Who We Are
Kayla Effertz Kleven
Principal Consultant
A lifelong North Dakotan, Kayla earned undergraduate degrees in Marketing and Communication and later, a Master’s in Educational Leadership. Her background in agriculture and education served her well as Governor Hoeven and Dalrymple’s Senior Policy Advisor with portfolios in education, agriculture, and tax. Kayla’s background in business development and advocate for education was key when she worked with the ND Department of Commerce working with businesses to further on-the-job training for high school and college students.
Lisa Feldner
Principal Consultant
Lisa Feldner has over 30 years of experience in technology, business, primary, secondary, higher education, and state government.
Lisa, a native North Dakotan, excelled in higher education and received multiple degrees in education, computer science and business along with her doctorate in educational leadership.
Following her work with the Bismarck Public School System, Lisa was appointed as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the State of North Dakota and served under Governors Hoeven and Dalrymple. As CIO, she oversaw technology for state government and education including the statewide network, hosting services, software development, security, customer support, and K-12 education technology services.
Most recently her professional roles included both the Chief of Staff and the Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Institutional Research for the North Dakota University System. Lisa’s focus areas that moved the state forward included broadband mapping, health information exchange, criminal justice information sharing, Medicaid and eligibility information systems, and the state’s longitudinal data system.
Collin Poolman
Principal Consultant
Collin Poolman is a North Dakota attorney with experience spanning corporate and real estate law, government affairs, and legislative advocacy.
Collin previously practiced as an Attorney at Vogel Law Firm in Fargo, where he focused on corporate and real estate transactions and civil litigation. His government affairs experience includes work as a Legal Extern with Olson-Effertz Lobbying and Consulting, now Integrity Public Affairs, where he lobbied members of legislative and executive branches and drafted legislation on behalf of clients.
Collin also externed for the U.S. District Court, District of North Dakota, and clerked with Nilles Lawyers and Reichert Law Office, gaining experience across civil, real estate, insurance, and criminal matters. Earlier in his career, he worked in fundraising and digital media for U.S. Congressman Kelly Armstrong’s campaign.
Collin holds a Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business, with a concentration in Real Estate and Construction Management and a minor in Finance. He is admitted to practice law in the State of North Dakota and the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota.
He serves as a Voting Board Member of the Fargo Downtown Community Partnership and is a co-owner of Duffy’s Tavern in Fargo.
Collin lives in Fargo and enjoys spending his free time at the lake with his friends and family.
JIM HAUSSLER
Principal Consultant
Jim Haussler is a graduate of Monango High School in Monango, North Dakota. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Jamestown College in 1978 with a double major in History/Political Science and Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER). Haussler obtained his Master degrees in Educational Administration and HPER from South Dakota State University in 1983 and his Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of North Dakota in 1994.
Haussler most recently served as the manager of the MDU Resources Bismarck Community Bowl over the last nine years, taking a break from 2018-2019 to serve as Interim Superintendent for Bismarck Public Schools. In 2015 he retired from his 23-year tenure from Bismarck Public Schools as Activities Director.
Prior to serving as AD in Bismarck, Haussler taught and coached at Finley-Sharon High School and New England High School. He also accepted his first administrative position at Aberdeen Central High School in 1983 serving as the school’s assistant principal and athletic director. From 1984-1992, Haussler served as assistant principal for both Bismarck High and Bismarck Century. Haussler was inducted into the North Dakota High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2013 and the National High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame in 2024.
Jim and his wife, Julie, a retired teacher at Mandan Middle School, have five children and five grandchildren.
Terry Effertz
Of Counsel
Terry Effertz is a native North Dakotan and a University of North Dakota-trained attorney who has built her career at the intersection of law, policy, and industry advocacy. She earned her law degree and a transportation law certificate from UND in 2018, where she took on leadership roles in several student organizations. Following graduation, she clerked for the North Dakota Supreme Court, sharpening the legal judgment she now brings to advocacy and governance work across the state.
Today Terry owns Effertz Executive Search and Management (ESM), an association management firm through which she leads two of North Dakota’s trade organizations. As Executive Director of TechND, North Dakota’s technology trade association, she advocates for the industry driving much of the state’s new infrastructure demand and is launching a statewide infrastructure education coalition to build public understanding and community support for the projects North Dakota’s growth depends on. As Executive Director of the North Dakota Hospitality Association (NDHA), she represents hospitality businesses across the state, tracking legislation, building relationships with lawmakers and regulators, and supporting the small businesses that make up much of the industry. And while Terry has no ownership stake in Duffy’s Tavern in Fargo unlike her colleague Mr. Poolman, she is a regular admirer of the establishment.
Terry also practices law through her own firm, Effertz Law, where she represents political subdivisions during the legislative session. An attorney by training and a coalition-builder by instinct, she brings that same combination of legal rigor and relationship-building to every organization she leads.
TAYLOR STRICKLIN
Principal Consultant
Taylor’s approach to life is defined by a deep commitment to service, seizing opportunities, and embracing the challenges of acquiring new skills. A standout ability of his is cultivating enduring and trustworthy relationships with others. Taylor brought these skills with him when he moved to Dickinson from his hometown of Greenfield, Tennessee, to work in the oil industry. He worked nearly every side of production from lease operator to well technician. After six years of gaining this valuable experience, Taylor settled in Bismarck. He spent five years learning the art of hospitality while working at the Broadway Grill and Tavern, earning a reputation for excellence and integrity.
Taylor graduated from Greenfield High School before attending Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee. In high school and while at Bethel, Taylor balanced his studies with a passion for golf, garnering numerous athletic awards. Outside of work, Taylor enjoys golfing, cooking, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends. He is actively involved in his local community, notably at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, where his Catholic faith plays a central role in his life and service.
Firm Personnel
Clare Carlson
Advisor
Pam Sharp
Advisor