BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Kelly Armstrong today appointed Jennifer Turnbow, senior director of business operations and field services at Ulteig Engineers, to lead the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), citing her extensive experience with environmental services and state government during her 23-year career in the private and public sectors.
Turnbow joined Bismarck-based engineering firm KLJ in 2003. She served as its director of environmental services from 2008 to 2018, when she was promoted to director of corridor services, leading the firm’s environmental, right-of-way, cultural resource and survey departments. She served as Fargo-based Ulteig Engineers’ associate director for transportation in 2020-2021 and as deputy director of planning for the North Dakota Department of Transportation in 2021-2022, overseeing all planning divisions and functions within the department. She returned to Ulteig in December 2022 to become senior director of business operations and field services.
“Jen brings more than two decades of experience in the environmental, engineering, infrastructure and transportation sectors, with a proven track record of leading organizations and overseeing complex projects across North Dakota,” Armstrong said. “Our citizens will benefit from her deep understanding of the relationship between our state’s infrastructure, industry and natural resources, and her strong commitment to the environmental stewardship that allows North Dakota to maintain some of the cleanest air, land and water in the nation.”
Turnbow will assume her new role on Oct. 6, becoming just the second director of DEQ since it became a standalone agency in 2019. The previous director, Dave Glatt, retired July 31 after a 43-year career in state government.
“I’m grateful to Governor Armstrong for the opportunity to lead the DEQ and build on the strong foundation Dave Glatt established. I’m excited to join the dedicated team at DEQ in their mission to conserve and protect the quality of North Dakota’s air, land and water,” Turnbow said. “Our work should always be grounded in sound science and the law, with a clear responsibility to protect North Dakota’s natural resources and the health and safety of our people.”
A native of New Salem, North Dakota, Turnbow earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Idaho and a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from Phoenix-based Grand Canyon University. She is a past president of the North Dakota chapter of the Women’s Transportation Seminar and completed senior executive training from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
Beth Jacobson, who has served as DEQ’s interim director since Glatt retired July 31, will return to her role as director of accounting at DEQ. Armstrong expressed his gratitude for her service.