HR executive will help GPI continue to attract and retain top talent
The Great Plains Institute (GPI) announced today that Jim Horn, Chief Human Resources Officer at Ulteig, has joined its board of directors. Horn brings a unique combination of business leadership, organizational strategy, and deep insights into how an organization’s culture can drive success, with a track record of scaling mission-driven, rapidly growing companies. Given GPI’s meteoric growth, which has more than quadrupled in the past five years, Horn’s experience will be invaluable.
“What drew me to GPI is not just the mission—though that’s critically important—but also the organization’s pragmatic, people-centered approach to achieving that mission,” Horn said. “I’m excited to support a team that aspires to continuously improve its collaborative, values-driven culture while tackling some of the most complex challenges of our time. Helping organizations grow their impact by investing in their people has been a central focus of my career, and I’m honored to contribute that perspective to GPI’s board.”
Since joining Ulteig in 2016, Horn has led the firm’s Human Resources and Business Services functions, supporting a fivefold growth in size while sustaining an employee-owned, people-centric culture. Ulteig is an engineering consulting and technical services company with operations across the United States, Canada, and Costa Rica, specializing in critical infrastructure solutions for the energy, transportation, and water sectors.
“GPI’s primary offering to the world and the market is our people, and Jim brings just the right HR experience and expertise to help us continue to be a place talented people want to come and stay,” said Rolf Nordstrom, GPI’s president and CEO. “Combined with his early-career experience in accounting and his understanding of the energy landscape through his work at Ulteig, Jim brings a well-rounded perspective to this moment of opportunity and transformation.”
Horn’s earlier career includes leadership roles in human resources at Donaldson Company, Target, and Northrop Grumman, as well as early experience as a tax consultant for Deloitte. He holds an M.A. in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of North Dakota.
“Jim’s people-first approach and cross-sector leadership experience complement the strengths of our current board,” said GPI board chair Priti Patel. “As GPI continues to grow, our board has prioritized recruiting leaders with expertise in talent strategy, organizational culture, and workforce development. Jim’s deep background in human resources—including talent acquisition and retention across domestic and international operations—makes him a valuable contributor across multiple dimensions of GPI’s governance.”
A Minneapolis resident, Horn also serves on the board of Prodeo Academy and is an active youth sports coach. He and his wife enjoy bicycling and active travel across the US and beyond. Horn’s appointment to the GPI board was effective July 1.
