FARGO, N.D. — Brian K. Sorenson has joined Dakota Specialty Milling, Inc. as director of milling operations. Dakota Specialty is a large supplier of custom-milled and whole grain blends. He will have oversight of production scheduling and coordination with other departments.

Mr. Sorenson has more than 20 years of experience in private industry as well as at the Northern Crop Institute in Fargo. Dakota Specialty said he has managed research projects focused on bringing new technology tested at laboratories and pilot plants to full-scale production. He also has experience traveling globally, promoting the purchase and use of U.S. agricultural products.

He has been acting director of the N.C.I. since 2008 and earlier was technical director there for six years. Mr. Sorenson also worked in the extension service of North Dakota State University and spent 11 yeas as a research project manager for Purina Mills, Inc. in St. Louis.

Mr. Sorenson holds a master’s of science degree in cereal chemistry and technology from North Dakota State University. He is a past chairman of the Wheat Quality Council and is a past secretary of the AACC International Milling and Baking Division. He remains a member of the W.Q.C. and AACC and also belongs to I.A.O.M. International.

Mr. Sorenson was named as an alternate member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection Advisory Committee in 2007. Mr. Sorenson lives in Fisher, Minn., just east of the North Dakota border, about 90 miles north of Fargo.