OF NOTE
Odyssey Resorts, a Duluth-based resort property developer, announced that Howard Anderson has been promoted to chief executive officer effective May 1, succeeding Kirk Schultz, who is retiring and will stay on in an advisory role during the transition. Anderson most recently was the company’s chief operating officer.
ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING
Miller Architects & Builders, St. Cloud, announced its 150th year in business.
DEVELOPMENT
Dominium, a Plymouth-based affordable housing owner, developer and manager, announced that it has promoted Adam Brookins to vice president of construction for the Self Perform team; Brookins joined Dominium in 2019 as a senior construction project manager.
CONSULTING
The Minnesota Business Partnership, a business-focused lobbying group, announced that Katie Nadeau has been promoted to chief operating officer. Nadeau has been with the partnership for more than 20 years, most recently serving as operations director. Nadeau previously worked at the Minnesota House of Representatives.
EDUCATION
Talmud Torah of St. Paul, a private Jewish educational organization, announced Liz Palmer as executive director. Palmer previously was a consultant with Mighty Consulting, which provides interim leadership for organizations in the Twin Cities nonprofit sector.
EVENTS
Special Olympics USA announced seven new members of the board of directors to oversee the 2026 Games to be held at the University of Minnesota: Gwen Walz, first lady of Minnesota; Roy Smalley, former Minnesota Twins shortstop; Travis Anderson, Fredrikson & Byron; Meka White Morris, Minensota Twins and Chicago Bears; Amanda Brinkman, Sunshine Studios; Greg Epperson, Special Olympics North America, and Judy Vijums, 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
GOVERNMENT
The Minnesota Senate voted to confirm Matt Varilek as commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development. Varilek has served as DEED commissioner since June 2023.
HEALTH CARE
Guild, a St. Paul-based provider of mental health treatment and support services, announced Trish Thacker as CEO. Most recently, Thacker worked as senior department administrator – wellbeing at Hennepin County Human Services Department. … Children’s Minnesota, a Twin Cities-based chain of hospitals and clinics focused on pediatric care, announced the appointment of Matt Van Slooten to its hospital board of directors. Van Slooten is CEO of United Properties, a Minneapolis-based commercial property developer. … Life Link III, a Bloomington-based provider of helicopter ambulance services, announced that Lisa Knipping has been named chief financial officer. Knipping has served as the organization’s senior director of finance since 2020 and succeeds Robert “Bob” Sannerud, who has retired.