OF NOTE

Lillian Otieno

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture announced that Lillian Otieno will lead the department’s Emerging Farmers Office as its first director. Otieno most recently served as coordinator for the Emerging Farmers program since 2021, and has been an MDA employee since 2017. Volunteer Emerging Farmers’ Working Group members, serving two-year terms, are: Marcus Carpenter, Hennepin County; Gigi DiGiacomo, Hennepin County; Catherine Fleming, Hennepin County; Cindy Hale, St. Louis County; Kiersten Hansen, Brown County; Maren McDonnell, Carver County; Taran Skwira, Morrison County; and Relyndis Tegomoh, Ramsey County.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

IFC National Marketing, a Coon Rapids-based marketing agency for insurance providers, announced the hire of Frankie Villeneuve as agent success specialist. Villeneuve previously worked as an insurance agent at Equis Financial.

HEALTH CARE

UCare, a Minneapolis-based health insurer, announced the following new board directors: Dorothy Bridges, Metropolitan Economic Development Association, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis; James (Jim) Koppel (retired), Minnesota Hospital Association, Minnesota Health Care Access Commission, Children’s Defense Fund, Minnesota Department of Health, Department of Human Services;  Anthony (Tony) Mendoza, Mendoza Law, Minnesota Department of Commerce, Friends of the St. Paul Public Library, Midway Chamber of Commerce; Martina Sagayam, U.S. Bank. … Medica, a Minnetonka-based health insurer, announced it has named Lisa Erickson president and chief executive officer. Medica operates in 12 states under the Medica, Dean Health Plan and Prevea360 Health Plan brands. Erickson previously served in executive roles at national health care, retail and consumer products companies.

HONORS

Housing First Minnesota, a residential builders trade and lobbying organization, announced the recipients of the following 2023 awards: Builder of the Year: John Kraemer & Sons; Remodeler of the Year: Crystal Kitchen & Bath; Associate of the Year: Marvin; Green Path Leadership Award: Lucid Builders; Robert L. Hanson Lifetime Achievement Award: Bob Michels, Michels Homes.

LAW

Fredrikson announced the following additions to its Minneapolis office: Max G. Aufderheide, Mergers & Acquisitions; Kelly A. Carlson, Condemnation & Eminent Domain and Energy & Natural Resources; Henry J. Killen, Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity; Aramis J. Mendez, Real Estate & Construction; Ayesha Mitha, Employment, Labor & Benefits Group; Robert L. Rohloff, Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity and Corporate; Dylan B. Saul, Tax Disputes & Litigation, Property Tax Appeals and Litigation; Levi A. Seidel, Mergers & Acquisitions; and Riley Truax, Mergers & Acquisitions.

MANUFACTURING

Nortech Systems, a Maple Grove-based developer of electronic products for the medical, aerospace, defense and industrial markets, announced Amy Fredregill and Jose Peris have joined its board of directors.

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Nuwellis, an Eden Prairie-based developer and provider of bodily fluid management systems, announced the appointments of Dave McDonald and Dr. Archelle Georgiou to its board of directors. McDonald serves as head of Life Science Investment Banking at Lake Street Capital Markets; Georgiou, formerly chief medical officer at UnitedHealth Group, is chair of the board at Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota.

NONPROFITS

Second Harvest Heartland, a community food bank based in Brooklyn Park, announced the following new board members: Abhi Andley, Homeland Health Specialists; Morgan Helme, Dorsey & Whitney; Adair Mosley, African American Leadership Forum; Dominica Tallarico, Allina Health; and Ari Tauer, Boston Consulting Group. Stacey Fowler Meittunen, Schwan’s Co., board chair; Jill Bollettieri, Post Consumer Brands, vice chair; Josephine (Jodi) Bahl, EY, treasurer; and Sheilah Stewart, Land O’ Lakes, board secretary.

SERVICES

Lightspeed Restoration, formerly AdvantaClean, an east metro-based provider of emergency water and fire damage mitigation services to homes and businesses, as well as indoor air-quality improvements, announced its launch; the franchise is owned and operated by Steve Fall.

TECHNOLOGY

Ceridian, a Bloomington-based human capital management technology company, announced the departure of Co-CEO and board member Leagh Turner, effective Nov. 10, to become CEO of Coupa Software. David Ossip will continue to lead the company as chair and sole CEO.

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