Members of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce have big things happening! Here are the news briefs from September and October, 2024.
Have some news to submit? Send press releases, staff additions, awards and more to Emily Bertram.
Gilleland in top five percent
Auto dealership Gilleland Chevrolet Cadillac received the 2023 Chevrolet Mark of Excellence trophy. Gilleland is ranked 150 out of 3,000 Chevrolet dealers across the United States, placing it in the top five percent of dealers.
St. Cloud State recognized
St. Cloud State University was nationally recognized as a transfer-friendly institution for the fifth year in a row by international honor society Phi Theta Kappa. Recognition is based on 40 metrics related to the support and success of transfer students, including college cost and financial aid, campus life for transfer, admission practices, and bachelor’s degree completion.
St. Cloud VA receives award, names new director
The St. Cloud VA Health Care System (HCS) received the 2024 Top 25 Environmental Excellence Award from national health care sustainability organization Practice Greenhealth. The award recognizes organizations that continue achievement and innovation in health care sustainability.
Cheryl Thieschafer is the new director of the St. Cloud VA HCS. Thieschafer has more than 23 years of experience with the organization, most recently as associate director. Thieschafer is now responsible for the management and operations of the St. Cloud VA medical center and VA clinics in Alexandria, Brainerd and Montevideo, Minn.
Local bus roadeo determines champions
Metro Bus’ annual Roadeo tests bus operators on their ability to navigate various real-life driving scenarios in a friendly competition. Keith Drake placed first in the small bus division, and Joel Lafrentz placed first in the large bus division. They can now compete in the Minnesota Statewide Bus Roadeo.
Holmen honored
CentraCare President and CEO Ken Holmen, M.D., received the Cornerstone Award from Granite Partners for his “steadfast support of a new medical school in St. Cloud that will enable health and wellbeing into the future.” The Cornerstone Award recognizes those who have made foundational contributions to Granite Partner’s mission of growing companies to create value for all stakeholders.
Clara’s House expansion
CentraCare’s Clara’s House is expanding to house the Early Childhood Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), the first of its kind in the Midwest. The new program will aid in intervening early in matters of mental health by providing evidence-based and trauma-informed treatment interventions.
CentraCare Foundation hosts La Gratitude
La Gratitude, sponsored by CentraCare Foundation, honors donors, physicians and community leaders who have generously given their gifts to support CentraCare and the health of its patients and families. The following were recognized:
- Lifetime Achievement: Jim Christensen
- Philanthropist of the Year: Jan and Lee Hanson
- Service to the Foundation: John Schnettler
- Rising Star: Lou and Leo Louis
- Caduceus Award: Dr. David Tilstra
Hansen joins BankVista
Corey Hansen has joined BankVista as senior vice president, commercial lending. Prior to joining BankVista, Hansen served as a senior commercial lender, where he was recognized as a Pinnacle Top Performer in both 2013 and 2015, along with Legends of Possible in 2017 and 2019. In his new role, Hansen will develop and manage commercial banking relationships.
Central Minn. Big Brothers Big Sisters receives two awards
Central Minnesota Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) received the Growth Award for program excellence, and a Bronze Biggie award for its 2023 annual report at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America National Conference. The Growth Award recognizes the branches that have demonstrated a rise in the number of mentors, mentees, Bigs, and Littles who are matched year over year. The Biggie Award is given annually to the top three marketing pieces across the country.
Bergerson joins Granite Electronics
Sandy Bergerson joined Granite Electronics and DSC Communications as chief financial officer. Bergerson’s experience in leading multi-location staff, financial process improvements, budget and forecasting, and financial statement preparation brings added value and allows for continued growth for DSC.
St. Cloud Subaru donates over $100,000
St. Cloud Subaru donated over $101,000 to the Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation as part of Subaru’s annual Share the Love Campaign. Part of these funds will benefit the St. Cloud Community Outpost (COP House). Through the campaign, St. Cloud Subaru donated $400 for every vehicle sold between November 20, 2023 and January 4, 2024.
St. Cloud recognized for sustainability
St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis received the 2024 Mayor’s Climate Protection award at the United States Conference of Mayors for his leadership in sustainability. St. Cloud won first in Small City Awards for St. Cloud’s citywide energy transformation. With this transformation, all of the electricity demand from City of St. Cloud services now comes from 100 percent renewable sources.
The Top 200
The Star Tribune surveyed employees to find the top workplaces in Minnesota based on employee count. Several St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce members were included.
- Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
- Arvig
- Bell Bank
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of MN
- Bolton & Menk
- Brenny Transportation
- Bursch Travel
- Capital One
- Center for Energy and Environment
- Centerspace
- CLA
- Compeer Financial
- Edina Realty Home Services
- Frandsen Bank & Trust
- Froehling Anderson
- Goodwill-Easter Seals MN
- HealthPartners
- Kwik Trip
- Lunds & Byerlys
- Microbiologics
- Preferred Credit
Inc. - RE/MAX Results
- Simonson Lumber
- St. Cloud Industrial Products
Karki named top leader
Carrie Karki, owner of marketing agency Whitebox Marketing, was named to the Top 50 Women Leaders of Minneapolis for 2004by Women We Admire. Karki was recognized for her agency’s growth and her involvement in the community.
Area lawyers recognized
Quinlivan & Hughes attorneys Dyan Ebert, Steven Schwegman and Cally Kjellberg-Nelson were named among the top attorneys in Minnesota by Super Lawyers. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Ebert was also named in Super Lawyer’s Top 50 Women list.
Harvester Square honored
St. Cloud event center, Harvester Square, was named the best St. Cloud area wedding venue of 2024 by Minnesota Bride. The awards honor the best in the Minnesota wedding business in a wide variety of categories, and winners were chosen based on thousands of votes.
