Clarice Kesler

The business was started by George and Elaine Gross in Napoleon after the two saw similar displays during a trip to Branson, Mo.

Meanwhile, the Spragues, who live on their third-generation family farm near the shores of Lake Isabel, had a tradition of stringing Christmas lights on the evergreen trees lining their driveway each season. But as the trees grew larger, that task was becoming more difficult. So, the couple visited George and Elaine one afternoon to look at their light displays.

Founded in 2000, as the Information Technology Council of North Dakota, the organization is now TechND, which continues the original mission of “promoting the use, growth and development of technology in North Dakota.”

TechND has nearly 65 members statewide, and is governed by a board of directors which meets quarterly. Committees are established, working on project priorities for the organization.