Ralco receives Minnesota Governor’s International Trade Award

Ralco has announced that it was awarded the 2016 Governor’s International Trade Award from the Minnesota Trade Office. The award was presented during World Trade Month for developing and growing a significant part of its business from exports, for increasing jobs in Minnesota to support international sales and for developing novel approaches to global competition.

“Ralco is greatly honored to receive this award which aligns so well with our mission to perfect technologies for a safe and abundant global food supply,” said Ralco President Brian Knochenmus. “We understand that to carry out this mission we must take our technologies to the people and markets that need them across the globe. International trade has been a fast-growing segment of our overall business because other nations are hungry for the natural solutions Ralco provides to enhance the performance of livestock, aquaculture and crop production. We are grateful for the recognition and positive global impact Ralco is making now and in the future.”

Ralco and five additional companies were honored for their export activity by the Minnesota Trade Office, which is part of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the state’s principal economic development agency. DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy said it is important to celebrate companies that expand the Minnesota economy through international trade.

“These Minnesota companies illustrate how exporting or attracting foreign direct investment can help businesses compete globally,” Hardy said. “I congratulate them for their global achievements and thank each of them for being models that can inspire other Minnesota businesses to pursue international trade.”

Ralco is a rapidly growing multinational business with offices in Ecuador, Uruguay, Thailand, the Netherlands and Canada. In addition to a large U.S. staff that focuses on international sales and marketing, Ralco also supports 20 employees at its various international offices.

Ralco is a third-generation, family-owned multinational company with distribution in more than 20 countries. Ralco supports large segments of the livestock, poultry, aquaculture and crop industries as a leading global provider of livestock nutrition, animal health products and crop enhancement products.

Christian Becker State Farm adds Peterson to staff

Christian Becker State Farm welcomes Amy Peterson, formerly Otto, who recently began work as an office representative at his local State Farm office downtown Marshall. Before coming to the insurance world, Peterson was a customer service specialist at U.S. Bank for three years. A Marshall native, she lives in Marshall with husband, Jon, son Hunter, and stepchildren, Emma and Alex. She is looking forward to serving Marshall and the surrounding communities with their insurance needs.

Hoffman & Brobst hires Vandendriessche

Hoffman & Brobst, Certified Public Accountants, announces the addition of Austin Vandendriessche to the professional staff of the firm. Vandendriessche has been an intern with the firm since November 2016 and recently graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a minor in finance. He will work in the accounting, auditing, and tax preparation areas of the firm. He is currently studying for the CPA exam.

Runchey is chairwoman of state bar association family law section

Sara J. Runchey was elected to serve as the 2017-2018 Minnesota State Bar Association’s Family Law Section chairwoman. The Family Law Section’s purpose is to promote the practice of family law as a profession and provides for the exchange of information about family law among Minnesota attorneys. Committees include Amicus, ADR, Domestic Abuse, and Legislative. Runchey is the managing partner and attorney with the Runchey, Louwagie & Wellman Law Office located in Marshall. She focuses her practice in the area of family law.