James Barnhardt, North Dakota's 529 College SAVE Plan Director.

James Barnhardt is the state of North Dakota's 529 College SAVE Plan Director. He has worked at Bank of North Dakota, the only state-owned bank in the nation, since 2003 in a variety of roles including Communications Coordinator for College Planning Services and the Communications and Marketing Director for the Bank. Previously he worked for King Ranch, the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and owned communications and marketing consulting business New Day Communications.

Since becoming director of North Dakota's College SAVE Plan, James re-launched the 529 plan from an advisor sold only plan to a direct to consumer 529 plan. He has also guided the launch of two significant grant programs (North Dakota Matching Grant based on family income and the Children FIRST grant program for all North Dakota newborns) for the benefit of in-state residents. The grant programs along with the introduction of an in-state tax deduction have combined to result in a 2,000 percent increase in account openings in North Dakota.

College SAVE is also part of the Education Marketing Team at Bank of North Dakota which includes the College Planning Center, Student Loans and Student Loan Refinancing service areas and State Chapter of Dollars for Scholars.

James is also a member of IABC, NDASFAA, CSPN and Jump$tart.