REAL ESTATE
Chris Kelly
HomeServices of America, a Minneapolis-based Berkshire Hathaway franchised real estate agency, announced President and CEO Gino Blefari has assumed the role of chairman emeritus with Chris Kelly, formerly executive vice president, succeeding Blefari as president and CEO. Blefari will continue as a strategic adviser to the organization.
ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS
Minneapolis-based advertising agency Linnihan Foy announced that it has been named media agency for the 2025 Minnesota State Fair.
EDUCATION
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities announced it has named Shari Olson president of Northland Community & Technical College in East Grand Forks, Minn. Olson previously served as president in the Maricopa County Community College District at South Mountain Community College in Arizona. … Capella University, Minneapolis, announced the appointment of Karthik Iyappan Gunasekaran to its board of trustees. Gunasekaran most recently served as VP of AI and software products at the Project Management Institute; his résumé also includes business adviser at Harvard Innovation Labs and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and guest lecturer at Tufts University Gordon Institute. … Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, announced that John C. Volin will serve as president. Volin currently serves as the executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of Maine; his appointment at Gustavus begins Aug. 15.
FEDERAL RESERVE
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis announced the appointment of four new members to its Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council: Kelly Skalicky, Stearns Bank, St. Cloud; Andrew Gesell, BankCherokee, St. Paul; Mike Hauswirth, Superior National Bank, Hancock, Mich., and Trina Hoff, Northern Communities Credit Union, Eveleth, Minn. The Minneapolis Fed’s region includes upper Michigan.
HEALTH CARE
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, a Center City, Minn.-based substance addiction treatment and recovery program and facility, announced the hire of Marc Baer as chief operating officer. Baer most recently served as an officer and corporate vice president at Centene Corp. and also was an officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
HONORS
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced it has named Carol Anderson of Morrison County as the 2025 SBA Minnesota Women in Business Champion of the Year. Anderson has partnered with the Small Business Development Center, SCORE, Minnesota Business Finance Corp., and the Women’s Business Center, and currently serves as chairwoman of the MBFC board.
LAW
Maslon, Minneapolis, announced the addition of attorney Annika Misurya to the firm’s Litigation Group. Misurya has held leadership roles with Minnesota Women Lawyers and the Women’s White Collar Defense Association. … Fredrikson, Minneapolis, announced that attorney Warren Sexson has joined the firm as an associate in its Mergers & Acquisitions Group.
MANUFACTURING
SkyWater Technology, a Bloomington-based semiconductor foundry, announced the appointment of Percy V. Gilbert as senior vice president of engineering. Gilbert previously held senior roles at NXP Semiconductors and IBM Systems Group.
MARKETING
Patrick Campion announced the launch of Fame Sport, a sports marketing consultancy, in Minneapolis. Campion is a former VP of marketing at Sleep Number and the architect behind its NFL strategy. Campion is co-leading the venture with Lynne Robertson, who formerly owned Fame advertising agency.
MILESTONES
Frattallone’s Hardware & Garden announced it commemorated 50 years in business last month. Founded in Arden Hills by Larry Frattallone, who runs the business with his sons, Mike and Tom, the Ace Hardware franchise has 21 metro area locations.
NONPROFITS
Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, Eden Prairie, announced that Franco Cordeiro has joined the organization as director, Enterprise Risk Management. Franco most recently held a similar role at at Medtronic, and also held director positions at KPMG Consulting and Macquarie Bank.
OPENINGS
The Market at Malcolm Yards, a Minneapolis food hall, announced the opening of Kinsley’s Smokehouse Deli. James Adams is chef and owner.
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