Business notes

Russell and Herder announced organizational changes to its Brainerd office to accommodate growth and streamline operations in Brainerd, Duluth and St. Paul offices.

The most significant change was that Jim Engel was promoted from vice president of creative services to general manager of the Brainerd office. He will oversee office operations and continue to be involved in the firm's creative work. With more than 15 years experience, Engel has been with Russell and Herder for seven years.

The change also means a promotion for Dan Ness, who was promoted from account services manager. He now oversees the Brainerd office's account services staff. Ness has 15 years of communication experience and currently manages one of Russell and Herder's largest accounts.

Governor's group to meet in Brainerd

A six-member working group that is considering the status and development of minority businesses in Minnesota has announced a meeting in Brainerd next month.

The Brainerd Region Focus Group meeting is set for 1 to 4 p.m. April 10 in Room E201 in the Business and Industry Center of Central Lakes College at 501 W. College Drive.

The panel, appointed by Gov. Jesse Ventura, will advise him on the location and characteristics of minority businesses in Minnesota, the issues affecting minority business development and what strategies state government can use to can use to develop such businesses.

Lapka recognized for outstanding sales

Janie Lapka, RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty, was named to the RE/MAX President's Club for outstanding sales in 1999.

Lapka has received numerous awards for high production and quality service in her 13 year real estate career in the lakes area.

Credit union gets national recognition

Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union recently received The Bridge Award, a national recognition for excellence in member education communications.

Developed by the Credit Union National Association, the honor was presented to the credit union for News Bites, MMFCU's Youth Club newsletter featuring Mid-Minnie Mouse. The award puts the newsletter among the top 5 percent of all credit union newsletters nationally, recognizing Marty Kelly, MMFCU marketing manager, and Marnie Perfetti, marketing assistant, as creators of the publication.

The newsletter is mailed regularly to all MMFCU members age 12 and younger and promotes fiscal responsibility while offering youth entertaining stories and outlets to demonstrate creative skills.

Hoglund attends convention

Janis D. A. Hoglund, central Minnesota audiologist/hearing care professional, recently attended the 12th annual American Academy of Audiology convention in Chicago.

The lakes area based audiologist and owner of Helping You Hear, an audiology/hearing system dispensing business in Brainerd, was one of several thousand audiologists attending and earning continuing education credits.

Nationally and state certified audiologist with 20 years of experience in the area, Hoglund opened her business last year.

Payroll for small business class set

The Small Business Management Program at Central Lakes College is offering a Payroll for Small Business class from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on three nights beginning Monday and continuing April 10 and April 17. The class meets in the Business and Industry Center at CLC in Brainerd.

Participants will learn to set up and maintain a payroll. Topics include new-hire forms, calculating payroll deductions, quarterly and annual government reports and accounting with popular software. Tuition is $121.70. For more information, call the business center at 855-8239, or toll-free at 800-933-0346, ext. 8239.

Johnson completes master training

Marsha Johnson, owner of Friend of Flowers, commercial and residential garden maintenance and care of Brainerd, recently completed the required schooling through the University of Minnesota Extension Service to be a master gardener.

The purpose of a master gardener is to gain knowledge in garden care and to help educate others in gardening and to volunteer in a community in the areas of gardening.

Klaverkamp appointed

Geoff Klaverkamp, senior public relations specialist with Russell and Herder, was named vice president of the Japan America Society of Minnesota by the organization's board of directors on March 22.

A nonprofit association, JASM supports cultural, business and educational programs that bring together the people of Japan and the United States. Its programs include a referral service and Japan-related resources, such as a database and library.

Klaverkamp has an extensive Japanese background. He was born in Tokyo and lived there 17 years. He attended college in St. Paul and then returned to Asia as a correspondent covering Japan and Indochina for Time-Warner owned Asiaweek magazine in Tokyo and Bangkok. He then worked for Thailand's largest securities company, helping Japanese institutional clients invest in the Thai stock exchange. He moved back to Minnesota in 1998 and joined Russell and Herder, where his responsibilities include developing Japanese new business.

Klaverkamp recently returned from a technology forum in Tokyo that was organized by the Japan External Trade Organization.

Merger is announced

Additional engineering capabilities were recently added at Widseth, Smith and Nolting, following their merger with the St. Cloud firm Engineering Design Consultants.

WSN will now offer mechanical and electrical engineering services in-house to complement its civil and structural engineering, architectural, land surveying and environmental consulting services.

Jack Christofferson, EDC principal and new WSN shareholder, said EDC has worked with WSN for more than 10 years and the merger was a natural evolution for both firms.

Area AAL branch honored for service

Aid Association for Lutherans was awarded a gold star rating in recognition of outstanding community service.

The branch is led by Olive Lafer, chairwoman, James L. Randall, coordinator, and Shirley Lundby, recorder. The branch is supported by Brian Elemieux, Baxter.

To achieve a gold star rating, a branch must conduct regular business meetings, an election and planning meeting and sponsor at least one benevolent, one educational and one branch member welcome event and three additional activities in any combination. It must also submit an annual financial report and achieve an average of one volunteer hour per benefit member in the branch.

Galstad joins Triangle Oil

Aaron Galstad joined Triangle Oil Co./Triangle stores as the controller.

Galstad is a graduate of St. Cloud State University with a master's in business administration. He previously worked for Universal Pensions, Baxter. He will be working in the convenience store department of the company. Triangle operates a number of convenience stores in the lakes area.

Renschler gains recognition

Arlo Renschler has been recognized by the Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs for his lifetime contribution to alternative education at the MAAP annual conference in Rochester.

Before his retirement in 1994, Renschler was the director of Brainerd's Area Education Center. In presenting this award, special tribute was given for Renschler's vision and persistence to secure legislative support for alternative programs throughout the state.

Home Depot opens store

BAXTER -- The Home Depot opened its first store in the area Thursday and presented checks to two area charitable organizations.

Store Manager Tim Osborne presented $5,000 checks both to the American Cancer Society of Minnesota and to the Northland Arboretum.

The store employs about 200 people and has nearly 125,000 square feet. The store will also have about 11,000 square-foot garden center.