Neighborhood National Bank names new president and CEO

Michael Segner was recently hired as Neighborhood National Bank’s new president and chief executive officer. He will also serve on the company’s board of directors.

Segner has a track record of financial institution growth during his career as a community bank CEO, and he was brought on the Neighborhood National Bank team because of his passion for providing quality service.

Neighborhood National Bank has served the communities of Mora, Aitkin, Brainerd, North Branch and Alexandria for more than 50 years.

ALP receives national recognition for reliability

For the third consecutive year, ALP Utilities has been recognized by the American Public Power Association for its electric reliability.

APPA is a trade group that represents more than 2,000 nonprofit, community-owned electric utilities that helps track power outage and restoration data through its subscription-based tracker service.

Once a year, APPA’s Reliability Team compares this data to national statistics tracked by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

ALP conducts annual system reviews and performs ongoing maintenance to prevent service interruptions. According to 2020 statistics, ALP’s average outage time was 11.97 minutes, far below the industry average of 139 minutes. This means that measured over approximately 10,000 electric meters, a customer’s total outage time was 127 minutes shorter than the national average.

Ameriprise Financial Services highlights addition to hall of fame

Private wealth advisor Vic Benzinger earned a spot in the Ameriprise Financial Hall of Fame.

Considered the lifetime achievement award at Ameriprise, this award recognizes exceptional advisors who have achieved years of exceptional service and high performance in meeting the needs of their clients. Less than three percent of Ameriprise advisors have received this honor.

Benzinger will be recognized at the firm’s upcoming national conference.

New Caring Hands location opening

Caring Hands Dental Clinic of Alexandria will soon be opening an additional location in Pipestone, Minn.

This facility, similar to the Alexandria office, will offer dental care and education for citizens of all ages. Funding for the estimated $1.2 million Pipestone project has been provided by multiple grants and discounts.

Caring Hands offers complete professional oral healthcare as well as programs for nursing home residents and uninsured citizens. The nonprofit hopes to have the Pipestone location fully staffed and operational by September 2021.

West Central Initiative welcomes new employee

Jenna Ray recently joined the West Central Initiative team as a development associate.

Prior to accepting this position, Ray has worked as an editor, writer and communications specialist.

Ray’s role is to create new outreach and community engagement efforts, increase interactions among donors and strengthen the organization’s donor database. Last year, West Central Initiative distributed grants totaling almost $1 million, along with more than $6 million secured for regional businesses and organizations.

West Central Initiative is a regional community foundation serving nine west central Minnesota counties: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse and Wilkin. The company invests resources in communities for regional success, using tools of economic and community development and promoting philanthropy.