Prairie Public Broadcasting

Interim WSI head to stay a little longer BISMARCK, ND (Prairie Public) - The interim CEO of North Dakota's workers compensation agency will be staying on a little longer than he had planned to.

Former Fargo mayor Bruce Furness was named the interim CEO of Workforce Safety and Insurance after Sandy Blunt was fired.

"I'd hoped to be done by the end of the year," Furness said. "The Governor asked me to consider staying for the (Legislative) session."

Furness says the Legislative session is not a good time to bring on someone new. So, he says he did agree to stay to start the session.

"I also agreed not to be there at the end (of the session)," said Furness. "Where that happens, we haven't yet decided."

Furness is hoping Gov. John Hoeven (R) will name a new director soon.

"Whomever the new person is should come in during the Legislature, just to make acquaintences and see how it works," said Furness. "That would be good training for the new person."
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