One of the newest members of the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District (Garrison Diversion) Board of Directors recently completed his first year of service. Jeff LeDoux represents Cass County on the Garrison Diversion Board. Garrison Diversion’s mission is to provide a reliable, high quality and affordable water supply to benefit the people of North Dakota. That mission resonates with Jeff, who recently retired from a 40-year career in water as a civil engineer.

After graduating from NDSU with a degree in Civil Engineering, Jeff began his career in Colorado as an engineering consultant working on water supply projects. When he returned to Fargo six years later, he started working at the firm from which he would retire more than 30 years later – Houston Engineering Inc. (HEI). “I joined HEI in 1988 as an engineer and became a member of the Board of Directors in 1996. In 2008, I became the third President/CEO in HEI’s history and held that position through 2020,” says Jeff.

During his time as President, HEI created a new organizational structure that focused on enhancing communication, direction, clarity, and culture. Jeff says he was fortunate to see the expansion of HEI into nine offices spread across four states that continually earned HEI a ranking among the top 500 national consulting firms. “As President, I always tried to incorporate a vision and values that focused on company culture and responsible autonomy. I believe those components helped make the firm a success and were instrumental in HEI’s growth into one of the largest civil engineering consulting firms in the region,” he says. 

“I’ve been involved with water my entire 40-year engineering career. I believed my experience and education would be of benefit to Garrison Diversion and thought I would make a good Director,” he says, explaining why he decided to run for a spot on the Garrison Diversion Board of Directors. “I have also been on numerous boards and understand what it takes to create vision, strategize success, and make the goal become a reality. Now that I have retired, I have time and energy to be an active Director.”                    

In addition to his director duties, Jeff also serves on the Garrison Diversion Red River Valley Committee. “Water is the livelihood of every local, municipal, county, and state government, as well as practically every type of business and industry.  Whether for drinking, processing or agricultural use, the long-term health and sustainability of Cass County – and our state – depends on available and affordable water,” says Jeff. “Garrison Diversion will continue to have tremendous responsibilities and challenges in addressing the always controversial but critical resource of water.”

Cass County, along with the Cities of Grand Forks, Fargo, and West Fargo plan to participate in the Red River Valley Water Supply Project (RRVWSP), a supplemental and emergency water supply that will benefit central and eastern North Dakota. As someone who has been involved in hundreds of water projects over the course of his engineering career, Jeff says he will use the skills he has developed to help make the RRVWSP continue to become a reality. 

“There are a couple of different things I wish everyone knew about the Project. First, knowing the substantial amount of actual construction progress currently being made on this critical project. Structures are built and being built, and pipes are in the ground. More will be installed in 2024. Secondly, the massive and amazing amount of administrative, legal, engineering, analysis, planning, construction, political, informational, financial, and public involvement effort that occurs daily that makes the Red River Valley Water Supply Project move forward,” Jeff says.

Though he is no longer working full-time, Jeff continues to enjoy being active in the community through participation on numerous professional and civic boards, and by donating his time. He is a past president of the North Dakota Council of Engineering Companies, past president of the North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers, Director of the North Dakota American Red Cross, and Director of the Greater North Dakota Chamber.

In his free time, Jeff remains active by exercising daily. He also enjoys cooking and is an avid “DIYer of most everything.” He and his wife of more than 40 years, Becky, have three adult daughters, three sons-in-law, and seven grandchildren with two more on the way. When Jeff and Becky travel, they like to experience nature and hike as many outdoor trails as possible, as well as going horseback riding whenever possible.