Staff

Retha Mattern became Director of the Great Plains Energy Corridor at Bismarck State College’s National Energy Center of Excellence (NECE) in 2018. The Corridor, established in 2008 through funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, provides leadership and oversight on projects that promote energy education and outreach to advance the development of North Dakota’s energy resources. Retha blends her Corridor directorship with her role as the Business & Outreach Coordinator at the NECE, a position she has held since 2013, and seamlessly integrates awareness of the energy industry in North Dakota and the careers associated with it.  She has worked to increase interest in energy careers in a variety of ways, from organizing sessions aimed at encouraging females to explore the energy industry, and participating in statewide task force groups to identify gaps in workforce skills.

She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in communications, having previously worked as a reporter and assistant news director for KFYR-TV, the NBC affiliate in Bismarck.  Retha is also an adjunct instructor for Introduction to Broadcasting at Bismarck State College.  Retha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science in Management from Minot State University.  She has served as the president and past president of the North Dakota State Staff Senate and was elected as the Staff Advisor to the State Board of Higher Education beginning in 2019.

Retha, a native of Maryland, makes her home in Bismarck with her husband, Mark, and two children.