BUSINESS NOTES

Wells Fargo announced that Jason Olsen was named community banking president and business banking manager for Brainerd.

Olsen will serve as Wells Fargo's lead manager in Brainerd and head of business banking for the Brainerd lakes area. Olsen has more than 15 years of financial services experience, including serving as community banking president for Wells Fargo in Pequot Lakes from 2002 to 2005. Most recently, he was Wells Fargo's community banking president in Alexandria. Earlier, Olsen served as a store manager for Wells Fargo in Hutchinson, credit manager and personal banker.

Olsen has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Minnesota State University-Mankato. He is a past board member for Operation Bootstrap.

Harvey earns wetland delineation certification

BAXTER - Ethan Harvey, environmental technician of Widseth Smith Nolting's Baxter office, recently became a certified wetland delineator.

In Minnesota, the voluntary delineator certification program offers stability to the implementation of the Wetland Conservation Act and other wetland regulations. Wetland delineation is a distinct skill, and the certification program helps ensure that delineations are conducted and reviewed by qualified people operating under a code of ethics.

In addition to delineating wetlands, Harvey's primary responsibilities at WSN include soil and groundwater sampling and gathering field data for environmental investigations. He received an associate's degree in applied science degree in environmental science and an associate's degree in environmental waste management from Vermilion Community College.

Good Neighbor gains certification

BAXTER - The Minnesota Department of Health recently surveyed Good Neighbor Home Health Care and found it in full compliance with federal regulations.

Home health care agencies like Good Neighbor must be surveyed every 36 months to be federally certified as a Medicaid and Medicare provider. Good Neighbor was one of the few agencies found to be in full compliance by the state Department of Health.

The survey involves a state Department of Health team that visits and interviews a sampling of patients to determine if the level of care is sufficient and the caregiver is qualified and follows proper procedures in caring for the patient. The survey also includes a review of the agency's personnel files, training requirements and clinical records.

Orth joins The Fine Line

Christie Orth joined The Fine Line Hair Design Salon and Spa in Brainerd.

Orth has more than six years of experience in the salon industry, specializing in hair design and skin care. She was previously a stylist at Regis in Brainerd.

Brainerd Medical Supply achieves accreditation

Brainerd Medical Supply recently achieved accreditation as an exemplary provider through The Compliance Team, a Medicare-approved agency.

Brainerd Medical Supply, locally owned and operated, demonstrated outstanding delivery practices and compliance to safety, honesty and caring and has received the Exemplary Provider Award and Certificate of Accreditation.

LF Lunch & Learn planned Tuesday

LITTLE FALLS - The Lunch & Learn networking event from the Chamber of Commerce in Little Falls is planned along with a Leadership LindyLand alumni gathering on Tuesday at the Morrison County Government Center meeting room one, 213 First Ave. S.E.

The alumni gathering is at 11 a.m. followed from noon to 1:30 p.m. with the learning opportunity "Energizing Yourself & Others" presented by Jean Mershon, Central Lakes College. Cost is $10 for Leadership LindyLand alumni and $12 for chamber members.

Those attending this informative session will learn how to create and maintain a work environment in which people will thrive. This session will explore methods and strategies of improving employee performance, employee commitment and job satisfaction. Lunch & Learn sessions are sponsored by the chamber to educate and inform the community of issues that affect daily lives. This session is open to all chamber members at a cost of $12 per person. For more information, contact the chamber at (320) 632.5155. RSVP is requested by Monday.

Friday Morning Coffee scheduled in LF

LITTLE FALLS - The Chamber of Commerce in Little Falls is planning its networking event Friday Morning Coffee, 7:30 - 9:00 a.m., Friday, at event host Pine Country Bank, 1201 First Ave. N.E.

Announcements and introductions will be made at 8:15 a.m.

First Federal Savings Bank hosts Jan. 24 CHOW

BAXTER - The Brainerd Lakes Chamber networking event CHOW is planned from noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 24 at First Federal Savings Bank, 14633 Edgewood Drive, Baxter.

CHOW is a networking lunch highlighting what's new at the chamber. The cost to attend this event is $5 with advance reservations and $7 at the door. Advance registration and cancellations are accepted until 4 p.m. Jan. 23. For more information, go online to www.explorebrainerdlakes.com or call 829-2838 or (800) 450-2838.

Positioning business for changing times

CROSSLAKE - The workshop Positioning Your Business in Changing Times is planned from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Jan. 30 at the Crosslake Community Center.

The Brainerd Lakes Chamber Crosslake Advisory Committee is presenting Nathan Dorr of the Department of Employment and Economic Development, who will share an analysis of the labor market in the region today and in the future and Pat Swarthout of Central Lakes College who will present on the changing face of consumers and how you can position your business to meet those changing needs.

The networking opportunity is a chance to look at the future of Crosslake with other business leaders and consider how to plan for success. Advance reservations are requested by Jan. 28. Register online at the Brainerd Lakes Chamber Web site or call (218) 692-1828 or (800) 450-2838.

LASHO to meet Jan. 17

The Lakes Area Safety and Health Organization will meet beginning at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 17 at the Central Lakes College Business & Industry Center.

The event begins with a continental breakfast. The program on effective safety committees is 10-11:30 a.m. Guest speaker is Michael Pennock, 3M, Alexandria. The session will include who needs a safety committee, the importance of management and employee support, things to consider when defining goals and the elements of an effective team structure.

Continuing education units are available for attending the program. RSVP is requested to Kori Busho at 855-8139.

OSHA workshop scheduled at CLC

Central Lakes College will host a workshop on permit-required compliance with OSHA space-entry standards for general industry from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 1 in the Business and Industry Center on the Brainerd campus.

Instructor is Joe Casey. Registration fee is $64, payable when signing up. Deadline is Jan. 25. For more information, call (800) 933-0346, ext. 8142 or 855-8142.

Ulanowski Law Firm sponsors reading program

Larry Ulanowski of the Ulanowski Law Firm, Brainerd, is sponsoring the Father's Read Every Day program, a reading literacy program for local area elementary schools and early childhood program.

The program encourages and teaches reading to young children. Children receive three free books to foster reading and education. This year's participating elementary schools are: Lincoln, Riverside, Family of Christ, Whittier, Harrison, Nisswa and Baxter. Early Childhood Family Education and TCC Head Start also host FRED events.

Implementation of the program is coordinated by Lowell Johnson of Early Childhood Family Education. Additional supporters and sponsors to the program include Early Childhood Family Education and the Brainerd Lakes Area Early Childhood Coalition. Those interested in financially co-sponsoring the FRED programming during the 2008-2009 school year may contact Johnson at 828-6233.