Chairman's Award
2007 Recipient
George Sinner
Gov. George Sinner is a native of Casselton and earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn. Following two years in the U.S. Air Force, Sinner returned to Casselton to become involved in the family farm.
Sinner served the 10th District in the North Dakota State Senate from 1962-1966. He won a seat in the North Dakota House of Representatives in 1982, and was elected governor in 1984 and served for two terms. During his tenure, he was an active member of the National Governors' Association. He chaired the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, and was co-chair of the United States-Canada Task Force from 1986-1987. He also became the first North Dakota Governor to chair the 29 state Interstate Oil Compact Commission.
Following his second term, Sinner served as Vice President of Public and Government Relations for the Crystal Sugar Company in Moorhead, Minnesota. Throughout his career, he remained active in his farming operation near Casselton. Sinner has been active in a number of professional, educational, and civic groups. He served as the first President for the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association. He was also a founder and the first chairman of the Northern Crops Institute, a four state international marketing and educational organization headquartered at NDSU. Sinner and his wife, Elizabeth, have 10 children.
