GOVERNMENT

Jay Willms

The St. Paul City Council announced it has selected Jay Willms as director of city council operations. Willms’ previous role was chief budget officer at city council, a post he had held since June 2023.

ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS

Minneapolis-based creative agency Fast Horse announced it has promoted Scott Broberg to chief creative officer. Broberg has been with Fast Horse since 2003, most recently as chief integration officer.

ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING

Golden Valley-based engineering and consulting firm WSB announced the appointment of Tara Dresen as chief human resource officer. Dresen previously held similar roles at Trimble, CBRE and TwentyEighty. … Wold Architects & Engineers, St. Paul, announced the promotions of Elizabeth Palmer and Jonathan Kuzynowski to the firm’s associates leadership team in St. Paul.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Bank of America announced the opening of a financial center located at 5990 Nova Scotia Ave. N., Oak Park Heights.

HEALTH CARE

People Incorporated, an Eagan-based mental health service provider focused on incorporating people living with mental illness into their chosen communities, announced that CEO Jill Wiedemann-West received the Excellence in Healthcare Award at the Health 2.0 Conference in Las Vegas, honoring leadership in advancing mental health services and equity. … Essentia Health, a Duluth-based operator of hospitals and clinics, announced Dr. Stefanie Gefroh as West Market president, after having served in this role on an interim basis since August. In addition to Gefroh’s leadership roles, she has continued to see OB/GYN patients. … HealthPartners, a Bloomington-based health insurer and health care provider, announced the opening of a Specialty Center, located off the intersection of Interstate 94 and Radio Drive, Woodbury.

HONORS

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced it has named the West Central Small Business Development Center as the Minnesota Small Business Development Center of Excellence 2025. West Central SBDC is hosted by the Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Moorhead.

LAW

Nilan Johnson Lewis, Minneapolis, announced that attorney Susan Kratz has rejoined the firm as a shareholder and member of its health care and corporate/nonprofit groups. Kratz previously chaired the health care practice and served on the firm’s board of directors, and most recently served as Academic Health Center Counsel for the University of Minnesota. … Martine Law, Minneapolis, announced that Alan Pendleton, former District Court Judge in Minnesota’s 10th Judicial District, has joined the firm as of counsel.

MANUFACTURING

The Toro Co., a Bloomington-based maker of lawn mowers and snow removal machines for consumers and businesses, announced the hire of Lori A. Riley as vice president of human resources. Riley succeeds Margeaux M. King. Riley previously was with Northern Tool + Equipment, where she served as chief people and administrative officer.

NONPROFITS

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, an advocate for and provider of affordable housing, announced the opening of a third ReStore Home Improvement Outlet, located at 9300 Winnetka Ave. North in Brooklyn Park. ReStore is a home improvement retail outlet offering donated home furnishings, furniture and building supplies.

SERVICES

APi Group Corp., a New Brighton-based global provider of building safety and maintenance services for businesses, announced the promotion of David Jackola as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Jackola has been with the company since October 2021, most recently serving as interim chief financial officer and before that chief financial officer and vice president of Transformation at APi International.

SPONSORSHIPS

Allina Health, a Minneapolis-based operator of hospitals and clinics, announced a multi-year partnership with Minnesota Aurora to sponsor the front of the jersey and also become the official health system partner for the team. Minnesota Aurora is a professional women’s soccer team based in Eagan.

TECHNOLOGY

SkyWater Technology, a Bloomington-based semiconductor foundry, announced the following appointments to its board of directors: Timothy E. Baxter, director at Breville Holding and First Orion Corp., and chair of Alliance Mobile; Tammy J. Miller, former lieutenant governor of the state of North Dakota, and Andrew D.C. LaFrence, chief financial officer and senior vice president of finance at Nortech Systems Inc.

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