13 August 2023
OF NOTE
Darius Gillard
Minnesota Opera, Minneapolis, announced the appointment of Darius Gillard as vice-president, impact. Gillard is a trained operatic tenor and previously was resident opera administrator with Pittsburgh Opera.
FEDERAL RESERVE
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis announced the hire of Hue Nguyen as an assistant vice president of policy, and the promotion of Libby Starling to senior community development adviser. Both work in Community Development and Engagement, which is also home to the Center for Indian Country Development.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Securian Financial, St. Paul, announced the following executive appointments: Pete Berlute, senior vice president to lead its Affinity Solutions Division; Wen Nannen, vice president and chief investment officer, executive vice president and chief investment officer for Securian Asset Management, and Mike Dominowski as head of sustainability, a new position.
FOOD
Hormel Foods, an Austin, Minn.-based global branded foods company, announced the following executive promotions: Scott Aakre, to group vice president and chief marketing officer of the Retail business, including the Planters, Skippy, Herdez and Spam brands; Lisa Salk succeeds Aakre as senior vice president of brand fuel; Natasha Walsh, promoted to vice president of marketing for convenient meals and proteins; Lynn Egner becomes vice president of retail sales, west.
GOVERNMENT
Minnesota Department of Health announced the appointment of Carol Backstrom as assistant commissioner for agency’s Health Systems Bureau, effective Aug. 16. Backstrom previously was an executive with Aurrera Health Group.
HEALTH CARE
Nystrom & Associates, a New Brighton-based chain of mental health treatment clinics, announced the promotion of Anh Le Kremer to chief strategy and development officer from chief operating officer and general counsel. The company also named Mike Chappuis vice president of medical services. … Spire Credit Union, Falcon Heights, announced that President and CEO Dan Stoltz has been named chair of the Regions Hospital Corporate Council. Spire Credit Union is a founding member of the Corporate Council. Regions Hospital is in St. Paul.
HONORS
The Metal Powder Industries Federation, a trade organization, announced that the following executives at manufacturer FMS Corp., Bloomington, received Awards of Distinction in the 2023 Powder Metallurgy Design Excellence Awards: Ryan Gebauer, product development engineer; John Sweet, CEO; Robert Brooks, production manager, and Luke Sweet, quality engineer. … Patrick McFarland, executive director of the Anoka County Community Action Program, was selected by the National Community Action Partnership to receive the national Lyndon Baines Johnson Leadership Award.
LAW
Fredrikson, Minneapolis, announced the hires of attorney Wes Eikmeier as an associate in the Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity groups, and Morshed Alam as chief financial officer. The firm also announced that shareholders Mercedes McFarland Jackson and Asmah Tareen have graduated from the third cohort of board training by Women Corporate Directors’ Minnesota Chapter.
MANUFACTURING
SkyWater Technology, a Bloomington-based semiconductor foundry, announced that Paul Sura has joined the company as executive vice president, Technology and Manufacturing Operations.
MEDIA
Exhibitor Group, a Rochester, Minn.-based trade magazine publisher for industries in the event marketing space, announced the appointment of David DuBois as chief executive officer and president. DuBois previously served as CEO and president of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events. … Anna Boroff has been named vice president of state government affairs for Minnesota and Wisconsin at cable and internet provider Comcast. Boroff previously was the executive director of the Minnesota Cable Association. Comcast, based in Philadelphia, has a regional headquarters in St. Paul.
NONPROFITS
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Foundation announced the following new board members: Brooke Brown, U.S. Bank; Lorin DeBonte, Cargill (retired); Simon May, Spruce Flowers & Events, and Nancy Vogt, community volunteer and retired commercial banking professional. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is located in Chaska.
SERVICES
Floyd’s 99 Barbershop, a national retail hair cutting franchiser, announced the opening of a location at 5051 France Ave. South, Edina, managed by Master Barber Darry Evans.
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