Business People: College entrepreneur group honors R.T. Rybak

OF NOTE

The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship announced it has awarded R.T. Rybak, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Foundation, its 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. Rybak has led the foundation since July 2016; he served as mayor of Minneapolis from 2002 to 2013.

ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS

Colle McVoy, a Minneapolis ad agency, announced that CEO Christine Fruechte will become chair of the agency, a strategic advisory position, and that firm President Jessica Henrichs will be elevated to CEO, effective Jan. 1. Fruechte served nearly 17 years as CEO.

EDUCATION

Honor House Academy, a childcare and preschool center, announced its opening at 2420 Cleveland Ave. N in Roseville. …  The Venture Center at the University of Minnesota announced that Director Russ Straate will retire effective Dec. 31, after 16 years. The Venture Center is part of the U’s Technology Commercialization Office, securing patents and licenses and developing business startups from ideas and technology from University of Minnesota research.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Pillar Bank announced the opening of a branch in at 1080 Cornwall Ave., Amery, Wis., its seventh location in the west-central Wisconsin region. … TopLine Financial Credit Union, Maple Grove, announced the opening of a branch at 11121 Fountains Drive in the Maple Grove-Arbor Lakes development.

GROCERY

Kowalski’s, a Woodbury-based supermarket chain, announced it has been ranked No. 4 on Supermarket News’ 2024 list of the Top 10 Foodservice Retailers in the country.

LAW

Fredrikson, Minneapolis, announced that the firm’s shareholders elected Masha M. Yevzelman to the firm’s board of directors and re-elected Kevin P. Goodno and Sean P. Kearney to new terms. Kearney and Steven J. Quam continue to serve as chairs of the board of directors. The firm also announced that attorney Manda M. Sertich has become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. … Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, St. Paul, announced that Minnesota Lawyer magazine has named the firm and CEO Jessie Nicholson as one of the Best Women-Led Law Firms in Minnesota. … The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, St. Paul, announced it has selected Jennifer Stohl Powell as executive director. Stohl Powell has served as interim executive director since June. Prior to attending law school, Stohl Powell volunteered at a refugee camp for Central Americans on the Texas-Mexico border and then worked as a paralegal with migrant farmworkers in Minnesota.

MANUFACTURING

Winnebago Industries, an Eden Prairie-based maker of large recreational vehicles, motorhomes and watercraft, announced that Don Clark, president of Grand Design RV, has been promoted to group president, Towable RVs, and will continues to lead the Grand Design RV brand.

NONPROFITS

Second Harvest Heartland, a community food bank based in Brooklyn Park, announced the following additions and changes to its board of directors: Joining the board: Ashis Bhattacharya, Winnebago Industries; Bridget Pollak, McKinsey & Co., and Robin Ritter, Mortenson; Jill Bollettieri, Post Consumer Brands, new board chair; Josephine (Jodi) Bahl, EY, vice chair; Abhi Andley, Homeland Health Specialists, treasurer, and Sheilah Stewart, Land O’ Lakes, board secretary.

OPENINGS

Lagniappe, a New Orleans-inspired restaurant, announced its opening in the Coliseum building, 2700 East Lake Street. Minneapolis. The executive chef is Bradley McGehee.

REAL ESTATE

Transwestern Real Estate Services announced the appointment of Katie Benefield to regional operating officer, Central Region, based in Minneapolis. Before joining Transwestern, Benefield was with CBRE as capital markets operations manager, Colorado sales director, and managing director of national capital
markets.

SERVICES

Fastenal Co., a Winona, Minn.-based tool and parts supplier to industry, announced the promotion of Donnalee K. Papenfuss to executive vice president of Strategy and Communications, effective Nov. 1. Papenfuss since 2014 served as Fastenal’s vice president of Contract Development and Support.

SPONSORSHIPS

The Minnesota Timberwolves NBA franchise announced a branding partnership with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey with the launch of Timberwolves x Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Personal Selection.