BUSINESS NOTES
CAREER
Johnson gains certificate
Back
Consolidated Telecommunications Co. Board member Stan Johnson was awarded his Director Core Curriculum Certificate from the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association.
Johnson attended a series of recommended courses designed to expose directors to the principles and concepts of becoming a highly effective member of the board of directors.
Stan Johnson
The courses involved in obtaining a DCC certificate include; the role of a director, board planning, board finance, the board sets policy, the board/manager relationship, the fundamentals of telecommunications, director legal liabilities, understanding Telco revenues, reviewing and updating bylaws and understanding capital credits.
Marcussen joins WSN
BAXTER - Erica Marcussen recently joined the architecture team of Widseth Smith Nolting.
In addition to project design, Marcussen's responsibilities at WSN include client development, project management and contributions to further develop the firm's architectural practice.
A registered architect in Minnesota, Marcussen has more than five years of experience in middle- to high-end residential and commercial architecture. She is a member of AIA Minnesota and carries a certification by the National Council of Architectural Registration Board. She was part of a collaboration that garnered several awards, including Associated Builders and Contractors Awards of Excellence in 2002 and 2003, Log Home Living's 2002 Top 10 Floor Plans and Wilderness Log Homes 2001 House of the Year. Marcussen received a bachelor of architecture with a minor in landscape architecture from North Dakota State University in 2000.
Erica Marcussen
Panache Salons become Aveda Concept Salons
BAXTER - Panache Salons & Day Spas headquartered in Baxter, with locations in St. Cloud, Sartell and Madden's Resort, announced they are transforming into Aveda Concept Salons.
The Aveda brand is known worldwide, but Panache reported it is especially popular in Minnesota, the home of Aveda's founder, Horst Rechelbacher. Aveda features natural and plant essences, and to be considered a concept salon requires the use and sale of Aveda products exclusively.
EVENTS
LF Chamber to sponsor Business After Hours
LITTLE FALLS - The Chamber of Commerce in Little Falls will sponsor its next Business After Hours networking event from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. March 18 at Radio Shack, 1614 First Ave. N.E.
Hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to all chamber members and their employees. For more information, call the chamber at (320) 632-5155. No RSVP needed.
Close-Converse to host CHOW on March 27
Close-Converse is hosting the Brainerd Lakes Chamber's networking event, CHOW, at noon March 27 at Phase Two of the new Baxter Village, 15620 Edgewood Drive in Baxter.
In addition to lunch, Close-Converse will discuss the metamorphosis of the Brainerd area in the last five years.
Cost to attend this event is $5 with advance reservations and $7 at the door. Advance registration and cancellations accepted until 4 p.m. March 26. For more information, go online to www.explorebrainerdlakes.com or call 829-2838.
Friday Morning Coffee planned in Little Falls
The Chamber of Commerce in Little Falls will have its networking event, Friday Morning Coffee, from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. March 21 at Complete Title Services, 205 15th St. N.E., Suite C.
Chamber members, employees and guests are invited to attend. Announcements and introductions will be at 8:15 a.m.
WORKSHOPS
CLC offers 'Serving It Safe' review
Central Lakes College will offer four hours of continuing education for certified food managers from 5-9 p.m. April 3 at the Business and Industry Center in Brainerd.
The course 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. The $70 fee is payable at registration which must be completed no later than March 27. For more information, call (800) 933-0346, extension 8142 or 855-8142.
Business and employment law seminar on Tuesday
The 2008 Business & Employment Law Seminar is planned from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.
Topics will include the hiring process, wage and hour issues, workplace issues, safety/health and environment, termination process and worker's compensation.
Guest speaker is Nancy Vollertsen, a member of Lindquist & Vennum's Employee Benefits, Executive Compensation & Employment Law Practice Group.
Fee is $75 per person and includes coffee and lunch. There is a $10 discount for members of sponsoring organizations.
For more information, contact Jan at 855-8142 or (800) 933-0346 ext. 8142 or Cindy at (218) 894-5302 or (800) 247-6836 ext. 5302.
Registration, which begins at 8 a.m. with a continental breakfast, is at the Business & Industry Center entrance.
Sponsors are the Lakes Area Human Resource Association, Lake Country Human Resource Association, Brainerd Lakes Chamber, Bemidji Chamber, Chamber of Commerce in Little Falls, CLC, Center for Research & Innovation at Bemidji State University, Department of Employment and Economic Development/WorkForce Center, Job Service Employer Committee, Lakes Area Safety & Health Organization, Small Business Development Center.
Continuing Education Credits are available. This seminar has been approved for 6.5 recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR and GPHR recertification; 6.5 CEUs through CLC; CLEs have been applied for through the Minnesota State Board of Law Examiners.
AWARDS
LF Chamber announces 2007 award recipients
LITTLE FALLS - The Chamber of Commerce in Little Falls announced the first annual awards for a Small and Large Business of the Year and a Volunteer of the Year.
The 2007 Small Business of the Year is awarded to Domino's Pizza, Little Falls. Domino's Pizza is owned and operated by Shane and Debbie Cole. "As small business owners, they take their personal commitment to their employees and their role in the community very seriously, striving to make the community better because of their presence," the chamber reported.
The 2007 Large Business of the Year is the Franciscan Sisters. The chamber reported the Franciscan Sisters continue to provide services ranging from a community garden to offering scholarships for instrumental, voice or dance instruction to the services of their recreation center, and promote the betterment of the community while demonstrating their commitment to social justice and life-long learning.
The 2007 Volunteer of the Year is Tom Hoggarth, Evergreen Equipment. Hoggarth currently chairs the Membership Development Committee, is past chair of the Chamber's Golf Outing event for three years, actively and successfully recruits new chamber members. The chamber reports he was instrumental in the success of the chamber's membership directory and has given of his time and talents to other organizations is Little Falls and Morrison County.
Awardees met established criteria for nomination, were nominated by their peers with the final determination made by the chamber's Employee of the Month Committee. Winners will receive a plaque noting their award and will be included on permanent wall plaques in the chamber office.
MTA honors CTC with award
The Minnesota Telecom Alliance recently presented its eighth annual 21st Century Economic Development Award to Consolidated Telecommunications Co., Brainerd/Baxter, at the association's 99th annual convention in Minneapolis.
The Economic Development Award honors an MTA member company for its contributions to the economic growth and development of its community. The award is one of four annual 21st Century Awards - three to individuals and one to a company - that recognize outstanding contributions to the progress and prosperity of Minnesota's telecommunications industry.
Kristi Westbrock accepted the 2008 award from John Finke, MTA chairman and Michael Nowick, MTA President, on behalf of CTC.
During the award introductions, Finke stated, "This award honors a company that has contributed to increased employment opportunities and greater economic activity through the development of advanced telecommunications infrastructure, financial assistance and other contributions. It is a great example of how our member companies are dedicated to the communities they serve."
CTC was recommended for the award by the area United Way for its contributions to Crow Wing and Southern Cass counties. The company and its employees led the way as a United Way 2007 Pacesetter.
OFF THE WIRE
HUD unveils reformed mortgage-term disclosure form for consumers
WASHINGTON (AP) - Prospective home buyers would get easier-to-understand information on mortgage terms and save an average $700 in closing costs under a proposal to be unveiled Friday by President Bush.
The proposed overhaul to a 1974 law requiring lenders to give what's called a "good faith estimate" is aimed at making it simpler for consumers to comparison shop when they buy a house or refinance a mortgage.
It's the latest in a series of White House initiatives to help end a housing market crisis that has stalled the U.S. economy and sparked global financial market turmoil.
"A lot of the mortgage problems we see today are directly related to the fact that few people understand (the mortgage lending) process," Alphonso Jackson, secretary of HUD.