EPIC Companies prepares for multi-use facility in downtown Fargo

By Andrew Weeks

FARGO, N.D.

• Preparation is underway for a multi-story, mixed-use complex that will begin construction this summer in downtown Fargo.

EPIC Companies acquired the Gateway Center last winter, located along Main Avenue in a busy commercial district, with plans to build a $12 million facility that will house residential and commercial space.

The location is perfect for business, according to company spokeswoman McKenzy Olson, because Main Avenue serves as the gateway – thus the name – between Fargo and Moorhead. The site of the future mixed-use facility has been home to a strip mall and so people already are familiar with the area as a shopping zone.

The 84,000 square-foot facility will be constructed in at least a couple of phases with an estimated 14,000 square feet of commercial space and 51,000 square feet of residential space, four stories above ground with 16,000 square feet for underground parking. Work will continue for 15 to 18 months, with an expected completion of sometime between late 2021 and early 2022, Olson said.

“Surrounded by patrons, this prominent location will be sure to benefit any type of business whether retail, office, customer serve and more,” the company wrote about the complex on its website. A few of the reasons are the location’s amenities: close to the YMCA and childcare, popular eateries, a coffee house and shopping.

“Tenants will enjoy walkability to downtown Fargo with a live, work, and play environment,” Olson said. “The building will have views overlooking the river and residential tenants will have access to a community room, workout room, and underground parking. The commercial tenants will get a fit-up allowance and a vanilla shell.”

She said the company is getting ready now to start the project early this summer.

Starion mortgage banker named top 1% in nation

BISMARCK, N.D. • Kassy Landis, a mortgage banking supervisor at Starion Bank, has been named in the Mortgage Executive magazine’s Top 1% of Mortgage Originators in America list for the third time.

Landis, a mortgage banking officer since 2012, is located at a Bismarck branch. She joined Starion in 2006 as a teller, advanced to business banking representative in 2007, and became a mortgage underwriter in 2008. Landis earned an associate degree from Bismarck State College and a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson State University, both in business administration. She is currently the president of Bismarck Dollars for Scholars board of directors and is involved as an affiliate member of the Bismarck-Mandan Homebuilders Association and Bismarck Mandan Board of Realtors.

Ackerman-Estvold hires new operations and maintenance technician

MINOT, N.D. • Justin Andre has joined the Ackerman-Estvold Minot office as a full-time operations and maintenance technician. Andre earned an associate degree in water technology from the Dakota College at Bottineau. He also holds certifications in Class III water distribution, Class II water treatment, and Class I wastewater collection.

Andre has provided utility management and maintenance for several local agencies over his 20-plus-year career. He will be developing the company’s operations and maintenance team, putting his experience and certifications to work for its clients throughout North Dakota.

Starion Bank names new CFO

BISMARCK, N.D. • Starion Bank has named Rick Geloff its chief financial officer, overseeing and representing all financial operations for the bank and its holding company. As CFO, Geloff will join the bank’s executive committee, which is responsible for initiating key actions within the organization, reviewing financial data and setting major project priorities. He is located at the downtown Bismarck branch. Geloff first joined Starion in 2013 as a credit analyst. He also served in the roles of business banking officer and special assets officer prior to being promoted to financial reporting manager/VP in May 2018. In December 2019, he was promoted to controller.

Geloff is a certified public accountant and a member of the Bismarck School Board, currently serving as its president. He earned bachelor’s degrees in general studies and business management from Minot State University.

Enclave hires two project managers

FARGO, N.D. • James Schechter and Cody McLaren joined Enclave Companies as project managers.

A graduate of North Dakota State University, Schechter brings more than 11 years of experience as project manager, CAD specialist, project management intern and laborer. Most recently, he served as project manager at McGough Construction.

A native of Breckenridge, Minn., McLaren graduated from NDSCS and spent the last six years as a project manager at Gast Construction.

Flint Group hires Wiedrich and Gruensteiner

FARGO, N.D. • Flint Group, a full-service communication and marketing agency, has hired Garth Wiedrich as a senior account manager and Jeremy Gruensteiner as an automated marketing strategist.

Wiedrich earned a master’s degree in business administration, as well as a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of North Dakota. Prior to joining Flint, he worked as a senior marketing strategist in the medical industry.

Gruensteiner is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in university studies from North Dakota State University. Prior to joining Flint, Gruensteiner worked as a project manager for a local software organization.

Fargo attorney receives license to practice in Arizona

FARGO, N.D. • Toni Sandin, an attorney with Sandin Law in Fargo, N.D., has received her license to practice law in Arizona.

Toni practices in the areas of estate planning, including estate and gift tax planning and special needs trusts, probate and trust administration, and charitable planning. She works with individual and business clients on real estate transactions, including commercial leasing, as well as assists clients with business entity planning and business succession planning. Toni has been practicing since 2005 and is licensed in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Arizona. Toni is also a certified public accountant. She lives in Fargo.

“Now being licensed in Arizona gives our clients who spend time there in the winter, the ease of only working with us on all of their estate planning needs,” Sandin said. “It is our goal with every client that they get the highest customer service, and being licensed in this additional jurisdiction allows us more control to provide that full-service customer experience.”

KLJ welcomes new audio and video specialist

BISMARCK, N.D.

• KLJ Engineering has welcomed Brian Sevart to its Bismarck office.

Sevart joins the company as an audio and visual specialist. He earned an associate degree in commercial and graphic art from Bismarck State College and has more than 20 years of experience in graphic design, photography and videography.