OF NOTE

Tanja Oquendo

Fairview Health Services, a Minneapolis-based metro-wide operator of hospitals and clinics, announced the appointment of Tanja Oquendo as chief people officer, effective Aug. 12. Oquendo previously was chief administrative officer, chief human resources officer and system senior vice president of transformation and integration at CommonSpirit Health.

ENTERTAINMENT

Children’s Theatre Company, a Minneapolis-based live performance venue focused on young audiences, announced Tyler Susan Jennings and Davon Cochran as its performance apprentices for the 2024-25 season. Cochran is an actor, singer, dancer and recording artist from Philadelphia; Jennings is an actress from Brooklyn, N.Y., and Georgia.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

The Minnesota Bankers Association announced that Andy Schornack, president of Security Bank & Trust Co., has been elected chairman of the board for 2024-25. He succeeds Doug Tate, president and CEO of Worthington Federal Savings. … Sunrise Banks, St. Paul, announced the hire of Jon Sandoval as chief information officer. Sandoval previously was with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. … Holmes Murphy, an Iowa-based insurance brokerage, announced the additions of Barry Fitzpatrick, vice president, Client Service, Employee Benefits; and Kristin Covert, client manager, team lead, Property Casualty, to its St. Louis Park office.

GOVERNMENT

Ramsey County announced the hiring of Dana DeMaster as director of the Innovation and Strategy division of the Health and Wellness Service Team; she has served as interim director since June 2023.

HEALTH CARE

MNsure, the state of Minnesota’s public health insurance exchange, announced the appointment of Matthew Anderson and reappointment of David Fisher to the board of directors. Stephanie Stoffel was re-elected chair and Fisher re-elected vice chair.

HONORS

Mike Dean, former executive director of LeadMN, has received the National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion Award for his work to increase student leadership and voter participation on Minnesota college campuses. LeadMN is a West St. Paul-based leadership training program focusing on two-year college students. The award was presented and announced by Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon.

HOSPITALITY

Cote Hospitality, owner and operator of lodging and recreational destinations in Minnesota, announced three key additions to its leadership team at Grand View Lodge, Spa and Golf Resort in Nisswa: Dawn Southworth, managing director; Justin Grecco, executive chef, and Paul Barbaro, director of sales.

LAW

Lockridge Grindal Nauen, Minneapolis, announced the addition of attorney Toni Konkoly. Konkoly previously worked with the U.S. Department of Justice as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, and as a trial attorney with the DOJ’s Civil Division, Federal Programs Branch. … National law firm Spencer Fane announced new associate Maureen Foster and returning associate Luke J. Wolf have joined the Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice group in the firm’s Minneapolis office. … Fredrikson, Minneapolis, announced the addition of Danyal Ahmed as an associate in its Business & Tax Planning Group.

MANUFACTURING

Nortech Systems, a Maple Grove-based developer of electronic products for the medical, aerospace, defense and industrial markets, announced the addition of Debarati Sen to its board of directors. Sen is group president for HMTX Industries, a global luxury vinyl tile flooring manufacturer.

ORGANIZATIONS

Stillwater Sunrise Rotary announced Greg Otsuka as president, effective June 30, succeeding Lonny Stormo; Ed Boeve was named District 5960 governor.

RESTAURANTS

Paris Baguette, an international bakery-café chain, announced it first Minnesota location at 7855 Elm Creek Blvd., Maple Grove. The franchisee is Brian Yi. … Sweet Paris Creperie & Café, a restaurant brand specializing in sweet and savory crepes and hot drinks, announced its opening at Mall of America in Bloomington, its second Minnesota location. The franchisee is Tenacity Restaurant Group, led by CEO Dustin Wetzel.

RECREATION

American Birkebeiner, a Wisconsin-based annual cross-country ski event, announced that Executive Director Ben Popp has been elected as president of  Worldloppet, an international federation of cross-country ski events.

SERVICES

C.H. Robinson, an Eden Prairie-based international provider of trucking, shipping and freight logistical services to business, announced that Chief Operating Officer Arun Rajan will transition into the role of chief strategy and innovation officer.

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