Bismarck N.D. - The North Dakota Ethics Commission is pleased to announce the appointment of MG Murray Sagsveen (NDARNG Ret.) as its newest commissioner. Mr. Sagsveen brings a unique perspective to the Commission based on his many years of public service across the state. He will began serving on October 1, 2024, filling the seat of Paul Richard who announced his intent to retire earlier this year.
Mr. Sagsveen has served the public for nearly five decades as a government official, private attorney, military judge advocate, and member of nonprofit governing boards. After graduating from Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) and the University of North Dakota School of Law (Grand Forks, ND), he also attended the U.S. Army War College.
He has extensive experience in state government, having served as Legislative Assistant to Governor Arthur Link, Director of Legal Services for the State Water Commission, Solicitor General for Attorney General Allen Olson, State Health Officer for Governor Ed Schafer, and Chief of Staff for Chancellor Larry Skogen, North Dakota University System.
After active duty in the Republic of Korea, he joined the North Dakota National Guard. His final assignment was the Army National Guard Special Assistant to The Judge Advocate General of the Army, which is the senior judge advocate position in the Army National Guard. He retired in 1996 as a brigadier general. He was later recalled to state active duty as a major general in 1997 and 2011 to coordinate flood recovery efforts in Grand Forks and Minot, respectively.
Mr. Sagsveen has advised or served on nonprofit governing boards for nearly forty years, including ten years as the general counsel for an international medical specialty organization. He now volunteers as the synod attorney for the Western North Dakota Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and legal advisor to many other nonprofit organizations. Mr. Sagsveen is married to Kristi Sagsveen. Their son is an assistant attorney general (Bismarck), and their daughter is employed in an upholstery business (Minneapolis).
Mr. Sagsveen’s dedication to the citizens of North Dakota is exemplified by his many years of public and nonprofit service in a multitude of roles. He brings invaluable leadership, legal, and government experience to the Commission. The Commission is excited to have him serve as their newest member. Commissioners are appointed by consensus agreement of the governor, the majority leader of the senate, and the minority leader of the senate. The Commission wishes to thank Governor Burgum, Majority Leader Hogue, and Minority Leader Hogan for appointing Mr. Sagsveen.