Mortenson Moves into Interim Director of the Food and Ag Development Center (FADC) at Bear Paw

Riley Mortenson, current ASMSUN President, and Spring 2021 Agriculture Operations Technology graduate has accepted a position as Interim Director of the Food and Ag Development Center at Bear Paw Development Corporation.

Riley is a recent graduate of the Agriculture Operations Technology program, graduating with a minor in Small Business Management. This fall, she has returned to complete a second bachelor's in Business Administration, a minor in Business Technology, and a Certificate of Applied Science in Welding Technology. Riley has been very active on campus serving as the ASMSUN President for her third consecutive term and was the PAS Club Secretary from 2018-2020 and Vice President from February 2020 to August 2020. She is also a member of SkillsUSA, NSLS, AAUS, and Collegiate Stockgrowers. She says the combination of rigorous academic coursework and leadership activities has prepared her for this position. She is excited to take on new roles and assist the agriculture community with business development.

Riley started her career with Bear Paw Development Corporation in October 2020 as their COVID-19 Business Advisor. As the Interim Director of Food and Ag Development, Riley is responsible for assisting producers and local agribusinesses with marketing and business planning. She helps entrepreneurs in the value-added industry access infrastructure, build capital, conduct feasibility studies and become overall more effective businesses. She is familiar with community loan funds and commercial lending institutions and can help business owners find the right source of capital for their enterprise. Outside of her direct work with business owners, Riley engages in networking and outreach activities that solicit interest in food, agriculture, and alternative energy projects as well as promote economic development in the region. She is looking forward to meeting new and established business owners and is optimistic about the ag entrepreneurial outlook in the region.

Riley is just another example of Northern alumni making her degree work! Way to go Riley!