Business Notes - July 9

CAREER

Kovall joins Edina Realty Crosslake Sales Office

CROSSLAKE-Edina Realty, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, recently announced that Jen Kovall joined its Crosslake sales office.

Kovall, originally from Longville, joins Edina Realty from Thunder Lake Realty. She owns Deer Haven Supper Club and has a bachelor's degree from Bemidji State University. She has enjoyed working with area youth programs for more than 20 years.

Law firm gains new name

The law firm of Gammello, Qualley, Pearson & Mallak PLLC was renamed Gammello-Pearson PLLC.

Gammello-Pearson is a central Minnesota law firm serving clients throughout the state with offices in Baxter and Little Falls. Attorneys James Gammello, Thomas Pearson, Daniel Hawley, Conrad Kragness and Maria Warhol service an area that includes Brainerd, Little Falls, Aitkin, Walker, Wadena, Long Prairie, among other Minnesota locations. The focus of the firm's practice includes real estate law, corporate and business law, civil litigation, estate planning, probate, elder law, family law, municipal law and criminal defense.

Cygneture Title Solutions has new owner, location

In May 2017, after co-owning and managing Cygneture Title & Abstract Inc. for eight years, Suzanne "Suz" Pohl became the sole owner of the title company, which has served the Brainerd Lakes area for 30 years.

She also changed the name of the company to Cygneture Title Solutions LLC and moved the office to 13021 Evergreen Drive, Baxter. Visitors are welcome to stop in and check out the new office.

Tri-County Health Care earns ACR accreditation

WADENA - Tri-County Health Care was awarded a three-year term of accreditation in computed tomography as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology. CT scanning - sometimes called CAT scanning - is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and tailor treatments for various medical conditions. The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Parameters and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report that can be used for continuous practice improvement.

The ACR is a professional medical society that serves more than 37,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians and medical physicists.

Dehler is named Little Falls employee of the month

LITTLE FALLS-The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce announced Susie Dehler, Thielen Meats of Little Falls, is July employee of the month.

She has been a clerk at Thielen Meats of Little Falls for the past 26 years.

Jessica Thielen stated Dehler is a caring, compassionate person who is dedicated to both the business and the customers and makes the workplace more enjoyable. "We are lucky to have her as a vital part of Thielen Meats."

Dehler stated she enjoys working with the public and her job.

Fritz joins the Essentia Health Brainerd Clinic

Nurse Practitioner Kevin Fritz has joined the Pain Medicine team at the Essentia Health St. Joseph's-Brainerd Clinic.

Fritz will work with Dr. Nancy Henry-Socha to provide customized treatment plans to help patients manage pain.

Fritz earned a master's degree in nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He is certified as an adult health nurse practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. He has been a nurse practitioner for nearly 30 years.

USDA enrollment period for ag risk ends Aug. 1

BAXTER -- Trisha McMonagle, county executive director of the Crow Wing/Cass/Aitkin/Itasca USDA Farm Service Agency, reminded eligible producers to enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs for 2017, the enrollment period will end Aug. 1.

The new programs, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, trigger financial protections for agricultural producers when market forces cause substantial drops in crop prices or revenues. Covered commodities under ARC and PLC include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium grain rice, which includes short grain and sweet rice), safflower seed, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.

For more information on the FSA ARC and PLC programs, contact the Crow Wing/Cass/Aitkin/Itasca FSA office, 7118 Clearwater Road, Baxter, at 218-829-5965 extension 2.

David Paulson Agency in Wadena joins North Risk Partners

North Risk Partners, one of the largest independent insurance agencies in Minnesota, has acquired David Paulson Agency, an agency located in Wadena with roots dating back over 100 years.

The deal, effective July 1, grows North Risk to 17 locations statewide, from Roseau in the north to Rochester in the south.

For David Paulson Agency clients, both businesses and individuals, the acquisition means more options for coverages and loss prevention services, the company reported.

John Paulson, co-owned the agency with his brother Kevin Paulson for many years.

With this acquisition, North Risk Partners welcomes five insurance professionals to its team, growing the company to 180 employees statewide. John and Kevin Paulson have joined North Risk as risk advisers with a primary focus on commercial accounts. Longtime employees, Cindy Pajari and Julie Bushinger, as well as Teara Hammes, who is coming up on her five-year anniversary with the agency, have joined North Risk in service roles.

The Paulson family has been in the insurance business since 1961 when John's and Kevin's parents, David and Arleen, purchased the agency from its previous owner. In 1997, John and Kevin Paulson purchased the insurance side of the business, separate from the real estate portion of the business, Paulson Agency Realty, which today remains in the ownership of Arleen Paulson. Arleen Paulson, who previously acted as office manager for the insurance business, is now focused solely on her real estate business.

EVENTS

LAHRA session looks at work support for service members

Lakes Area Human Resources Association is hosting an event looking at employers working with military service members in the Guard and Reserve.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of Defense program that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the Reserve components through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws and resolved employment conflicts between the service members and their employers.

The ESGR understands the unique talents and skill set Guard and Reserve service members can bring to the civilian workforce. To make this arrangement work, both parties must be aware of their rights and responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

The event is 11:30-1 p.m. Thursday at Prairie Bay Grill and Catering, 15115 Edgewood Drive

Baxter. The event is free for members and first-time guests interested in LAHRA and $25 for other guests. Go to www.LAHRA.org for more information.

Jack Pine Brewery hosts Business After Hours

BAXTER-Join Jack Pine Brewery as they host a Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce networking event, Business After Hours from 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesday at its new location, 15593 Edgewood Drive in Baxter.

Chamber members may enjoy a few of their quality brews on tap free of charge, including Dead Branch, Duck Pond, and Fenceline. Attendees will be provided with various snacks at this month's event, and will receive a tour of their new location.

Chamber members and non-members are invited to register and attend this free event.

For more information, call 218-829-2838.