31 December 2023
OF NOTE
Lorie Skjerven Gildea
Greenberg Traurig, Minneapolis, announced the addition of retired Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea as a shareholder in the global law firm’s Minneapolis office. Gildea served as chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court for 13 years. She is the second woman to hold the position and the third longest-serving chief justice in Minnesota history.
BEER
Forager Brewery, Rochester, announced that it’s Nillerzzzzz variety was rated the highest rated beer in the state for the third consecutive year by VinePair‘s ratings; the brewery also announced it was named one of the “Top 30 Breweries In The Country” by its brewery and pub peers in VinePair’s latest edition.
FOOD
SunOpta, an Eden Prairie-based supplier of plant-based prepared food and beverage products, announced the planned retirement of Joseph D. Ennen as chief executive officer and director. Brian W. Kocher has been appointed CEO, effective Jan. 2, and will also become a member of the board. Kocher previously served as president and CEO of both Calavo Growers, an avocado provider, and produce supplier Castellini Group of Cos., and interim CEO of Chiquita.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
TopLine Financial Credit Union, a Maple Grove-based member-owned financial services cooperative, announced it received a 2023 Desjardins Financial Education Award, sponsored by the Minnesota Credit Union Network and the Credit Union National Association.
GOVERNMENT
City of Burnsville announced that Councilmember Dan Gustafson has been appointed to the National League of Cities Community and Economic Development Committee and on the Metro Cities board of directors. … The State of Wisconsin announced that Dan Hereth, the state Department of Safety and Professional Services secretary-designee, has been recognized by the Council of State Governments as one of 20 up-and-coming appointed and elected officials from across the country at its National Conference, and became the first official from Wisconsin to earn a CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award.
HONORS
Fredrikson, a Minneapolis-based law firm, announced it earned 100 of 100 possible points on the 2023-24 Corporate Equality Index, achieving the designation as an “Equality 100 Award: Leaders in LGBTQ+ Inclusion” recipient on corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) workplace equality and is administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
LAW
Halunen Law, Minneapolis, announced that attorney Brittany Deane Salyers has joined the firm’s employment law practice group. … Fredrickson, Minneapolis, announced that Patrick J. Kelly has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico for International Trade and Finance. … Melissa Krasnow, a Minneapolis-based partner at Palo Alto, Calif.-based VLP Law Group, has been appointed to the International Association of Privacy Professionals Appeals Board starting in January.
MANUFACTURING
Graco Inc., a Minneapolis-based maker of fluid handling equipment for industry, announced that Dale D. Johnson, president, Worldwide Contractor Equipment Division, has informed the company of his intention to retire in the first quarter of 2025; David J. Thompson will succeed him effective Jan. 1, 2024, and Johnson will assume the role of chief commercial development officer. … Nortech Systems, a Maple Grove-based developer of electronic products for the medical, aerospace, defense and industrial markets, announced that Andrew LaFrence has been named CFO and senior vice president of finance. … H.B. Fuller, a Vadnais Heights-based maker of glues, coatings and sealants for industry and consumers, announced it has appointed Gregory Ogunsanya as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary. The company also announced that President and CEO Celeste Mastin has been named to the National Association of Manufacturers board of directors.
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
Nucleus RadioPharma, a Rochester-based supplier of radiopharmaceuticals, announced the hire of Mark Przekop as chief operating officer. Prior to joining Nucleus, Przekop held multiple roles at ARTMS, including COO.
REAL ESTATE
Minneapolis-based residential real estate companies Steven Scott Management, Bader Diamond Funds and Bader Development announced that after Jan. 1, they will undergo a rebrand and merge into one company called Bader.
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