Members of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce have big things happening! Here are the news briefs from May and June, 2024.
Have some news to submit? Send press releases, staff additions, awards and more to Emily Bertram.
New shareholders appointed
Michelle Draewell and Jeff Clancy have been appointed as shareholders at Quinlivan & Hughes, P.A. Draewell has been with Quinlivan & Hughes, P.A. since 2018, and specializes in medical malpractice, insurance defense, and commercial litigation. Clancy, who has been with the firm since 2020, focuses primarily on business law, mergers and acquisitions, commercial real estate, telecom, and non-profit practice areas.
Falcon Bank adds staff
Falcon National Bank hired Amy Gross to lead its equipment finance division. Gross has held leadership roles at both Key Equipment Finance and GE Capital.
Dave McCarthy joined the equipment finance division as vice president, sales and syndication manager. McCarthy’s focus will be on growing program volumes and ensuring the syndication arm maintains a balanced portfolio.
539 Building wins award
539 Properties won the 2024 “Project of the Year” Award from the Economic Development Association of Minnesota for its work on the former International Harvester building, 539 East Saint Germain Street, St. Cloud. The building now houses Iron Street Distillery and Harvester Square event venue. The facility renovation was recognized as “A project that has had a positive impact in Minnesota that demonstrates collaboration, creativity, and complexity, while retaining employment and capital investment”.
AIS Planning announces promotions
AIS Planning promoted Tami Mayers to senior client service associate of the wealth management division. Mayers has been with AIS Planning since 2022. Teresa Bawden has been promoted to senior client service associate of the retirement plan division. Bawden joined the organization in 2021.
Brenny Transportation receives recognition
Brenny Transportation was named one of the 2024 Top 20 Best Fleets to Drive For by CarriersEdge, a provider of online driver training for the trucking industry. The award recognizes North American for-hire trucking companies that provide the best workplace experiences for their company drivers and independent contractors.
St. Cloud Orthopedics welcomes new CEO
St. Cloud Orthopedics hired Ed Kelly as their new CEO. Kelly has more than 35 years of experience in healthcare management and leadership.
Deerwood Bank announces promotion
Ben Hanowski is the new business banking officer at the Waite Park location of Deerwood Bank. Hanowski has been with Deerwood for more than three years, starting as a credit analyst in 2020. In his new role, Hanowski will assist customers with business banking services and financing needs, as well as analyze financial statements and underwrite loans.
Proviant Group earns award
Proviant Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial, Inc., earned the Ameriprise “Client Experience Award” for 2023. Proviant Group received this award because of their ability to consistently deliver personalized, goal-based advice and exceptional client service.
Kramer receives recognition
James Kramer III, MBA, CEPA®, CFP®, a financial advisor at Kramer Financial in St. Cloud, was included LPL Financial’s Masters Club for 2024. This award is presented to less than 7 percent of the firm’s more than 22,000 financial advisors nationwide.
Former museum director earns award
Former Stearns History Museum Executive Director David Ebnet recently received the Zapp Historian Award. The award is given annually in recognition of significant contributions to the preservation, interpretation, or promotion of Stearns County history. Ebnet was museum director from 1984 – 2008.
Burke receives promotion
Schlenner Wenner & Co. promoted Lisa Burke to payroll department manager. Burke is responsible for overseeing and directing the payroll team and procedures within the firm. She works with businesses to customize payroll solutions for their needs.
CentraCare launches podcast
CentraCare launched “1,000 Conversations,” a new podcast series exploring community, culture, race, identity, and belonging. The goal is to build a more inclusive Central Minnesota. The podcast is produced and distributed by CentraCare, in collaboration with consulting partner Center for Economic Inclusion.
Coborn appointed to board of directors
Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) appointed Chris Coborn, chairman and CEO of Coborn’s Inc., to its board of directors. AWG is a cooperative food wholesaler to independently-owned supermarkets. AWG serves 1,100 member companies and more than 3,500 locations in 32 states, from nine wholesale divisions, including one in St. Cloud.
Stephens receives recognition
Brook Stephens, music director at Leighton Broadcasting’s Wild Country 99, received a Country Aircheck Award at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. She was recognized by her peers with the “Small Market Assistant Program Director/Music Director of the Year” award.
SCSU launches new programs
St. Cloud State University (SCSU) launched three online undergraduate degree programs in business, engineering, and nursing. The degree programs, delivered by SCSU faculty and supported by educational consultants at Academic Partnerships, are designed to meet the needs and schedules of working adults.
CSB/SJU receive award
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University have been honored with a 2023 Council on Undergraduate Research Campus-Wide Award for Undergraduate Research Accomplishments (AURA). This national award recognizes institutions with exemplary programs that provide high-quality research experiences for undergraduates.
GSDC adds staff
Jennie Weber is the new administrative and program specialist at the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation (GSDC). Her role will be to provide administrative services to the organization, assist main street businesses, and coordinate Launch Minnesota (a grant-funded program).
Gardens receive national recognition
St. Cloud attraction Munsinger and Clemens Gardens finished 8th in the USA Today Ten Best Reader’s Choice Awards list. The gardens were one of 20 being considered throughout the country and the only one in Minnesota to make the list.
