Biz Buzz for June 15

By news@duluthnewstribune.com

June 14, 2009 at 11:00 PM

HIRES AND PROMOTIONS

Juli Kellner was promoted to director of programming and production at WDSE-TV. Kellner is a native of Cotton and graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth. She started working as a reporter and producer at WDIO-WIRT TV in 1982 and has been a producer for WDSE since 1988. Her accomplishments include "Album," "Iron Country," "Opportunities for Growth," "WDSE Cooks" and "Native Report," now in its fourth season and airing on 25 public television stations in 15 states across the country.

Architectural Resources Inc. hired Dawn Loraas and Tiffany Bourassa. Loraas, a certified interior designer, has extensive knowledge of interior design, project management and a deep understanding of client relationships. She was most recently a principal owner of Interiors 3, a design firm in Duluth, and has more than 10 years of project experience. Her focus will be on providing interior design services for educational, commercial, government and private/public sector clients.

Bourassa is an interior designer with more than four years of experience, most recently at Interiors 3. She has strong knowledge of interior space programming and design and is working toward certification as an interior designer.

Betsy O'Brien and Ellissa Holst joined Kernz & Kompany as partnership and event coordinators. O'Brien earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before joining Kernz she worked for the Wisconsin Legislature in Madison. She also worked as a partnership coordinator for the 2008 Duluth Airshow and is a member of the Duluth Airshow Board of Directors.

Holst earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Bemidji (Minn.) State University. She was previously an account executive for Midwest Communications.

SJA Architects announced Tari Rayala was made a principal with the firm. She has worked within the architecture field for 15 years and is the project architect on the new Lincoln Piedmont Elementary School, Fredenberg fire station and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior resource management building. Rayala holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie and a master's degree in architecture from the School of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She is a licensed architect in three states and is president-elect of the AIA Northern Minnesota Chapter.

Tucker Hanlon was hired as an agent at L&R King Insurance Agency in Hermantown. Hanlon graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2005 with a finance degree and has been in the insurance industry for three years. He sells commercial insurance, as well as auto, home and life insurance.

Bankers Life and Casualty Co. named Kelly Steinmetz the branch sales manager for its sales office at 405 E. Superior St. in Duluth. Steinmetz, of Duluth, has more than 14 years of experience in the insurance industry. He most recently was sales vice president for Lincoln Financial Distributors. Steinmetz earned his bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin-River Falls and holds the Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designations.

Heidi Ramsdell was hired as a physical therapist at In Motion Therapy in Duluth. Ramsdell earned her physical therapy degree from the College of St. Scholastica and is experienced in treating spinal and extremity pain, dizziness, and women's health issues. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

RE/MAX 1 in Superior named Steve Long as listing agent of the month for May and Mike Raivala selling agent of the month.

The Commission on Cancer presented SMDC Cancer Center with an "Outstanding Achievement Award" for excellence in cancer care. SMDC is one of 95 accredited cancer programs across the country to receive this prestigious distinction in 2008. The award is the result of SMDC completing a detailed accreditation process, which involves an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor every three years. The Cancer Center demonstrated high quality in all aspects of cancer care, including clinical services, research and community outreach. The award also reflects the coordination of care offered at the Cancer Center.

The Port Cities Chapter of the American Business Women's Association announced chapter president, Laura Johnson, was named Woman of the Year. She received the award in recognition of her leadership and commitment to the organization and community. Johnson, an urgent care nurse at Denfeld Medical Center, is co-owner of Locksmith Services. She is also a crisis advocate for Safe Haven Shelter, where she teaches a Healing Circle Support Group, is active in Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault, volunteers at Whiteside Institute for Clinical Research and is a CPR instructor. NEW BUSINESS

Megan Thompson, formerly of Le Salon, opened 2 DYE 4 Salon at Suite 3 at 4873 Miller Trunk Highway in Hermantown. Thompson is a Hermantown native and graduated from Paul Mitchell the School in Costa Mesa, Calif., with a degree in cosmetology. She is professionally trained in cuts, color, up-dos and styling, make-up application, perms and waxing. Business hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Friday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; and by appointment Saturday. The salon carries products from Paul Mitchell, Toni and Guy, Kenra and more. It also features exclusive products, such as bags and jewelry, from local artisans. Call (218) 727-4543 for information.

Susan McCalister opened For Me For You Fashion and Beauty Supply Store at 5711 Grand Ave. McCalister is from Detroit and moved to Duluth in 2007. She carries wigs, weaving material, braiding material and other hair accessories. The store also has fashion earrings, watches, chains, barrettes and beads, and also has in-store braiders for men, women and children. Business hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and closed Sunday. Walk-ins are welcome. Call (218) 464-4640 for information. Biz Buzz is a collection of business news tidbits from around the region. Send your business openings or closings, personnel changes or other news of interest in the business community to Biz Buzz, Duluth News Tribune, 424 W. First St., Duluth, MN 55802, e-mail biz@duluthnews.com , or fax 720-4120.