Business notes

Four Brainerd Dispatch staffers received Minnesota Associated Press Association news and photo awards for journalism that appeared in 2001.

Clint Wood received a first-place award for his photo of tornado destruction in the wake of the June 13 storm. Dispatch staff writers Matt Erickson, Renee Richardson and Jodie Tweed received a third-place award for newswriting for the story titled "Destructive Storm Hits" for coverage of the June 13 tornado.

The Dispatch staff received awards in the spot news category for newspapers with a circulation of 20,000 or less. Awards will be presented at an April 26 awards banquet in Minneapolis.

Mille Lacs Band names commissioner

ONAMIA -- The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe has sworn in band member Deron Dunkley as its commissioner of finance. As the chief administrative officer for the Band's Office of Management and Budget, Dunkley's duties include financial reporting; tribal government accounting; administering taxation activities, the personal loan program and the burial insurance program.

Dunkley served the band since 1994, working as financial analyst at Grand Casino Mille Lacs and in several positions at the Corporate Commission, including director of development, general accounting manager and staff accountant and, most recently, senior financial analyst. In this most recent position, he prepared the annual budget for the Corporate Commission and the businesses it oversees, was responsible for budget reporting and analysis, reviewed potential investments and more.

Dunkley has a degree in business/economics from the University of Minnesota, Morris. He has also participated in several advanced training programs, including the Blandin Community Leadership Program, which provides training in cooperation, team building and networking to community leaders across Minnesota.

Marco becomes employee owned

Marco, which has offices in Brainerd, recently announced its transition to a 100 percent employee-owned company.

Marco reported it is one of seven 100 percent Employee Stock Ownership Plan companies in Minnesota. For Marco, being a 100 percent ESOP company means 185 employee owners share a vested interest in the success of Marco and its customers. Marco is a provider of office furniture, digital document solutions, data networking, voice communications, structured cabling and e-business.

Marco has been serving the Brainerd lakes area communities for more than 29 years. Marco currently serves 62 counties in Minnesota with offices in Alexandria, Brainerd, Mankato, St. Cloud, the Twin Cities and Willmar. Marco recently opened an office in Fargo, N.D., serving a five-county area.

Moore joins In-Fisherman

Charlie Moore joined In-Fisherman as tournament director.

Moore's responsibilities include assisting in the planning and organizing of all Professional Walleye Trail tournament functions; formulating tournament administrative and operational policies, procedures and rules; preparing and overseeing the operational budget; plus managing the professional and amateur anglers and all safety related matters.

Before joining In-Fisherman, Moore was executive director of the National Professional Anglers Association in Pierre, S.D. He implemented numerous programs that solidified the organization's membership and built financial stability. He also wrote and edited newsletters for the NPAA, redesigned their Web site and helped professional anglers enhance their collective image.

In addition to his NPAA experience, Moore was an instructor at In-Fisherman's Camp Fish for eight summers. He also managed a large guide service and fly fishing shop in Arizona and was sports director at a South Dakota radio station.

Moore, originally from Pierre, S.D., attended South Dakota State University in Brookings where he received a bachelor's degree.

Business After Hours set for April 16

The Super 8 Motel is sponsoring the Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce's Business After Hours event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. April 16 at Edgewood Drive in Baxter.

This monthly after-work event provides a relaxed networking environment for chamber member businesses and their employees. For more information, call 829-2838, ext. 803.

Business news submissions are accepted by mail, e-mail or fax.

The deadline is noon Wednesday for the following Sunday business section. Photos may also be submitted and will be available for pick-up at The Dispatch following publication.

Contact Business News by mail at P.O. Box 974, Brainerd, 56401, by e-mail at rrichard@brainerddispatch.com, or by fax at 829-7735.