FARGO -- Fargo entrepreneur and philanthropist Doug Burgum was named North Dakota's 37th recipient of the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award on Friday.
The award was presented by Gov. John Hoeven at the Microsoft campus in Fargo.
"Doug Burgum is a state leader who has gained national recognition for his visionary business leadership, entrepreneurism and philanthropy," Hoeven said. "His vision and innovative spirit have contributed to the growth and success of Great Plains Software and Microsoft Fargo, as well as the redevelopment of downtown Fargo and the expansion of North Dakota State University."
Hoeven said the Arthur, N.D., native, represented "the true strengths of North Dakota," and was "a truly deserving recipient."
"I am so, so honored by the fact that you are all here," Burgum said in accepting the award.
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"I'm so honored. I'm also incredibly terrified that this many people this close to me could keep a secret so long," he told the hundreds assembled for the presentation.
"I am really humbled, and I'm grateful, and I really do appreciate it. So, thank you very much," Burgum said.
Dozens of state and local luminaries attended the event, which included video congratulations by Microsoft founder Bill Gates and CEO Steve Ballmer.
A portrait of Burgum that will hang in the state Capitol was also unveiled. Burgum is depicted wearing a blue and white-striped shirt, surrounded by images including the Great Plains Software logo, the Microsoft building, NDSU's Renaissance Hall, the Arthur elevator and a Badlands scene, representing his achievements and state roots.
Burgum earned a bachelor's degree of university studies from NDSU, and later a master's in business administration from Stanford Graduate School of Business.
After working as a consultant at McKinsey and Co., he returned to North Dakota in 1983 and Joined Great Plains Software, then a small startup software firm, as vice president of marketing and as the first outside investor.
He led the firm's growth to a successful initial public offering in 1997 and its purchase by Microsoft in 2001 for $1.1 billion. He was a Microsoft senior vice president until 2007.
In 1996, Burgum founded the Kilbourne Group, a company committed to supporting the redevelopment of downtown Fargo.
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The award recognizes present or former North Dakotans who have been influenced by this state in achieving national recognition in their fields of endeavor.
Helmut Schmidt is a reporter at The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, which is owned by Forum Communications Co.
