MANUFACTURING
Edric Funk
The Toro Co., a Bloomington-based maker of lawn mowers and snow removal machines for consumers and businesses, announced that Edric C. Funk has been appointed president and chief operating officer, effective Sept. 1. Funk is a 29-year veteran of the company, most recently serving as group vice president of Golf, Grounds and Irrigation.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Stearns Bank, St. Cloud, announced that Heather Braithwaite has joined as vice president, director of sustainable energy. Prior to Stearns Bank, Braithwaite served as chief investment officer at the Collective Clean Energy Fund.
FOOD
Hormel Foods Corp., an Austin, Minn.-based provider of grocery store prepared food brands, announced the following leadership appointments in its Retail business segment: Paul Peil, promoted to vice president of marketing for Fresh and Ready Meats, and Christie Crouch joins as vice president of marketing for Snacking and Entertaining. Peil, a 35-year company veteran, most recently was assistant vice president of sales for Value-Added Meats; Crouch most recently served as vice president and general manager at Conagra Brands.
HEALTH CARE
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, a Center City-based provider of substance use and mental health treatment and research, announced the following additions to its Board of Trustees: Patrick Denzer, president of LI Ventures; Dr. Christopher Keir, vice president and global head of medical affairs at ADC Therapeutics; Dr. Monica Mayer, emergency medicine physician and enrolled member of the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara nation, and Cini Robb, president of FACE Foundation and a member of the La Jolla Scripps Hospital advisory board.
HONORS
Mulcahy Co., an Eagan-based supplier of HVAC equipment, announced that CEO Rob Grady has received a 2025 Leadership Award by Vistage, a CEO coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize businesses.
HOSPITALITY
Carlson Inc., a Minnetonka-based global travel and hospitality brand and private investment firm, announced the appointment of Scott C. Gage as its non-executive chair of the board, effective Aug. 8. Gage previously served as co-chair of Carlson Holdings, chair of the Carlson Real Estate Committee and past co-chair of the Carlson Family Trust Co. He succeeds Richard (Rick) C. Gage, who will remain a member of the Carlson board.
LAW
The Southeastern Legal Foundation, a Georgia-based organization that defends constitutional rights, announced the hire of Minnesota attorney James Dickey as a lead counsel. Dickey most recently served as a lead and later managing attorney at the Upper Midwest Law Center, Golden Valley. … Fredrikson, Minneapolis, announced the expansion of its Mergers & Acquisitions Group with the addition of Jake Heck, associate; Dan Lenhardt, senior associate, and returning associate Mitchell Stauch. … SiebenCarey, Minneapolis, announced that attorney Susan M. Holden was inducted as a Fellow into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers during the organization’s 2025 Mid-Year Meeting.
LABOR
The Minnesota Newspaper & Communications Guild announced the hiring of Debbie Prokopf as executive officer, effective Aug. 25, succeeding Candace Lund. Prokopf is director of special projects at the Minnesota Training Partnership. The Guild represents employees of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
MANUFACTURING
Denali Campers, a Pine River, Minn.-based maker of off-road recreational campers and trailers, announced its rebrand and name change to Iron Peak Campers.
RETAIL
Dick’s Sporting Goods, a national chain, announced the opening a second Twin Cities outlet store, located in Tamarack Village at I-94 and Radio Drive in Woodbury. … Acme Tools, a Grand Forks, N.D.-based hardware store chain, announced the opening of a location at 808 Apache Lane SW, Rochester.
TECHNOLOGY
Entrust, a Minneapolis-based provider of money transfer and data security services for business, announced the following promotions to its leadership team: Mike Baxter, promoted to president and chief technology and product officer; Patrick Steele, to chief sales officer, and Kelsey Holthus, promoted to chief human resources officer.
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