July 26, 2026 Newswires

Business People: Edric Funk to take over as Toro Co. CEO

Pioneer PressSaint Paul Pioneer Press

The Toro Co., a Bloomington-based maker of lawn mowers and snow removal machines for consumers and businesses, announced President and Chief Operating Officer Edric C. Funk will be promoted to chief executive officer, effective Nov. 1, as part of a long-term succession plan. He will also join the board of directors. Funk will succeed Richard M. Olson, who will transition to the role of executive chairman of the board. Funk joined The Toro Co. in 1996 as a design engineer.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Baird, a national investment firm, announced that The Kashian Karels Group has joined the firm’s wealth management office in Edina. The team includes directors and financial advisers: Darla J. Kashian and Michael L. Karels; Associate Financial Adviser Tanner Petroske, and Assistant Vice President Ann Hoen. The team joins from RBC, where they managed over $508 million in client assets.

HealthPartners, a Bloomington-based health insurer and health care provider, announced that Carrie Stobba has joined the organization as vice president of scheduling and patient access. Stobba began her career as a physical therapist at North Memorial Health, Robbinsdale, and most recently was vice president of medical group services at Advocate Health in Charlotte, N.C.

MANUFACTURING

Wenger Corp., an Owatonna-based developer of products for music and theater education, performing arts and athletic storage, announced that Keith Juhola has joined the company as vice president of sales for performing arts and controls. Most recently, Juhola served as vice president of sales and marketing for FAMCO.

MILESTONES

Minuteman Press International, a commercial printing service, presented Minneapolis franchise owners Dave and Sandy Forster with its Special Achievement Award commemorating 40 years in business. In June of 2026, the Forsters sold the business to new owner and long-time employee Samuel Sandon.

Pillsbury United Communities, a Minneapolis-based social service organization, announced it has named Signe V. Harriday president and chief executive officer. Harriday currently serves as head of social enterprises at Pillsbury United and senior artistic producing director at Pillsbury House + Theatre. Harriday also is founder and president of ReStoryation Inc. … ARRM, an Eagan-based support organization of businesses and advocates focused on home- and community-based services for people living with disabilities, announced the election of the following officers: Board President Rita Wiersma, Accord; Vice President Tom Gillespie, Living Well Disability Services; Treasurer Danielle Fox, Mount Olivet Rolling Acres; Secretary Lisa Thelen, REM Minnesota, and Immediate Past President Anna Hegland, Dungarvin.

ORGANIZATIONS

The Ramsey County Historical Society announced the appointment of Brandie Macdonald as executive director. Macdonald is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and a Choctaw Nation descendant. She previously served as executive director and chief curator of the Indiana University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. … The Minnesota Commercial Association of Real Estate and Realtors announced that Executive Director Matt Anfang will retire in June 2027 after leading the organization for 14 years.

RETAIL

Simon, a national owner and operator of shopping centers, announced the planned opening in fall of fashion retailer Hollister Co. in its Twin Cities Premium Outlets in Eagan.

VisitIQ, a Minneapolis-based provider of AI-driven market research and customer engagement and retention, announced the appointment of Conner Roos as chief financial officer, effective June 1. Roos most recently served as vice president of finance at Samba TV. … NVE Corp., an Eden Prairie-based maker of industrial components for the data industry, announced the promotion of Vice President of Advanced Technology Peter G. Eames to president and CEO, effective Aug. 6, also joining the board of directors. He succeeds Daniel A. Baker, who is retiring, and will remain on the board as chairman, succeeding Terrence W. Glarner, who also will remain on the board. Additionally, Carolyn W. Valentine has been nominated to join the board. Baker joined NVE in 2001. Valentine is president of Grason-Stadler, a developer of audiology equipment.