ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING Erica Larson Pope Design Group, St. Paul, announced the promotions of Erica Larson to president and Gonzalo Villares to vice president. Larson has been with the firm for 24 years and was promoted to vice president in 2020. Villares joined in 2004 previously was a team manage r and director of operations, principal, chief operating officer and managing principal. EDUCATION Kinship of the Park Rapids Area, a youth mentorship program serving Hubbard County, announced the appointment of Brandon Mustful as executive director. Mustful most recently served 11 years as executive director of Great River Rescue in Bemidji. … The University of Northwestern – St. Paul, announced it will name its business school in recognition of alumni Dan and Robin Stoltz following the largest single philanthropic commitment in the institution’s 124-year history. Dan Stoltz is chief executive officer of Blaze Credit Union, Falcon Heights. FINANCIAL SERVICES Piper Sandler Cos., a Minneapolis-based national investment bank, announced the addition of Stuart M. Essig to its board of directors. Essig previously served as chief executive officer and director of Integra LifeSciences Corp. … Kraus-Anderson Insurance, Minneapolis, announced the promotion of Jonathan Diessner to president; Diessner joined the firm in 2009 in property management and most recently was chief operating officer, succeeding his father, Dennis Diessner in that role. GOVERNMENT The city of Duluth announced Karla Culhane as interim city administrator, succeeding City Administrator Matt Staehling, who announced plans to step down. HONORS Gov. Tim Walz announced the following 2025 recipients of the Governor’s International Trade Award: Intercomp, Medina; Nova-Tech Engineering, Willmar; Purpose Brands, Woodbury; PURIS, Minneapolis, and Philips, Plymouth. The award honors companies that have shown success in exports to foreign markets, as well as foreign-owned companies that have made economic contributions through their investments in Minnesota. LAW Fredrikson, Minneapolis, announced that shareholders Cynthia A. Moyer, Laura L. Myers, John Pickerill, Courtney A. H. Thompson and Ann Dunn Wessberg have been named in the 2026 edition of the World Trademark Review 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals. MANUFACTURING Sleep Number Corp., a Minneapolis-based maker and retailer of specialty beds and mattresses, announced a strategic partnership with NFL player Travis Kelce as an investor; Kelce will be featured in Sleep Number’s national advertising campaigns, including new TV commercials and digital content across social platforms and other channels. … 3M Co., Maplewood, announced the election of Neil G. Mitchill, Jr. to its board of directors, effective Feb. 6. Mitchill is the executive vice president and chief financial officer, RTX Corp. MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY Nuwellis Inc., an Eden Prairie-based developer and provider of bodily fluid management systems, announced the appointment of Carisa Schultz as chief financial officer, effective Feb. 2. Schultz most recently served as vice president of finance at NeueHealth (formerly Bright Health Group). OPENINGS The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, Maple Grove, announced the opening of fashion chain J.Jill, and the pending openings of specialty goods retailer MINISO and eyewear chain Warby Parker. REAL ESTATE Twin Cities-based commercial real estate firm Transwestern Real Estate Services announced the addition of brokers Katie Hopp and Joe Buckingham; Hopp, vice president, is transitioning from the Transwestern Asset Services group; associate Buckingham joined the company in January. RESTAURANTS French Meadow Bakery Café, Minneapolis, announced that Marlene Leiva assumed ownership of the Lyndale Avenue location in September 2025; she succeeds founder Lynn Gordon. SPONSORSHIPS Fredrikson, a Minneapolis-based law firm, announced its platinum level partnership with the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, scheduled to take place in Minneapolis this June. TECHNOLOGY Livefront, a Minneapolis-based digital consulting firm, announced the appointments of Ed Hoffman as chief growth officer and Trent Sutton as president. Hoffman most recently was senior vice president, North America business operations at Perficient; Sutton was most recently global chief operating officer at Credera. The appointments follow Livefront’s strategic combination with Zeal IT Consultants. Related Articles Business People: Ecolab splits COO role between Darrell Brown and Greg Cook New job for former St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter announced Business People: Minnesota Black Chamber names Yoland Pierson president and CEO Business People: Wilder Foundation appoints Roz Tsai chief human resources officer Target CEO reshapes his leadership team in first big move since taking over this month EMAIL ITEMS to [email protected]. ...read more read less