[3][4] He graduated from Hazen High School and attended North Dakota State University where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 1982.
He has continued to serve in this position under then-Governor John Hoeven and former Governor Jack Dalrymple and is currently Vice-Chairman of the Lignite Research Council.
West River is also a leader in the development of cellular service in North Dakota as a major partner with Verizon Wireless.
Following the statewide general election in 2000, Senate Republicans chose Randy to serve as their Assistant Majority Leader.
He had been re-elected to this post every two years thereafter, making him one of North Dakota’s longest serving legislative leaders in recent memory.