakota State Senator.
Dwight A. Richter - Secretary-Treasure
Owner of Dwight A. Richter Insurance Agency, Inc., Williston, ND. He started as a team member with State Farm in Bismarck, ND, in 1987, and began his agency career in 1992. Mr. Richter has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND. He is currently chair of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church’s Mardi Gras fundraiser and is the church’s representative on Banquet West (a community event that provides a free meal to those in need). He is a retired volunteer fireman, former member of St. Joseph’s Church Council, and past president of St. Joseph’s Finance Council. He previously served on the board of Mercy Medical Center.
Rev. Sheldon McGorman - Director
Senior pastor of the Watford City Assembly of God Church, Watford City, ND. He started at Watford City Assembly of God in 2000 as the youth pastor and became senior pastor in 2007. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Ministerial and Bible from Trinity Bible College, Ellendale, ND. He is the past president of the McKenzie County Ministerial Association. He volunteered as chaplain for the nursing home and Johnson Corners Christian Academy. In addition, he proctored classes and taught chapel services at Johnson Corners Christian Academy.
Rev. Winston Titus – Ex Officio Director
District Superintendent of the ND District Council of the Assemblies of God, a position he has held since 2017. Prior to that, he was executive/senior pastor at churches in North Dakota. He is currently an adjunct instructor at Trinity Bible College, Ellendale, ND, and is the former vice president of administration at the college. Rev. Titus has a Master of Arts Degree in Missional Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology/Pastoral Studies from Trinity Bible College. He studied business administration/management at Minot State University. He serves on the board of Trinity Bible College, North Dakota Adult and Teen Challenge, and North Central University.
Rev. Vondell Brandt – Ex Officio Director
Lead Pastor of Life Church in Williston, ND since 2021. He has been part of the youth ministry in Minot, ND for eight years. He was Associate Pastor in Devils Lake, ND for five years. Rev. Brandt received seminary training through Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, MN.