Dr. Brian Kalk

Biography

Dr. Brian P. Kalk is an Assistant Vice President for Strategic Partnerships at the EERC, where he leads efforts to build and grow dynamic working relationships with industry, government, and research entities globally in support of the EERC’s mission to provide practical, pioneering solutions to the world’s energy and environmental challenges. In this role, he represents the EERC regionally, nationally, and internationally in advancing its strategic energy and environmental initiatives. Dr. Kalk holds a Ph.D. degree in Natural Resource Management and an M.S. degree in Environmental Engineering from North Dakota State University (NDSU) and a B.S. degree in Political Science from Campbell University, Buies Creek, North Carolina. Dr. Kalk began his career in the Marine Corps, where he served overseas in Desert Storm, Bosnia, and Iraq and participated in the evacuation of the American Embassies in Liberia and the Central African Republic. Stateside tours included Environmental Compliance Officer at Camp Pendleton California and Logistics Officer for numerous units. He retired in 2006 as a Major. Upon retirement, Dr. Kalk joined NDSU, teaching courses in Transportation, Natural Resources, Logistics, and Political Science. From 2009 to 2017, he served as a member and Chair of the North Dakota Public Service Commission, where he held portfolios in Electric Generation and Transmission, Pipeline Safety, and Telecommunications. Dr. Kalk was previously at the EERC as the Director of Energy Systems, Design, and Operations from 2017 to 2019 and was the Executive Director of the NDSU Research and Technology Park until June 2022.

Dr. Kalk’s principal areas of interest and expertise include business development, pipeline safety, species management, electric generation, and transmission planning. He is a former member of the National Coal Council. Dr. Kalk has also served as President of the Midwest Area Regulatory Commissioners, Chair of the Clean Coal and Carbon Management Committee of the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners, and member of the 2015 U.S. Department of Energy Clean Coal Technology delegation to China and a member of the EERC Team that toured Australia in 2018. He has presented on numerous technical topics and provided input, review, and oversight on state and federal energy policies and has travelled to over 50 countries around the world.