Members of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce have big things happening! Here are the news briefs from January & February, 2025.
Have some news to submit? Send press releases, staff additions, awards and more to Emily Bertram.
Ebert honored by Minnesota Lawyer
Dylan Ebert, Quinlivan & Hughes, P.A., was recognized as one of Minnesota Lawyer’s Top Women in Law for 2024. This honor highlights women who have made significant contributions to Minnesota’s legal community through leadership, professionalism, and dedication to public service and mentorship.
Two attorneys join Rinke Noonan
Two new attorneys joined Rinke Noonan. Martha Ames practices in the areas of estate planning, business law, and real estate law. Sean Meginness practices in the areas of agricultural and environmental law.
Brenny receives safety award
Brenny Specialized Inc. received the Motor Carrier Safety Award from Great West Casualty Company. The award program recognizes motor carriers in similar to Brenny with awards based on their year-end preventable accident results. This is the fourth consecutive year that Brenny has won the Platinum Safety Award and seventh time overall.
St. Cloud Orthopedics hires Binsfeld
Jenna Binsfeld joined St. Cloud Orthopedics as human resources director. Binsfeld, a St. Cloud State University graduate, has over 20 years of experience working in human resources locally.
PleasureLand RV donates trailer
The St. Cloud PleasureLand RV team donated a 22-foot-long, $25,000 trailer to the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department to help educate families about teen drug use. The department plans to transport the trailer to different locations around town, including schools and community events.
Stearns Electric linemen aid in hurricane outages
Stearns Electric Linemen Luke Gilbertson and Jacob “Mittens” Ronning spent two weeks in the southern U.S. helping restore numerous power outages caused by back-to-back hurricanes. The linemen provided assistance to Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative in Pickens, South Carolina, following the devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene, and with Peace River Electric Cooperative in Wauchula, Florida, to help with restoration efforts post-Hurricane Milton.
Jules’ Bistro part of Goldman Sachs cohort
Goldman Sachs partnered with St. Cloud Technical and Community College to bring its 10,000 Small Businesses program to Minnesota. The three-month program aims to help small mom-and-pop shops grow and become more profitable. The first class of 32 includes Jules’ Bistro Owner Donella Westphal, who has operated the St. Cloud restaurant since 2017.
Crew Carwash donates $22,000
Crew Carwash provided a free ultimate wash with any donation to Animal Humane Society during a two-day event at all four of its Minnesota locations, raising over $22,000 total. Donations from the St. Cloud location will benefit Tri-County Humane Society.
Putnam named Superintendent of the Year
St. Cloud Schol District 742 Superintendent Laurie Putnam was named the Minnesota Superintendent of the Year by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators. Nominees are evaluated on how they demonstrate leadership for learning, communication skills, professionalism, and community involvement. As Minnesota’s honoree, Putnam is now a candidate for National Superintendent of the Year.
KVSC earns national recognition
St. Cloud State University’s student-run radio station KVSC earned third place in the 2024 National Student Production Awards in the audio division for best sports play-by-play. Hundreds of submissions were narrowed down to four finalists in each category based on judging criteria administered by media professionals and student media advisors across the country.
AIS Planning hires, promotes
Dafne Carmona-Rios joined AIS as the executive assistant to the CEO.
Sydney Meyerwas promoted to associate advisor. Meyer brings dedication and expertise to her new role, where she will continue to support clients in achieving their financial goals.
Falcon National Bank adds staff, partners with local organizations
BrittanyHaycraft joined Falcon National Bank as vice president of human resources. She has over 10 years of experience in human resources; is a member of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation; and serves on the HR committees of the St. Cloud Family YMCA and Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota.
During Minnesota Bankers Association’s Community Impact Month in September, Falcon National Bank employees in St. Cloud and Foley volunteered with several local organizations, including:
- Quiet Oaks Hospice House
- ConnectAbility of MN
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota
- GREAT Theatre
- Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity
Its Ham Lake, Richmond, Isanti and Maple Grove locations also gave back throughout the month.
Clara’s House expanding
CentraCare’s Clara’s House is expanding, adding approximately 5,785 square feet to accommodate services for children ages 3-5. This will be the first early childhood Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) in the Midwest, and it is expected to open in February 2025. Clara’s House has served the region for 20 years.
Bechtold recognized nationally
Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota’s Vice President of Operations Geri Bechtold received the Tom Burt Pacesetter Award at the Boys and Girls Clubs of America Midwest Leadership Conference. The award is presented to a non-CEO leader who inspires and contributes to the personal growth of coworkers and children enrolled in the program.
Wing joins Coborn’s Inc.
Joshua Wing joined Coborn’s Inc. as the vice president of IT. Wing will lead the IT department’s daily operations and drive the implementation of innovative business solutions that align with strategic goals. With over 20 years of experience in the retail sector, Wing brings a wealth of knowledge in merchandising, e-commerce, inventory management, and supply chain systems.
Hoelscher named new director of membership
The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce hired Bradley Hoelscher as director of membership. Hoelscher will work to educate the business community on the benefits of a Chamber membership, grow existing member retention efforts, and maintain a presence for the Chamber among other stakeholders in the St. Cloud area. Hoelscher previously worked at Gallagher Insurance where he was a commercial insurance advisor.
CAIRO recognizes Novak
St. Cloud realtor Nick Novak received an award of Community Appreciation from CAIRO (Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization). The award recognizes his significant efforts to improve access to homeownership for immigrant families. His dedication and work have contributed to creating a stronger and more supportive community.
GSDC presents awards
The Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation announced the winners of the 2024 Innovation Awards and Employer of Choice Award.
- St. Cloud Technical and Community College was recognized for launching the Advanced Manufacturing Center, providing cutting-edge training that prepares students for careers in the rapidly evolving manufacturing sector.
- DeZURIK was named the 2024 Employer of Choice for its focus on employee satisfaction, development, and safety. DeZURIK has a 95 percent employee retention rate.
Stearns Bank, Habitat for Humanity partner
Stearns Bank has partnered with Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity (CM Habitat), committing to purchasing $3 million worth of Habitat mortgages. CM Habitat holds the mortgages of the homes that are built within the program, limiting its ability to grow in scale. With Stearns Bank now committing to purchasing $3 million worth of Habitat mortgages, funds will be freed up to allow increased production of more affordable homes in Central Minn.
ConnectAbility expands to Rochester
ConnectAbility of MN opened a new location in Rochester, Minn., expanding services for individuals with disabilities. The Rochester office will create six jobs and offer services for people with physical and invisible barriers.
DSC Communications adds staff
Mat Solberg joined DSC Communications (formerly Granite Electronics) as director of technical services. Solberg holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota Duluth and has a background in business, healthcare, and operations management.
Franklin Outdoor Advertising expands
Franklin Outdoor Advertising acquired the billboard assets of Houck Outdoor. The purchase includes 38 static (traditional) billboards along the I-94 corridor from Clearwater to Rogers, Minn., and along the I-90 corridor near Fairmont, Minn.
Metro Bus hires director of finance
Nene Israel has joined Metro Bus as director of finance. Israel holds a Master’s in Business Administration and brings over 10 years of experience in the transportation industry. She currently serves as the treasurer for the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, is an ambassador for the Transportation Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) and serves as a panelist for a TCRP study on financial management.
