OF NOTE – HONORS

The National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers, along with online car finance company Ally Financial Inc., announced that Erikka Tiffany Wells of Twin Cities-based auto dealership Walser Auto Group has received this year’s Ally Sees Her award, recognizing influential minority women leaders. In conjunction, Ally will donate $10,000 to the Newgate School, a nonprofit Minneapolis technical school that offers tuition-free auto body and auto mechanic training for unemployed or under-employed adults.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Fargo, N.D.-based international business accounting firm Eide Bailly announced that Brian Bluhm, chief quality officer, Minneapolis, and Ben Ellingson, national assurance practice leader, Mankato, have joined its management team.

FOOD

Hormel Foods Corp., an Austin, Minn.-based provider of branded packaged grocery products, announced the promotion of Katie Larson to senior vice president of human resources. Larson previously was director of human resources for the company. … International Dairy Queen Inc., a Bloomington-based owner and operator of franchised ice cream and fast-food restaurants, announced that Nicolas Boudet has joined the company as chief operating officer, international. Boudet most recently served as senior vice president global development and president of international at Wingstop Restaurants Inc.

GOVERNMENT

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced the appointment of Bree Maki as state director of the Office of Broadband Development, replacing Angie Dickison. Maki previously was senior outreach director and state broadband and telecommunications outreach director for Minnesota U.S. Sen. Tina Smith.

HEALTH CARE

Fairview Health Services, a Minneapolis-based chain of hospitals and clinics associated with the M Health Fairview brand, announced the promotion of Joe Gaylord as chief financial officer. Gaylord previously was the system’s vice president for finance.

MARKETING

Clutch, a Minneapolis-based agency focused on B2B consulting, announced the following additions over the course of the past year: John Poferl, senior director, reputation + influence; Kenni Bores, manager, reputation + influence; Erica Ballmer-Riley, manager, reputation + Influence; Laurie DePhillips, director, client success; Paula Sonnabend, senior manager, client success + catalyst; Bailey Scholl, manager, client success, and Jack Lumpe, manager, catalyst.

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Patterson Cos. Inc., a Mendota Heights-based national supplier of medial equipment to veterinary and dental practices, announced the promotion of Don Zurbay from chief financial officer to president and chief executive officer, succeeding Mark Walchirk; Zurbay also has been elected to the company’s board. Kevin Barry, currently vice president, finance & corporate controller, has been appointed interim chief financial officer. … DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc., a Minneapolis-based clinical-stage developer of treatments for neurological disorders and kidney diseases, announced the appointment of Julie VanOrsdel Daves as senior vice president, Clinical Development Operations. Davies most recently served as a consultant to DiaMedica and as vice president and global head, Clinical Operations at Sanifit.

NONPROFITS

Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis announced the hire of Jeremiah Hawkins as senior director of Children and Family Services. Most recently, Hawkins served as chief programs officer at D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s, a social service organization in Grand Rapids, Mich.

OPENINGS

Clothing retailer T.J. Maxx announced the Oct. 20 opening of a store at Tamarack Village shopping center in Woodbury; the move marks the relocation of the company’s store at 2089 Old Hudson Road.

TECHNOLOGY

Datasite, a provider of software and services for managing mergers & acquisitions for businesses, announced the promotion of Deven Lindemann to chief customer success officer. Previously she was the company’s executive vice president of customer service. … Concord USA, a Hopkins-based technology consulting and digital transformation firm, announce the hires of Chris Whaley as chief revenue officer and John Baglivo as chief marketing officer. … Total Expert, a St. Louis Park-based provider of customer engagement software and services for financial institutions, announced that Dan Catinella has joined the company as chief lending officer. Catinella previously worked with Total Expert while chief digital officer at Finance of America.

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