Business People: Duluth’s Odyssey Resorts appoints new CEO

OF NOTE

Odyssey Resorts, a Duluth-based resort property developer, announced that Howard Anderson has been promoted to chief executive officer effective May 1, succeeding Kirk Schultz, who is retiring and will stay on in an advisory role during the transition. Anderson most recently was the company’s chief operating officer.

ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING

Miller Architects & Builders, St. Cloud, announced its 150th year in business.

DEVELOPMENT

Dominium, a Plymouth-based affordable housing owner, developer and manager, announced that it has promoted Adam Brookins to vice president of construction for the Self Perform team; Brookins joined Dominium in 2019 as a senior construction project manager.

CONSULTING

The Minnesota Business Partnership, a business-focused lobbying group, announced that Katie Nadeau has been promoted to chief operating officer. Nadeau has been with the partnership for more than 20 years, most recently serving as operations director. Nadeau previously worked at the Minnesota House of Representatives.

EDUCATION

Talmud Torah of St. Paul, a private Jewish educational organization, announced Liz Palmer as executive director. Palmer previously was a consultant with Mighty Consulting, which provides interim leadership for organizations in the Twin Cities nonprofit sector.

EVENTS

Special Olympics USA announced seven new members of the board of directors to oversee the 2026 Games to be held at the University of Minnesota: Gwen Walz, first lady of Minnesota; Roy Smalley, former Minnesota Twins shortstop; Travis Anderson, Fredrikson & Byron; Meka White Morris, Minensota Twins and Chicago Bears; Amanda Brinkman, Sunshine Studios; Greg Epperson, Special Olympics North America, and Judy Vijums, 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.

GOVERNMENT

The Minnesota Senate voted to confirm Matt Varilek as commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development. Varilek has served as DEED commissioner since June 2023.

HEALTH CARE

Guild, a St. Paul-based provider of mental health treatment and support services, announced Trish Thacker as CEO. Most recently, Thacker worked as senior department administrator – wellbeing at Hennepin County Human Services Department. … Children’s Minnesota, a Twin Cities-based chain of hospitals and clinics focused on pediatric care, announced the appointment of Matt Van Slooten to its hospital board of directors. Van Slooten is CEO of United Properties, a Minneapolis-based commercial property developer. … Life Link III, a Bloomington-based provider of helicopter ambulance services, announced that Lisa Knipping has been named chief financial officer. Knipping has served as the organization’s senior director of finance since 2020 and succeeds Robert “Bob” Sannerud, who has retired.

LAW

Larkin Hoffman, Minneapolis, announced that Erika Toftness has joined its trusts and estates practice group.

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Kindeva Drug Delivery, a Woodbury-based developer of drug-delivery combination devices, welcomed Jennifer Riter as vice president of analytical services. Riter previously was with West Pharmaceutical, most recently serving as the senior director, business and technical operations. … Lifecore Biomedical, a Chaska-based contract manufacturer of pharmaceutical equipment, announced the following leadership changes: Paul Josephs was named president, chief executive officer and member of the board of directors, effective May 20, succeeding Jim Hall, who is retiring; additionally, independent director Katrina Houde will be succeeding board Chair Craig Barbarosh, who will not stand for reelection, effective upon the Fiscal 2023 Annual Shareholders Meeting.

SPORTS

Four veteran sports industry executives announced the launch of Ignitor Partners, a St. Paul-based sports consultancy offering marketing, communication, public relations, legal and sponsorship services to brands, sports properties, organizations and municipalities. The principals are Bob Hagan, the former vice president of football communications for the Minnesota Vikings; Bill Robertson, the former commissioner of the United States Hockey League and Western Collegiate Hockey Association; Patrick Klinger, founder of Agile Marketing Partners, and Scott R. Erickson, attorney with Stinson LLP.

TECHNOLOGY

Tamarack Technology a St. Paul-based provider of artificial intelligence-based software and services for the equipment finance industry, announced the additions of senior account executive Corey Ashline and business development representative Whitney Horan.