BUSINESS NOTES

Katherine Statz, a stylist at The Fine Line Salon & Spa in Brainerd, has been licensed in eyelash extensions. Statz has been with The Fine Line since August 2006.

Scott joins Lodge Hotels and Resorts

BAXTER - Jessica Scott joined The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes in Baxter.

Scott will serve as the director of sales and marketing for the Baxter hotel and Pine Ridge Beach Resort in Brainerd. Most recently, Scott was an event coordinator with the Brainerd Lakes Chamber.

She will direct sales, branding, marketing promotions and advertising buying. Scott brings more than seven years of professional sales and marketing experience gained as a marketing consultant/project coordinator in the Rochester area.

Jobe becomes Baxter Chiropractic owner

BAXTER - Stephen Jobe, doctor of chiropractic, recently moved his Baxter Chiropractic business to 13782 Bluestem Court, Suite 100, in Baxter.

Jobe started his business in July. Jobe has a doctoral degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic. He worked at Brainerd Chiropractic for the past eight years. His new responsibilities include acting as director of the Baxter Chiropractic Clinic, which provides chiropractic care and alternative health care solutions.

Wolthuizen joins Bremer as personal banker

Rachal Wolthuizen joined Bremer Bank as a personal banker in Brainerd.

Wolthuizen will work with clients to manage portfolios, retail loan processes and other personal finances in Brainerd. Emma Rademacher, retail team leader for Bremer in Brainerd, said Wolthuizen has significant experience working with individual clients in the Brainerd area.

Before joining Bremer, Wolthuizen was a personal banker at Wells Fargo in Brainerd. She has a bachelor's degree from Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa. Wolthuizen is an active volunteer with Junior Achievement.

Lakewood Health System employee receives certification

STAPLES - Jim Roeder, picture archiving and communications system administrator at Lakewood Health System, recently became a certified imaging informatics professional.

The CIIP certification is a joint effort between the American Board of Imaging Informatics and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. To be eligible for the certification, Roeder had to meet a mixture of requirements, including experience in the information technology and radiology fields, and education. PACS is a system designed to ease the process of delivering digital medical images from various sources like an ultrasound or X-ray to other health care professionals both internally and externally.

Schubert becomes junior member

Luke Schubert, Brainerd, is a new junior member of the American Angus Association, reports John Crouch, executive vice president of the national organization with headquarters in St. Joseph, Mo.

Junior members of the association are eligible to register cattle in the American Angus Association, participate in programs conducted by the National Junior Angus Association and take part in association sponsored shows and other national and regional events.

The American Angus Association is the largest beef registry association in the world, with more than 36,000 active adult and junior members.

Haakonson becomes LarsonAllen principal

Jim Haakonson, Brainerd, certified public accountant, was promoted to principal at LarsonAllen.

Haakonson, member of the LarsonAllen Manufacturing and Distribution Group, has specialized in manufacturing and commercial services for more than nine years. His background includes auditing, tax and consulting services for privately held businesses. Haakonson is a member of the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is an active participant in the Kinship Partners program. He graduated with honors from St. Cloud State University with a bachelor's degree in accounting.

Wells Fargo is top ranked in SBA lending

Wells Fargo announced it provided the top dollar volume of Small Business Administration loans in Minnesota from 2006 to 2007.

Figures for the federal fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, show Wells Fargo's 345 SBA-guaranteed loans provided $51.6 million in financing to businesses, compared to $49.8 million in loan volumes originated last year.

Wells Fargo has been one of the leading SBA lenders in Minnesota for 15 consecutive years. Wells Fargo is an SBA preferred lender in 28 states, including Minnesota.

U.S. Bank ranked No. 1 municipal trustee

U.S. Bank Corporate Trust Services has been ranked the No. 1 municipal trustee in the nation for the first nine months of 2007, according to Thomson Financial.

The ranking was published in The Bond Buyer's Oct. 15, 2007, issue. U.S. Bank's ranking was based upon the bank's number of issues (981) - amounting to more than $45.1 billion in issue par value.

Bollman is elected to new term

David Bollman, Rice Lake, Wis., was re-elected to AgStar Financial Services Board of Directors.

AgStar stockholders elected Bollman to a three-year term that represents AgStar's Region 1, which includes the Brainerd lakes area counties of Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Morrison and part of Todd.

Bollman, along with his wife, Carol, operates a 650-acre crop farm and milks 75 Holstein cows and raises 70 head of young stock. Bollman has served for three years on the AgStar Board and is a member of the Rice Lake Farmer's Union, Rice Lake FFA Alumni, Barron Electric Coop, AMPI and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

AgStar Financial Services, ACA, headquartered in Mankato operates in 69 counties in Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin serving rural communities and agribusinesses throughout the U.S. as part of the Farm Credit System.

Rutman joins The Cut Above

Kara Rutman joined the design team of The Cut Above in Brainerd.

Rutman graduated from The Salon Professional Academy in Fargo, N.D., and completed her apprenticeship program with The Cut Above.

Katzenberger promoted with AtHome America

IRONTON - Jill Katzenberger, Ironton, was recently promoted to the One-Star Special Team Leader level with AtHome America, a direct seller of home-decorating accents and furnishings.

In order to reach the One-Star level, specialists must reach certain levels in their personal sales and team sales and new members must be added to build their teams.

Abrahamson gains certification with Nikken

Michael Abrahamson, Nikken consultant in Brainerd, received certification with the wellness direct-sales company.

Nikken is headquartered in Irvine, Calif.

Tousignant receives professional designation

Jim Tousignant, Edward Jones financial services firm in Brainerd, achieved the professional designation of Accredited Asset Management Specialist.

Tousignant completed the AAMS Professional Education Program from the Denver-based College for Financial Planning. Those who complete the program, pass a final exam and sign a code of ethics and disclosure form earn the AAMS designation. Study topics include understanding the asset management process to understanding asset allocation and strategies.

Leiser attends accounting seminar

Yvonne Leiser, AccountAbility Solutions in Brainerd, recently attended the 2008 Accountant Update Seminar offered by QuickBooks.

Leiser, a certified management accountant, specializes in payroll and sales tax issues for growing small businesses in Minnesota. She's worked with small- to mid-size businesses in the lakes area for more than 12 years, including seven years as small business management instructor at Central Lakes College.

Hines joins Trend Setters Salon

BAXTER - Holly Hines, independent stylist, joined Trend Setters Salon, which opened in the summer of 2007 on Edgewood Drive in Baxter.

Hines has eight years of experience in the beauty industry and recently passed the exam to become licensed as a cosmetology manager. She will provide haircuts, perms, colors/highlights and eyebrow waxing.

Kinney joins home decor business

Tanya Kinney, Brainerd, joined the Home & Garden Party, an 11-year-old home decor direct selling business, as a master designer.

To qualify as a master designer, Kinney sponsored one new designer and had personal sales of $300 or more each month.

Lunch & Learn planned Nov. 13

LITTLE FALLS - Coping with holiday stress at work and at home will be the next topic at the Chamber of Commerce in Little Falls' Lunch & Learn program at noon Nov. 13 at the chamber, 200 First St. N.W.

Mary Marana, Crisis Line and Referral Service executive director, is the scheduled presenter. The program is free. RSVP is requested.

For more information, call (320) 632-5155.

Friday Morning Coffee planned Nov. 16

LITTLE FALLS -Friday Morning Coffee, the networking event by the Chamber of Commerce in Little Falls is planned from 7:30-9 a.m. Nov. 16 at the Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site, 1620 Lindbergh Drive S. The event is sponsored by the Minnesota Historical Society.

Chamber members and their employees are invited to attend. Friday Morning Coffee events are the third Friday of each month. Announcements and introductions are at 8:15 a.m.

For more information, call (320) 632-5155.

Lakes Area Young Professionals to meet

The Lakes Area Young Professionals will meet Nov. 15 at Prairie Bay, 15115 Edgewood Drive, Baxter, for a networking lunch. Cost for this event is $15 per person and includes lunch.

A business networking and educational group of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, the Lakes Area Young Professionals, for professionals age 21 to 35, connects peers in a structured setting.

For more information, call 829-2838 or (800) 450-2838.

Time Communications gains call center award

Time Communications, with offices in Brainerd, St. Paul and New York Mills, won the Call Center Award of Distinction by the Canadian Call Management Association.

The industry's trade association for providers of call center services, including inbound order desk/help desk and Web-enabled customer assistance recognized Time Communications for outstanding achievement at the recent 43rd annual convention.