Prairie People: New hires and promotions
Ackerman-Estvold welcomes receptionist
MINOT, N.D. • Melissa Rowe has joined the Ackerman-Estvold Minot office as the receptionist.
Melissa RoweImage: Ackerman-Estvold
Rowe grew up in South Dakota and graduated from Minot State University with a Bachelors of Arts degree specializing in graphic design. She previously was a senior graphic designer at a public relations firm and an admissions specialist with the local university.
Her responsibilities will include overseeing client interactions and providing administrative team support on a variety of projects.
Bushel hires vice president of Human Resources
FARGO, N.D. • Bushel said part of growing means hiring a vice president of Human Resources, someone with a diversity of experience with business and people. Someone who sees the value of what the company is doing and is ready to help provide the guide rails that’s going to help it propel in the smartest way possible.
That same someone needs to be willing to check in on all of its teams and keep the company accountable and to remain curious, empathetic and keep up camaraderie.
Mandie BeginImage: Bushel
It found that person in Mandie Begin, who was recently hired as the company’s new vice president of Human Resources. Begin has experiences from a wide variety of companies – everything from technology to construction to media.
Begin said one of her goals is that as the company continues to grow, she wants to bring in the best talent, from various backgrounds and different locations and skill sets.
Dakota Credit Union Association welcomes new marketing director
BISMARCK, N.D. • Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU) recently welcomed Lindsey Hefta to the association as its new director of marketing.
Lindsey HeftaImage: Dakota Credit Union Association
In her new role, she will primarily be responsible for performing both external and internal marketing strategies for DakCU, developing promotional and membership strategies, as well as collateral resources for DakCU events, educational conferences and seminars, and social and political functions. She also will assist with the creative development and implementation of all visual and video assets, including creative design and support for DakCU’s digital assets, website, and social media platforms.
Prior to joining DakCU, Hefta worked as the marketing director for a regional community bank in Bismarck, where she helped to build and maintain brand success across multiple marketing channels.
She received her Associate Degrees in Arts, Science, and Graphic Design & Communications from Bismarck State College. She received her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from University of Mary, Bismarck, graduating Cum Laude. Her graphic design has been recognized with an ADDY Award and she recently received the 2021 AMA 4 Under 40 Emerging Marketing Leaders Award, which honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of marketing and its sub-fields with demonstrated leadership and continuing service.
Enclave promotes three team members
FARGO, N.D. • Enclave’s property management division has promoted Channing Huwe to commercial manager, Jessica Cervenka to community manager and Chirs Bochman to assistant community manager.
Channing HuweImage: Enclave
Huwe joined Enclave in 2018 as an assistant community manager. In her role as commercial manager, Huwe will provide support and management to all Enclave managed commercial properties.
Jessica CervenkaImage: Enclave
Cervenka joined Enclave in 2019 as an assistant community manager. In her role as community manager Cervenka will oversee The Retreat’s site team members and operations to ensure well-maintained communities and an exceptional resident experience for South Fargo based Encore, Uptown & Main, and the Retreat Apartments and Townhomes.
Chris BochmanImage: Enclave
Bochman joined Enclave in 2019, most recently serving as leasing agent. In Bochman’s new role as assistant community manager, he will work alongside Cervenka at the Retreat at Urban Plains.
Essentia Health welcomes maternal fetal medicine specialist
FARGO, N.D. • Dr. Michelle Wyatt has joined the Obstetrics & Gynecology department at Essentia Health in Fargo.
Michelle WyattImage: Essentia Health
Dr. Wyatt is a maternal fetal medicine specialist, which means she specializes in high-risk or complicated pregnancies and is an important addition to the OB team at Essentia Health.
In her role, she will work alongside OB/GYNs to support and guide families through the challenges of a high-risk or complicated pregnancy and focus on the health of both mother and baby before, during and after birth.
Dr. Wyatt received her medical degree from the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine in Rochester, Minn. She is certified in Obstetrics and Maternal & Fetal Medicine by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Houston Engineering hires administrative assistant
THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. • Kaitlin Nessen joins Houston Engineering Inc.’s Thief River Falls team as an administrative assistant.
Kaitlin NessenImage: Houston Engineering
She will be the friendly face greeting clients, leading the daily operation of administrative duties and coordinating social events for the Thief River Falls team, and assisting technical staff with preparing reports and other client deliverables locally and cross-office as needed.
A native of Thief River Falls, Nessen earned an associate degree in radiologic technology from Northland Community and Technical College. She previously worked as a radiologic technologist for more than five years, where she honed key skills to work in pressured environments, master time management, and navigate different challenges.
KLJ promotes team member to VP of Information Technology
BISMARCK, N.D. • KLJ Engineering LLC has promoted Cody Aldinger to vice president of Information Technology. The promotion follows the retirement announcement of the company’s current VP, Darcy Volk, who will retire early next year.
Cody AldingerImage: KLJ Engineering
Aldinger, who will assume the role immediately, will work to provide strategy development, leadership, and management oversight of KLJ’s information technology and facilities teams, including infrastructure, support, system and software integration, overall technology optimization, as well as fleet and facility management.
Aldinger joined KLJ in 2018 as the company’s IT manager where he oversaw day-to-day technology operations and set related long-term initiatives for the department. He earned a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems, with a minor in computer science from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Aldinger is also an avid community volunteer and small business owner. He has spent 14 years volunteering with Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest as a program mentor, classroom volunteer, and board member. Since 2013, he has been heavily involved in United Way of Cass-Clay, serving on the community investment panel and later in the campaign cabinet and on the community impact committee.