Business Notes

Grotzke earns CCIM designation

Nate Grotzke of Close-Converse Commercial Properties in Brainerd recently passed the market analysis for Commercial Investment Course and completed the 200 hours of graduate level curriculum required to become a Certified Commercial Investment Member.

A CCIM is a recognized professional in commercial real estate brokerage, leasing, asset management, valuation, and investment analysis. Seven-thousand commercial real estate professionals have the CCIM designation.

Moose named Mille Lacs Band commissioner

ONAMIA - The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe named Sam Moose as the new commissioner of community development.

He was sworn into office on June 11.

As commissioner, Moose oversees all community development activities, including the public works and facilities departments and the Mille Lacs Band's housing development initiatives.

He also helps ensure that the department's development and improvement services promote safety, security, and cultural sensitivity while building communities. Moose said it's an exciting time to be working for the band in this capacity as several new homes are being built and older homes renovated to be more energy efficient.

The band's Community Development Department provides public works improvement services to band members, including overseeing the construction of civic buildings, houses, parks, and infrastructure. The department also offers home loan programs, home improvement grants and affordable housing programs to band members.

Since 1991, the department has built more than 200 new homes and currently manages or provides housing maintenance services to about 525 homes on or near the reservation.

Before becoming commissioner in 2010, Moose was the director of housing. He also served the band as commissioner of health and human services from 2001-2009.

Moose grew up near East Lake and graduated from McGregor High School. He has a bachelor of applied science degree in community health with a minor in Indian studies from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Sonmor becomes licensed engineer in South Dakota

BAXTER - Widseth Smith Nolting's Chris Sonmor has become a licensed professional engineer in the state of South Dakota.

Also registered in Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska, Sonmor has more than 11 years of experience in the engineering field. He is primarily responsible for private development and site design. He is also involved in a variety of civil engineering projects, including the design of water and sewer utilities, transportation, and other related municipal engineering projects.

Keller Williams agents take part in training

BAXTER - Keller Williams Realty Brainerd Lakes agents recently took advantage of an intensive eight week training course offered by Keller Williams University.

Jo Christensen, Jody Fischer, David Grell, Jamie Magness, Doug Ahle, Liz Timothy, Sunny Redding, Randa Haug, Curt Christensen, Nikki Hirschey and Bev Hinrichs all successfully completed the eight week course.

Fletcher joins Weichert Realtors-Tower Properties

BAXTER - Weichert Realtors-Tower Properties, Baxter, announced the addition of Mark Fletcher.

Fletcher, Emily, has a background in carpentry and construction. He serves the residential needs of clients in the Brainerd lakes area, Cuyuna Range, Crow Wing and Cass and Aitkin counties.

Anderson receives certification

CROSSLAKE - Roz Vannelli Anderson, Edina Crosslake real estate agent, recently earned the National Association of Realtors e-Pro certification for advanced technology training.

The designation is given to real estate agents who have completed rigorous on-line training to develop the latest computer skills and techniques for working with customers and clients.

The NAR said development of this course was in response to customer demand that recognizes at least 85 percent of all real estate searches begin on the World Wide Web.

Chaffee-Bates joins Lakes Area Counseling

Lakes Area Counseling, a division of PORT Group Homes, recently hired Kris Chaffee-Bates, a clinical therapist specializing in adolescents and programming.

Chaffee-Bates received her bachelor's degree in psychology through the University of Minnesota, her degree in clinical therapy at St. Mary's University, and expects to receive her doctorate of psychology within the next six months.

She worked as a clinical therapist for an inpatient program at Abbot Northwest, as well as counseling gang members in St. Paul. She currently works with adolescents through Minnesota Psychological Resources in the Walker and Remer school districts. Her future plans at Lakes Area Counseling involve individual and group therapy, and working with PORT Group Homes to provide in-depth training to direct-care group home staff.

Johnson and Rich join Brainerd Lakes Health

Brainerd Lakes Health announced two cardiologists joined the permanent medical staff at St. Joseph's Medical Center in the Brainerd Lakes Heart & Vascular Center, which opened in February.

Cardiologists Dr. Mark Johnson and Dr. Michael Rich have offices in the heart center on the first floor of St. Joseph's Medical Center.

Johnson has already begun seeing patients, and Rich will begin seeing patients in September.

Johnson attended medical school at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine, Vermillion, S.D. He completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, Fla., and a fellowship from the Cardiovascular Medicine and Interventional Cardiology department at the University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville. Johnson was on faculty at the University of Florida for one year prior to joining the Central Minnesota Heart Center (CentraCare) in St. Cloud in 1991.

In St. Cloud, Johnson was program chief for five years and previous cardiac catheterization lab director, as well as the nuclear cardiology medical director.

Johnson is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, and is board certified in internal medicine and cardiology. In addition, he is a member of the American College of Physicians, Minnesota Medical Association, Stearns-Benton Medical Society and American College of Cardiology.

Johnson's experience and practice specialties include interventional cardiology, nuclear cardiology and echocardiography.

Rich attended medical school at Loyola University, Maywood, Ill. He completed a residency in internal medicine at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Rochester, and a fellowship from the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Rochester, in cardiovascular disease. Rich is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, and is board certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease.

Rich is joining Brainerd Lakes Health from St. Mary's Duluth Clinic Heart Center in Duluth. His practice specialties include noninvasive cardiology including stress testing, cardiac CT angiography, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. He has specific clinical interests in valvular heart disease and coronary artery disease.

Crosby Eye Clinic celebrates 35th anniversary

CROSBY - Dr. Jerome Poland, medical director and owner of Crosby Eye Clinic, announced the business is celebrating its 35th anniversary.

Crosby Eye Clinic has three main clinic locations in Baxter, Crosby, and Remer; in addition to four outreach locations in Crosslake, McGregor, Onamia, and Duluth.

Cowell gains certifications

BAXTER - David Cowell, Northwestern Financial Network in Baxter, successfully completed financial planning coursework and passed the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards certification examination.

The exam covered the financial planning process, risk management, investments, tax planning and management, retirement and employee benefits and estate planning. Those certified must also agree to meet ongoing continuing education requirements and to uphold the nonprofit CFP Board's code of ethics and professional responsibility and financial planning practice standards.

Barnett named Atomic Learning COO

LITTLE FALLS - Atomic Learning, technology training and staff development provider in Little Falls, announced the promotion of Lisa Barnett to chief operation officer.

The COO position is an addition to the growing company.

As COO, Barnett will focus on driving operational efficiencies supporting a culture of innovation and growth, the company reported.

Barnett was previously vice president of product and marketing. In her career with Atomic Learning, Barnett has driven product development for six major solutions that have significantly impacted the education industry and garnered numerous industry awards.

In addition to the COO position, recent growth has created the opportunity to bring on additional leadership positions to drive customer relationships. Zac Miller recently joined the team as director of customer service, and Rhys Larson as director of domestic sales.

Miller has more than 10 years of customer service operational experience. Larson has more than 15 years of sales management experience, primarily in the education industry.

Gitchell joins Kurilla Real Estate

NISSWA - Amy Gitchell recently joined Kurilla Real Estate in Nisswa.

Gitchell earned her real estate license in 1998. She has been a real estate agent in the Brainerd lakes area since 2004. She achieved licensure as a real estate broker in 2007. She experienced in residential properties, resort ownership and vacation homes.

Gitchell is a member of the Sandy Smith Marketing Team of Kurilla Real Estate in Nisswa.

EVENTS

Scrambled Eggs event planned Wednesday

CROSBY - Scrambled Eggs, a Cuyuna Lakes Chamber networking event, is planned from 8-9 a.m. Wednesday at Maucieri's Bistro.

The event topic is valuable local resources for maintaining a healthy community. There will be short presentation by Katie Tautges, Hallett Center of Crosby.

RSVP is encouraged by calling (218) 546-8131.

Small Cities program meetings in Hackensack, Walker

Community meetings are planned for homeowners and businesses interested in applying for rehab funds under the Hackensack and Walker Small Cities Development Program.

Meetings are planned at 5 p.m. July 1 at the fire hall in Walker and 6:30 p.m. July 1 at Hackensack City Hall.

The Cass County Economic Development Corp. and Bi-Cap will be in attendance to answer questions and distribute applications. Meeting participants will learn about program requirements and the process for applying the funds. The application process will be on a first come, first serve basis.

The cities recently received a $592,250 SCDP grant from the Department of Employment and Economic Development to rehabilitate eight owner-occupied houses, three rental housing units and 13 commercial buildings in the cities of Hackensack and Walker.