SMSU grad Hellie named president of North Star Mutual in Cottonwood

Pete Hellie was elevated to the position of president of North Star Mutual Insurance Company on May 6 at the 100th annual meeting of policyholders. He succeeds Jeff Mauland, who has served as North Star’s president since 2001. Mauland remains the CEO and chairman of the board of directors.

Hellie is a graduate of Southwest State University and began his career with North Star as the vice president of finance in 2008. Most recently, he served as executive vice president and CFO with oversight of company investments, banking, accounting, internal audit, and legislative and compliance issues. He was elected to the board of directors in 2019. Prior to his employment with North Star, he managed Norwegian Mutual for 20 years.

During his time in the industry, he has served on numerous committees and also served as MAFMIC chairman in 2008. He earned his associate in General Insurance (AINS) designation in 2011 and his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in 2012.

Hellie and his wife, Joy, live near Cottonwood and have two grown children, Andy and Kate, who live in the Twin Cities.

InFaith Community Foundation honors Johnson for charitable planning work with clients

Joshua Johnson, CLTC, FIC, financial consultant with Thrivent Financial in Marshall, has received the 2019 Voices in Philanthropy (VIP) Award from InFaith Community Foundation in Minneapolis. He is one of just 58 financial professionals nationwide to be recognized.

Johnson is being honored for his exemplary service helping clients put their values and charitable goals into action. Selection was based on total outright and deferred charitable gifts made by Johnson’s clients through InFaith in 2019. These gifts will support a variety of local, national and global charities according to each client’s wishes.

“Through Joshua’s work, he has helped his clients give in ways that match their interests and financial circumstances” said Mandy Tuong, InFaith Community Foundation president and CEO. “The end result not only benefits charities but ultimately has a positive impact in our shared community”

“I find immense fulfillment in helping my clients live out their values by giving to the causes and organizations that mean the most to them,” said Johnson.

Runnings announces move to new location in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Runnings announced plans to acquire, renovate and move into a new Sioux Falls location later this year. The new site is where a vacant 92,000 square-foot Kmart building is located and will be one of two Sioux Falls-based stores that the company will continue to operate.

In January, Runnings announced the purchase of Campbell’s Supply Co., a 66-year-old general merchandise retailer with seven stores across South Dakota and Iowa.

“Campbell’s has a long-standing history of serving the needs of customers in the Sioux Falls region,” said Dan Herrmann, Runnings COO. “We want to build on that legacy with a new store that features enhanced product selection and hometown-friendly customer service.”

In addition to carrying a larger selection of home, farm and outdoor goods, the new store will sell an expanded assortment of sporting goods, firearms, clothing, footwear and feature a small engine repair shop. The Runnings move to the new location is planned for September followed by a grand opening in October.

The company plans to sell the existing 53,356 square-foot building at 3101 E. 10th St. once the move to the new location is completed.