A whole lot of donuts Baker Boy expands its donut making capacity

By Sydney Mook

DICKINSON, N.D. -- Over the past year and a half, Baker Boy has invested about $11 million into donut automation, according to CEO Guy Moos.

The company began by installing donut-injection technology to become the first North American company to make filled ring donuts in July 2018, he said.

This October, Baker Boy completed the installation of an entirely new donut automation system that included mixers, a new dough line, an automated proofing system, a larger donut frying area, and technology that will automatically decorate donuts.

“This installation process took place over the span of three months –all while we continued to make our signature delicious donuts,” Moos said.

While this equipment came to Baker Boy from throughout the world, some of it was manufactured regionally by Moline Machinery in Duluth, Minn.

Dustin Monke, marketing manager for Baker Boy, said the new donut automation line allows Baker Boy to increase its donut capacity from 6,000 donuts per hour to about 22,000 donuts per hour.

“This production increase means we have the ability to grow sales outside of our current market regions and manufacture donuts for customers who purchase products in greater quantity, such as large convenience store and grocery chains,” he said.

The project has been in the works for about two years, according to Moos. He said it all began by purchasing the injection technology and then identifying the market’s need for a higher-quality donut that also provided labor savings to operators. It eventually led Baker Boy to install the automated donut decorating equipment so the company can sell fully finished donuts.

Monke said Baker Boy has spent the past year growing its donut market share thanks, in part, to its new Magic Ring® Filled Donuts, which are now sold in more than 20 states. It has also relaunched also re-launched its donut brand, The Donut Hole®.

“This fall, thanks to our upgraded capacity, we’ve introduced a new line of fully finished thaw-and-serve donuts under The Donut Hole® brand,” Monke said. “Like all of our products, this line of 15 donuts will be sold through distributors to store operators. The donuts arrive in stores fully decorated, so stores no longer have to be concerned with preparing donuts daily. Labor shortages are challenging operators in every segment of the foodservice market. These donuts allow operators to save time and labor while also providing their customers with high-quality, consistent and great-tasting donuts.”

Additionally, Monke said customers in the Upper Midwest will also be able to find The Donut Hole® brand as bakery case concepts licensed to convenience stores and select stand-alone locations in Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot and the original store in Dickinson.

PAUL HEGLAND NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FARGO-MOORHEAD SYMPHONYS

Paul Hegland, who most recently served as President’s Chief of Staff at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis. and as Development Officer of Chicago’s famed Ravinia Festival, was named executive director of the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra by its Board of Trustees.

Hegland, a native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, earned a Bachelors in Music Education from Iowa State University and a Masters in Music History from Northwestern University in Illinois. He has been active in many civic organizations including Kiwanis, Kenosha Area CVB, Association of College and University Policy Administrators, Kenosha Public Museums and more. He is also a church choir conductor and organist.

Paul Hegland

Ae2s Nexus Hires Brent Bogar

AE2S Nexus announces the hire of Brent Bogar as a senior consultant. Bogar’s experience in local government, public policy, funding, and communications makes him an excellent resource for a variety of clients, including municipalities, counties, and utilities, the company said in a press release.

Bogar served on the Williston City Commission from 2007-2013, during the height of the oil activity in the Bakken.

Dcb Welcomes New Faculty

Bottineau, N.D. -- Dakota College at Bottineau has hired four new instructors and two new full time staff who began work on campus this fall.

The Nursing Program welcomes Richelle Johnson, MSN, RN as the new ADN clinical instructor at the Minot location.

Laurie Culbreth has been hired as an English instructor for DCB.

DCB’s new biology instructor, Janelle Green grew up on a small ranch outside of Arvilla, ND and graduated from Larimore High School, ND.

Linda Burbidge is instructing and advising students in the new Agriculture Management Program on the DCB campus.

All new faculty received training at DCB’s fall in-service and are fitting into their positions nicely, the college said in a press release.

Laurie Culbreth

HENSRUD HONORED AS A BEST-IN-STATE NEXT-GENERATION WEALTH ADVISOR BY FORBES MAGAZINE

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- Paul D. Hensrud, a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial in Grand Forks, was named to the list of “Forbes Best-in-State Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” published by Forbes Magazine.

The list recognizes millennial financial advisors who have demonstrated high levels of ethical standards, professionalism and success in the business.

The rankings are based on data provided by over 29,000 of the nation’s most productive advisors. Hensrud was chosen based on assets under management, industry experience, regulatory and compliance record and revenue produced over a three-year period.

Hensrud is part of TruStone Wealth Management a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

ARVIG’S WIECHMAN ACCEPTED INTO FORBES TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

PERHAM, Minn. -- Ben Wiechman, director of IP strategy and engineering at Arvig, has been accepted into Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs, and technology executives.

Wiechman was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors.

“We are honored to welcome Ben into the community,” said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Technology Council. “Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social-capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world.”

Ndglc Hires Field Representative And Consultant

BISMARCK, N.D. -- The North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition has contracted with Trisha Feiring to serve as field representative/ rangeland management specialist.

As field representative, she will serve as the first point of contact for technical grazing questions, speak on behalf of NDGLC at workshops and tours, and help interested parties develop grazing management systems and problem solve on their ranches. Feiring will continue to work for her current employer, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), through March, while serving as the field representative for NDGLC, after which she will continue full time for the NDGLC.

Beckie Phillips will consult with the NDGLC to advance regenerative agriculture education and outreach with an emphasis on holistic grazing management. Phillips has published research in carbon and nitrogen cycles for wetland, forest, grassland, and cropland ecosystems in collaboration with local, national and international organizations.

Phillips represents Ecological Insights, a North Dakota nonprofit research and education corporation, and is adjunct faculty at UND, Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences and Landcare Research. Phillips will work with Feiring on technical program planning, development and monitoring protocols.

LEAH GUSTAFSON ISTA, MD, MSPH JOINS ALTRU HEALTH SYSTEM

Grand Forks, N.D. – Leah Gustafson Ista, MD, MSPH has joined Altru Health System as an emergency medicine physician. Her special practices and procedures include ultrasound imaging, trauma care, procedural sedation, disaster preparedness and response, laceration repairs and wound care, intubation and airway management.

Dr. Ista earned her Master of Science in Public Health, Doctor of Medicine and completed her Emergency Medicine Residency from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Lakeside Insurance Agency Becomes Cornerstone Insurance Services

Lakeside Insurance Agency, Inc. has roots back to 1952, the year New Town was established. The insurance agency will continue to be located in New Town’s Cornerstone Bank while serving not only New Town, but also the surrounding areas of Parshall, Plaza, Makoti, Ryder, Stanley, Keene, and Watford City.

Cornerstone Bank Chairman Gary Petersen says, “Our clients will continue to receive the great local service that they deserve. We are excited to bring the insurance services under them Cornerstone umbrella.”

Cindy Peterson is the Insurance Agent at Cornerstone Insurance Services. She recently came back to the insurance industry after working as a banking assistant at Cornerstone Bank in Parshall. She brings 10 years of insurance experience and holds a degree from North Dakota State University.

Cornerstone Insurance Services will continue to provide the same full-range of insurance services as Lakeside Insurance Agency did including everything from auto insurance to homeowners insurance, to farm and commercial insurance, along with insurance for recreational vehicles and watercraft, and more.