Burgum announces resignation of Commerce Commissioner Kommer

 

After nearly four years, Governor Doug Burgum has announced that Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer is returning to the private sector. The announcement was made Monday.

Kommer will return to the private sector Oct. 2 to operate her own business.

She was first appointed by Burgum to serve as state labor commissioner in December 2016 and in 2017 added responsibilities as executive director of Job Service North Dakota. She served in that dual capacity until December 2018, when Burgum appointed her to lead the Department of Commerce.

A search for Kommer’s replacement will commence in the near term, and Burgum appointed Deputy Commerce Commissioner Shawn Kessel to serve as interim commissioner until a permanent replacement is named.