Jazz Hampton
Bassford Remele, Minneapolis, announced that Jazz Hampton has joined the firm. Hampton is co-founder, CEO and general counsel of TurnSignl, a legal-services app, has taught entrepreneurial finance at the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business, and serves on the boards of The Minneapolis Foundation, Catholic Charities Twin Cities, the Great North Innocence Project and the Minnesota Emerging Entrepreneurs Board. He also was a candidate for mayor of Minneapolis in 2025.
CONSTRUCTION
Knutson Construction, St. Louis Park, announced it has hired Travis Pakonen as director of mission critical, a newly created leadership role supporting clients building data centers and other highly specialized facilities. Pakonen most recently served as market executive at Mortenson.
EDUCATION
KidWind, a St. Paul-based clean-energy science curriculum for students, announced the selection of Remy Pangle as executive director, succeeding KidWind founder Michael Arquin.
ENTERTAINMENT
Children’s Theatre Co., Minneapolis, announced an expansion of its core company. It includes: Antonisia (Nisi) Collins, actor: Melanie Chen Cole, sound designer: Dean Holt, actor/director; Autumn Ness, actor; Reed Sigmund, actor; Chauncy Thomas, actor, and Christopher Windom, choreographer.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Sunrise Banks, St. Paul, announced the addition of Ethan McClelland as vice president of government relations and regulatory affairs. McClelland previously worked in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving as deputy director of member services within then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s leadership team and later as parliamentarian for the House Financial Services Committee. … KLC Financial, a Minnetonka-based provider of equipment lease and purchase financing for business, announced it has earned a spot on the Monitor Top 100 list for the second consecutive year. The list is published by Monitor, an industry trade journal. … Deluxe, a Minneapolis-based financial services and data company, announced it has been honored with the 2026 Call Center Award of Distinction by the Association of TeleServices International.
HEALTH CARE
Children’s Minnesota, a Twin Cities-based chain of hospitals and clinics focused on pediatric care, announced the promotion of Monica Schiller to senior vice president, service lines and chief ambulatory officer, effective July 18. Schiller has been in leadership roles at Children’s Minnesota for 11 years.
HONORS
Evereve, an Edina-based national women’s fashion retailer, announced it has been voted Best Apparel Boutique 2026 by the readers of Edina Magazine, its second time receiving the honor. … Taco John’s, a St. Louis Park-based Mexican-themed fast food chain, announced its Taco Bravo offering has been named the No. 1 Best Fast Food Taco in the annual USA Today Best Readers’ Choice Awards. … Sezzle, a Minneapolis-based consumer payments platform, announced the following recognitions: CNBC’s World’s Top Fintech Companies 2026; Newsweek’s America’s Best Online Platforms 2026, and a U.S. News & World Report 2026–2027 Best Company to Work For.
LAW
Maslon, Minneapolis, announced the addition of attorney Leah DeGrazia to the firm’s Real Estate and Financial Services groups.
OPENINGS
Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, St. Paul, announced the opening of a branch office at 1707 East Main Street, Albert Lea. … Special Strong, a fitness provider specializing in adaptive training for individuals with mental, physical and cognitive challenges, announced the opening of Special Strong Twin Cities at Woodbury Central Park, 8595 Central Park Place.
POLITICS
Center of the American Experiment, a Golden Valley-based political policy advocacy group, announced the hire of Mark Kulda as director of Greater Minnesota Outreach. Kulda formerly was vice president of public affairs for the Insurance Federation of Minnesota and prior to that was a reporter, weather anchor and news manager at KSTP-TV and WCCO-TV in the Twin Cities.
RECREATION
Hazeltine National Golf Club, Chaska, announced it has named Thomas Barksdale, PGA, as general manager. Barksdale previously was general manager and chief operating officer at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kan.
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