OF NOTE

Peter Diessner

Kraus-Anderson Cos., Minneapolis-based multi-disciplined real estate developer, announced that Peter Diessner has been named chief executive officer.  Diessner has been chief operating officer of KA Cos. since 2023. He succeeds Bruce Engelsma, who has been CEO since 1997. Engelsma remains chairman of KA Cos. The firm also announced the appointments of John Huenink to national director of the K-12 Education Group, Mark Kotten to national director of the Public Sector Group, and Dustin Phillips to construction executive of the Public Sector group.

AIRPORT

The Metropolitan Airports Commission, announced the hire of Michael Schommer as assistant director of strategic communications. Schommer’s previous government communications role was with the state of Minnesota. The Metropolitan Airports Commission owns and operates the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and six suburban reliever airports in the Twin Cities.

CONSTRUCTION

Greiner Construction, Minneapolis, announced the appointment of Josh Helgesen as president/CEO. Helgesen’s career with Greiner began in 2001 as an apprentice carpenter.

DEVELOPMENT

Urban3, a North Carolina-based land-use economics and geoanalytics consultancy, announced the appointment of Heather Worthington as principal, overseeing the company’s work on Minneapolis and Hennepin County development policies. Worhtington previously was director of long range planning for the city of Minneapolis, deputy county manager for Ramsey County, and managing consultant for the Center for Economic Inclusion in St. Paul.

EDUCATION

Groves Learning Organization , a St. Louis Park -based educational organization for students with learning disabilities, announced the following additions to its board of trustees: Carly Broderick, Miles Consumer Products; Emily Cooley Dobbins, Nova Education Consultants; Frankie Lenzmeier, Stickney Hill Dairy, and Nneka Sederstrom, Hennepin Healthcare.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

National bank Chase announced that it will open more than 30 additional branches in the Twin Cities metro area, doubling its current footprint to over 60 locations by the end of 2027 and hiring more than 300 employees locally; Patty Gilman is regional director for Chase in Minnesota. … Nepsis, a Savage-based financial adviser and investment management firm, announced the addition of Ed Stober as senior wealth adviser. Stober has held executive positions at Choreo, Charles Schwab, and Thrivent Financial.

FOOD

General Mills, Golden Valley, announced the following executive changes: the pending retirement and transition to an advisory role of Shawn O’Grady, group president, North America Foodservice (NAF); Jon Nudi, currently group president, Pet and International, will add NAF to his oversight; Pankaj Sharma, president, U.S. Meals & Baking Solutions, will be promoted to segment president, NAF.

GOVERNMENT

The state of Minnesota announced it has selected Lisa Harrison-Hadler to serve as ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. Harrison-Hadler has been leading the agency during the appointment process and previously served as regional ombudsman for southeast Minnesota and the southwest metro.

HEALTH CARE

St. Cloud Orthopedics, St. Cloud, announced the appointment of CEO Ed Kelly, succeeding Bill Worzala who has retired.

HOSPITALITY

Radisson Blu Mall of America, Bloomington, announced that Executive Chef Dinesh Jayawardena has been appointed corporate chef of upscale brands for Choice Hotels International, effective April 1.

MEDIA

Comcast, the Twin Cities’ dominant cable TV and internet provider, announced the opening of an Xfinity Store at 8266 Commonwealth Drive, Eden Prairie, its 15th retail location in the Twin Cities.

MILESTONES

J&F Reddy Rents, a family-owned, women-run equipment rental store in St. Louis Park, is celebrating 60 years in business.

RETAIL

Best Buy, Richfield, announced the retirement of Board Chairman J. Patrick Doyle effective in June; he will be succeeded by David Kenny, executive chairman of Nielsen, who has been on the Best Buy board since 2013.

SERVICES

SEV Laser, a national chain offering laser hair removal and med spa treatments, announced the opening of its Minnesota location at 218 N. First St., Minneapolis.

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