CAREER
Four join Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson
Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson (KL&J), an engineering, surveying and planning firm hired Travis Burns, Kelly Kruize, Jordan Schuver and Kris Wroolie in the Brainerd office.
Burns is a surveyor with the survey east group. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering/land surveying from St. Cloud State University. Burns has two years of AutoCAD Civil 3D experience.
Kruize is an administrative technician with the survey east group. She attended Fergus Falls Community College and is a Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Graduate. Kruize has nearly 10 years of administrative experience.
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Schuver is a surveyor with the survey east group. He has more than four years of related work experience.
Wroolie is a surveyor in the east survey group. He earned a bachelor’s degree in land surveying from St. Cloud State University. Wroolie has more than 12 years experience in all aspects of the public land survey system and worked extensively on restoration of public land survey corners.
Contractors announced in Butler building project
AITKIN - Hy-Tec Construction, Brainerd, was selected as the general contractor for the Butler building renovation project in downtown Aitkin.
In addition, seven Aitkin contractors were selected for work on the renovation and restoration of the building, Gravelle Plumbing and Heating, Lundberg Plumbing and Heating, Aitkin Glass, Draqgovich Drywall, Inc., Dutch’s Electric, CMA Concrete and Masonry Associates LLC/Randy Slette, and Cedarbrook Lumber.
The Butler Project is the brainchild of Minnesota native Sylvia Allen, principal owner of the building. Allen intends to restore it and turn its three levels into a destination for retail, dining and event space. Allen is financing the construction and restoration through Bremer Bank in Aitkin and the Northland Foundation in Duluth.
The Butler Building will be renovated in phases; the first phase is to renovate the exterior to its original look and lease the main floor. Although no leases have been signed yet, Allen plans to offer a diverse collection of shops, an Internet café, and corridor space for special marketing events like an indoor farmer’s market and craft fairs. The building is expected to be ready for tenants by Oct. 1.
Hall and Gaffney retire from CliftonLarsonAllen
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John Gaffney and Allen Hall are retiring from CliftonLarsonAllen.
The two represent 70 years of client service. A reception is planned from 4-6 p.m. Thursday at CliftonLarsonAllen, 14275 Golf Course Drive, Suite 300, Baxter. Beverages and light snacks will be served.
Nextera acquires assets of OneNet USA
Nextera Communications, with offices in Brainerd, recently purchased the assets of OneNet USA, marking the Brainerd-based telecommunications company’s fourth business acquisition in four years.
Greg Arvig, president of Nextera, said they have provided network solutions to OneNet for several years.
The new customers, mostly from the Twin Cities area, now have direct access to Nextera’s carrier-grade switching and network platform, providing business-class products and services including hosted PBX and fixed wireless phone and Internet. Customers also have access to MyNextera, a Web portal where they can configure their phone services, view invoices, establish payment types and pay bills online.
With headquarters in Edina, OneNet USA will continue serving as an agent and strategic partner of Nextera, assisting customers with their phone and Internet needs.
Gelbmann named development officer
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Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Foundation named Cheryl Gelbmann development officer.
Gelbmann and her husband, Dr. Jim Gelbmann, moved to Brainerd in 1975 to start the Brainerd Medical Center. Cheryl has a degree in nursing from Gustavus Adolphus College and worked in public health. She started Impart Meetings and Events in 1982, was the first woman president of Brainerd chamber, and was elected Crow Wing County commissioner 1990-94. She also served on the St. Joseph’s Medical Center Board of Directors for 2 1/2 terms and St. Joseph’s Foundation board for six years.
On July 12, the Brainerd Lakes Community Foundation presented Gelbmann with the Women Making Waves Award, which honors women leaders.
Nor-Son breaks ground for
new assisted living community
Nor-Son was chosen has the general contractor for the $3.65 million assisted living facility in Ada.
The 26,000-square-foot facility will be attached to the current Bridges Care Community. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2012, with anticipated completion of spring 2013. Designed by Pope Associates, the new assisted living community will include; 18 apartments, chapel, day care center, small café, courtyard for residents to enjoy and a new maintenance garage.
Asche joins Lakewood Health System
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STAPLES - Lakewood Health System welcomed Jennifer Asche, physician assistant-certified.
Originally from Edgeley, N.D., Asche received her bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy from North Dakota State University and her master of physician assistant studies from the University of North Dakota. Asche will primarily see patients out of the Eagle Valley clinic in Eagle Bend. She is interested in preventative medicine, pediatrics and women’s health.
CLC hires Schilling as diesel tech instructor
Dustin Schilling of Eagle Bend was hired as a full-time diesel technology instructor at Central Lakes College (CLC), Staples campus.
Schilling was a temporary instructor in the program last year. He also served CLC as a lab assistant in the diesel program one year before taking on instructional duties. He has taught courses in diesel engines, electrical and electronics, on-highway truck theory and lab, and customer service at the Staples campus.
He is a 2004 graduate of the diesel mechanics program at Alexandria Technical College, where he earned a 3.5 GPA while working 36 to 40 hours per week. He also has been a mechanic for Knife River, Sauk Rapids; Gary’s Diesel, Staples; and Maney International, Alexandria.
Deuth elected to Good Samaritan
Society National Board
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Good Samaritan Society – Communities of Brainerd and Pine River Executive Director Mike Deuth was recently elected to the Society’s national Board of Directors.
Deuth has served the society – mostly as an administrator – in various locations for more than 26 years. He was named to his current position overseeing the Brainerd and Pine River campuses in 2010.
The Good Samaritan Society national Board of Directors is comprised of senior campus administration from all over the country, as well as gifted professionals from the private sector in business, law and religion. Directors donate their time to the society offering strategic, mission-focused oversight for the organization made up of more than 220 centers nationwide.
Deuth was elected to the Board at the Society’s annual meeting near its Sioux Falls, S.D., headquarters on June 19.
CLC hires Freeman as recruiter
Andres Freeman of Duluth has been hired as a recruiter for Central Lakes College (CLC), Brainerd and Staples, effective Monday.
Freeman has been a senior customer service representative at united Health Care, Duluth. He served from 2009-11 was employed for three years as lead assistant residential adviser in the Upward Bound program at Itasca Community College, Grand Rapids.
He has worked in the pharmaceutical insurance and financial sector while living in the San Diego area.
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Freeman earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing management through ITT Technical Institute last September while working full time.
At CLC he will be part of the admission team to support and increase enrollment while part of a cross-functional advising department.
MicroNet gains visibility
NISSWA - A sign for MicroNet is now up on Smiley Road in Nisswa.
ChamberMaster is a product of MicroNet Inc., a provider of software and networking services since 1996. ChamberMaster was launched in 1998 with the release of member management software designed exclusively for chambers of commerce.
EVENTS
US Bank to host chamber’s Friday Morning Coffee
LITTLE FALLS - The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce invites all chamber members, employees and guests to US Bank, 7:30-9 a.m., Friday, 101 East Broadway, Little Falls, for Friday Morning Coffee.
Announcements and introductions will be at 8:15 a.m. Sponsoring this month is US Bank.
Free training nearing an end in Pine River
PINE RIVER - The Computer Center in Pine River project is nearing the end with six more weeks left of free training.
The grant was designed to help small businesses and to introduce potential students to the Central Lakes College outreach Center in Pine River. Almost 100 participants have taken advantage of this opportunity so far and the following schedule will be offered until Aug. 16.
Tuesday nights at the lab - “You Tube Video editing and posting.” This will be good for small businesses wanting to use You Tube for free exposure on the Internet. Thursday nights at the lab - “Computer Basics” This is for the new user. How to use the Internet and set up a free email account.
MS Office Excel will be repeated on July 12 and 17. This popular workshop will teach you how to create a spreadsheet and do basic math in Excel. You will learn how to create formulas, format data, and learn how to make the switch to Excel 2010 from earlier versions.
All seminars will run from 5-8 p.m. Participants are asked to call to register or request a special seminar for your business.
For more information, call (218) 947-7523 or email to cass.edc@co.cass.mn.us to reserve a spot. Space is limited and Aug. 16 will be the last date for free training. The Computer Lab is located at 980 First St. N. in Pine River – just north of the high school.
