Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library makes key North Dakota hires

 

The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum added two key members of the team in North Dakota: Kenneth Vein joins the organization as the Director of Design and Construction and Courtland Miller is the Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives. 

Ken Vein served for nearly twenty years as a Senior Leader and as Administrative Director of Plant and Facilities for Altru Health System in Grand Forks, North Dakota, responsible for the plan, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and regulatory compliance for all medical facilities at Altru’s Regional Medical Campuses in Grand Forks and Regional Clinics in northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. 

“Ken brings experience and leadership to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library,” said Cathilea Robinett, chair of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation. “He showed grace under fire in the 1997 Flood, and ran complex medical facilities for nearly two decades. He is a public servant, and a proud North Dakotan. The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum is in good, capable hands with Ken.” 

Ken will immediately get to work on vetting potential sites in and around Medora, North Dakota. Working with the Medora community, Billings County, the state of North Dakota, and the National Park Service, Ken’s first task is reducing the possible sites to less than three by March 31, 2020, and making recommendations toward finalizing site selection before the end of next year. 

“It is truly an honor to be a part of the team, implementing a project that will be an everlasting tribute to Theodore Roosevelt – one of the great presidents of the United States,” said Vein. “Exemplifying that honor is knowing not only the impact that North Dakota had on Theodore Roosevelt, but also the impact that Theodore Roosevelt had on North Dakota.” 

“The T.R. Library is on the cusp of a momentous year: a design competition, design concepts, selection of a site and architect, and an ambitious capital campaign,” said Edward F. O’Keefe, Chief Executive Officer of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. “But, as anyone who has ever built in North Dakota knows from experience, it all begins with understanding where you’re building. Ken is on board the team to help us understand and tackle that challenge the right way.” 

From 1984 to 2000, Vein was the City Engineer and Public Works Director for the City of Grand Forks, with critical roles including program manager for the construction of the Alerus Center, the city’s indoor arena and convention center, and Tri-Chair for Recovery following the devastating Red River flood in 1997, which resulted in over $1 billion in damages. During flood recovery, Vein oversaw rehabilitation of 

all public infrastructure and implementation of permanent flood protection, working directly with the Corps of Engineers, FEMA, Geological Survey, and many other state and federal agencies. 

Vein is also Vice President of the Grand Forks City Council (elected in 2012) and is Vice Chair of the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District (elected in 2008). He was appointed by Governor Doug Burgum to the Fargo-Moorhead Area Flood Diversion Task Force (2017), the Devils Lake Outlet Management Advisory Committee (2018), the Lower Pembina River Basin Advisory Board (2019), and the High-Level Radioactive Waste Advisory Council (2019). 

He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, and resides in Grand Forks, North Dakota with his wife, Debra. 

Courtland Miller has also joined the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum effort as the Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives. 

In this role, Miller is charged with the strategic planning including budgeting, economic analysis, timeline and milestone estimates, and impact studies. Miller will research, investigate, and present strategic options for every step of the critical planning and execution process, from concept to construction. His role will be as a key advisor to the CEO, and an important liaison with the North Dakota community, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation Board, and state and local leaders. 

“I couldn't be more excited for the opportunity to work on this bold project,” said Miller. “Theodore Roosevelt was a larger-than-life, multifaceted person, and this presidential library will be a platform for learning not only about him, but from him. The fact that this world-class institution will draw citizens into 'the arena' from my beloved home state of North Dakota - where Roosevelt was healed by nature and transformed into a leader after unimaginable loss - brings this project even closer to my heart.” 

“Courtland has an entrepreneurial spirit, and brings ideas and energy to one of the most ambitious North Dakota projects in a generation,” said O’Keefe. “He brings the skills and passion this project needs to be successful.” 

Miller worked most recently as a market research analyst for the Kilbourne Group, supporting the mission of making Fargo, North Dakota, one of the most vibrant cities in the nation through redevelopment of the city’s historic downtown. In this role, he created and reviewed real estate, economic, and market data to optimize investment decisions. 

While a student at North Dakota State University, Miller was elected to numerous leadership roles, including leading both the Interfraternity Council and Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity as president, and managing a $3.3 million budget as Student Government Executive Commissioner of Finance. He studied abroad at the University of Antwerp in Belgium, and graduated summa cum laude from NDSU with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. 

Miller resides in Fargo, North Dakota with his wife, Macy.