HIRES AND PROMOTIONS
The Duluth News Tribune announced the following promotions and hires. Mike Mazzio was promoted to advertising director, replacing Roz Randorf. He has a background in finance, advertising and digital media.
Kathleen Pennington was promoted to senior advertising manager. She has a wealth of advertising experience at both the Duluth News Tribune and community newspapers.
Together, the two will manage the Duluth News Group, including the Duluth News Tribune, Duluth Budgeteer, Superior Telegram, Cloquet Pine Journal, Lake County News Chronicle and Northland Smart Shoppers in Superior, Cloquet and the North Shore.
Paul Stevens joined the Duluth News Tribune advertising department as an account executive. He will consult with downtown Duluth businesses on their marketing needs.
Ryan Olmstead joined the Superior Telegram advertising department as an account executive. He will consult with Northwestern Wisconsin businesses on their marketing needs.
Duluth Pack announced the following hires and promotion: Tom Eugenis joined Duluth Pack as the customer service manager. Before this, Eugenis was general manager of Canal Park Brewery and
Applebee's.
Andrea Sega joined Duluth Pack as a soft goods buyer. She recently graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising with a merchandise marketing and business management degree.
Sam Levar was promoted to hard goods buyer. Previously, Levar worked as a sales associate for Duluth Pack.
Carol Kosbab joined the stylist team of Avenue 45 Hair Designers. She has more than 30 years of experience as a cosmetologist, salon owner and independent stylist.
Gizmoz Promotional Products announced that Kandice Gulbranson joined the sales team as a sales executive. She has more than 20 years of sales, business development and customer service experience, most recently working as the event
center sales representative for Black Bear Casino in Carlton.
Out There Advertising announced Andy Schwantes joined the marketing and advertising team as an account executive. Schwantes hold a bachelor's degree in marketing and management from the College of St. Scholastica.
The Duluth McGladrey office announced the following promotions: Michael Boyer was promoted to tax director and serves primarily manufacturing and distribution companies.
Rhonda Witzman was promoted to assurance director, and her industry focus is employee benefit plans and multifamily real estate.
Brian Bennett was promoted to assurance manager and works in manufacturing, distribution and wholesale industries.
Phil Moran was promoted to assurance manager and works in the gaming industry.
Chad Stigsell was promoted to assurance supervisor and works in the tribal government and not-for-profit industry.
Matthew Babinski was promoted to assurance senior associate and works in the governmental and not-for-profit industry.
Adian Kummet was promoted to assurance senior associate and works in the governmental and not-for-profit industry.
Brianna Smith was promoted to assurance senior associate and works in the health care and not-for-profit industries.
Erica Ludwig was promoted to assurance senior associate and works in the gaming industry.
Danielle Toffanin was promoted to assurance senior associate and works with small to mid-sized companies.
Bryan Denisen was promoted to lead tax senior associate and works in the tax area on individual tax returns.
Otis Magie announced the following hires: Austin Nikunen joined Otis-Magie as an office assistant in Duluth. He is a graduate of Esko High School and served in the Army National Guard.
Katy Metcalfe joined Otis Magie as an account executive in Duluth. She holds a property and casualty license and a certified insurance service representative designation accreditation.
Kari Brinkman joined Otis-Magie team as an assistant bookkeeper in Duluth. She has a bachelor's degree in business administration and
management.
Brianna Storck joined Otis-Magie as a personal lines processor. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from St. Cloud State University.
Kaija Johnson joined the Otis-Magie office in Hibbing as an account executive. She is licensed in property and casualty, life and health and also has her CISR designation accreditation.
Scott Winjum joined Otis-Magie as an account executive. He has worked in the insurance industry for 17 years and is licensed in property and casualty, life and health.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Century 21 Gilderman & Associates Inc. recognized Jodi Olson as top sales agent for October. ERTIFICATIONS AND ACCREDITATIONS
Bob Barto, vice president of investments in the Duluth office of Raymond James & Associates Inc., recently completed the Financial Planner Series, a professional development program that focuses on retirement planning, income and estate tax planning, risk management and investment options of the individual investor. BOARD ELECTIONS
The Minnesota Land Title Association announced the election of Edie Hangartner Michalski as president of its board of directors for 2013-14. Michalski is a long-term member and has served on the MLTA board for six years. As a real estate attorney in Duluth, she co-owns and manages Arrowhead Abstract and Title Co., Carlton County Abstract and Title Co. and Great Lakes Abstract and Title Co.
GRAND OPENING/OPEN HOUSE
Range Center Inc. announced a new culinary arts program to teach essentials skills to people with developmental disabilities who intend to pursue jobs in the food services industry. To celebrate the new program, Range Center will hold an open house at 2 p.m. Friday in the cafeteria at 1001 N.W. Eighth Ave. in Chisholm. Acquisitions
The W.P. & R.S. Mars Co., which operates offices in Duluth and Hibbing, has acquired the Hammond Co., a local, full-service distributor of cutting tools and accessories. The Mars Co. is an industrial supplies distributor.
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 (218) 720-4120. The deadline for submissions is noon Friday.
