PRAIRIEPEOPLE

DSG promotes Lunak to chief HR officer

FARGO, N.D. – Dakota Supply Group has promoted Melissa Lunak to chief human resources officer. Lunak will lead DSG’s human resources team in directing and coordinating employment practices for the company’s nearly 700 employee owners. Lunak joined DSG five years ago in the role of HR director. Before joining DSG, she was the director of human resources for the public school system in Detroit Lakes, Minn. Before that, she served as a systems operations supervisor at a large electrical cooperative in North Dakota.

Sioux Falls’ planning director to retire

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Mike Cooper, Sioux Falls’ director of planning and development services, announced his plans to retire in April 2019.

Cooper has worked for the city for 32 years. He began his career in 1986 as a senior planner, then moved through the ranks to become assistant director of planning in 1990. He began serving as director of parks and recreation in 1999.

In 2005, Cooper returned to the planning department with his appointment as director of planning and building services. In 2018, that department merged with the Community Development Department to create the Department of Planning and Development Services.

Sioux Falls will conduct a national talent search to fill the director of planning and development services role.

BCBSND’s CEO Huckle to retire; Conrad named as executive VP and CEO-elect

FARGO, N.D. – After nearly 33 years of service, Tim Huckle announced his plans to retire in January 2020 as president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota. In light of Huckle’s upcoming retirement, BCBSND’s board went through a review process to select Huckle’s successor. As a result, Chief Legal Officer Dan Conrad has been named executive vice president and CEO-elect effective Jan. 1.

Conrad will formally step into the CEO role in January 2020.

Conrad is a native North Dakotan, who brings more than 20 years of experience to his new role. He joined Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota in July 2013 after spending time as in-house counsel at two large public companies.

He also served in the public sector, having started his career as a trial attorney with the U.S. Justice Department.

Conrad earned his bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead and his law degree from the University of North Dakota.

Absolute Marketing Group hires Birrenkott as strategist

FARGO, N.D. – Absolute Marketing Group hired Katie Birrenkott as digital media strategist.

In her new role, Birrenkott will identify target markets, research media options and recommend where clients should allocate their budget while creating advertising plans.

Birrenkott earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Oregon. Originally from West Fargo, N.D., she previously has worked as social media manager at In-House Advertising and digital marketing specialist at Arvig Media.

Sanford physician named chair of national program

FARGO, N.D. – Dr. Neville Alberto, a Sanford hospitalist, has accepted a five-year term in the senior leadership of the Council of Transitional Year Program Directors.

This includes two years as chair-elect, two years as chair and one year as the immediate past chair. In medical training, Transitional Year programs are year-long internships for medical school graduates. In some cases, the programs let residents sample different specialties to help them decide which specialty to complete training in. In others, they let residents qualify for those specialties (such as anesthesiology, dermatology and radiology) that require a post-graduate clinical year.

At Sanford, Alberto specializes in internal medicine and palliative care. He also serves as program director of the University of North Dakota Transitional Year Residency Program, associate program director for the UND Internal Medicine Residency Program and governor for the American College of Physicians North Dakota Chapter.

Altru Health System selects CFO

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Altru Health System has selected Sara Lusignan as its new chief financial officer, succeeding Dwight Thompson, who retired in June.

Lusignan brings to Altru more than 10 years’ experience in finance leadership, most recently having served as vice president of finance at Aspirus, Inc., a nonprofit health system, and chief financial officer for Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

As vice president of finance at Aspirus, Inc., Lusingnan was responsible for corporate finance oversight of a multientity, integrated health care system with operations in two states and annual net operating revenue of $1 billion.

Before serving in that role, she served as regional director of finance for Sanford Health in Bemidji, Minn.

Lusignan is a graduate of Bemidji State University with a bachelor of science in accounting. She also holds a master of business administration and rural health care administration from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth.

Benedict promoted at BCBSND

FARGO, N.D. – Amy Benedict has been promoted to director of client management and implementation at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota.

As director, Benedict is responsible for new client setup and onboarding, the maintenance of current clients, product development and maintenance, client contracting process and marketing operations functions, the insurance company reports.

Benedict joined BCBSND in 2013 as a team leader of Contract & Product Services. A native of Bloomington, Minn., she earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn.

Nebeker named new TrainND regional director

WILLISTON, N.D. – Williston State College has hired Kenley Nebeker as the new regional director for technical programs and training at TrainND.

A native of Murtaugh, Idaho, Nebeker grew up in south central Idaho. Nebeker earned an associate’s degree at the College of Southern Idaho and a bachelor’s degree at Idaho State University, and he’s completing a master’s degree in instructional technology from Idaho State. He also holds secondary education certifications in Idaho and Colorado.

Nebeker’s areas of expertise include the integration of technology into educational settings as well as educational improvement through instructional coaching.

EAPC hires director of business excellence

FARGO, N.D. – EAPC Architects Engineers has hired Kristen Limb as director of business excellence. Limb has 12 years of experience in coaching various organizations and industries on how to leverage LEAN and Six Sigma systems. She recently led the Strategy, EPS and Process Excellence Department at Essentia Health as director of their West Market.

LImb holds a bachelor’s degree from Montana State University and master’s degrees in business from both Oklahoma State University and Eastern Oregon University.

Starion Bank promotes Mothershead

ROLLA, N.D. – Starion Bank has promoted Barbara Mothershead to business banking officer at the bank’s Rolla location. In this position, Mothershead will partner with business and agriculture customers to find proper financing, leasing and other banking products.

Mothershead joined Starion in 2016 as a business banking representative. She graduated from Dickinson State University with a degree in accounting and has several years of insurance and customer service experience.

Marvin companies appoint new presidents

WARROAD, Minn. - Darrin Peterson, former vice president of operations and customer services, has been promoted to president of Marvin Windows and Doors, while Dan Marvin, former vice president of business development, has been promoted to president of Infinity Windows and Doors, the Marvin Companies announced.

Both will work directly with Paul Marvin, Marvin Companies CEO.

Peterson has served in a number of leadership roles during his nearly 30 years at Marvin. As president of Marvin Windows and Doors, he’ll be responsible for oversight of the Marvin Windows and Doors and Integrity Windows and Doors brands.

Dan Marvin has helped build the Infinity Windows and Doors business in a variety of roles. As president, he’ll oversee the strategic direction of the brand.