Members of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce have big things happening! Here are the news briefs from November & December, 2024.
Have some news to submit? Send press releases, staff additions, awards and more to Emily Bertram.
CentraCare named Level 5 Partner
CentraCare Hospice is now a Level 5 Partner with We Honor Veterans (WHV), a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. This Level 5 Partner distinction – the highest level possible – makes CentraCare Hospice the only hospice agency in Minnesota to achieve this ranking.
SCSU represented on AI Leadership Council
St. Cloud State University’s vice president for strategic enrollment management and the division of student affairs, Jason Woods, has been named an inaugural member of the Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL) AI Leadership Council. The AI Leadership Council will serve as a forum for university executives to discuss emerging AI trends, explore innovative applications, and address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.
Metro Bus takes home gold
Six Metro Bus operators took part in the 37th Annual Minnesota Public Transit Association Statewide Bus Roadeo. For the second year in a row, Metro Bus Dial-a-Ride Operator David Peacock took first place in the Small Bus Division, while the other five operators all placed high in their divisions as well.
Vasquez joins Apex
Apex Engineering Group hired Tatiana Vasquez as a graduate engineer to assist with wastewater group projects. A South Dakota School of Mines & Technology graduate, she holds a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.
Jacobs Financial adds staff, announces partnership
- Blake Kral joined Jacobs Financial as a wealth management advisor. Kral, who currently lives in Crosslake, Minn. is a registered representative and investment advisor representative of Cetera Advisor Networks LLC.
- Isaiah Gerads joined Jacobs Financial as client service assistant. In his role, Gerads maintains client relationships and assists advisors.
- Noah Dendinger has joined Jacobs financial as a wealth management advisor. A graduate of Mankato State University, he previously worked at State Farm Insurance. In his current position he uses his risk management experience to create customized financial advice for clients.
Falcon National Bank and Jacobs Financial have developed a new partnership. This partnership provides an expanded set of banking, financial, insurance, and investment options to their customers.
Stearns Electric Association gives back
Stearns Electric Association employees volunteered their time with local students from Boys & Girls Club of Central Minnesota (BGCMN,) educating them on energy and electrical safety. Twelve cooperative employees spent time with two groups of students who participate in summer programming at Talahi and Westwood schools as part of BGCMN.
Soukup joins WhiteBox Marketing
Frank Soukup joined WhiteBox Marketing as senior strategist. Soukup spent 14 years in hospitality marketing with Grand View Lodge and Tanque Verde Ranch, and previously owned a marketing agency. He will focus on growth in the Brainerd market, where he still serves on the boards for Explore Minnesota, Hospitality Minnesota and the Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.
Promotions, new titles at Schlenner Wenner & Co.
Schlenner Wenner & Co. announced four promotions of staff on its team.
- Stephanie Bonebrake was promoted to senior payroll specialist
- Megan Borash was promoted to HR generalist
- Shelly Kelm was promoted to payroll specialist II
- Sydney Wittnebel was promoted to senior manager
Kasey Brinker recently passed his CPA exam and received his license. Brinker joined the St. Cloud office as an intern in 2022. He graduated from St John’s University and started working fulltime in the tax department in 2023.
Vye earns recognition, announces promotion
Marketing agency Vye was named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in America for the second year in a row. Companies on the list are ranked according to percentage revenue growth over three years.
Jennifer Lawrence will become CEO of Vye in January, 2025. Lawrence has been with the agency since 2012 and most recently held the role of vice president. Lawrence will succeed Dan Soldner, who will transition to a founder/board member role and focus on business development for the company.
Coborn’s opens new location
Coborn’s Inc. announced the construction of a new, state-of-the-art grocery and liquor store as part of a new development, “The Boulevard” in Plymouth, Minn. This project marks Coborn’s debut in the Plymouth market.
Local lenders recognized by SBA
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Minnesota District honored 10 lenders throughout the state for their commitment to helping small businesses succeed. Several local lenders made the list:
- SBA Minnesota National Lender: U.S. Bank, National Association
- SBA Minnesota Lender Assets $1B and over: Frandsen Bank & Trust
- SBA Minnesota Lender Assets $500MM to $1B: BankVista
- SBA Minnesota Credit Union: Magnifi Financial Credit Union
- SBA Minnesota CDC (Certified Development Company) by Loan Volume: Minnesota Business Finance Corporation
Gilleland Chevrolet receives national recognition
Local dealership Gilleland Chevrolet received the 2024 National Dealer of the Year Award from Chevrolet. Only 60 out of 2,900 Chevrolet dealers earn this distinction, largely based on customer satisfaction. It also received the Elite Leaders Award, recognizing the top 250 dealerships nationally, based on retail sales.
Doss joins Great River Children’s Museum
Great River Children’s Museum has hired Kelly Doss as its new development director. She will lead all fundraising efforts to support the museum’s programs and operations. Doss has over 12 years of experience working in fund development and community engagement roles in the nonprofit sector. She has B.A. degrees in political science and psychology and a master’s degree in politics.
Jacobson joins St. Cloud Financial Credit Union
Chelsea Jacobson joined St. Cloud Financial Credit Union (SCFCU) as branch manager at SCFCU’s flagship St. Cloud location. Jacobson brings more than five years of experience in managing credit union branches, most recently serving as a multi-branch manager in Central Minnesota.
Moxie Creative recognized
Local marketing agency Moxie Creative received the 2024 Better Business Bureau of North Dakota and Minnesota Spark Award. This award recognizes an emerging business in North Dakota and Minnesota who embodies trust and integrity in their community.
Theis joins United Way of Central MN
Jenny Theis joined the United Way of Central Minnesota as donor engagement director. In her new role, Theis will cultivate and steward donors and gifts to support the organization’s long-term sustainability.
St. Cloud schools receive grant
St. Cloud School District 742 was one of 30 school districts nationwide awarded a five-year, $2.5 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Education to launch full-service community schools at Discovery Community School and North Junior High. The schools will provide additional educational opportunities, social support, after-school programs and arts activities, as well as career service and financial counseling for students’ families.
Hegland promoted at Park Industries
Park Industries announced the promotion of Meagan Hegland to vice president of sales and marketing. In this role, Hegland will continue to lead Park Industries’ sales team, remaining focused on the development and execution of sales strategy, and assume the responsibility of overseeing the marketing department. Previously a national sales manager for Park Industries, Hegland has been with the organization since 2021.
PleasureLand RV Center donates to conservation
PleasureLand RV Center and the Dan Pearson family made a donation to Pheasants Forever (PF) in memory of Justin Pearson, an upland hunter and conservationist. The contribution was used to fund a trio of mission priorities in Minnesota, including the 267-acre Justin V. Pearson Memorial Tract at Powers Lake Wildlife Management Area, the 280-acre Wendland Waterfowl Production Area as an addition to Beyer WPA, and the expansion of PF’s private lands biologist team.
Rice receives accreditation
Rice Companies received a certificate of accreditation from the International Accreditations Service (IAS) for Metal Building Assembler MBA-133. This accreditation recognizes Rice Companies’ adherence to the stringent requirements the IAS Accreditation Criteria for Inspection Practices of Metal Building Assemblers. Rice Companies is the first Minnesota based company to receive this certification.
Hannon joins Big Brother, Big Sisters
Kristin Hannon is the new advancement director at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota. In her role, Hannon will oversee all of the agency’s fundraising campaigns and events, work closely with donors, and work with agency leadership and board of directors to develop future budgets as the agency and its needs continue to grow and change. Hannon has over 20 years of banking experience, and volunteers with several area nonprofits.
SCSU in top 500
St. Cloud State University made the Forbes list of America’s 500 Top Colleges for 2024. Rankings are determined based on factors including student success, return on investment, and alumni salaries and influence. SCSU is the only school in the Minnesota State system to be named to the list.
First responders recognized
Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation (GSCPSF) presented five awards recognizing the good work of first responders who serve communities in Benton, Sherburne and Stearns counties in Minnesota.
- Department of the Year: Freeport Fire & Rescue
- Outstanding Contribution to Public Safety:
- Scheels Corporation
- St. Cloud Police Officer Nicholas Tylutki
- City of Rockville Fire Chief Rodney Schaefer
- Life Saving Award: City of St. Joseph Police Department and Fire Department, Mayo Ambulance, and staff members of Little Saints Academy
