SERVICES
St. Paul-based Ecolab, which provides businesses with sanitary protection products and services and also runs several related subsidiaries, announced it is dividing the chief operating officer role into two complementary positions. Darrell R. Brown has been appointed co-COO, Global Markets, and Greg B. Cook has been appointed co-COO, Global Businesses, effective April 1. Brown has served as president and chief operating officer since 2022. Cook joined Ecolab in 1997 and most recently served as executive vice president and president of Ecolab’s Institutional Group.
EDUCATION
The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, Mankato, announced Kim Kleven as chief executive officer. Kleven has held numerous roles at the museum and in early childhood education, most recently as vice president of play and learning since 2021.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Veridian Credit Union announced the hire of Ed Wigfield as a mortgage loan originator in Eden Prairie. Wigfield previously owned a mortgage company. … U.S. Bancorp, the Minneapolis-based parent company of U.S. Bank, announced the pending retirement of Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Souheil Badran this spring. Badran joined the organization in 2022.
FOOD
Rise Baking Co., a Minneapolis-based wholesaler of prepared baked goods, announced that Mark McNeil has been appointed CEO. McNeil succeeds Brian Zellmer. Most recently, McNeil served as CEO of Shearer’s Foods, a private‑label and contract manufacturer of salty snacks, cookies and crackers.
LAW
Faegre Drinker announced that Alexi Rouhani has joined the firm’s real estate group in Minneapolis. Rouhani was previously director counsel of operations contracts and strategies and real estate at Target Corp. … Gov. Tim Walz announced the appointment of John Fitzgerald as a district court judge in Minnesota’s Eighth Judicial District, encompassing Big Stone, Chippewa, Grant Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Pope, Renville, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin and Yellow Medicine counties. Fitzgerald succeeds the Honorable Jennifer K. Fischer and will be chambered in Willmar. Fitzgerald is the first assistant county attorney at the Meeker County Attorney’s Office.
MEDIA
Prep Network, a Plymouth-based youth sports media platform focused on live events, subscription content, and collegiate athlete recruitment, announced that Jason Kidd has joined its board of directors. Kidd is two-time NBA Hall of Famer and current Dallas Mavericks head coach. He also is an operating adviser at Maple Park Capital Partners, a Prep Network financial partner.
ORGANIZATIONS
The Wayzata West Metro Chamber announced that Judy Johnson has been named president. She succeeds Becky Pierson, who is retiring after more than 13 years. Johnson previously was the organization’s membership services director.
SPONSORSHIPS
National Hockey League franchise Minnesota Wild, St. Paul, announced a multi-year partnership with Priority Commerce Sports, Alpharetta, Ga., as official commerce and payments partner, handling secure ticket payments and supporting banking and treasury operations and back office financial processes.
TRANSPORTATION
The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority announced the election of Jay Whiting as board chair, succeeding Dan Kealey after a two-year term. The board also elected Dakota County Commissioner Mary Hamann-Roland as vice chair and Rosemount Councilor Paul Essler as secretary/treasurer. The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority serves the communities of Dakota and Scott counties.
TECHNOLOGY
Sezzle Inc., a Minneapolis-based consumer payments platform, announced the promotion of Lee Brading to chief financial officer, effective Feb. 1. Brading succeeds Karen Hartje, who served as CFO under a consulting agreement since Nov. 1, following her announced retirement. Brading has been with Sezzle since 2020, most recently as senior vice president of corporate development and investor relations. Hartje will remain engaged as a consultant. … Altowav, a Bloomington-based provider of the AltoPlex product line of radio networking equipment for business, announced the hires of Eric Thune as executive vice president of sales, and the promotion of Marina Savy to director of channel sales.
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