HIRES AND PROMOTIONS
The Northeast Higher Education District hired Carmen Bradach as chief human resources officer and Annette Koski as executive assistant to the president. Bradach replaces Patti Delich, who retired after 35 years of service. Bradach's previous work experience includes work at the Department of Natural Resources, Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Fingerhut Corp. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Koski replaces Linda Danielson, who also retired. Koski's work experience includes similar positions with Virginia Regional Medical Center and U.S. Steel Corp. in Mountain Iron. Koski graduated from Roosevelt High School in Virginia and from Mesabi Range Community and Technical
College.
NorthShore Inline Marathon announced Rick Abrahamson was appointed executive director in June. Abrahamson served as an officer of the corporation for eight of the last 11 years of his service on the Marathon's Board of Directors. He was chairman in 2006 and 2007. Abrahamson is an avid athlete and has nearly 20 years of varied competitive race experience, volunteer service and an enthusiasm for sharing this passion with others.
Investors Real Estate Trust announced its operating partnership, IRET Properties, opened a new property management office in the Duluth Technology Village Executive Suites in Duluth and named Rachel Johnson the property manager. Johnson will direct the company's day-to-day operations and management of IRET's Duluth real estate portfolio, which includes 14 commercial and retail properties such as St. Luke's Lakeview Pavilion buildings, Denfeld Retail and Minnesota National Bank. Johnson previously was the director of operations, sales and leasing at F.I. Salter and director of membership development at the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce. She earned a bachelor's degree in management and marketing from the College of St. Scholastica and an associate degree in public relations from Moorhead State University. Her education includes studying abroad at Oxford University, Oxford, England. Johnson has been active in the Business Network International Lake Superior Chapter and the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce. She is a board member for Sacred Heart Music Center and the Lester Park Community Foundation and a member of the Building Owners and Managers
Association. She also maintains a Minnesota real estate agent's license.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
The Superior Business Awards Program announced Henry Kari and Lyman Powell will be inducted into the Superior Business Hall of Fame during an awards luncheon Thursday in Barker's Island Inn. Both Kari and Powell will be inducted posthumously. In 1937, inductee Henry Kari went to Detroit to attend the Michigan Trade School where he studied welding and body work to enhance his skills in Kari's repair shop. It was a chance meeting with Henry Ford that inspired Kari to bring automotive innovation to Superior and, in 1939, his dealership was opened.
During the late 1800s, Lyman Powell served as counsel to land speculators who flocked to Superior to invest in the Twin Ports area, which they thought would become the "Chicago of the North." Powell contributed to platting and/or dividing nearly every parcel of real estate in the city of Superior. When federal laws regarding land rights threatened local property owners' interests, Powell took the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Superior Business Awards luncheon also will announce the Large Business of the Year, the Small Business of the Year and the Emerging Innovative Business of the Year for Superior/Douglas County. In addition, the winner of the Superior/Douglas County business plan competition also will be announced.
To register for the luncheon, call the Development Association at (715) 392-4749 or register online at www.superior
businessawards.com.
The Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency announced executive director Harlan Tardy received two awards during the Minnesota Community Action Partnership Conference in Brainerd, Minn. The Minnesota Department of Human Services, Office of Economic Opportunity, recognized Tardy for his determination and perseverance in fighting poverty by presenting him with a Poverty Warrior honor.
Tardy also received the Steve Chadwick Advocacy Award in honor and memory of Steve Chadwick, former executive director of Community Action Duluth.
H. Jeffrey Peterson of the law firm of Cope & Peterson Ltd. in Virginia was again named a super lawyer in Minnesota. Peterson has been a trial lawyer for more than 35 years and represents individuals who have been injured in accidents. He is president of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates and is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He is a past president of the Range Bar Association and served many years on its ethics committee. He also is the past national president of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys. He is one of only 138 attorneys certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association and the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a civil trial specialist.
CERTIFICATIONS AND ACCREDITATIONS
Lakehead Constructors Inc. in Superior announced it has been certified under the International Standard, ISO 9001:2008. ISO 9001:2008 is process-based certification that recognizes organizations that can link business objectives, operating effectiveness and fulfilling customers' requirements. Companies that achieve management system certification to ISO 9001:2008 have demonstrated effective implementation of documentation and records management, top management's commitment to their customers, establishment of clear policy, good planning and implementation, good resource management and efficient process control, measurement and analysis.
BOARD APPOINTMENTS
The American Advertising Federation of Duluth/Superior recently added three new board members: Cara Overland, Inn on Lake Superior; Brett Puffer, Northland's NewsCenter; and Kim Quinones, Duluth News Tribune. Other AAF Duluth/Superior board members include: Melissa D'Aloia, president, Out There Advertising; Denise Archer, past president, HT Klatzky & Associates; Katie Botten, vice president, Northland's NewsCenter; Kelley Eldien, treasurer, Minnesota Power; Jordan Milan, secretary, Westmoreland Flint; Jennifer Walker, executive director, Stewart-Taylor Printing; Breanne DeFoe, Gizmos Promotional Products; and Manny Rivas, aimClear.
The Center for Financial Training Upper Midwest announced Bobbie Dumonsau was named an officer for 2010-11. Dumonsau works at National Bank of Commerce in Duluth. The Center for Financial Training provides cost-effective financial education primarily taught by bankers. The center offers training in all of Minnesota, eastern South Dakota and North Dakota, Iowa and western
Wisconsin.
The 2010-11 board of directors for the American Society of Training and Development has been chosen. They are: Ted Schick, president, president of Schick Corporate Learning; Kathlynn McConnell, president elect/secretary, Members Cooperative Credit Union and Lifestyle Consulting Services; Sheila Depre, treasurer, AT&T Mobility; Juli Lattner, vice president of communications and website design, St. Louis County; Mary Smestad, vice president marketing and communications, Positive Solutions Consulting/Coaching Services; Caroline Shallman, vice president of marketing, First Witness; Kelly Ecklind, past president and co-vice president of programs, Minnesota Power/Allete Inc.; and Marcia Opien, co-vice president of programs,Allete. Board members at-large are: Kelly Boedigheimer, Fond-du-Luth Casino; Gretchen Zerba, DHL Express; and Jim Laumeyer, Laumeyer and Associates.
Mark Swenson was appointed the next AIA North Central States regional director, which covers Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota and North Dakota. Swenson has served as president and board member of BRW and for ESG Architects for more than 20 years, as well as serving on the AIA Minnesota Board of Directors from 2001-07. He is a firm principal at ESG
Architects. Go to www.aia-mn.org for more information.
NEW BUSINESS
Blink Optometry, a new optical boutique at 310 E. Superior St. in Duluth, offers a range of designer and exclusive eyewear that can be hard to find anywhere north of the Twin Cities. Blink Optometry also offers comprehensive eye examinations and contact lenses. Dr. Nick Shilman is the optometrist at Blink Optometry. He graduated from the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., with a bachelor's degree in biology and received his doctor of optometry degree from Pacific University College of Optometry in 2004.
Tom Lund, a certified optician, is a Duluth native. He is certified by the American Board of Opticians and has 22 years of experience.
Store hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Friday; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the second and fourth Saturday each month.
The telephone number is (218) 722-1754 and the website is www.blinkduluth.com .
Phillip Sher announced the opening of P. Sher & Co. Meats in the Piedmont Milk House, 2703 Piedmont Ave., Duluth. The company's senior staff has more than 100 years combined experience in the meat industry and has visited or trained in more than 80 meatpacking plants internationally.
The new company is the only meat store in the area that features USDA plant-produced hanging beef, as well as USDA Prime beef. USDA Choice Angus beef also is available.
P. Sher & Co. Meats also features other specialty items such as kosher meat, Halal meat and hormone-free meat.
Business hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The telephone number is (218) 722-5563.
GRAND OPENING/OPEN HOUSE
Arrowhead Builders Association hosts an open house from 6-8 p.m. Thursday to show off its new facilities at 5255 Maple Grove Road in Hermantown. The new facility includes offices, conference rooms and a large gathering space for meetings and training
opportunities.
FORMER RESIDENTS
Matthew Edgette was hired as a senior associate with KPMG LLP in New York City. He will specialize in mergers, acquisitions and financial restructuring transactions within KPMG's tax practice. Edgette, a 2002 graduate of Superior High School, is the son of Jill and Gordy Edgette of Superior. He graduated from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in accounting and in 2007 with a master's degree in accounting. 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.
