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About Michael Warner

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the author

Michael Warner

Board Director/Entrepreneur

Michael Warner is a seasoned executive, board advisor, and leadership consultant with over 50 years of experience spanning the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Known for his calm presence, sharp strategic thinking, and deep understanding of board dynamics, Michael has served on more than 30 boards throughout his career. From leading major corporate initiatives to guiding nonprofit missions and higher education governance, his work has consistently centered on helping organizations make better decisions and create lasting impact.

Today, he continues to mentor leaders and facilitate meaningful change through Warner Advisory, his consulting practice.

Years of experience
0
Boards Served
0
Assets Managed
0 Billion
Proud to Have Worked with These Companies
American Crystal Sugar Company Logo
Pro Gold Logo
Merit Care Logo
Dakota Growers Logo
Dakota Medical Foundation Logo
Pedigree Logo
Experience

Michael Warner’s Career Highlights

Over the years Mike Warner has lead teams, boards, non profits, and worked with numerous companies across the state of North Dakota and nationwide.

1974

Field

Board of Directors of Red River Valley Cooperative

Michael Warner is appointed to the Board of Directors of Red River Valley Cooperative (a beet sugar plant in Hillsboro, ND) during a governance crisis—his first board role navigating real-world operational and governance challenges. The mandate from the owners was to merge this company into American Crystal Sugar. In today’s dollars that would be a transaction worth $240 million.

Late '70s and '80s

A lush green cornfield stretches under a bright blue sky adorned with white clouds and wispy contrails.

SUGAR AND AG POLICY

Elected president of the Red River Valley sugar beet Growers Association he had automatic membership in the American Sugarbeet Growers Association board of directors. In that capacity he served as the national legislative chairman, and played a key role in the first inclusion of sugar in the farm bill, as well as two more subsequent farm bills. This legislation sustains the entire sugar industry of the United States and is absolutely critical to its survival. Throughout the late 70’s and 80’s these responsibilities also included representation in the direction and formation of regional and state sugar and overall AG policies as well as international policy. He played a key role in defending the industry from the unfair and catastrophic negotiations of the international general agreement on trades and tariffs known as the “GATT” agreement.

1990’s

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Major Bussiness Startups & Direction

During this time. He played a direct role in the startup direction and sustaining of major new manufacturing and processing companies. This included Dakota Growers pasta grown from a greenfield startup to the second largest pasta producer in the United States with 430 million pounds of annual production. It also included “Pro Gold” which was a corn high fructose sugar processor and a facility in today’s dollars which would cost $500 Million dollars. During this time he also directed Meritcare, the largest medical health system between Minneapolis and Spokane.

1975 - 2025

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Board Service Across Industries

Maintains continuous board service across industries—including agriculture (American Crystal Sugar, Progold Corn Processors, Dakota Growers Pasta Company), healthcare systems (MeritCare before merger with Sanford Health), regulatory nonprofits (serving on the Dakota Medical Foundation finance committee), and tech and import/export firms. At the time, these entities represented over $2 billion in sales and assets.

2003 -
2025

2003 - 2025

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Co-Founds Pedigree Technologies LLC

Co-founds Pedigree Technologies LLC with his son Alex, an early SaaS company in IoT/M2M tracking software. The company received inclusion for 4 years running in the “Inc Magazine” list of top 5000 companies. It was also recognized with the prestigious “Frost Sullivan Award” for customer value and product innovation in 2011 and 2016 respectively. “M2M” magazine recognize pedigree in the list of the top 25 global software companies and top 100 IoT companies for 5 years running. q It was also recognized by “Business Insider” magazine as the largest technology company based in their state of operations. The company remained in profitability through their time of divestiture in 2020.

2025

Stacked 1

Publishes Governance Book

Publishes his governance reference book: So… You Want to Be on the Board of Directors… Huh?, offering insights organized around six core board responsibilities and highlighting realities of board service.

Testimonials

As the CEO of a national agriculture organization for 43 years, I worked with Mike Warner from the beginning. His knowledge, experience and insights about being a member of a Board of Directors are tremendously valuable for anyone who serves in that capacity. His book should be mandatory reading for any director on any board.

Luther Markwart
Executive Vice President and CEO American Sugarbeet Growers Association, Washington DC (Mr. Markwart is considered one of the most experienced and successful of all AG policy makers.)

I am especially grateful for your intentional effort to instill a Christian moral vision in this handbook. Those who follow the principles you offer will truly be a leaven for good as leaders in the world around us.

Most Reverend John T Folda
Bishop of the Fargo Diocese

“One of the most comprehensive practical resources compiled for any one interested in serving on a board of directors. In short, if you want to make a difference serving as a highly effective board member you need to have this resource in your leadership library!”

Pat Traynor
Exec. Dir. Dakota Medical Foundation/ Interim Commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services

“Well done. This handbook reflects on your common sense business philosophies which are also aligned with how I look at things.”

David Meyer
Titan Machinery Chairman of the Board

“Mike Warner has done our state a great service. He has reflected on his life’s work as a creative entrepreneur and system builder. who forever changed North Dakota’s AG economy. Any of us hoping to innovate, build, and create a better future for ourselves should read this book.”

Mark Hagerott, PhD.
VP, National Defense Industrial Association (Northern Tier) Nuclear Engineer/Chancellor & CEO of the North Dakota University System /Navy Ship Captain (all retired)

So… you want to be on the Board? Start here.

Learn what it really takes to lead with integrity, influence, and purpose. Get your copy today! Order direct from the author or from Amazon.

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