Grand Forks County employee Gracie Lian invited to national Air Force event

Grand Forks Herald
·2 min read

Apr. 15—GRAND FORKS — A Grand Forks County employee has received an invitation to take part in an annual forum on national security.

Gracie Lian, Grand Forks County project coordinator, is expected to attend the event next month at Maxwell Air Force Base in Maxwell, Alabama.

According to a Grand Forks County release, Lian received a personal invitation from Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall III to participate in the forum, which "exposes influential citizens to senior U.S. and international officers and civilian equivalents in order to engage each other's' ideas and perspectives on Air Force, national, and international security issues." Lian is among the civilian guests who will engage with National Security Forum alumni and War College students, faculty and staff to share their perspectives and experience.

Lian will attend lectures, meet in seminars for discussions and participate in social events with United States Air Force leadership.

"We are thrilled for Gracie and all that she is accomplishing during her time with the county," Grand Forks County Commissioner Dave Engen said in a statement sent to the Herald. "Gracie is respected and well-liked by the men and women at Grand Forks Air Force Base. She is a wonderful ambassador for our community, and we are proud that she will represent Grand Forks County."

Lian's duties with the county have included Air Force-related work. She represents the county on the Grand Forks Region Base Retention and Investment Committee and also on the Chamber's Military Affairs Committee. She recently was named the 319th Mission Support Group "Honorary Commander."

"I am honored and excited to have been invited by Secretary Kendall, and to have the opportunity to attend such a prestigious program," Lian said. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me to attend the very same lectures and seminars our best and brightest military officers attend, preparing them to lead our military into the future. I hope to bring back what I learn to better support our community and Grand Forks Air Force Base."

Lian is a Grand Forks native who attended Red River High School and UND. At UND, she was elected student body president.