ND APEX Accelerator Welcomes Government Contracting Advisor to Support North Dakota Businesses

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The North Dakota APEX Accelerator is excited to announce the addition of Robert Graham, who will be serving as a government contracting advisor. Graham has more than 30 years of extensive experience from operations, corporate leadership, acquisition management and experience with the Department of Defense. His new role with the ND APEX Accelerator includes supporting North Dakota businesses in navigating federal, state and local government contracting, providing one-on-one advising, delivering trainings and leading outreach efforts across the state.

“We are pleased to welcome Robert Graham to our team,” said Dave Kleppe, ND APEX program manager. “His military background in space operations, technology and program management, as well as his accomplishments as an instructor, will be a significant asset to our program.”

Graham has a master’s degree in business administration from Eldorado University, California, along with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He brings extensive government and defense contracting experience directly positioning him for his advising role, having worked both in managing contracts and pursuing them in the industry. His expertise in supply chain oversight, contract negotiation and proposal review equips him to help businesses navigate the competitive government marketplace with strategic, results-driven guidance.

“We’re excited to have Robert join the ND APEX Accelerator team,” said Tiffany Ford, director of the UND Center for Business Engagement & Development, which hosts ND APEX, ND SBDC and the VBOC of the Dakotas programs. “His extensive background across government, defense and industry brings valuable perspective to our mission of helping North Dakota businesses compete in the government marketplace.

“Robert will be instrumental in building relationships with clients and partners across the state, creating meaningful impact as they pursue and secure government contracts.”

The ND APEX Accelerator offers services including training webinars and workshops around the state. The team will assist businesses in navigating the government contracting learning curve, making the process easier and simplifying the government contracting process while allowing businesses to overcome challenges and accelerate success.

About the ND APEX Program:

The APEX Accelerator program, established by Congress in 1985, helps businesses, especially small businesses, access the government marketplace. Administered by the Department of Defense, the program provides funding through cooperative agreements with state and local governments and nonprofit organizations to operate APEX Accelerators. For more information, visit ND APEX.

The ND APEX Accelerator program is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense. Match funding is provided by the Bank of North Dakota, and the program is hosted by the University of North Dakota’s Nistler College of Business & Public Administration.

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Media Contact: Dave Kleppe, Program Manager, 701.777.6571, david.kleppe@UND.edu