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Absolute Marketing Group has announced the 2016 spring client relations interns: Emily Karkoska, Lee Smalt and Abby Knudson. Karkoska is double majoring in management Karkoska Smalt Knudson communication and strategic communication, with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in history at NDSU. She is originally from Mankato, Minnesota. Smalt is majoring in cultural anthropology at MSUM with a minor in media analysis. He is originally from Warroad, Minnesota but grew up moving throughout Texas. Knudson is pursuing a degree in strategic communication from NDSU with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in management communication. She is originally from Grand Forks.
Aarsvold
Aldevron has appointed Jenny Stafford as vice president and general manager. Stafford’s responsibilities include overseeing the company’s manufacturing and client relations operations in Fargo. Prior to Aldevron, Stafford worked at LifeCell Corporation, Merck Pharmaceuticals and PRACS Institute. Stafford
The Board of Directors of American Crystal Sugar Company has elected Tom Astrup to be president of the company, assuming responsibilities immediately. Since January 2014, Astrup has held the position of vice president – operations. He previously held the positions of vice president–finance and chief financial officer, vice president–agriculture, and vice president–administration. Since 2007, he has also served as chief operating officer of Sidney Sugars, Incorporated. He currently serves on the Board of Directors Astrup of ProGold, LLC, as a Trustee of the United States Beet Sugar Association and on the Board of Directors of The Chamber, and recently was named to the Board of The Greater North Dakota Chamber. Astrup received a degree in accounting from the University of North Dakota. David Berg, who has served as American Crystal’s president and chief executive officer since 2007, has announced his intention to retire on August 31. Berg will retain the title of CEO until his retirement. Upon Berg’s retirement date, Astrup will also assume the position of CEO.
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Josh Jaster and Linda Perala have recently joined Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties. Both are licensed Realtors® in North Dakota and Minnesota. Originally from Grafton, North Dakota, Jaster graduated from the University of North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in business and public administration. Before joining BHHS, he worked at Gate City Jaster Perala Bank. Outside of work, Jaster volunteers for the local American Cancer Society and Junior Achievement of FargoMoorhead. Perala lives in West Fargo and comes to BHHS with more than 10 years of real estate experience, most recently working at Realty 2000 in Fargo. Outside of work, Perala is involved with the St. Benedict of Wild Rice, North Dakota, church service group. Cornerstone Bank has hired Kristin Jaeger as marketing director and promoted Craig Ehrmantraut to AVP/business banking officer and Eric Carlson to SVP/finance director. Jaeger received her Jaeger Ehrmantraut Carlson Bachelor of Science from South Dakota State University and her master’s degree in business administration from the University of Mary. Ehrmantraut has been with Cornerstone Bank since 2009. Carlson earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration and his master’s degree in business administration. Cass County Electric Cooperative’s board of directors has selected Marshal Albright as the next president and CEO of the company. Albright began his career at Cass County Electric in 1986, serving in various positions before taking the role of vice president of member and energy services in 2010. His 29 years of experience and leadership will serve the cooperative well in his new role. Albright
Dakota CDC Board of Directors elected Jim Stai as a board director to represent the Economic Development sector. Stai spent 10 years teaching business at Lake Region Jr. College before joining the U.S. Small Business Administration in 1979. Stai has over 34 years of experience serving North Dakota and promoting development through small business growth. Stai
28 | April 2016
Tollefson
Bell State Bank & Trust announced the promotion of Jon Aarsvold to EVP/ corporate finance risk manager, Laine Brantner to EVP/director of operations, Katrina Tollefson to vice president/branch manager, Brenda Messerschmidt to vice president/branch manager and Derrick Lewis to assistant branch manager. Originally from Blanchard, North Dakota, Aarsvold received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and economics from UND and has been in the banking field for 29 years. Brantner previously worked at Evolution1 and is originally from Fargo. Tollefson is originally from Thief River Falls, Minnesota, and has 14 years of banking experience. Messerschmidt has been in the banking field for 31 years and is originally from Mountain, North Dakota. Lewis earned his bachelor’s degree in mass communications with an emphasis in broadcast journalism and a minor in business administration from MSUM.
Palmer
Appareo has hired Brian Babik, Eric Hensley and Laython Ford as territory managers, John Harris, as a test engineer, Cord Palmer as an SMT engineer and Teresa Stevens as a material handler. Babik earned his Bachelor of Arts in zoology from Miami University. He previously worked at ON24, Inc. Hensley earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Oklahoma State University and a master’s in business Stevens administration from Texas State University. He previously worked at Chesapeake Energy Corporation. Ford is a native of Irma, Alberta, and previously worked at Kenlar Insulations. Harris earned his Ph.D. from NDSU and previously worked at NDSU Materials and Nanotechnology. Palmer earned his associate degree in electrical technologies from NDSCS and previously worked at Deere & Company. Stevens is a native of Fargo and previously worked at Droplet Measurement Technologies.
Brantner