Doug Burgum is an American businessman and politician who has served as the 55th U.S. Secretary of the Interior since February 1, 2025, under President Donald Trump. Before his current role, he was the 33rd Governor of North Dakota from 2016 to 2024.
Early Life and Education
Born on August 1, 1966, in Arthur, North Dakota, Burgum earned a Bachelor of University Studies from North Dakota State University (NDSU) and an MBA from Stanford University.
Business Career
In 1983, Burgum joined Great Plains Software, a fledgling software company, providing seed capital and serving as CEO. The company went public in 1997 and was acquired by Microsoft in 2001.
Political Career
Burgum served as Governor of North Dakota from 2016 to 2024, focusing on economic development and technological innovation. In January 2025, he was confirmed as Secretary of the Interior with a Senate vote of 79 to 18.
Tenure as Secretary of the Interior
As Secretary, Burgum has prioritized enhancing American energy independence and overseeing federal lands and resources. He has initiated measures to boost offshore oil and gas production and has expressed interest in leveraging national monuments for energy development.
Burgum’s leadership reflects a commitment to balancing energy development with environmental stewardship, aiming to position the U.S. as a leader in energy production while responsibly managing public lands.