OF NOTE

Kristin Ferguson

Securian Financial, St. Paul, announced it has named Kristin Ferguson senior vice president in charge of Individual Solutions, which includes the company’s individual life insurance and individual annuities business lines. Ferguson joined Securian as a college intern in 2001 and has advanced through various leadership roles.

ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS

Minneapolis-based creative agency Colle McVoy announced he hire of Ciro Sarmiento as its new chief creative officer. Sarmiento has held creative leadership roles at several shops in New York.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Bank of America announced the opening of a branch at 12300 Castlemoor Drive, Eden Prairie,.

HONORS

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, an insurance industry trade organization, announced that Winona Havir, executive vice president, business development for Educators Insurance Resources Services Inc., has been recognized as the NAIFA Diversity Champion for 2023. Educators Insurance Resources Services is a Maplewood-based insurance agency associated with the The Horace Mann Cos. … Mission Facilitators International, a Phoenix-based leadership consultant for business, announced Brian Murray, CEO of Ryan Cos., has received its 2023 Excellence in Leadership Award. Ryan Cos. is a Minneapolis-based commercial and residential real estate developer.

LAW

The Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota announced it has named Judge Mark Vandelist its 2023 Distinguished Jurist. Judge Vandelist was appointed to the bench by Gov. Mark Dayton in December 2013. … Dorsey & Whitney, Minneapolis, announced 22 new partners to the firm nationally, including Ian Blodger and Anna Boyle in Minneapolis. … Fredrikson, Minneapolis, announced that attorney William P. Hefner has joined as an officer in its Environmental Law, Energy & Natural Resources and Energy Litigation groups.

MANUFACTURING

J&E Cos., a Plymouth-based provider of machining and sheet metal fabrication services for business, announced the appointment of Jim Squatrito as chief executive officer. Squatrito has held similar executive roles at other manufacturing companies. …  Malco Products, an Annandale, Minn.-based maker of professional hand tools for workers in the HVAC, construction and automotive trades, announced that Jeff Widdel has been promoted to director of engineering and operations.

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Spineology Inc., an Oakdale-based maker of ultra-minimally invasive spine surgery implants, announced that John Booth will retire as chief executive officer and the selection of Brian Snider to succeed him. Booth will remain with Spineology through 2024, serving in an advisory role. Snider most recently served as executive vice president of marketing for Alphatec Spine. … Humanetics Corp., an Edina-based pharmaceutical company concentrating on countertherapies for oncology, pulmonary and COVID-19 treatments, announced the appointment of retired Rear Admiral Dr. Colin Chinn as chief medical officer. Following Chinn’s retirement from the Navy, he served as a clinical professor of medicine and scholar-in-residence at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Md.

ORGANIZATIONS

Minnesota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a workplace advocacy group for members of the Minnesota National Guard, announced that Chair Tom Simonet has turned over leadership of the committee to Chad Sackett. Sackett retired as a Colonel in May of 2022 after serving 34 years with the Minnesota National Guard.

RESTAURANTS

Husband-and-wife team Michael and Viorica Shaughnessy announced the planned opening next year of Pink Ivy Kitchen and Bar at 712 Main Street, Hopkins. The pair previously owned and operated Advellum at The Market at Malcolm Yards.

TECHNOLOGY

Perforce Software, a Minneapolis-based provider of software development tools for business, announced  the appointment of Jim Cassens as chief executive officer, effective Jan. 1. Cassens will succeed Mark Ties, who will retire from his position and serve as executive chair of the board. … Logic, a Bloomington-based retail technology consultant, announced Andy Winans as chief client officer. Winans has previously held leadership positions at MicroStrategy, Netezza, NCR, Tandem, Nielsen and Quantisense.

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