Workforce study under way

BY JIM GARTIN

On Oct. 24, the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corp. partnered with the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce, Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau, United Way of Cass-Clay and the F-M Area Foundation in announcing a major workforce study.

Over the last several years, it has become apparent to all of these organizations that the lack of highly skilled and educated workforce is having a negative impact on businesses across Cass County, N.D., and Clay County, Minn. For our region to sustain its growth, we need to identify our shortfalls and come up with solutions.

This announcement is important in two ways. First the announcement is important because the study itself will provide critical information and direction relative to our workforce challenges. The study will look at labor market characteristics, labor shed definitions, target industry alignment and high-demand occupations. The consulting firm will also conduct sector council facilitation.

The second reason the announcement is important is because five regional organizations have come together to collaborate and address this important singular issue.

When we prepared the request for pro- posal (RFP) for our workforce study and forwarded it to nine national research organizations, the first response was surprise at the collaboration between our organizations. I think this type of collaboration is a part of who we are as a community and region, and it is unique.

Within the F-M entrepreneurial community, one of the underlying principles is, “We are creating the community that we want to live in.” The workforce collaboration is doing the same thing. Our organizations are collaborating so we can make our community the best place to live, work and play.

The study commenced on Nov. 1, and we have one important message to get out to all regional businesses. When you receive a request to participate in a one-on-one or group interview or to participate in an electronic survey, please do so. The study will only be as successful as the information that you, the business community, provides.

Make a difference and help us create the “Community We All Want to Live In.” PB

Jim Gartin President Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corp.

jgartin@gfmedc.com

Twitter: @careerfm

SDSU renames biostress lab

South Dakota State University will rename the Northern Plains Biostress Laboratory the Edgar S. McFadden Biostress Laboratory. The lab houses much of SDSU’s agronomic and biological research as well as several classrooms.

McFadden graduated from what was then South Dakota State College in 1918 and is recognized for developing a spring wheat variety, called Hope, that was immune to stem rust. His plant genetics work led to greater wheat production during World War II, and continues to impact global wheat production, according to the university.

Starion Financial acquires Wisconsin bank

Bismarck, N.D.-based Starion Financial is buying WPS Community Bank of Madison, Wis. The acquisition expands Starion’s presence in Wisconsin; it also operates community banks in Middleton and Sun Prairie, Wis.

“WPS Community Bank is a financially sound, healthy organization, making it an attractive expansion opportunity for Starion,” WPS Insurance Inc. President and CEO Mike Hamerlik said in a statement. “A major deciding factor in the selection was that the Starion culture is a perfect fit with our bank and its customers.”

The sale is expected to be final in the first quarter of 2015.

FJC becomes authorized Cirrus Service Center

USD business students meet Warren Buffett

The University of South Dakota student chapter of the Financial Management Association recently organized a trip for students from the Beacom School of Business to meet with billionaire investor Warren Buffett at the Berkshire Hathaway offices in Omaha, Neb. Students from USD, along with students from Cornell University, University of Missouri, Washington University, St. Louis University and the University of Nebraska-Omaha attended a 90-minute question-and-answer session with Buffett. The students also ate lunch with Buffett before touring two Berkshire-owned companies.

Nearly two dozen students from the Beacom School of Business at the University of South Dakota traveled to Omaha, Neb., to meet with Warren Buffett. PHOTO: UNIVERSITY

SD recognizes businesses for outstanding customer service

Fargo Jet Center has been designated as an authorized service center by Cirrus Aircraft Corp. The designation will expand FJC’s service offerings and give owners and operators in the region access to FJC’s services, according to Darren Hall, FJC vice president of marketing. “We continue to see an increase in the number of Cirrus owners in our area and look forward to supporting their needs,” he said.

Cirrus is headquartered in Duluth, Minn. The company also has a facility in Grand Forks, N.D.

The South Dakota Department of Tourism has recognized 156 businesses and organizations in 46 communities for outstanding customer service through its Great Service Star Program. The program is designed to recognize businesses that develop and complete hospitality training programs for their staff, recognize and reward employees for service, and show customer appreciation in unique ways. Winners are listed at sdvisit.com/programs/service/winners. asp. For information on program participation, visit sdvisit.com/ programs/service/greatservice.asp.

Marvin Windows named most ethical company in US

Warroad, Minn.-based Marvin Windows and Doors has been awarded the 2014 American Business Ethics Award by the Foundation for Financial Service Professionals. The company was selected as the winner in the large company category for exemplifying high standards of ethical conduct in the workplace, the marketplace and the community, according to the company. Marvin Windows and Doors is a third- and fourth-generation, family-owned and operated business with more than 4,500 employees in factories across the U.S.

The ABEA was created in 1994 and honors businesses that act in an ethical manner in regards to everyday business practices. To be eligible for the award, businesses must be nominated and provide comprehensive information about their ethics plan, as well as specific examples of how they have put the plan into action.

Basin Electric tops co-op list

Basin Electric had more revenue in 2013 than any other electric cooperative in the nation, according to a report recently released by the National Cooperative Bank. The cooperative racked up more than $2 billion in revenues in 2013. Across all industries, Basin Electric ranked 21 on NCB’s top 100 list, up from 24th place the previous year, according to the report.

In a news release, Basin Electric credited tremendous growth in the Bakken along with high grain and cattle prices as contributors to its success.

Mitchell named Smart21 Community

Mitchell, S.D., has been named one of the world’s Smart21 Communities of 2015 by the Intelligent Community Forum in recognition of its world-class broadband infrastructure and its educators’ contributions to the “knowledge economy.”

“The Mitchell telecommunications industry sector has 500 technical, engineering and software jobs in companies like Innovative Systems and Vantage Point Solutions,” says Bryan Hisel, executive director of the Mitchell Area Development Corp. and Chamber of Commerce. “These companies have been instrumental in bringing broadband communications to not only Mitchell but to rural areas throughout North America.”

(continued from page 18)

Sanford pledges $1M to Watford City hospital

Sanford Health has agreed to donate $1 million — $100,000 per year over 10 years — from its community dividend fund to support the construction of McKenzie County Healthcare Systems’ new medical center in Watford City, N.D. MCHS broke ground on the $59 million medical complex in June.

Additionally, MCHS is developing terms of a management agreement with Sanford, pursuing installation of Sanford’s electronic medical records system, Epic, and becoming a participating provider in Sanford Health Plan.

EAPC expands to Colorado

Architecture and engineering firm EAPC has opened a satellite office in Fort Collins, Colo. The expansion is an effort to expand the firm’s industrial client base, which is expected to blend well with its existing strengths in the sugar industry, oil and gas, and power generation, according to the firm. Bruce Ogden, director of business development, will head the new office.

EAPC plans to expand its client base in Colorado as well as Wyoming, Nebraska and Montana.

Alerus Financial named to best workplace list

Alerus Financial has been named one of the 40 Best Banks to Work For in 2014 by American Banker and Best Companies Group. The award is based on a combination of employee-based surveys and an evaluation of the bank’s workplace policies, practices and demographics.

AE2S earns project of the year award

The North Dakota Chapter of the American Public Works Association recently selected the water treatment plant in Hillsboro, N.D., as the project of the year in the Communities Fewer than 5,000 category. AE2S (Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services Inc.) designed the new 800-gallon-per-minute water treatment plant, which incorporates reverse osmosis membrane treatment and several features to provide critical system redundancy. The new facility and site were also designed to readily accommodate expansion.

Karvakko Engineering buys architecture firm

Karvakko Engineering announced it has purchased Richard Rude Architectural firm, which will now operate as a subsidiary of Karvakko. Both companies are based in Bemidji, Minn. Richard Rude Architectural was established in 1986 and specializes in governmental, institutional and commercial projects throughout northern Minnesota. The acquisition will allow Karvakko to expand its services to current and future clients, according to the company.

Rochester firm joins Widseth Smith Nolting

Architecture and engineering firm Widseth Smith Nolting has acquired Rochester, Minn.-based Kane and Johnson Architects Inc. The firms forged a strategic alliance several months ago and formalized the alliance with an official merger on Oct. 1, according to Widseth Smith Nolting. The firms’ signature collaboration to date is Bridge Plaza in Mankato, Minn. — a seven-story retail and residential building which is scheduled to begin being built next year.

Widseth Smith Nolting was established in Crookston, Minn., in 1975. It now employs nearly 200 people at offices throughout Minnesota and in Grand Forks, N.D.

Sundog partners with Minneapolis agency

Sundog, a marketing technology company headquartered in Fargo, N.D., has entered into a strategic partnership with Schermer, a Minneapolis-based business-to-business brand experience agency. The companies will collaborate on client projects and jointly pursue new business opportunities, but will remain independent and plan no staff changes, according to Sundog.

Alerus buys NH-based retirement planning firm

Alerus Financial NA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alerus Financial Corp., acquired New Hampshire-based Retirement Alliance Inc. and its affiliate company on Oct. 1. The acquisition increases Alerus Retirement Solutions retirement plan assets under administration to $16.1 billion, with 262,000 plan participants in 49 states.

Midcontinent wins workplace excellence award

Midcontinent Communications was recently presented with the Workplace Excellence Award in the large employee category from the Sioux Empire Society for Human Resource Management in recognition of its efforts to establish a highly desirable work environment through leadership, culture and best practices. Midcontinent previously won the award in 2009.

Shortline rail services partner in Bakken

Northern Plains Rail Services has partnered with NorthStar Midstream to provide switching operations at its new transloading terminal in East Fairview, N.D. The terminal’s mainline is served by BNSF. NPRS will provide industrial rail switching services in support of NorthStar Transloading’s day-to-day operations at the terminal.

BCBSND promotes Bellmore

Pat Bellmore has been promoted to chief marketing officer and vice president of marketing at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota. In this role, he provides leadership and direction for the development and implementation of strategic marketing and member objectives and plans. Bellmore has worked at BCBSND for nearly 30 years, and has served as manager of district marketing for the last 16 years.

Ackerman-Estvold adds architectural designer

Kimberly Keller has joined AckermanEstvold’s Minot, N.D., office as an architectural designer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental design and a master’s degree in architecture from North Dakota State University. She has six years of experience designing projects including health care facilities, public and educational building additions and financial institutions.

Western State Bank hires HR manager

Kristi Spindler recently joined Western State Bank as human resources manager. In this position, she will manage the bank’s recruiting, hiring, performance management, compensation and benefit functions and develop and manage HR infrastructure. Spindler has nearly 10 years of HR experience, most recently with HDR Engineering in Minneapolis, where she served as HR manager.

Starion Financial promotes 4

Starion Financial’s human resources and training department recently promoted four members to new positions.

Sherri Anderson has been promoted to human resources officer. She has worked at the bank since 1997 and has served in a variety of roles over that time.

Bonnie Dahl has been promoted to human resources officer II. She joined Starion in 2011 and has more than 20 years of experience in HR. Nagoshia Morast has been promoted to human resources specialist. She joined Starion in 2009 and served as a teller and supervisor before moving into the HR department.

Melissa Werner has been promoted to retail training coordinator. She joined Starion as a part-time bank teller in 2007 and has served in a variety of full-time positions since 2009.

Mason named VCSU president

The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education has appointed Tisa Mason as president of Valley City State University. Before joining VCSU, Mason served as vice president for student affairs at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kan. She previously served as dean of student life at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in Whitewater, Wis., and as executive director of the Sigma Kappa Sorority and Foundation in Indianapolis.

Wald joins Moore Engineering

Gregory Wald has joined West Fargo, N.D.-based Moore Engineering as communications manager. He has more than 15 years of strategic marketing and communications experience in various industries. He is an adjunct faculty member for the marketing department at the University of North Dakota, a member of the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce’s business training committee and a past chair of the group’s leadership program. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from UND and a bachelor’s degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn.

EERC names Erickson director

Tom Erickson has been named director of the Energy and Environmental Research Center in Grand Forks, N.D. He has been serving as interim director since July. He previously served as associate director for business, operations and intellectual property at the EERC.

FJC/PJC announce new leadership

Neil Brackin has joined Fargo Jet Center/Premier Jet Center as vice president of flight operations. He will lead the flight operations division and business development of new markets. He most recently served as director of air transportation for General Mills in Minneapolis and has extensive experience in all aspects of aircraft operations. He will also serve as interim general manager of the newly acquired Eden Prairie, Minn.-based Premier Jet Center.

Mike Clancy has been promoted to vice president of technical services for FJC and associated companies Weather Modification and Exclusive Aerospace LLC. He previously served as director maintenance for the companies.

Bruce Boe has been promoted to vice president of meteorology for Weather Modification Inc. Boe has worked for the company since 2001. Prior to that, he served for 12 years as the director of the North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board.

Eide Bailly adds to tech team

Beth Gallagher has joined the Eide Bailly LLP Technology Consulting team as a support analyst. Her expertise includes network monitoring, desktop user support and platform management.

Ben Woessner has joined the firm’s Technology Consulting team as a technology business advisor. He has more than seven years of business development experience in the technology market, including four years specializing in SaaS solutions for the oil and gas, transportation, agriculture and construction industries.