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Read today's Business News
New law firm is formed
August 20, 2008: MINNEAPOLIS -- (via press release) -- Kathleen Picotte Newman launced a new law firm, Kathleen Newman + Associates, P.A. Located in downtown Minneapolis, the firm focuses on all aspects of family law, including divorce, mediation, antenuptial agreements, child custody, spousal maintenance, non-marital assets, hidden assets, valuation of closely-held business and child support.
An experienced trial attorney focusing on family law, Ms. Newman is a former managing partner at Larkin Hoffman with 25 years of legal experience.
Shock Doctor, Inc. bings safety innovation to motorsports
August 20, 2008: MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Shock Doctor, Inc. is proud to announce its work with Bell Racing Company, as the first helmet manufacturer to provide racers with Shock Doctor’s Eject Helmet Removal System, which provides emergency neck and spine protection after a motorsport crash. Answering the call for improved safety equipment at all levels of racing, drivers will now be able to purchase a Bell Auto Racing helmet with Shock Doctor Eject Helmet Removal System factory installed.
As the leaders in the development of sports protective gear, Shock Doctor uses advanced technology to guard athletes from injury. The Eject Helmet Removal System is a unique and advanced safety system that allows for quick emergency removal of a helmet, helping to prevent a possible increase in neck and spine injuries to a racer. Shock Doctor manufactures the small Eject plastic bladder and tube system that fits into a special top pad of selected Bell Racing helmets. By using a separate portable air inflation device, the bladder is simply inflated, filling space between the head and the top of the helmet, gradually pushing the helmet off of the head, rather than pulling the helmet off from outside, which, even with the head and neck stabilized, can increase the possibility of damaging head and neck movement. The device is so discrete; there is no compromise in the fit or performance of the helmet.
“Shock Doctor is thrilled to be furthering our relationship with Bell Racing through the Eject Helmet Removal System,” said Patrick Lynch, motorsport director for Shock Doctor, Inc. “Motorsports racers need to be fitted with gear that’s equal to the technology of the car or bike they are driving. Bell shares our passion in developing the highest-quality, most cutting-edge products for both professional athletes and the everyday competitor. We look forward to a mutually beneficial working partnership for years to come.”
RJF Agencies caters to med-tech companies with new hire
August 20, 2008: MINNEAPOLIS -- (via press release) -- RJF Agencies recently appointed Todd Ellingson as Med-Tech and Bio-Sciences Manager within its manufacturing practice group. In this new position, Ellingson will help med-tech and life science companies—start-ups, private, and publicly-held—strategically assess, mitigate and manage their corporate risk.
Prior to joining RJF, Ellingson spent 18 years in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, including extended time with Eli Lilly and Company and Medtronic. His experience includes domestic and international operations.
“Todd will strengthen our focus in the medical device and life sciences sector as we continue building out our industry-specific risk management practice groups,” RJF’s Chief Executive Officer Bill Jeatran said. “His knowledge and background will prove invaluable to clients as he intimately understands the high-level risks confronting these specialized firms. More importantly, he will be able to craft the highly technical solutions they need to propel growth and strengthen their balance sheets.”
Yamamoto Moss Mackenzie (YMM) wins health care marketing award
August 20, 2008: MINNEAPOLIS— (via press release) -The Benedictine Health System (BHS) and Yamamoto Moss Mackenzie (YMM) have won an Admiral’s Award, the highest award, in the 2008 Beacon Awards, awarded by the Minnesota Health Strategy & Communications Network (MHSCN).
Entries were evaluated for planning, approach, budget and results. BHS was recognized for its 2007 annual report, designed by YMM. This is the fourth year in a row that BHS and YMM have won Beacon Awards for the BHS annual report.
MHSCN (www.mhscn.com) is a St.Paul-based professional development organization that serves communications, public relations, marketing, strategic planning and research professionals in Minnesota’s healthcare industry.
The Benedictine Health System (www.bhshealth.org) is a Catholic, mission-directed, values-based health care system that spans the full spectrum of long-term care. It owns and/or manages about 40 long-term care facilities of various types, including nursing homes, assisted living and independent senior housing options in seven states.
Wells Fargo announces $2 Billion, 10-year lending goal to African American business owners
August 21, 2008: (BUSINESS WIRE)--After reaching its goal to lend $1 billion to African American business owners by 2010 earlier this year, Wells Fargo announced a goal to lend an additional $1 billion by 2018, expanding the cumulative goal to $2 billion. The announcement was made as Wells Fargo celebrates the 10th anniversary of its African American Business Services program. Through alliances with national and regional organizations supporting the African American community, Wells Fargo provides outreach and education to African American business owners, increasing their access to capital and other financial services.
“Reaching our $1 billion goal two years early is a testament to the growth and entrepreneurial vision of this important segment of the U.S. economy,” said Brenda Ross-Dulan, senior vice president and national spokesperson for Wells Fargo’s African American Business Services program. “It also exemplifies Wells Fargo’s commitment to satisfying the financial services needs of African American business owners nationwide.”
As part of the anniversary celebration, Wells Fargo will expand its relationship with the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) by sponsoring the NBMBAA Entrepreneurial Institute. The Institute, a daylong session of workshops and panels led by business management experts, will be held September 17, 2008 in Washington, D.C., at the start of the NBMBAA 30th Annual Conference and Exposition.
“We’re excited to team up with Wells Fargo, a company that shares our mission to empower visionaries and help them succeed financially,” said Barbara Thomas, president and CEO of the National Black MBA Association. “With the launch of the Entrepreneurial Institute, we continue to support the significant growth of African American businesses by offering resources for existing business owners, small business professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs.”
Win a Polaroid PoGo™ Instant Mobile Printer on Sun Country Airlines
August 22, 2008: ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sun Country Airlines will begin a weekly give-away of Polaroid PoGo™ Instant Mobile Printer to their consumers on August 21. Through a partnership with Polaroid, three winners will be selected each week to receive the new Polaroid PoGo™ Instant Mobile Printer.
“Sun Country is excited to partner with another great Minnesota company, Polaroid,” said Wendy Williams Blackshaw, Sun Country’s Vice President of Marketing. “The Polaroid PoGo™ Instant Mobile Printer is a great new product and this giveaway is yet another wonderful feature we can provide our passengers.”
Mobile and easy-to-use, the Polaroid PoGo™ Instant Mobile Printer provides a new, innovative way to share digital photos directly from your camera cell phone or digital camera, instantly, with ZINK™ Zero Ink™ Printing Technology from ZINK Imaging. Sun Country, Minnesota’s Hometown Airline, will host the contest as a perk for consumers purchasing tickets on SunCountry.com.
The Hometown Airline will run the contest for a total of 7 weeks, beginning August 21, 2008 and ending October 9, 2008. Consumers purchasing tickets during the promotion on SunCountry.com will be automatically entered into the drawing for a Polaroid PoGo™ Instant Mobile Printer. Three winners will then be chosen at random every week through the promotion period. For more information please visit, www.suncountry.com/pogo today.
Highland Bank continues commercial growth
August 22, 2008: ST. PAUL -- Highland Bank continues the expansion of its commercial line of business by hiring Todd Nelson as Senior Vice President - Commercial Banking Manager.
Currently working out of Highland’s Burnsville office, Nelson manages commercial, private banking and cash management services. In addition, he will work with the leadership of the recently acquired Ridgedale State Bank at its Minnetonka and Minneapolis offices to integrate its commercial customers into Highland.
Patrick Bradley, Highland’s President and Chief Operating Officer, anticipates Nelson will contribute mightily to the bank’s commercial efforts. “Todd has years of experience in multiple positions serving large and mid-sized commercial clients,” Bradley says. “He is a strong talent and we are excited to have him join our management team.“
For his part, Nelson says Highland is well positioned to assist and share in the success of its commercial clients. “Given Highland’s size, the decision maker at the bank is much closer to the customer than at the larger banks, and we can offer many more products and services than the smaller banks,” he says. “Because of our size we’re more nimble, more responsive. The key decision maker can more quickly meet with the client, discern what the needs are, and offer the right solutions.”
Tzell Travel Group and Travel Acquisitions Group to merge
August 22, 2008: MINNEAPOLIS (VIA PRESS RELEASE) — New York-based Tzell Travel Group and Minneapolis-based Travel Acquisitions Group (“TAG,” formerly Carlson Leisure Group) will merge to form North America’s 10th largest travel company in terms of annual sales volume, and 8th largest after all travel franchise unit sales are included in the count. TAG Founder Michael Batt will continue as its Chairman, while TZELL CEO Barry Liben has been named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TAG, in addition to remaining as CEO of TZELL. Terms of the transaction will not be disclosed.
TZELL will operate as a separate business unit, and will remain based in New York City. According to Batt, there will be no substantive changes to either TZELL or TAG’s current businesses, which are comprised of The Travel Franchise Group including Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates (based in Minneapolis and led by its President Roger E. Block, CTC), Connexions Loyalty Travel Solutions (based in Minneapolis and led by its President Eric Burdon) and ProQuest Travel Group (based in Holland, MI, and led by its President Tom Baumann).
“Barry Liben and his TZELL management team have built an excellent business that commands well-deserved respect by clients and suppliers alike,” noted Batt. “TZELL has an impeccable understanding of the travel business and an outstanding operation. Merging TZELL and TAG will improve the services we can provide to our franchisees and agents, while increasing our relevance to suppliers. It’s a ‘win-win’ for everyone associated with TAG and TZELL.”
“Through this merger, we will see sourcing and operating synergies as we build an even larger and more effective group,” noted Liben. “We’ve built an outstanding business with TZELL, and through this initiative, we will be able to do an even better job for the thousands of hard-working travel agencies, agents and the clients that fall under our new combined company.”
Compellent earns honor
August 25, 2008: EDEN PRAIRIE --(BUSINESS WIRE)--Compellent Technologies, Inc. announced it is the fastest growing block-based, external storage company in the world according to the report “Market Share: External Controller-Based Disk Storage, Worldwide, 2004-2007” released Aug. 11, 2008, authored by Roger Cox. According to Gartner, Compellent saw a 113 percent increase in revenue from 2006 to 2007, capturing the top growth position worldwide for the second year in a row for its storage area network (SAN).
“Our growth is fueled by our innovation; we provide real-world technology answers to needs that other storage solutions simply don’t address,” said Bruce Kornfeld, vice president of marketing, Compellent. “The result is that mid-sized enterprises are becoming Compellent customers rather than trying to make expensive, legacy storage solutions fit their needs. We believe Gartner’s latest market share numbers are indicative of Compellent’s value proposition to organizations seeking to virtualize and green their data centers while creating a sophisticated disaster recovery solution.”
Mr. Cox, research vice president, Technology and Service Provider Research, Gartner, concludes:
“When you couple thin provisioning with automated tiered storage, thin remote replication and boot from SAN, you get more than just good storage asset utilization and improved productivity for your storage administration team. You also get ‘green.’ And that's green in terms of environmental benefits as well as dollar savings.”
AAA Forecasts small decrease in Labor Day holiday travel
August 25, 2008: BURNSVILLE --(BUSINESS WIRE)--AAA projects a slight decrease in the number of Americans traveling during the Labor Day holiday weekend. Nearly 34.38 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Labor Day holiday weekend, down 0.9 percent, or almost 320,000 Americans, from the 34.7 million who traveled last year. The Memorial Day holiday weekend also saw a 0.9 percent reduction.
“While we are seeing a drop in travel, it is a small improvement over the Fourth of July holiday when we saw a drop of 1.3 percent. This may show that travelers are starting to respond to the recent drop in gasoline prices,” said Gail Weinholzer, pubic affairs director. “People seem to be traveling differently with more travelers interested in going by train, bus and some of the traditionally lesser used transportation modes.”
Approximately 28.64 million Americans (more than 83% of holiday travelers) expect to travel by automobile, a 1.1 percent decrease from last year. Almost 3.96 million Americans (11.5 percent of holiday travelers) intend to travel by airplane, a 4.5 percent decrease from last year. And, a projected 1.8 million Americans (5 percent of holiday travelers) plan to travel by train, bus or other mode of transportation that represents an increase of 12.5 percent (or 200,000 travelers) more than last year.
The national average for self-serve regular gasoline is approximately $3.69 per gallon. Americans traveling by automobile will encounter gasoline prices about 38 cents less than the Fourth of July travel holiday, but still approximately 91 cents more than this time last year.
Arctic Cat names new president and COO
August 25, 2008: MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arctic Cat Inc. named Claude J. Jordan, 52, as president and chief operating officer, effective immediately. Jordan reports to Christopher Twomey, Arctic Cat’s chairman and chief executive officer.
“Claude has a proven track record of success in executive leadership positions,” said Twomey. “His extensive background in growing global businesses, organically and through mergers and acquisitions, will be strong assets to Arctic Cat and our shareholders. We are pleased to welcome him aboard.”
Jordan brings more than 20 years of experience in senior executive positions, most recently with The Home Depot and General Electric.
Commented Jordan, “I am excited to be joining the Arctic Cat leadership team. This is a great opportunity to work with a business that has a long history of success, a strong brand, highly innovative products and an outstanding organization. I look forward to working with the Arctic Cat team to build on the company’s strengths and achieve continued success.”
Most recently, Jordan was employed as vice president of The Home Depot and president of its THD At-Home Services business from 2003 until 2008. During this period, THD At-Home Services’ sales grew more than 300 percent, making it one of the world’s largest home services businesses with a focus on home improvement projects.
HighJump Software adds to executive management team
August 26, 2008: EDEN PRAIRIE --(BUSINESS WIRE)--HighJump Software, a global provider of supply chain execution solutions, has appointed Adam Henry to Vice President of Product Development and Joe McManus to Vice President of Sales.
“Adam and Joe bring extensive industry experience to their roles and are significant additions to the HighJump Software management team,” said Timothy Campbell, President and CEO, HighJump Software. “Their leadership will be integral in HighJump Software’s plans to aggressively expand our product portfolio and worldwide business.”
As Vice President of Product Development, Henry is responsible for the creation and enhancement of forward-looking supply chain solutions that help HighJump Software customers drive their businesses. Joe McManus is responsible for sales of HighJump solutions on a worldwide basis.
Carlson Hotels adds properties to its global portfolio
August 26, 2008: MINNEAPOLIS -- (via press release) -- Carlson Hotels Worldwide announced the addition of 17 locations to its global portfolio during June and July 2008.
The new hotels include seven new Radisson properties opened across the globe in Panama, China, India and Mali, and also include three Radisson SAS hotels in Switzerland, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. Ten Country Inn & Suites By CarlsonSM hotels were also opened in the United States, including the brand's first hotel in Grand Forks, S.D. In 2008, Carlson Hotels has added 52 properties and 6,733 guest rooms bringing its current global lodging portfolio to 995 hotels with 149,174 rooms in 74 countries. Carlson hotel brands also include Regent Hotels & Resorts, Park Plaza® Hotels & Resorts and Park Inn.
"These openings reflect the continued worldwide growth of our brands as we approach the landmark of 1,000 properties that will be surpassed later this year," said Jay Witzel, president and CEO of Carlson Hotels Worldwide. "We are pleased that these hotels will serve new guests in new markets with the distinctive hospitality experiences of our brands," he added.
Adayana ranks first among state's fastest growing private companies
August 27, 2008: MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Inc. magazine has ranked Adayana, a Minneapolis-based human capital development company, as Minnesota’s fastest growing private company and No. 254 on its annual Inc. 500 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. With 2008 revenue of $19 million and growth of over 1,000% since 2004, Adayana also ranks No. 11 nationally among the fastest growing companies working in Human Resources. “This recognition is very gratifying to our entire Adayana team,” said Mike Jackson, President and CEO. “Our growth is living proof that companies are achieving greater levels of success by investing in new methods and technologies for improving their people’s knowledge and performance.”
Adayana serves clients worldwide. With more than 300 employees in 12 U.S. locations and India, Adayana focuses on three broad, global vertical markets - Federal governments through VERTEX; agriculture, food, life sciences, services and non-profit sectors through ABG, and the automotive aftermarket through Adayana Automotive. Adayana’s comprehensive human capital development and organizational performance improvement services include technology-enabled and blended learning, enterprise effectiveness solutions, technology integration, channel messaging and managed learning services.
Norwest Equity and Norwest Mezzanine raise $1.7 Billion for new funds
September 3, 2008: MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Leading private equity and mezzanine investors Norwest Equity Partners and Norwest Mezzanine Partners have launched their most recent funds with combined capital totaling $1.7 billion. Norwest Equity Partners raised $1.2 billion in commitments, and Norwest Mezzanine Partners raised $500 million in commitments.
With $4.6 billion of combined capital under management, NEP and NMP are affiliated investment vehicles with strategies focused on providing capital to middle market businesses. Both funds possess flexibility and breadth in their investment charters, giving them a unique advantage over similar entities. Timothy DeVries, NEP Managing General Partner, stated, “Our 45-year history of quality investments and exceptional financial returns is a direct result of having a motivated and strong investment team, and a commitment to investments for the long-haul. We’ve proven our ability to ride the economic tide and make prudent investment decisions. NEP IX is a tremendous opportunity for us to continue our strategy of developing valuable partnerships with prospering companies.”
Minnesota Interactive Marketing Association commissions theme song/music video to promote annual summit
September 2, 2008: MINNEAPOLIS (VIA PRESS RELEASE)– The Minnesota Interactive Marketing Association (MIMA), has partnered with online comedic performance duo, Rhett and Link, to produce a theme song and corresponding music video to help promote the MIMA Summit taking place on October 1, 2008 at The Depot, Minneapolis.
The MIIMA Summit 2008 Theme Song (http://www.youtube.com/user/mimasummit08) coincides with the theme of the daylong interactive conference, The FEED, focusing on the information flow that users and marketers are feeding into and feeding off of via microblogs, forums and social networks. Rhett and Link’s comedic approach pokes fun at the vast amount of social networking sites that make up the online playground for interactive marketers including Twitter, Facebook, Google, Plurk, Linked in, Flickr and more.
“The cutting edge of the Internet travels as fast as a 13-year old uploading an intelligible vlog about himself,” says Rhett Mc Laughlin of Rhett and Link, . “We wanted to capture the panic that we, "young (and old) professionals," feel as we struggle to maintain our web cool. That's the essence of the MIMA theme song. The only thing to bring you up to speed better than the song is to attend the Summit itself.”
In addition to the song and YouTube video, MIMA announces that Rhett and Link will travel to Minneapolis to perform the MIMA Summit Theme song and other favorites during a live happy hour performance.
“Viral video can be a successful marketing tool, if done correctly,” says Matt Wilson, MIMA President. “Rhett & Link have proven that they understand the equation. Already, The Summit 2008 Theme Song has been viewed more than 500 times* and published on various blogs, and we haven’t even announced it publicly.”
Granite City Food & Brewery Ltd. announces changes to management structure
September 3, 2008: MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Granite City Food & Brewery Ltd. announced the following management changes. Tim Cary, former Chief Operating Officer, tendered his resignation.
Darius Gilanfar has been promoted to the role of Chief Operating Officer and will oversee Field Operations, Purchasing and Kitchen Management. Gilanfar was hired as the SVP of Operations in September of 2007 and brings with him over 20 years of restaurant experience having worked for The Cheesecake Factory, Brinker International and Barnes & Noble – Starbuck’s Division. Eric LaClair, who has held the position of District Operator and has over eight years experience with Granite City will assume the role of SVP Operations. Jim Gilbertson, Chief Financial Officer since November, 2007, will continue in the role of CFO and oversee IT and Construction.
“We are pleased to make these changes in our management structure,” commented Steve Wagenheim, CEO and President. “With the growth of Granite City, we realized that our structure needed to change in order to provide greater depth and meet the demands of a company approaching $100 million in revenue."
Carmichael Lynch Spong makes promotion
September 3, 2008: MINNEAPOLIS (via press release) --Julie Batliner has been promoted to managing principal, chief client relations officer for Carmichael Lynch Spong. In her new role, Batliner is responsible for ensuring the consistency of high-value thinking; smart and creative execution; and remarkable achievement on behalf of the firm’s 40 clients served by six offices. Batliner joined Carmichael Lynch Spong as a principal in 2005 and was promoted to senior principal in 2007.
In addition to leading the firm’s client relationship management practices, Batliner currently chairs the food and beverage practice group, overseeing clients including Jack Link’s Beef Jerky and Martek Biosciences. She also serves as the lead for clients ClearWay Minnesota and Trane Inc.
Before joining Carmichael Lynch Spong three years ago, Batliner was a senior vice president at Fleishman-Hillard Minneapolis where she managed public relations programs for clients such as Hormel Foods and The Schwan Food Company. Prior to that, she was a member of Fleishman-Hillard’s Kansas City office.
“Julie consistently delivers award-winning, best-in-category work for her clients,” says Douglas K. Spong, APR, president. “Her new role as chief client relations officer leverages her talents and allows her to demonstrate her natural leadership skills.”
Minnesota Vikings to kick off book drive
September 3, 2008: ST. PAUL (via press release) Books For Africa, the world’s largest shipper of donated English language text books to the African continent, will get some muscle from the Minnesota Vikings to send books to African schools. A series of projects is planned to collect books and dollars, which will help pay for the shipping of books.
At the center of the promotions is Vikings’ Darren Sharper,who will be directly involved in the book drives and will serve as a spokesperson for the Books For Africa (BFA) projects.
The program will be kicked off on Sunday, November 9, when the Vikings host the Green Bay Packers. “Books & Bucks Day,” is a book drive that will encourage fans to bring books and a donation to the stadium on game day. At the November 9th game, both Vikings and Packers fans -- whether or not they have game tickets -- will be challenged in the spirit of competition to drop off their books and donations in either Vikings or Packers containers, which will be stationed at 10 entrances to the Metrodome. The “team” that collects the most books will have bragging rights.
“This game is a great rivalry, and we know there will also be a lot of Packers fans there,” said Sharper, Minnesota Vikings’ starting defensive safety. “It will be a fun way to not only collect books but to raise money to ship the books to Africa. Shipping tons of books is expensive so I want to encourage all fans to bring a book and some bucks to the game to help to raise the money.”
Sharper says the Vikings and Books For Africa have other events planned in 2009, including book drives involving area schools. In addition, Sharper will host a trip to South Africa, one of the countries that will be given books. Sharper and guests will travel to South Africa to receive the books collected during the book drives and distribute them in the local schools and villages. Individuals and businesses are invited to join Sharper on the adventure.
North Central Equity acquires controlling interest in Scriptel Corporation
September 4, 2008: MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--North Central Equity LLC announced that it has acquired a controlling interest in Scriptel Corporation. Scriptel is a leading provider of signature capture and touch response technology for the point of sale industry. Scriptel supplies the pens and glass component parts used in credit card readers found at retail checkout lanes.
Elam Baer, Chief Executive Officer of North Central Equity, said, “Scriptel is a leading provider of solutions for the point of sale market. Its state of the art technology, as well as its dedicated employees, makes it a formidable player in its market niche.
“This is the thirteenth acquisition for North Central,” added Elam Baer. “We continue to search for other acquisition opportunities.”
LaBreche to offer clients complete strategic communications services
September 4, 2008: MINNEAPOLIS -- (VIA PRESS RELEASE) -- LaBreche has integrated design capabilities into its business model. The company now offers a total portfolio of communications services, including marketing and communications strategy, public relations, design and interactive capabilities.
To jump-start the company’s new design team, Alicia Sauer, Andrew Lund and Fran Lu have joined the firm as directors.
“Design is a critical part of integrated marketing and communications and the new discipline augments our expanding business direction, providing clients a full continuum of communication tools to meet business goals,” said Tim Ziaja, chief marketing officer for LaBreche.
“Adding design was the next logical step and necessary to providing full-circle strategy and execution,” said Beth LaBreche, CEO and founder of the company.
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