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FEBRUARY 1, 2008

FAIRMONT

New Chamber members include Elroy Nuss, CPA, The Squeegee Brothers (Blue Earth), and Gene Holmquist of AFLAC (Okabena).

From the Chamber: Fairmont Medical Center hired Dr. Mary Alice Janzen, emergency department; US Bank named Keith Kenney as president.

Golden Schmoo Lab & Consulting, Inc. received renewal of its Schwan s Preferred Lab Status.

The Fairmont Chamber Ambassadors had ribbon-cutting events at Rural Advantage, Kwik Trip, Kenway Engineering, Manpower, and Smart Style Family Hair Salon.

GAYLORD

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation named Pauline Marlinski KMA Design & Construction as one of eleven community leaders across southern Minnesota to complete the Institute for Citizen Engagement Community Connector Training.

LE SUEUR

Kim Hammes, GRI, ranked as a Top 20  agent for transactions for RE/MAX Dynamic Associates in Minnesota.

MADELIA

New Chamber board members include Doug Flitter of Dick Olson Motors, Summer Delacruz of Preferred Printing and Cuts on Main, and Bridget Hayes of NU Mart.

MANKATO

I&S Group is the new name of I&S Engineers & Architects.

Dr. Paul Newman of Newman Chiropractic & Wellness Center hosted a Cuddly Critters for Kids in Crisis drive to benefit children at the ISJ pediatric wing.

Celebrating ten years in business is Jensen Appraisal & Consulting.

The Minnesota Chapter of Realtor Land Institute (RLI) elected Terri Jensen of Wingert Realty & Land Services and Jensen Appraisal & Consulting as vice-president.

VSI opened a new showroom in Fargo-Moorhead, its first of four new showrooms.

Eide Bailly hired the following MSU seniors as interns in Mankato and Madelia: Andy Vance, Tate Rose, Paul Brooks, Kevin Soukup, Nathan Tirevold and Teresa Tulley-Patton.

Judy McCourtney and Amy Sellner of Eide Bailly earned the Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager designation from the American Bankers Association. Eide Bailly announced that Linda Albrecht was elected to a four-year term on the Rural Blue Earth County Thrivent Board.

Nate Mittelstadt (Mankato office) and Dan Groh (Madelia) joined Eide Bailly as new associates.

Leonard, Street and Deinard elected attorney Michael Jacobs as a shareholder.

Jim Long of J. Long s in River Hills Mall formed a partnership with Jim Jensen, formerly of Jensen Clothing of New Ulm. Jim Jensen will remain engaged with Jensen Business Consulting.

Joining Farrish Johnson Law Office is attorney Jason Kohlmeyer.

Greater Mankato hired Bryan Stempka as Talent Initiatives Director.

Thomas Brady was elected to the Winland Electronics five-member board and will serve on the audit and nominating/governance committees. Winland Electronics named board chair Thomas de Petra as interim CEO and president, succeeding Lorin Krueger.

Mankato Clinic Interventional Cardiologist, Yassar Almanaseer, M.D., now offers patients an innovative treatment option for peripheral artery disease.

ISM-Mayo Health System physical therapist Kelly Feddema became certified in pelvic muscle dysfunction biofeedback by the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America.

RSI and ENR magazines ranked Tecta America No. 1 in the roofing industry nationwide. Schwickerts of Mankato is a Tecta America founding member.

Abdo Eick & Meyers promoted Scott Danger to partner.

The Mankato and North Mankato Rotary Clubs chose Ann Stewart and Ed Waltman for the second annual Service Above Self Awards.

Mesaba Airlines and Minnesota State announced a new partnership to create a bridge  program providing a streamlined selection process for students to have the opportunity to become future Mesaba Airlines pilots.

Linda Lovich of Eide Bailly earned the Accredited Automated Clearing House Professional (AAP) designation.

South Central College, Small Business Development Center and Greater Mankato Growth held a Doing Business in Minnesota  seminar.

Computer Technology Solutions hired Matt Kluck as a network, PC, and Apple service technician.

Matthew Boroway of Paulsen Architects passed the Architect Registration Exam administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Board, earning him architectural licensure.

Minnesota State University named Dr. John M. Knox as dean of the College of Science, Engineering, & Technology.

Krengel Technology opened a remote  Mankato office.

Steve Leth is the new general manager of Country Inns and Suites.

NEW ULM

The dairy farmer-owners of Associated Milk Producers Inc. shared a $2.5 million payment in December, which brought members  earnings and equity payments to $9.7 million for 2007.

New Ulm Retail Development Corporation hired Barbara Stirling as director.

Alliance Card hired Sheila Howk to manage New Ulm's SmartTown program.

Dr. Rebecca Schuller, optometrist, joined the staff of Drs. Akre and Simpson.

MRCI Bargains moved to 1702 Westridge.

New Chamber members include Maurice's, Audio Village, Snap Fitness, Dynamic Health Solutions, New Grand Moon Buffet, AmericInn Lodge and Suites (Madelia), and Steam Brothers.

New businesses include Anytime Fitness Center at 512 1^st South.

The Chamber welcomed new Martin Luther College president, Dr. Mark Zarling.

ST. JAMES

Blackhawk Machine opened, doing welding, fabrication, repair, and stocking steel and welding gases.

Dr. Tim Pinke, optometrist, joined Dr. Steven Jeppson, optometrist, with both having offices at 517 1st Ave. South. Later, Dr. Annette Grimshaw, optometrist, also joined the practice.

Curves of St. James offers the new "Curves Smart" technology.

St. James Medical Center hired Neissa Gallahar as clinic manager.

The Opera House Restoration Project received $15,000 from the Minnesota Historical Society.

Edward Jones hired Chad Klassen as financial advisor for its 719 1^st Ave South office.

ST. PETER

St. Peter Clinic & Mayo Health System and the City of St. Peter announced plans for Immanuel St. Joseph s to build a new provider clinic adjacent to St. Peter Community Hospital.

The Chamber Diplomats officially opened The Pulse, a fitness center at 101 West Broadway.

From the Chamber: new businesses include St. Peter Martial Arts, also of 101 West Broadway. New Chamber members include Reed Floren and H&R Block on 212 South Minnesota.

VERNON CENTER

Visions Inc., formerly Meter-Man, sold its measuring wheel division to a South Korean company.