FARGO — U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer announced Wednesday, April 2, that Heather Ranck is being reinstated as the director of the National Rural Export Center, which is based in Fargo.
In a joint statement, the Republican senators from North Dakota said they worked with the new administration at the Department of Commerce to accelerate the "important work" of the Rural Export Center by returning Ranck to the position, citing her experience and leadership in founding the center, which specializes in conducting customized market research designed to help rural companies connect with export markets.
Ranck was director of the National Rural Export Center prior to a disciplinary action she was hit with in February 2024 that resulted in a two-week suspension.
At the time of the suspension, Ranck was assigned to a different position within the U.S. Commerce Department, though the latter was not officially tied to the disciplinary action.
Prior to her suspension and reassignment, Ranck had spoken out against what she maintains was retaliation for a whistleblower complaint she brought against a higher-ranking federal official in April 2023.
Ranck has consistently declined to comment on the suspension or reassignment, and on Wednesday she declined to comment on the news that she would be returning to the Rural Export Center as its director.
Before receiving a suspension, Ranck originally faced an effort to fire her as director of the export center, a move she was notified...
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