CAREER
Bremer Bank completes acquisition of Eastwood Bank
Bremer Bank announced it has completed the acquisition of Eastwood Bank in Rochester.
All 13 Eastwood Bank locations in southeast Minnesota are now Bremer Bank locations. With the completed acquisition, Bremer has added more than $675 million in assets. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
"There has been a lot of hard work going on at both Eastwood and Bremer over the past six months and we are excited to welcome the new locations and employees to Bremer," said Bremer's Midwest Group President Greg Hilding, in a news release. "More than anything, we look forward to bringing Bremer's capacity and resources to these Southeast Minnesota communities."
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Brad Peters, Bremer Bank Southeast Minnesota Region CEO will oversee the new network of branch locations. Current Rochester Market President Paul Tieskoetter will continue in his role and Dave Marcoux of Bremer Bank will manage private banking and retail banking in Rochester.
With the completion of the acquisition, Bremer is now one of the region's largest financial services companies. The organization has about 2,000 employees and more than 90 bank branches in communities across Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.
Lakewood Health System recognized for patient safety initiative
STAPLES - Lakewood Health System was recently recognized by the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) for being one of 115 hospitals to participate in the three year Partnership for Patients Hospital Engagement Network initiative.
This initiative addresses the 10 hospital acquired conditions (HACs): pressure ulcers, falls, obstetrical adverse events, venous thromboembolism, adverse drug events, surgical site infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, central line-associated bloodstream infections and readmissions. Through the efforts of this initiative, patient safety improved by 37 percent and prevented 12,000 patients from being harmed.
Corrine Neisess, patient safety director at Lakewood, said the health system appreciated the recognition for its work.
Norris is newest medical provider at Lakewood Health System
STAPLES - Dr. Katie Norris, family practice provider, is the newest member of Lakewood's medical provider staff.
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Originally from Duluth, Norris completed her undergraduate work at the College of St. Benedict and received her medical degree from the University of Minnesota. Her residency was done through the Duluth Family Medicine Residency Program. Norris is a member of the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), the American Academy of Family Practice (AAFP), and the Minnesota Medical Association (MMA).
Norris said she especially enjoys women's health, obstetrics and pediatrics and looks forward to being involved in Staples. Norris' husband Chad is also a family practice provider at Lakewood. Norris will see patients at the Staples and Browerville clinics starting in February.
Kehoe joins Edina Realty Baxter sales office
BAXTER - Edina Realty, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, recently announced Stephanie Kehoe has joined its Baxter sales office.
A new resident to Brainerd, Kehoe has an extensive background in health care and earned her bachelor's degree in health care administration. Kehoe said her recent moving experience generated a strong desire to help others achieve their dreams of homeownership.
Three join CliftonLarsonAllen
CliftonLarsonAllen, a national public accounting and consulting firm, announced hiring Molly Ekren, Scott Sand and Shanna Gondringer to work in the Brainerd office.
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Ekren, Brainerd, joined the firm as an associate in commercial services.
Sand, Baxter, joined the firm as an associate in state and local government. Scott resides in Baxter.
Gondringer, Brainerd, joined the firm as a seasonal tax preparer.
Minnesota Council on Foundations elects board
The Minnesota Council on Foundations (MCF), a regional association of grantmakers, elected new board officers and directors at its annual meeting on Jan. 22.
Officers elected for 2015 include Steve Joul, president, Central Minnesota Community Foundation, treasurer.
New directors elected to three-year terms ending in 2017, includes Aretha Green-Rupert, program officer, Otto Bremer Foundation.
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Bosch completes training
Tower Properties, with offices in Brainerd and Waite Park, announced Tim Bosch completed training for the Minnesota Professional Standards Committee.
Bosch has been on the committee for the past six years.
Training participants are lead through exercises centering around Findings of Fact, Arbitration Scenarios, Ethics Appeals, Grievance Committee Training and "What-If" Training. The Minnesota Professional Standards Committee is responsible for the hearings and discipline of real estate agents when a complaint is lodged from a fellow real estate agent or the public.
"Tim's dedication to the real estate industry, beyond working with clients, is inspiring," said Sales Manager Kevin Goedker. "We're honored to work alongside him and want to thank him for his continued service to the Realtors of Minnesota."
Bosch is broker and co-owner of Weichert Realtors - Tower Properties. A licensed real estate agent since 2002, Bosch has also been a member of the board of directors for the Greater Lakes Association of Realtors since 2007. He is a Brainerd native and has lived in the area for over 30 years. Bosch serves property buyers and sellers in both the Brainerd and St. Cloud areas.
Sazama Family Chiropractic & Wellness now in-network with BCBS
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Sazama Family Chiropractic & Wellness has added in-network participation with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota to its network of contracted insurance companies.
Johnson promoted to partner
Thaddeus F. Johnson, a certified public accountant at B. Johnson & Assoc., Ltd. was recently promoted to partner at the Brainerd accounting firm.
Johnson graduated from The College of Saint Scholastica in May of 2007 with a bachelor's degree in accounting and then began working at B. Johnson & Assoc., Ltd. Over the past eight years Johnson has been providing tax services to a large array of business, nonprofit and individual clients. He is also a past president of the Brainerd Jaycees and currently sits on the board of directors for Brainerd Restoration and the finance committee for Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity.
Whitefish Lodge & Manhattan Beach Lodge make The Knot
CROSSLAKE - Whitefish Lodge & Manhattan Beach Lodge announced they were selected as a 2015 winner in The Knot Best of Weddings, an award representing the highest-rated wedding professionals as reviewed by real couples, their families and wedding guests on The Knot.
This is the third year Whitefish Lodge & Manhattan Beach Lodge have been selected for The Knot Best of Weddings.
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In 2015, only 2 percent of the 250,000 local wedding professionals listed on TheKnot.com received this accolade. The Knot Best of Weddings provides a by-couples, for-couples guide to the top wedding professionals across the country. To determine the winners, The Knot assessed a sample of almost one million real reviews across the various vendor categories - venues, musicians, florists, photographers, caterers and more - a bride or groom would want in order to inspire, plan and pull off their own unique wedding.
The Knot report it has helped inspire and plan more than 25 million weddings.
WORKSHOPS
Appraiser and real estate continuing education offered
The Greater Lakes Association of Realtors is hosting a continuing education class on Feb. 5 titled "USPAP."
This is the 8-hour National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) Update Course, as developed by The Appraisal Foundation. The course focuses on changes to USPAP for 2014 and 2015 and on appraisal issues that affect daily appraisal practice, challenging participants to interpret and apply USPAP to situations they encounter in the daily practice. Susanne Barkalow is the instructor for this class. In addition to the student manual, required for all students, each appraiser student must have a copy of the 2014-2015 USPAP, USPAP Advisory Opinions, USPAP Frequently Asked Questions, and Index for use in all USPAP courses. Books will be available at class.
For more information and a complete continuing education schedule, go to www.GreaterLakesRealtors.com , Education. Pre-registration is required. Education classes are at the Greater Lakes Association of Realtors Education Unit, 15344 Pearl Drive, Baxter. For more information, call 828-4567.
The Greater Lakes Association of Realtors is one of 16 Real Estate Trade Associations in Minnesota that has members in Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Mille Lacs, Morrison and Todd counties.
Free workshop set on the power of the dreaming mind
The Hidden Power of Your Dreaming Mind is the title of a free workshop planned in Baxter
The session is 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 26, 14084 Baxter Drive, Suite 7, Baxter, which is in the BlackRidgeBANK building.
For more information, call Marty at 703-608-1030 or email marty@dreamworkguide.com .
MMBA offers continuing education
The Mid Minnesota Builders Association (MMBA) has 14 hours of continuing education courses
available for licensed builders and remodelers.
The 2015 Minnesota State Building Code is 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 5 at The Woods, formerly Timbermist, 19624 County Road 3, Merrifield.
Followed by the Builders new product showcase.
This seminar will assist participants in implementing the transition from the 2006 IRC to the 2012 IRC.
It will include relevant changes in the 2009 IRC.
One hour energy Included
Cost is $25 for MMBA members and $100 for non-members. The event includes lunch and breaks.
In conjunction with the Feb. 5 Class, the MMBA is putting together their second annual Builder's New Product Showcase Event from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at The Woods. Associate members pay $20 and associate non-members pay $25.
This event is free for all licensed builders and remodelers to attend and will be in conjunction with the MMBA's Continuing Education Classes for Builders in the industry therefore attendance is expected to be high.
This is an Industry Specific Trade Show for Associate's to Exhibit the "latest and greatest" products and services to local builders and remodelers.
Invitations will be sent out to more than 500 licensed builders.
Participating businesses will have the opportunity to engage one another. Booth space is open to all MMBA associates members and non-members.
For more information, contact Colleen Faacks, 218-829-4982 or cmfaacks@brainerd.net
MMBA cancels Feb. 7 course
The 2015 Minnesota SBC: Wood Trusses & Engineered Lumber course planned Feb. 7 at Central Lakes College has been canceled due to lack of registration.
AWARD
Adventure Advertising earns best in show
Adventure Advertising received the "Best of Show" honors at the Central Minnesota American Advertising Awards competition Jan. 24, at the historic Paramount Theatre in downtown St. Cloud.
Adventure received the show's top honor for creative excellence seven out of the last eight years. The Best of Show ADDY Trophy went to Adventure for - Ferche Millwork - Book of Mouldings. Other awards included two Judge's Choice ADDY Awards - Cambria Style - Big & Rich Feature and Johnson Outdoors Watercraft Inc. - Ocean Kayak Prowler Big Game II Campaign.
In addition, Adventure won 13 Gold ADDY Awards for: Ferche Millwork, Book of Mouldings; Ferche Millwork, Book of Mouldings photography campaign; Cambria Style, Big & Rich feature; UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation, Oliver & Hope's Adventure Under the Stars Storybook; Johnson Outdoors Watercraft, Inc., Old Town Canoe NEXT website; Johnson Outdoors Watercraft, Inc., Ocean Kayak Prowler Big Game II campaign; Johnson Outdoors Watercraft Inc., Old Town Canoe NEXT logo; Ahni & Zoe, Share the Love social media campaign; GREAT Children's Theatre, annual report; GREAT Theatre Company, the Addams Family poster; GREAT Children's Theatre, capital campaign microsite; GREAT Children's Theatre, season posters campaign; Adventure Advertising, website (developed by Meta 13 Interactive).
Adventure earned 13 Silver ADDY Awards for: Ahni & Zoe, spring 2014 product catalog; Klarbrunn, Übr Water Packaging; UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation, Oliver & Hope's Adventure Under The Stars Storybook media kit; UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation, Kidspiration Facebook video campaign, Cambria Style; Curtis Stone feature; Larson Boat Group; Larson FX "Where Others Have Yet to Go" :30 TV commercial; Johnson Outdoors Watercraft Inc.,Old Town Canoe NEXT campaign; Johnson Outdoors Watercraft Inc., Predator XL 3D Model render illustration; Johnson Outdoors Watercraft Inc., Ocean Kayak Prowler Big Game II website (developed by Meta 13 Interactive); The Barrel Mill, rebrand campaign; The Barrel Mill, logo; Commonweal Theatre, Arcadia show poster; Sedona Bottling Company, logo.
The American Advertising Federation Central Minnesota is one of 200 local member advertising clubs that participate in the American Advertising Awards competition. This is the first tier of the competition and winning entries will now move on to a district competition to be judged in March. Those winners will go on to the national competition held in June.
The Dispatch welcomes business notes submissions via email to renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com , or fax to 218-829-0211, mail to Brainerd Dispatch, P.O. Box 974, Brainerd, MN 56401 or use the drop-off box in the alley next to the Dispatch building on James Street. Questions are welcome to Renee Richardson at 855-5852.
More business notes may be part of the Business Extra section in Monday's edition.
