Anthony Foti Expresses that Bismarck-Mandan’s Winters are Cold, but the Community is Warm

In October 2024, Anthony Foti moved to Bismarck to join MDU Resources’ executive team as its new chief legal officer and corporate secretary. He and his wife, Victoria, both grew up in New York and had been living along the New Jersey shore before the move.

“We had no trepidation at all about moving to North Dakota,” says Foti. “My wife and I both jumped in with two feet and made Bismarck-Mandan our home from day one. Our daughter, Sofia, was only three years old, so the relocation was seamless for her also.”

Over the past nine months, Anthony and Victoria have found their community in Bismarck-Mandan and enjoy life in North Dakota. Sofia has made friends in her preschool classroom, and she loves her teachers. Read how the Fotis are Making Their Mark in their new neighborhood. 

Foti’s Work Supports the Energy Industry

MDU Resources, a pure-play regulated energy delivery business based in Bismarck, has been a cornerstone of the region for more than a century, consistently contributing to the communities it serves. With electric, natural gas distribution, and pipeline segments, it is a valuable player in the energy sector. MDU Resources has $3.1 billion in planned capital investments over the next five years that are part of its designed effort to continue to provide safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally-responsible energy to its customers.

Foti brought a wealth of experience in corporate governance, securities regulation, and strategic legal operations to MDU Resources. He previously served as senior vice president, deputy general counsel, and corporate secretary at Foot Locker, Inc. in New York, NY, where he spent a decade in various executive legal roles of increasing responsibility. Prior to Foot Locker, he was in private practice and focused on corporate and securities transactions for clients primarily in the regulated energy delivery business. Foti is excited to return to the energy sector, and to a state where the industry is so valuable to the economy.

“In New Jersey, my wife and I both commuted into New York City for work every day via public transportation,” he says. “This is my first job I have driven to–and I have only a seven-minute commute. Other than occasional road construction–due to Bismarck-Mandan’s rapid growth–I never find myself in traffic.”

“Bismarck-Mandan is open for business–and growing!” 

The Foti Family Feels Welcomed by the Bismarck Community

The Fotis have connected with other families who also recently moved to Bismarck-Mandan from across the country. They have found transplants from Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Connecticut, all of whom relocated to pursue a new career opportunity. Foti has nothing but good things to say about the people of Bismarck-Mandan–both the lifelong residents and newer arrivals.

“We really like the people we have met here,” he says. “Everyone is very friendly, welcoming, and down-to-earth. This is a great community in which to raise a family.”

Even the mayor and his wife are welcoming to new residents who want to call Bismarck home. Finding a sense of community can quickly make people love where they live. 

Once Foti settled in, he started giving back. In February, he was elected to the Sanford Health Foundation board of directors, which put $1.5 million in philanthropic gifts to work at Sanford Health in central and western North Dakota in 2024. Foti also serves on the MDU Resources Foundation board of directors, which has existed for 42 years and contributed several million dollars to organizations and charities in the Bismarck-Mandan region over the years.

“Community stewardship is a value deeply rooted in the Bismarck community. We have found many residents to be very giving of their time and resources in service of various community organizations,” he adds. “People care. We appreciate how invested residents are in the Bismarck-Mandan community.”

Foti Has Found the Comforts of Home in North Dakota

The Fotis have discovered some fun surprises along their journey. As New York natives, they wondered whether they’d find good pizza in North Dakota, and they have. The family enjoys Fire Flour’s Neapolitan-style options and they visit there often.

As for their first winter in Bismarck-Mandan, the Fotis took the cold weather in stride.

Weather is a frequent topic of conversation among North Dakotans. “Everyone we meet is eager to share stories with us concerning the brutal North Dakota winters,” says Foti. “I have traveled to some cold places over the years, including Antarctica and Iceland, but I didn’t experience a -39 degree climate until I moved to North Dakota. We enjoyed most of the winter indoors and were able to take long weekend trips to Arizona and Florida, so we fared well with the cold weather.”

“North Dakota winters are cold, but the warmth of the Bismarck-Mandan community makes the area inviting,” says Foti.

Read About Other Residents Making Their Mark

Bismarck-Mandan is full of residents eager to share their experiences and welcome new people to the community. Get to know Moses Ilunga, who has a passion for cybersecurity, or Shannon Dickson, who cares for the animals at the North Dakota zoo. There’s always someone willing to lend a helping hand – or a glove in the winter – to new neighbors.

Make Your Mark tells the stories of Bismarck-Mandan residents and helps people move here. Explore our relocation assistance programs and other resources to find your future home. Your family has a place in North Dakota, and we are happy to welcome you!