Business People: Former dealership manager Richard Herod named Walser community ambassador

DEALERSHIPS

Walser Automotive Group, a Twin Cities-based chain of auto dealerships, announced a partnership with Richard Herod III to support philanthropic initiatives as a community ambassador in the White Bear Lake area. Herod is former general manager of White Bear Mitsubishi. As the result of a traumatic brain injury diagnosis, Herod stepped away from the auto industry earlier this year.

ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS

NewPublica, a Minneapolis-based public relations firm, announced the addition of Sarah Kruger as vice president of public affairs and engagement. Kruger previously was a DFL 2024 Minnesota House candidate for District 26A in southeast Minnesota.

ATTRACTIONS

Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, Bemidji, Minn., ranked No. 2, on Cycle Trader‘s list of the best roadside attractions in the U.S. Cycle Trader is a blog platform for motorcycle enthusiasts.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Co., a Minneapolis-based provider of professional liability insurance for attorneys, announced the appointment of Suzanne Robinson as president and CEO, effective Jan. 6, and succeeding Paul Ablan. Robinson previously was head of claims for Vouch Insurance.

HONORS

Catholic Charities Twin Cities announced that Otto Bremer Trust, St. Paul, has received the Spirit of Community Award its decades of investment in Catholic Charities’ programs in the Twin Cities. … Minnetonka, a Minnesota-based footware brand, announced it has has been honored with a Fast Company  Brands That Matter 2024 award. The award recognizes 66 brands making a meaningful impact on culture and society beyond their products. Fast Company is a national business magazine. …  Winnebago Industries, an Eden Prairie-based maker of large recreational vehicles, motorhomes and watercraft, announced it has been named to the list of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2025 by Newsweek for the the third consecutive year.

LAW

The National Center for State Courts announced that it has inducted Minnesota State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba and former Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Gildea into the Warren E. Burger Society. Named for the former U.S. chief justice, it honors people who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the administration of justice through support of the National Center for State Courts. … Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced the appointment of Mariam Mokri and Jennifer Olson as District Court Judges in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District. Mokri succeeds the Honorable Peter A. Cahill; Olson succeeds the Honorable Susan M. Robiner. … Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, St. Paul, announced the following staff members were recently admitted to the bar and sworn in by the court to practice as attorneys in Minnesota: Mario Solis, Eric Quintana-Snyder, Mana Kleiser, Sam Rahn, Austen Fisher and Elena Gallego.

MANUFACTURING

Lynx Innovation, an Edina-based global maker of retail product displays, announced the appointment of Anoushka Hatch as chief financial officer. She succeeds Paul Vodanovich, who will be transitioning into vice president of legal & compliance.

MEDIA

Minnesota Public Radio, St. Paul, announced the addition of Jeff Lin and Jason Radisson to its board of trustees. Lin is co-founder and CEO of Pennant, a streaming platform for performing artists, and founder of Bust Out, a website creator for business; Radisson is founder and CEO of Movo, a human resources software platform. … The Minnesota Star Tribune, Minneapolis, announced that Executive Editor Suki Dardarian is retiring in February. Dardarian has been with the newspaper since 2014 and has been executive editor since 2022.

NONPROFITS

AVA (Animal Voice Advocacy), an umbrella organization for animal advocacy groups, announced its launch in Stillwater. The founder is Julia Tice.

OPENINGS

Miller Hill Mall, Duluth, announced the addition of Security Jewelers in spring 2025, the retailer’s second location.

SPONSORSHIPS

Great Clips, a Bloomington-based franchisor of retail hair salons, announced it has extended its position as the official hair salon sponsor of the College Football Playoff through a multi-year relationship with Disney Advertising.