Members of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce have big things happening! Here are the news briefs from November & December, 2025.
Have some news to submit? Send press releases, staff additions, awards and more to Emily Bertram.
Catholic Charities names CFO, honors Good Samaritans
Andrew Johannes is the new chief financial officer at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud. He will lead the finance department in financial planning, strategic growth initiatives, and operations. Johannes was previously the president/CEO at C4 Welding in Sauk Rapids.
Jane Marrin and Janelle Kendall received the 2025 Good Samaritan Award from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud. Marrin and her husband used Catholic Charities’ services when adopting their first two children. She has also served the organization in several key roles, including director of social concerns and member of the board of directors.
Kendall is a 32+ year supporter of Catholic Charities serving as a volunteer and sponsor, performing free benefit concerts with her band The Perfect Storm, and in her role as the Stearns County attorney.
Stearns Electric promotes safety, gives back
In June, eight Stearns Electric Cooperative employees discussed energy safety at the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department Youth Safety Camps in Albany and Clearwater. The cooperative employees spent time with a group of 20 students ages 4-7. Through its “My Co-op Cares” program, the Stearns Electric employees also volunteered with Get Outdoors Minnesota, mentoring young children on nature walks and art projects, helping make the outdoors more accessible and engaging.
Stearns Electric’s Operation Round Up® (ORU) Program contributed $39,000 to 44 area organizations in July 2025. Through this program, Stearns Electric Association member-consumers give back to area communities by rounding up their electric bill to the nearest dollar. Since the program’s inception in 1993, ORU has awarded nearly $3.4 million to over 5,800 local non-profit organizations and community service programs.
St. Cloud Hospital recognized
St. Cloud Hospital has been ranked the number two hospital in Minnesota in the 2025 – 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings, up from number three last year. The annual rankings are based on an evaluation of over 4,400 hospitals nationwide measuring patient survival and safety, nurse staffing, use of advanced technologies, patient experience, and discharge-to-home rates. St. Cloud Hospital was also recognized as high performing in four adult specialties and 19 procedures and conditions.
Braithwaite joins Stearns Bank
Stearns Bank has appointed Heather Braithwaite as VP, director of sustainable energy. Bringing nearly 20 years of experience in both energy and finance, she will oversee lending solutions such as bridge loans, lines of credit, and working capital to support renewable energy projects. The role aligns with the bank’s focus on serving a rapidly expanding clean energy market.
Ebert named to Power 30 list
Minnesota Lawyer named attorney Dyan J. Ebert, Quinlivan & Hughes, to its Power 30 list for Employment Lawyers, a distinction that celebrates attorneys whose work has shaped the practice, outcomes, and understanding of employment law in Minnesota. With over 30 years of experience in civil litigation, Ebert has served as president of the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association and the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys.
Spee-Dee launches shipit
Spee-Dee Delivery launched a new Transportation Management System (TMS) called Spee-Dee shipit, allowing the company to enhance the customer experience through features such as real-time tracking of shipments, online shipper portals, detailed order reporting, flex capacity, and secure cloud-based access. Founded in 1978 as an on-call delivery service with one pickup truck, Spee-Dee Delivery has grown into a regional company providing service throughout 10 states in the upper Midwest.
Over $200,000 raised
Crew Carwash raised $215,793 in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters at its 16th annual Crew for Kids fundraiser, held across all 54 Crew locations in Indiana and Minnesota. As part of the event, 50 percent of all proceeds from the Ultimate Wash were donated directly to Big Brothers Big Sisters. These funds support mentorship programs that ignite the power and potential of youth.
AMAX named Women-Owned Business
AMAX Manufacturing Inc. has been certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as a Women-Owned Small Business. Candice Kantor owns AMAX with her husband Adam, providing plastic injection molding and 3D printing capabilities in Foley, Minn.
Schlenner Wenner announces promotions
Several staff members at accounting firm Schlenner Wenner & Co. receivedpromotions and new designations.
- Ashley Meagher promoted to senior manager at the St. Cloud office
- Alicia Noakes promoted to manager at the Little Falls office
- Abby Christen, Zach Scegura and Alex Hokanson promoted to supervisor at the St. Cloud office
- Brandon Behsman, Kasey Brinker, Cameron Lemke and Olivia Mernaugh promoted to senior associate at the St. Cloud office
- Gary Saiko passed the CPA exam and promoted to senior associate at the St. Cloud office
House of Pizza opens in Coborn’s
A new House of Pizza restaurant is coming soon to Coborn’s on Pine Cone Road in Sartell. The full-service restaurant will offer in-store dining, take-out and delivery. The restaurant is expected to open inside Coborn’s in early 2026.
SYSPRO acquires riteSOFT
St. Cloud-based riteSOFT, which provides mobile warehouse, time tracking, and scheduling software for small to mid-sized manufacturers and distributors, has been acquired by SYSPRO. As a global software provider for the manufacturing and distribution industries, SYSPRO’s acquisition will help riteSOFT expand innovation, enhance integration, and deliver greater value, without added complexity.
CentraCare welcomes staff, receives recognition
The American Hospital Association (AHA) presented the AHA 100-year milestone award to leaders of CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital and the AHA 75-year milestone for CentraCare – Sauk Centre Hospital. These awards from the AHA recognize an enduring legacy of leadership, innovation and compassionate care.
Cassie Dike, DNP, RN, joined CentraCare as chief nursing executive. She previously served as executive vice president and chief nursing officer at Children’s Health in Dallas, Texas.
Former St. Cloud Mayor receives award
Dave Kleis was honored with a Hubert H. Humphrey Leadership Award. The award, presented by the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs, honors people, organizations, and corporations that have contributed to the common good through leadership and service. Kleis served as mayor of St. Cloud from 2005 – 2025.
RSVP director recognized
AmeriCorps recognized RSVP Director Jennifer Wucherer with its Innovation Service Award. The award is presented to one program director each year for making a significant impact in their community by leveraging volunteer service.
Cusipag earns recognition
St. Cloud Financial Credit Union Chief Financial Officer Franco Cusipag was named a 2025 CFO of the Year Honoree by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, one of just 20 financial leaders recognized across the state. Nominees were evaluated based on their contributions to their companies and the broader community.
Reisinger joins Gate City Bank
Eric Reisinger is now senior vice president, commercial banking leader – Central Minnesota at Gate City Bank. Reisinger has 25 years of experience in finance and business management, and currently serves as board chair for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota.
Deerwood Bank welcomes Kedrowski
Jay Kedrowski joined Deerwood Bank as real estate lender at its Sartell location. Kedrowski, who is originally from St. Cloud, has a background in finance and spent several years in the mortgage industry.
