Advertising/Public Relations

McClung PR and Erickson Public Affairs announced a strategic partnership for public affairs, media relations, and strategic advocacy services that includes McClung CEO Brian McClung and Erickson President Tara Erickson. McClung was an official in the administration of former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Both firms are based in the Twin Cities.

Architecture/Engineering

Minneapolis architectural firm Alliiance announced that Mamie Harvey has been named president, succeeding Eric Peterson, who transitions to a leadership position focused on the firm’s national and international aviation practice, while also continuing on the board of directors. Harvey has been with the firm for more than 25 years.

Education

Rasmussen University, a Minneapolis-based American Public Education institution, announced the appointment of Mark Arnold as president, effective Jan. 22. Arnold succeeds Paula Singer, who will transition to the board of directors as vice chair and chair of the Academic Affairs Committee. Rasmussen has campuses in Bloomington, Eagan, Lake Elmo, St. Cloud, Brooklyn Park, Mankato and Moorhead.

Financial Services

Kraus-Anderson Insurance, Burnsville, announced it has hired Matt Johnson as risk and business insurance consultant. … Nepsis, a national financial advisory firm, announced its new national headquarters at Two Meridian, in Richfield. The company also announced the recent promotion of Matt Pearson to president and the hire of Troy Williams as senior vice president of strategy and corporate development. … Ameriprise Financial, Minneapolis, announced that 427 of the firm’s financial adviser teams were named to the Forbes list of Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams.

Government

Ramsey County announced it has named Kari Collins as deputy county manager of the Economic Growth and Community Investment Service Team, including Community & Economic Development, Housing Stability, Library, Parks & Recreation, Property Management, Public Works, Workforce Solutions and Financial Assistance Services. Prior to joining the county, Collins held leadership positions with the cities of Roseville and Milwaukee.

Health Care

MAC Midwest, a Minnetonka-based provider of autism services in the Midwest, announced the appointment of Christine (Chris) Bent as chief executive officer, effective Feb. 6. Bent succeeds Jeff Nichols, who has served as CEO since 2018. Bent has held executive roles at Allina Health Group, Prime Therapeutics and InnovAge.

Honors

St. Croix Economic Development Corp. announced the winners of its Business of the Year awards: Emerging Business of the Year: Perceptive Avionics, New Richmond, Wis.; Small Business of the Year: Knoke’s Nuts and More, Hudson, Wis.; Large Business of the Year: RESCO, Hudson and River Falls, Wis.

Hospitality

Gunflint Lodge and Outfitters, a destination resort near Grand Marais, Minn., announced the celebration of its centennial anniversary and the grand opening of the Northern Lights Lodge.

Law

Maslon, Minneapolis, announced the re-election of board members Brian Klein, Keiko Sugisaka and Julian Zebot to new two-year terms and elected Susan Markey to serve the remainder of Susan Link’s term through 2025. Link retired on Dec. 31. Sugisaka was reappointed to serve as board and executive committee chair; David Suchar, who is in the second year of a two-year term, was re-appointed vice chair of the board and executive committee.

Medical Technology

Medtronic plc announced that Thierry Piéton has been appointed chief financial officer, effective March 3. Piéton joins Medtronic from Renault Group, where he has served in a similar executive role. Interim CFO Gary Corona will become senior vice president, corporate finance and will remain on the executive committee. Medtronic is a Dublin, Ireland-based maker of electronic heart devices and spine treatments with executive offices in Fridley.

Nonprofits

Animal Humane Society, Golden Valley, announced the appointment of board members Maha Abouelenein and Sheryl Caspers-Prince. Abouelenein is founder of global communications consulting firm Digital and Savvy; Caspers-Prince is a talent acquisition leader with Brillect, a Twin Cities-based accounting, finance, and HR consulting firm.

Services

Restaurant Technologies, a Mendota Heights-based provider of cooking oil waste management to restaurants, announced it has named Diana Geseking its first chief legal officer, a promotion from her previous position of general counsel with the company.