BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — President-elect Donald Trump has named North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to his cabinet as his interior secretary. Trump made the announcement Thursday evening, November 14, saying, "He's going to head the Department of Interior and he's going to be fantastic." Burgum will have to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate before he can join the Trump cabinet. Trump made the announcement during a gala for the America First Policy Institute held at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Burgum was in attendance. The Interior secretary oversees roughly 70,000 federal employees who manage the country’s natural resources and federal lands, including national parks and monuments. The department also has control over energy development both on public lands and offshore.  Burgum ran an unsuccessful primary presidential campaign before endorsing Trump earlier this year, and the two developed a strong political and personal relationship. Burgum was among the finalists to serve as Trump’s running mate.  Burgum was on the short list to lead either the Department of Energy or Department of Interior, and he is expected to play a central role in Trump's push to increase oil drilling and energy production. He will require Senate confirmation. Burgum has been active on Native American issues during his years as governor and the Interior Department oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs, among many other agencies. Once confirmed, Burgum will be the second North Dakotan to serve in a president's cabinet. In January 2008, former Governor Ed Schafer was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Secretary of Agriculture in then-President George W. Bush's cabinet. He stayed in that position through the end of the Bush administration in January 2009. Two other North Dakota governors served in non-cabinet positions in past administrations. Former North Dakota Governor John Burke served as U.S. Treasurer during the Woodrow Wilson administration from 1913 to 1921. And former North Dakota Governor Frank White also served as U.S. Treasurer during the Woodrow Wilson and William Taft administrations from 1921 to 1928. Upon learning of Burgum's nomination, North Dakota U.S. Senator John Hoeven said, "Coming from North Dakota, Doug has the right background to lead the Department of the Interior and oversee our public lands and natural resources in the right way." Republican Governors Association Chair and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued a statement congratulating Burgum on his nomination, adding, ""Governor Burgum is a strong leader who has a long track record of both preserving our natural heritage while advocating for reforms that would put our natural resources to use here at home." Burgum: Recent Years Burgum was elected North Dakota's 33rd governor in 2016, in his first run for political office. In 2020, he won a second term in office. Burgum brought a business-oriented approach to diversifying the economy, creating 21st century jobs, and revitalizing North Dakota's main streets. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum speaks as he kicks off his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Wednesday, June 7, 2023 in Fargo, N.D. (AP Photo/Jack Dura) He also helped lead the charge to pass the largest income tax relief package in state history in 2023. He was elected governor on Nov. 8, 2016, in his first run for political office. On Nov. 3, 2020, Burgum was elected to his second term as governor. In June 2023, Burgum announced his bid for the presidency. He qualified for and took part in the first two Republican presidential debates, but wasn't able to reach the polling and donations threshold needed to be in the third debate. On December 4, 2023, Burgum announced he was suspending his campaign, and he later gave his support to Donald Trump for president. Burgum Background Burgum grew up in Arthur, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in university studies from North Dakota State University in 1978. He earned a master’s of business administration from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 1980. FILE - North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum speaks at the state Capitol on April 10, 2020, in Bismarck. (Mike McCleary/The Bismarck Tribune via AP, File) He helped lead Great Plains Software from a small startup company in 1983 into an award-winning tech firm that employed thousands of team members from more than 220 cities across North Dakota. Burgum led Great Plains as CEO through its initial public offering in 1997 and acquisition by Microsoft Corp. in 2001. He remained at Microsoft as senior vice president through 2007, helping the company stake a leading position in the global business applications software industry. In 2006, Burgum founded the Kilbourne Group, a real estate development firm committed to creating smart, healthy cities through vibrant downtowns. The company’s substantial impact on revitalizing downtown Fargo inspired his Main Street Initiative. In 2008, Burgum co-founded Arthur Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in ambitious, mission-driven software companies. The success of those people and businesses guided by Burgum’s leadership and inspiration has created billions of dollars of shareholder wealth and thousands of jobs. In 2009, Burgum was awarded the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, North Dakota’s highest citizen honor. The award recognized Burgum for his business leadership and numerous philanthropic efforts, including the Doug Burgum Family Fund, which focuses its charitable giving on youth and education. Burgum has maintained his commitment and connection to his roots through family farm partnerships, by serving as a member for Arthur Companies, Inc., a diversified agribusiness company founded by his grandparents in 1906, and through a ranching partnership in the Badlands of western North Dakota. Burgum is married to Kathryn Burgum and has two sons, Joe and Tom, and a daughter, Jesse. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW