North Dakota ESGR

09/28/2026

09/28/2026

Check out this week's edition of the North Dakota National Guard TAG Line!

Featuring A Partnership That Endures: NDNG Leaders Engage Benin and Ghana, Wing's Top Recruiter, Annual Spill Training & Environmental Awareness Training, Communication and Connection and more.

09/28/2026

ESGR Welcomes New Public Affairs Director!

North Dakota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is pleased to welcome Kristy Wangler as its new Public Affairs Director, succeeding Rob Keller, who has served in the role since October 2017.

In her new position, Wangler will lead ESGR’s public affairs efforts, working closely with state leadership and volunteers to share the organization’s mission and accomplishments, recognize supportive employers, and highlight the contributions of National Guard and Reserve members.

“We want to welcome Kristy as our new Public Affairs Director,” said Sherry Adams, North Dakota State Chair. “I have full confidence that she will do an outstanding job in this role and continue the great work of promoting and supporting the ESGR mission. We look forward to all she will bring to the position and wish her great success.”

Wangler has served under Keller as one of the state’s Deputy Public Affairs Officers since January 2025.

“I am honored and excited to step into this new role,” said Wangler. “Rob has been an incredible mentor. His guidance, encouragement, and advice have helped me grow as a communications professional and prepare for this opportunity. I’m grateful for everything he has taught me, and I look forward to building on the strong foundation he has established.”

During Keller’s tenure, he strengthened the state’s public affairs program by introducing two deputy public affairs officials, Kristy Wangler and Stephany Reger, to help share the state’s message, expanding communication efforts, and increasing engagement with communities across the state. His leadership helped create a more coordinated and sustainable approach to public affairs that will continue to benefit the organization in the years ahead.

“A heartfelt thank you to Rob Keller for his hard work and dedication as Public Affairs Director,” said Adams. “Keller has worked tirelessly to promote and support the ESGR mission and the service members, employers, and communities we serve. We are grateful for his continued commitment and service, and that he will continue to serve as the state’s Training Coordinator.”

As the transition takes place, Wangler will work alongside ESGR leadership and volunteers to ensure continuity in the state’s public affairs efforts. She will build on the relationships and communication practices established under Keller while bringing her own perspective and ideas to the role.

Wangler will officially assume the position on October 1, 2026.

Sherry Adams
Stepheny Jane Reger



Pictured: Rob Keller & Kristy Wangler

09/26/2026

ND Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) had a great time connecting with human resource and business professionals at the North Dakota Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) State Conference at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks this week!

With 42 exhibitors and 300 attendees, the conference brought together professionals from across North Dakota to build connections, share ideas, and learn from fellow HR and business professionals.

John Oncken and Kristy Wangler represented ND ESGR, sharing ESGR’s mission, providing information about USERRA, and encouraging employers to demonstrate their support for North Dakota’s National Guard and Reserve members by signing a Statement of Support.

Thank you to ND SHRM for hosting a great event and to everyone who stopped by to learn more about ESGR and how employers can support their military-connected employees!

09/26/2026

Thank You, Janette!

After years of dedicated service as our ND ESGR Volunteer Support Technician, Janette Fetsch is retiring from her paid VST position — but thankfully, she isn’t going far. She will continue serving as a ND ESGR Volunteer, because serving others has always been at the heart of who Janette is.

Janette leaves behind more than a position. She leaves behind a team she helped build, relationships she strengthened, and a standard of commitment that will be hard to match. Her work ethic, attention to detail and willingness to step in wherever she was needed made a difference every day.

And then there’s Janette’s humor. She has a wonderful ability to bring a smile, lighten the moment and remind us not to take ourselves too seriously — even when the work gets challenging.

But perhaps the best way to describe Janette is simply this: she has a serving heart. Whether working behind the scenes, supporting our volunteers, helping an employer, assisting a Guard/Reserve member, serving on the Western ND Honor Flight board of directors or just lending a hand to a teammate, Janette has always found a way to serve.

Thank you, Janette, for your dedication, your friendship, your leadership, your laughter and — most of all — your servant heart.

Congratulations on your retirement from the VST position! We are grateful that this isn't goodbye. It's simply a change in how you serve.

If you’ve had the opportunity to work with Janette, been on the receiving end of her help, humor and dedication, or simply crossed paths with her during her years of service, take a moment to leave a comment and share a thank-you or a favorite memory. I know Janette would enjoy hearing from the many people she has touched along the way.

Janette Engelhard Fetch

09/26/2026

🇺🇸 Employer Support Makes a Difference!

Minot ESGR Vollunteer Brandon Ressler recently presented Rachelle Schlieve and Courtney Marshall of Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby, North Dakota, with Patriot Awards.

Both were nominated by Lt. Col. Christopher Seil, 119th Medical Group, North Dakota Air National Guard, for their outstanding support of his military service.

Rachelle and Courtney have consistently demonstrated understanding, flexibility and genuine support for Lt. Col. Seil’s military service. They have worked to coordinate his clinic schedule around his military commitments, including making last-minute adjustments when necessary. Their willingness to support his service has allowed him to meet his military obligations while continuing to serve patients as a civilian medical provider.

And in a community like Rugby, that support reaches beyond the workplace. Heart of America Medical Center is an important healthcare resource for Rugby and the surrounding communities. Supporting the military service of its employees is another example of the way community institutions contribute to the strength and resilience of North Dakota.

That is what the Patriot Award is all about. It recognizes supervisors who support their employees' military service and help make it possible for Guard and Reserve members to answer the call when their country needs them.

Thank you, Rachelle, Courtney and Heart of America Medical Center, for supporting those who serve!

09/23/2026

🎉 ND Office of the Attorney General Receives ESGR Award! 🎉

We are proud to announce that Mary Kae Kelsch, former Division Director at the North Dakota Office of the Attorney General, has been honored with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award.

Master Sgt. Laura Balliet, who serves with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 142nd Engineer Battalion of the North Dakota Army National Guard, nominated her former supervisor, Mary Kae Kelsch, for her outstanding support of Balliet’s military service. Presented by ESGR’s Ralph Lundberg, the Patriot Award recognizes supervisors who go above and beyond to support employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.

“Mary was a great supervisor,” said Balliet. “She never gave me a problem with any training or deployments. She always understood and is a great supporter of the National Guard!"

Balliet also shared that she has never encountered challenges when called to duty. Whether for drill, annual training, overseas duty, or state active duty, Kelsch and the office supported her and ensured her work was covered, regardless of how long she was away.

That support allowed Balliet to step away from her civilian responsibilities and focus fully on her military duties and mission. Employers like Kelsch play an important role in helping service members remain focused on their responsibilities while strengthening the readiness of their units and the North Dakota National Guard.

Congratulations to Mary Kae Kelsch and the North Dakota Office of the Attorney General on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for supporting those who serve our state and nation!

09/22/2026

🎉 Field Maintenance Support 3 Receives Patriot Award! 🎉

We are proud to announce that Travis Tennancour, Field Maintenance Support Manager at Field Maintenance Support 3, has received the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award.

Sgt. 1st Class Sheldon Azure, who serves with the 817th Engineer Company of the North Dakota Army National Guard, nominated Tennancour in recognition of his outstanding support of Azure’s military service. Presented by ESGR volunteer John Oncken, the Patriot Award recognizes supervisors who go above and beyond to support employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.

“Travis is an excellent supervisor who consistently helps service members balance their military and civilian responsibilities,” said Azure. “He is always supportive when employees attend military schools, participate in training, or are called to mobilization.”

Expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Tennancour said, “This is a really big surprise. I think being an excellent supervisor really comes down to having an excellent team. You all make it easy for me to do my job and support you. I will continue to do everything I can to make sure you understand your rights under USERRA and have the support you need. Thank you for the nomination and for all the hard work you do every day.”

Further demonstrating his commitment to those who serve, Tennancour signed a Statement of Support on behalf of Field Maintenance Support 3, reaffirming the unit’s dedication to maintaining a supportive workplace for members of the National Guard and Reserve.

Congratulations to Travis Tennancour on this well-deserved honor and thank you for your continued support of our service members!

09/21/2026

ND Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) was pleased to take part in the North Dakota League of Cities Annual Conference at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks last week.

ESGR’s John Oncken connected with city officials and conference attendees to discuss ESGR’s mission and highlight ways communities and employers can support North Dakota’s Guard and Reserve members.

The North Dakota League of Cities (NDLC) represents cities of all sizes across the state and serves as a voice for local government, providing education, resources, and connections that help communities thrive.

ESGR appreciates being part of this event and looks forward to continuing to build strong partnerships with communities and employers across North Dakota. 🤝

09/18/2026

Happy 79th Birthday to the United States Air Force and the Air National Guard!