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REALIZE YO UR POTENTIAL

Yo uwan ta ca re ertha t ful fi ll syou. We ’ll gi ve yo ut he flexibilit ya nd suppor tt om ak e ithappen .

We’reproudtobenamedone ofthe50BestPlacesto Work!

eidebailly.com/careers continued from Page 18

Places To Work 2022

Alerus

Headquarters: Grand Forks, N.D.

Number of employees: 849

Website: alerus.com

Alerus is a publicly traded, independent, diversified financial services company providing banking, mortgage, retirement, and wealth management products and services to individuals, families, and businesses across the country. Through our employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), employees are the company’s largest collective shareholder and have a vested interest in the success of our clients and company. Our leadership promotes work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules and updating policies as needed to provide additional support where possible. Our strong company foundation, relationship-oriented business model, and long-term growth strategy provide continued professional growth opportunities and the ability to make a difference for clients.

AE2S

Headquarters: Grand Forks, N.D.

Number of employees: 319

Website: AE2S.com continued on page 22

Since 1991, the AE2S team of professionals has focused on empowering people and enhancing lives. AE2S’ primary focus is to help ensure clean drinking water, safe wastewater management, and smart water resource development through planning, financing, designing, and building infrastructure. We believe by taking care of our clients, we will have the resources to take care of our employee-owners and provide rewarding career opportunities. AE2S is proud to be 100% employee owned!

S o m e o f t h e r e a s o n s K L J i s o n e o f t h e b e s t p l a c e s t o w o r k

Proudtoberecognizedasa50BestPlacestoWork

nine yearsinarow!

Proudtoberecognizedasa50BestPlacestoWork eightyears in arow!

Proudtoberecognizedasa50BestPlacestoWork eightyears in arow!

At FirstInternationalB ank &Trust,living first isn’tjust atagline or wishfulthinking. It ’s howweintentionallyapproachlifeand work ever yday,and have been formorethan1 00 years. We’renot just co -workers ,and you’re notjustclients;weare family.Thank you to ouremployees fortheir commitmenttoexcellence,andtoour customersfor inspiringus to beourbest.

At FirstInternationalB ank &Trust,living first isn’tjust atagline or wishfulthinking. It ’s howweintentionallyapproachlifeand work ever yday,and have been formorethan1 00 years. We’renot just co -workers ,and you’re notjustclients;weare family.Thank you to ouremployees fortheir commitmenttoexcellence,andtoour customersfor inspiringus to beourbest.

At FirstInternationalB ank &Trust,living first isn’tjust atagline or wishfulthinking. It ’s howweintentionallyapproachlifeand work ever yday,and have been formorethan1 00 years. We’renot just co -workers ,and you’re notjustclients;weare family.Thank you to ouremployees fortheir commitmenttoexcellence,andtoour customersfor inspiringus to beourbest.

continued from Page 20

Altru Health System

Headquarters: Grand Forks, N.D.

Number of employees: 3,617

Website: altru.org

Based in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Altru Health System is an independent, non-profit healthcare organization. We are physician-led, with more than 300 providers and 54 specialties of care. Altru boasts an acute care hospital, specialty hospital, level II trauma center and more than two dozen practice locations throughout northwest Minnesota and northeast North Dakota. Altru was the first member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, extending Mayo Clinic expertise to the patients we serve. Altru employs more than 3,600 staff and providers who are empowered to fulfill Altru’s vision of providing world-class care to the residents of our region.

Anchor Ingredients

Headquarters: Fargo, N.D.

Number of employees: 107

Website: anchoringredients.com

Founded in 2015, Anchor Ingredients is a privately owned company, led by a highly engaged, invested leadership team. The company is headquartered in Fargo, with sales offices in Minneapolis and Los Angeles, and state-of-the-art processing facilities located in key specialty crop growing regions throughout the upper Midwest. Anchor has more than 100 world-class employees who are passionate about making a difference for customers every day by providing premium ingredients and premium service to the nation’s most popular pet food brands.

Apex Engineering Group

Headquarters: Fargo, N.D.

Number of employees: 95

Website: apexenggroup.com

Apex partners with clients to create practical and efficient solutions for complex water, transportation, municipal, and facility projects. We work hard at hiring the right people with the qualities it takes to build a successful engineering firm – exceptional client service, quality work, integrity, experience, expertise, and a drive for success – all while keeping a mind on culture fit. At Apex, skills are recognized, utilized, and appreciated. While employees maintain a busy workload, we look out for each other and work together to maintain a low-stress work environment. We’re helpful, friendly, and support each other’s job-related and personal goals.

Applied Engineering

Headquarters: Fargo, N.D.

Number of employees: 107

Website: go-applied.com continued on page 27

Applied Engineering combines top-notch talent and technology to solve its customers’ unique challenges. With locations in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, Applied provides product design, engineering, and manufacturing consulting services, as well as software development and programming services and large-format digital printing and scanning. They also offer 3D printing and large-format digital printing and scanning services. Applied is 100% employee-owned, creating a unique culture in which everyone has a vested interest in the success of themselves, their colleagues, and customers. They strive to be the company that people come to for the best in problem solving, design work, and collaboration.

Star Ti Ng Ou T

After earning abusines sdegree andworking forseveral year sinmiddlemanagementata manufacturing firm,Tomdecidedtopur suehis dreamofbusines s ownership. He developedasolid business plan and securedinitial as sets to launch hisown manufac turing company. He consultedwithanAlerusbusines sadvisor forinitial financial planning, who identified Tom’s business as agood candidatefor U.S. SBAfinancing.His advisorconnected TomwithAlerus’ expert SBAlending team,who were ableto guidehim throughthe loan proces sandsuccessfullysecurea favorable-rateloan, settinghim on apathtosucces sful early business ownership

Hisadvisoralsohelpedhim identify theright treasury management servicesfor hisstartup,including elec tronic paymentser vicesforvendor sand employees andsmall business checkingand savings, withthe peaceofmindthat comesfrom theability to conduc t day-to -day bankingonlineand throughmobiledevices whileknowing state- of-the -art fraudprotectiontools are in placetoguard agains tc yber criminals.

NAVI GATI NG CH AN GE S, SU PP OR TI NG GR OW TH

Tomand hisAlerusadvisormet regularlyduringhis first fewyear sofbusines sasnew challengesandneeds arose. Hisadvisorprovided cash flow management guidance as thebusines sgrewand establishedalineof credit to ensurehewould be prepared forunplanned supply chaindisruptions or othersituationswhere he wouldneedtoincreasecashreser ves.

As thenumberofemployees at Tom’sbusines s continuedtogrow, hewaschallengedtofind effec tive ways to recr uitand retain skilledworkers in acompetitive market .Healsowantedtohelp employeesachieve financialwellnes sand armthem with toolstosavefor emergencies. HisAlerusadvisor gathered ateamof retirementand benefits expert s whohelpedTomdevelopa 401(k) plan in conjunction with acomplimentary healthand welfarepackage that sethis business apar tasanemployerand helped his employeesplanfor long-termfinancial stabilit y.

As thebusines scontinued to grow,Tom sawan opportunit ytoe xpandhis produc tlineand required newequipmenttodoso. Hisadvisorsecured the conventionalfinancing heneeded to continue growing at ahealthypaceand provided continuedguidance forlong-term planning.Theyalsobegan discus sing andplanninghise xits trateg y, knowingthat asmooth transition andsuccessfule xitrequire carefulplanning andyear sofpreparation

Su Cc Es Sio Na Nd Be Yo Nd

Withthoughtful guidance from hisadvisorthroughout thesuccessionplanningprocess,Tom identified a successor,whowas ableto workseamlesslywith Aler us to secure financingfor thebusines stransition. Tom’sadvisor engaged Aler us ’ wealth management team,soTom was ableto effec tively plan hise xit with considerationgiven to theimpac ts on both his business andhis personal finances. As he transitioned away from business owner ship,his business advisor provided asmoothtransitiontowealth management guidance,connectinghim with expert stoprovide tax planning guidance,develop aper sonalizeds trateg yfor philanthropicgiving ,establish atrust ,assistinestate planning ,and provideholis ticestate administration matt.jacobson@aler us.com

If youare abusines sowner,yourfinancial decisionsare business andper sonalatthe same time.So, it makes sensetopar tnerwith afinancial servicesproviderthat candeliver expert guidanceandsupport throughout thefulllifecycleofyourbusiness andbeyond, from star tuptosucces sion, andenjoyingthe result sofa successfulbusines s. Aler us business advisors serve as theprimary pointofcontact fortheirclients,which meanstheygatherthe rightteamfor each unique need andproac tively identify solutions,rather than simply referring client stosomeoneelse andmaking them do allthe legworkiftheyrequest as sis tancewith somethingbeyondcommercial banking.

701.795.2657

Mat thas nearly 20 yearsofexperienceinthe financial industry,focusingprimarily on commercial bankingin GrandForks,Nor th Dakota, andSt. Paul, Minnesota. He managessignificant client port folios in theareas of banking, retirementplans,and wealthmanagement.

Jonenjoysbuildingmeaningful relationshipswithcommercial andagriculture client stoidentif yand recommendfinancial solutionsthat matchtheir uniqueneeds. He hasmorethan 15 yearsofexperienceand serves as atrusted pointofcontact forhis client s, providing comprehensivefinancial advice to helpthem achievelong-term goals.

Kory hasspecialized in retirementser vicessince 1984 andhas deep expertisein401(k)plans,employeestock ownership plans(ESOPs),healthand wellness programs, wealthmanagement, insurance, andother services. Hisknowledgeof retirementser vicesand commitment tomaintainingthe highest levelofclientser vice helps participant smakeinformedchoicesthat enable greater financial security

701.280.5136

Cole’sextensiveknowledge of commercial banking, gained through20yearsinthe industry,allowshim to provide valuable insightand soundadvicetoclients to help them make financial decisions forlong-term success.He collaborates with specialist sthroughout Alerus to provide theright mixof produc ts andser vicesfor each client’s unique needsand takespride in servingasa financialresourceand partner forhis client s.

Blaine specializesinprovidinglong-term strategic planning ,lendingand deposits,estateplanning, and wealthmanagement foragriculture andcommercialclients With over15years of experienceinthe financialindustr y, he serves as atrusted strategicpar tner forclients andprovides guidance for grow th,long-term financialwellness, and uniquefinancial needsastheyarise continued from Page 23

Jessicahas more than 15 yearsofexperienceinthe financial industry anddeliverscomprehensivefinancial advice to client s, specializing in retirementsolutions including 401(k) plans, employeestock ownership plans(ESOPs),healthand wellness programs,wealthmanagementand insurance. Sheworks closelywithAlerus expert sinall areastoensure client shaveaccesstoits full suiteofser vicestomeettheir financial objec tives.

Architecture Incorporated

Headquarters: Sioux Falls, S.D.

Number of employees: 27

Website: architectureinc.com

Architecture Incorporated was established in 1976 and has grown to be one of the largest, most respected architectural firms in South Dakota and the surrounding region. Our priorities have always been “Excellence in Design” and “Service to our Clients.” We continue to focus on delivering creative solutions and proven service with a leadership team that collectively brings more than 315 years of experience to the table. This wealth of knowledge paired with a creative energy that flows through our team sparks innovation on a daily basis.

Headquarters: Perham, Minn.

Number of employees: 844

Website: arvig.com

Headquartered in Perham, Minnesota, Arvig is a local, employee-owned broadband and full-service telecommunications provider. Committed to delivering cutting-edge technology to customers throughout the region, Arvig provides residential internet, television, and telephone services. Additionally, Arvig provides a wide variety of business technology solutions.