Burgum was CEO of Great Plains from 1993 through 2001 when the company was acquired by Microsoft. He was then the corporate VP heading Microsoft Business Solutions, which marketed the Dynamics software line, until 2007 when he was replaced by Kirill Tatarinov, who left the company last year.

New reports also say Burgum has criticized the state's GOP legislature on social issues, including its failure to pass legislation to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and that he has spoken about the importance of equal rights, inclusion and tolerance of others.

Burgum is a partner in Arthur Ventures, which invests in early-stage companies. Among its partner companies—which it says other investment firms call portfolio companies—is Avalara, for which he serves as a director.