ANNUAL MEETING
JOIN US IN WATFORD CITY on September 15 and 16, 2026,
for networking, speakers, annual awards, and more!
AGENDA
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2026
Attire: Business Casual
All times are in Central Time.
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Check-In and Registration
Rough Rider Center, main level
2209 Wolves Den Parkway, Watford City, ND
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Welcome Social and Hors d’oeuvres for Annual Meeting Registrants
Rough Rider Center, main level
2209 Wolves Den Parkway, Watford City, ND
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2026
The Annual Meeting will take place in the Arena, located on the lower level of the Rough Rider Center.
Attire: Business
8:00 a.m.
Check-In and Registration
Rough Rider Center, lower level
2209 Wolves Den Parkway, Watford City, ND 58854
8:00 a.m.
The Big Bakken Breakfast
Sponsored by BITCO Insurance
Rough Rider Center Field House, lower level
morning session from 9:00 a.m. to Noon
9:00 a.m.
Opening Remarks
Ron Ness, President, North Dakota Petroleum Council
9:05 a.m.
Star-Spangled Banner
Performed by Emily Walker, Watford City High School Student
9:10 a.m.
Welcome
Dale Patten, North Dakota Senator
9:15 a.m.
Energy = Growth + Resilience + Hope
Vernon Dosch, Author
10:00 a.m.
NDPC Annual Business Meeting & Year-in-Review
Todd Slawson, President, Slawson, Companies; Chairman, North Dakota Petroleum Council
10:30 – 10:50 a.m.
Break
10:50 a.m.
The Path Forward: A chat with Bill Groffy, Principal Deputy Director, Bureau of Land Management, and Nathan Anderson, Director, North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources
Moderated by Ron Ness, President, North Dakota Petroleum Council
12:00 p.m.
Chairman’s Luncheon & NDPC Awards
Lunch served in Rough Rider Center Field House
12:30 p.m.
North Dakota Petroleum Foundation Year-In-Review – Kate Klossner, Vice President of Government Relations and Public Communications, SOGC; and Board Member, North Dakota Petroleum Foundation
North Dakota Petroleum Council 2026 Awards
NDPC Outstanding Public Service Award – Dave Glatt, Retired Director, North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality
NDPC Outstanding Public Service Award – Mike Lefor, Majority Leader, North Dakota House of Representatives
NDPC Member of the Year – ONEOK
1:00 – 1:15 p.m.
Break
Afternoon SESSION from 1:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
1:15 p.m.
Future Energy Champions
Mike Heger, District 33 House Candidate
Corey Johnson, District 23 House Candidate
Brent Schwan, District 26 House Candidate
Moderated by Josh DeMorrett, Director, State Government Affairs, ConocoPhillips, and Chair, NDPC Legislative Committee
2:00 p.m.
Reversing America’s Higher Education Crisis: A North Dakota Bluprint
Brent Sanford, Commissioner, North Dakota University System
Marshall Stewart, President, North Dakota State University
Brian Kalk, President, Bismarck State College
Moderated by Kevin Black, CEO, Creedence Energy Services, and Chair of the ND Board of Higher Education
2:45 p.m.
Wisdom from the Wise
Jeff Herman, Region Manager, Petro-Hunt, LLC
Lynn Moser, President, Inland Oil & Gas
Todd Slawson, President, Slawson Companies
Moderated by Kathy Neset, President, NESET
3:30 p.m.
Adjourn
2026 Premier Partners
Our events and efforts aren't possible without the support of our members. Thanks to all our Premier Partners for their sponsorship! Learn more about becoming a Premier Partner here.
