BUSINESS NOTES

CTC board recognized for education and leadership

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Five Consolidated Telephone Co. board members recently were awarded the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association's Excellence in Leadership Certificate for 2008-2009.

NTCA is a nonprofit association that represents more than 580 rural telephone cooperatives and small commercial companies. Receiving the award were board members Kathy Kobliska, Paul Nieman Jr., Jerry Palm, Edward Swecker and Mike Wetzel; and Kevin Larson, chief executive officier/general manager.

Conroy joins WSN

Pat Conroy recently joined Widseth Smith Nolting as a funding specialist.

Conroy has worked with WSN and its clients on numerous funding packages under the auspices of his practice, C&C Consultants LLC. Together, the firms secured more than $75 million dollars for their clients. Conroy offers more than 30 years of experience as a grant writer and applications specialist.

Knowles and Russell speak to chamber executives at conference

EAST GULL LAKE - Brandon Knowles of Faster Solutions, Inc., and Carol Russell of Russell Herder recently presented Social Media to the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce executives at their annual conference at the Gull Lake Conference Center at Grand View Lodge.

A session of 75 chamber executives from around the state gathered at the event to learn more on economic impact, leadership and business challenges.

Knowles and Russell led the session to educate and inform participants about social media tools and how they're revolutionizing the face of business. Knowles and Russell speak to tourism organizations and private businesses on implementation strategies through use of social media tools in their Internet marketing efforts.

WORKSHOP

Course set for food managers Jan. 19

A Serving It Safe review course will be held from 5-9 p.m. Jan. 19 in the Business and Industry Center at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.

These course provides four hours of continuing education for certified food managers. It will address food sanitation and safety, emerging trends in food preparation and handling sanitation and prevention of food-borne illness.

Colette Pohlkamp is the instructor. Tuition is $70. Payment is required at the time of registration, and the deadline is Jan. 12.

For more information, call 855-8142 or (800) 933-0346 extension 8142.

DONATION

Mille Lacs Band donates to nonprofits

ONAMIA - The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe in November donated $36,433 in monetary and in-kind contributions to a variety of nonprofit organizations and other charitable causes.

The Mille Lacs Band's donation include $3,000 to the Confidence Learning Center for a water conditioning system, to food shelves in Little Falls and Princeton, Caring Rivers United Way and Green Lantern's Toys for Tots.

The band donated to organizations and causes in Aitkin, Anoka, Barron, Blue Earth, Burnett, Carlton, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Cook, Cottonwood, Crookston, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Eau Claire, Hennepin, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Nicollet, Otter Tail, Pierce, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Ward, Washington and Wright counties.