NDACo recognizes county government excellence
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BISMARCK - Area county officials were recognized by the North Dakota Association of Counties (NDACo) for their contributions to county government and public service as recipients of the 2026 Excellence in County Government (EICG) Awards.
This year's recipients are: Joan Hollekim of Mountrail County, EICG County Commissioner; Patti Ogurchak of Williams County, EICG County Official; Bonnie Foster of McKenzie County, EICG County Employee; retired McKenzie County Road Superintendent Mark Koeser, EICG Hall of Honor; and North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe, EICG Dedicated Partner.
Hollekim has dedicated more than 40 years to serving Mountrail County and the people of North Dakota. She began her county government career in 1984 in the Mountrail County Auditor's Office and later served as county auditor before being elected to the Mountrail County Commission in 2018. She also has served on the board of the North Dakota Association of County Commissioners, advocating for counties across the state.
Ogurchak has spent her career building a highly effective and accessible office as Williams County treasurer/recorder. She led an effort to digitize and index historical county records, making documents searchable back to patent and providing greater public access to Williams County's history. She has also focused on developing a strong workplace culture built on teamwork, cross-training and stability, contributing to one of the county's lowest employee turnover rates.
As GIS Coordinator for McKenzie County, Foster has spent the past eight years developing maps, data systems and tools that support decision-making and public services throughout the county. Her work has included helping implement Next Generation 911, supporting U.S. Census efforts, creating public mapping tools and modernizing the county's GIS infrastructure. Foster's ability to turn complex data into practical tools has made GIS an important resource for county departments and the residents they serve.
Koeser dedicated 34 years to the McKenzie County Road and Bridge Department, beginning in 1980. He served as road superintendent until his retirement in 2014. His influence has continued long after his retirement, with current county leaders pointing to him as an example of effective leadership and seeking his advice. His legacy continues to be reflected in the people he mentored and the approach to leadership they carry forward in McKenzie County.
Howe was recognized for his partnership with North Dakota counties and his work supporting local election officials. As Secretary of State, Howe has worked closely with county officials on election administration, providing communication, training, direction and resources to help local officials carry out their responsibilities. He has also worked to represent county perspectives in discussions with state and federal leaders and has focused on collaboration and practical solutions as counties navigate changes and challenges in election administration.
"County government works because of the people who dedicate their careers to serving their communities," said NDACo Executive Director Aaron Birst. "These five recipients represent the knowledge, commitment, innovation and leadership that make a difference every day in North Dakota."
The five award recipients are featured in a video highlighting their contributions to county government, available on the North Dakota Association of Counties' YouTube channel.
The Excellence in County Government Awards were presented Oct. 12 during the NDACo Annual Conference.