Published: February 02, 2009 04:18 pm      

Business memos: February '09

Olives gets design award

The Minnesota Shopping Center Association recently announced their 2008 Shopping Center Tribute Awards for Retail Real Estate. Olives restaurant received the interior design award in the restaurant/food service category.

Located in Mankato’s Hilton Garden Inn, Olives was designed by Paulsen Architects

The award winners are featured at: www.msca-online.com.

Family-owned and operated by the Massad Group, Olives opened in the fall of

2007. It was selected from a group of 40 nominees. The interior design judging criteria includes innovative use of materials, functionality of layout, successful concept implementation, construction issues, interior lighting and overall image.



Blue Earth native named top doctor

Dr. Neil Alan Fenske, a native of Blue Earth, was among four dermatologists in the Southeast and 17 nationwide listed among America’s Top Doctors for Women in Women’s Health magazine.

Fenske, son of Una and Dennis Fenske and brother of Douglas Fenske, is professor and chair of dermatology at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fl.

Fenske’s special expertise in skin cancer and melanoma was noted. Melanoma is the second most common cancer in women in their late 20s, but when treated early the success rate tops 90 percent.



Peterson named to board

Steven J. Peterson, owner of Cuddy Mechanical, has been elected as the southern division director to the Sheet Metal & Roofing Contractors Association board of directors.



Kaduce attends Accelerate ‘08

Larry A. Kaduce of RE/MAX Dynamic Associates is among the top-performing Realtors in the country to attend Accelerate ’08. The program by personal finance expert, Dave Ramsey, was a two-day event in Nashville.

As part of Accelerate ’08, the Realtors took part in a live broadcast of “The Dave Ramsey Show,” focusing on real estate topics.



Begalka joins Kitchenmaster

Kitchenmaster and Company in North Mankato announced the addition of Kelly Begalka to their firm. Begalka is a certified public accountant and her specialties include tax planning, tax return preparation for individuals and businesses, financial statement preparation and accounting and bookkeeping consulting.



Snell named association president

Todd Snell, owner of Snell Motors, has been named the president of the Minnesota Auto Dealers Association for 2009.

General Motors dealers elected Snell to represent Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealers in Minnesota on the Regional Dealer Council in 2003 and 2007. He is a board member of the Mankato YMCA, Greater Mankato Growth and Southern Minnesota Advocates.



Bowles joins River’s Edge

River’s Edge Hospital and Clinic in St. Peter announces the addition of Dr. Carolyn Bowles to its medical staff.

Bowles is a rheumatologist with broad experience in treating autoimmune and musculoskeletal diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma and osteoporosis. In addition to diagnosing rheumatologic disorders, she educates her patients and offers comprehensive management of chronic and acute rheumatic conditions by integrating traditional therapies with complimentary methods for improving function.



Arnold’s becomes Hyster dealer

Arnold Machinery Company has been appointed as the Hyster servicing dealer for the states of Minnesota, North Dakota and the area of Wisconsin formerly serviced by RDO Material Handling Co. Most of the previous employees of RDO have been retained by Arnold.



Scholl receives Founders Award

Bolton and Menk Consulting Engineers and Surveyors, named Maureen Scholl as the recipient of the firm’s 2008 Founders Award. Scholl is a staff accountant for the corporate division working out of the Mankato office and has been with the firm for over 19 years. Her duties with Bolton and Menk include billing, maintaining accounts receivable and project related functions of the firm.

The award honors the firm’s founders, John Bolton and Martin C. Menk, Jr.



ISJ earns diabetes recognition

Immanuel St. Joseph’s Waseca and Springfield medical centers have been awarded continued recognition from the American Diabetes Association for completing and meeting the national standards for diabetes self-management education.

Programs that achieve recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management.

The association’s recognition assures that educational programs meet national standards. Education is provided in group, individual and community settings, with the primary goal being the improved well-being of patients with diabetes.



AgStar division changes name

AgStar financial services consulting division, Salisbury Management Services has changed its name to Lookout Ridge Consulting. The new name better reflects the farm consulting services it performs.

The 30 year old business was acquired by AgStar in 2006. The group has expanded to nearly 30 consulting team members serving clients in 40 states.

On the Web: www.lookoutridgeconsulting.com.



MEP hires field organizer

Minnesota Environmental Partnership (MEP), the statewide coalition of more than 80 conservation and environmental organizations, hired Jeff Brand as the field organizer for south central Minnesota with an office in St. Peter.

Brand will coordinate with and support the work of MEP member groups in local communities. He will also work with MEP’s other field organizers throughout Minnesota to educate and create support for MEP’s legislative priorities.



Wenk recognized as certified healthcare facility manager

Dave Wenk, supervisor of maintenance and plant operations at New Ulm Medical Center, earned the designation of certified healthcare facility manager from the American Hospital Association. THE CHFM is a national credential distinguishing individuals as being among the leaders in the field of healthcare facility management.



Nicollet County Bank highly rated

Nicollet County Bank in St. Peter earned BauerFinancial Inc.’s highest five-star superior rating for financial strength and stability. BauerFinancial has been analyzing the nation’s banks for 25 years. The rating is based on the overall financial picture of the bank. This is the 78th consecutive quarter that Nicollet County Bank has earned this highest honor. Four percent of the nation’s banks claim this distinction. On the Web: www.nicolletcountybank.com.



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Karstens attends leadership program

Lana R. Karstens of Mankato, a Modern Woodmen of America regional director, attended Modern Woodmen’s essentials of leadership and management program, held at Modern Woodmen’s home office in Rock Island, Ill.



Kibble Implement buys dealership

Kibble Implement of Mankato has purchased the John Deere implement dealership for Albert Lea and Kiester.

Erlandson’s Inc. has a store in Albert Lea and another in Kiester. They were owned by Kent and Scott Erlandson and by Arlen O’Brien and sold to Steve and Ron Kibble.

Mankato Implement has dealerships in Mankato, New Ulm, Nicollet and Minnesota Lake. The Erlandson’s name will stay on the stores in Albert Lea and Kiester.



Day care gets national accreditation

Catherine Richardson, owner of Cats Kids Child Care in North Mankato has been awarded a national accreditation from the National Association of Family Child Care.

The National Association of Family Child Care offers accreditation to providers across the country, aiding them in raising their standards of quality care. The accreditation will earn her the highest possible quality rating for Minnesota.



HickoryTech achieves certification

HickoryTech’s Enventis division has earned Cisco’s Advanced Data Center Networking Infrastructure specialization certification.

The certification recognizes Enventis, a Cisco Gold Certified Partner, for its knowledge and expertise in selling, designing, installing and supporting a comprehensive data center solution, including both infrastructure and applications.



Xcel wind farm operational

When the Grand Meadow Wind Farm in southeastern Minnesota recently became fully operational, Xcel Energy took its first significant step toward its goal of owning more wind power.

The 100.5-megawatt wind farm is the first Xcel Energy owns in Minnesota; the company purchases the rest of the wind-powered generation on its system in the Upper Midwest. enXco, an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company, built the Grand Meadow Wind Farm under contract with Xcel Energy and transferred ownership of the 67 turbines to Xcel Energy in late December.

“The Grand Meadow Wind Farm taps into some of the best wind resources in the nation,” said Dave Sparby, president and CEO of Northern States Power Co.-Minnesota, an Xcel Energy company. “Developing this renewable resource will both protect the environment while meeting our customers’ growing needs for electricity.”



Minnesota Valley pays dividends

Minnesota Valley Funeral Home paid out dividends totaling more than $36,000 to its members who had funerals in the year 1999.

The funeral home has chapels in New Ulm, Gibbon and Nicollet and serves other surrounding communities from those chapels.



Mitchell is All American president

All American Foods Inc. announced the promotion of Rod Mitchell to president.

All American Foods offers dairy and non-dairy Pro Mix line of ingredients to be used in a wide range of applications. There are four manufacturing facilities in southern Minnesota.