20 August 2023
OF NOTE
Amar A. Desai
Optum Health, an Eden Prairie-based health care management division of medical insurer UnitedHealth Group, announced that Dr. Amar A. Desai was named chief executive officer. Desai previously served as president of Health Care Delivery at CVS Health. Desai succeeds Dr. Wyatt Decker, who was named executive vice president for UnitedHealth Group and chief physician, Innovation and Value-Based Care. ..
ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS
Rise and Shine and Partners, a Minneapolis ad agency, announced the advancement or directors Amber Benson and Ishan Dumra to its leadership team. Dumra is director of strategy, insights and culture; Benson is director of media and communications strategy.
ATTRACTIONS
Stearns History Museum, St. Cloud, announced that Executive Director Carie Essig is leaving to pursue an opportunity at Stride Academy, a St. Cloud charter school. Development Director Amy Degerstrom will serve as interim executive director.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Jacqueline Rambin, a career coach and owner and founder of The Prestigious Professional, a St. Paul-based business consultant focused on BIPOC entrepreneurs, executives and employees, announced her appointment to the Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneur Board by Gov. Tim Walz.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Deluxe, a Minneapolis-based provider of business payment services and products, announced the additions of Debra Bradford as president of Merchant Services, and Kristopher Lazzaretti, president of Data Solutions. … First National Bank Bemidji announced the following promotions: Amy Haskell, vice president, chief risk officer; Georgia Del Favero, chief legal officer; Steve Lundberg, chief of technology; Kirsten Zachman, chief operations officer; Christian Welle, commercial loan officer; Aaron Weidemann, retail loan officer, and Chelsea Bennett, chief of staff.
HEALTH CARE
Lyngblomsten, a St. Paul-based nonprofit senior services organization, announced the opening of a continuum-of-care residential campus at Hodgson Road and County Road J, Lino Lakes. … National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match, a St. Paul-based organization that works to connect bone marrow donors with recipient patients, announced that Christina Melief has joined as senior scientific adviser. Melief also serves as chair of the Be The Match BioTherapies Cord Blood Bank Alliance.
LAW
Fredrikson, Minneapolis, announced the additions of attorneys David Woger, Douglass B. Hiatt, Robin M. Radke and senior associate Christian V. Hokans. … Maslon, Minneapolis, announced that partner Terrance Newby has been appointed chair of the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. … Moss & Barnett, Minneapolis, announced that attorneys Peter J. Kaiser and Taylor D. Sztainer have been appointed adjunct directors to the firm’s board.
MANUFACTURING
3M Co., Maplewood, announced that Audrey Choi has been elected to its board of directors, effective Aug. 9. Choi is retired chief sustainability officer and chief marketing officer at Morgan Stanley. … The Toro Co., a Bloomington-based maker of lawn mowers and snow removal machines for consumers and businesses, announced that Jason P. Baab joined the company as vice president of strategy, corporate development and sustainability, succeeding Blake Grams, who retired in April.
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
Inspire Medical Systems, a Golden Valley-based developer and provider of sleep apnea treatments, announced the appointment of Carlton Weatherby as chief strategy officer; Weatherby previously was an executive at Medtronic.
OPENINGS
Jersey Mike’s Subs announced a new location at 8800 Point Douglas Road South, Cottage Grove. The franchise owner is Michael McGuire.
RECREATION
Vista Outdoor, an Anoka-based parent company for retail outdoor recreation brands, announced that Eric Nyman has been named CEO of the company’s Outdoor Products segment; Vista’s brands include Remington Ammunition, Bushnell, CamelBak and Bell Helmets. … YWCA St. Paul announced the appointment of Ashley Booker as CEO, effective Aug. 21, succeeding Gaye Adams Massey, who is retiring. Booker previously was an executive with Planned Parenthood North Central States.
TECHNOLOGY
Hummingbirds, a Des Moines, Iowa-based digital platform that connects businesses with local social media content creators, announced the launch of a community in the Twin Cities. … The Argir Group, a digital consulting firm for business, announced its launch in St. Paul.
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