Discovery Benefits promotes two

BROOKINGS – Due to growth, Discovery Benefits has promoted two to new roles with the company.

Mindy Ballard and Tami Parker were promoted to claims specialists. 

Ballard started at Discovery Benefits in 2015 as a participant services specialist. 

Parker joined Discovery Benefits in 2016 as a participant services specialist. 

Discovery Benefits, a WEX company, is a national leader in employee benefits, providing administration of health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), commuter benefits, COBRA and direct bill. 

JLG Architects earns regional honor

BROOKINGS – AIA North Central States Region, the Emerging Professionals Committee of the American Institute of Architects, has recognized JLG Architects with a 2019-2020 Emerging Professional Friendly Firm Award.  

The award recognizes architecture firms in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin that:

• provide fair compensation and benefits to emerging professionals; 

• support architectural licensure and invest in the professional development of emerging professionals; 

• create opportunities for emerging professionals to grow; and 

• demonstrate commitment and innovation to train and mentor emerging professionals.  

JLG was one of 12 firms honored with the award.

Swiftel Center earns recognition

BROOKINGS – The Swiftel Center received the 2019 Prime Site Award presented by Facilities & Event Management magazine of Facilities Media Group.

“We are honored and thrilled to receive this recognition for our facility and dedicated team,” Executive Director Tom Richter said. “Every day, we open our doors with the focused intention on providing top-notch customer service for all our guests. Every full-time and part-time employee is trained to put our guests first so that every event is the best it can possibly be.”

The Prime Site award is given to the top entertainment, sports and special event venues. Award winners were selected based on the physical and structural dynamics of the building, venue staff and level of technology of its sound, lighting and staging.

Additionally, nine VenuWorks-managed venues – including the Swiftel Center – received the 2019 Prime Site Award.

The Swiftel Center is owned by the City of Brookings operating under a management agreement with VenuWorks. In 2001, VenuWorks was awarded the official contract for operating the management responsibilities of the Swiftel Center. At the time, VenuWorks was known as Compass Facility Management. Today, VenuWorks is dedicated to delivering fun at all of its facilities and making memorable experiences for the patrons. 

The VenuWorks 2019 Prime Site Award venues include:

• Ford Center, Evansville, Inidana

• Hartman Arena, Wichita, Kansas

• Sanford Center, Bemidji, Minnesota

• Swiftel Center, Brookings

• U.S. Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

• Stephens Auditorium, Ames, Iowa

• United Wireless Arena, Dodge City, Kansas

• Bridge View Center, Ottumwa, Iowa

• Topeka Performing Arts Center, Topeka, Kansas

Gullickson completes management training

BROOKINGS – Heidi Gullickson, executive director of the Brookings Area United Way, recently completed her terms as a Board of Regent at the Madison Wisconsin site for the Institute for Organization Management. 

This is a nonprofit professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. As a member of this Board, Gullickson helped to implement the policies created by Institute’s National Board of Trustees. 

Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has educated tens of thousands of association, chamber, and other nonprofit leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members, and become strong business advocates.

Institute for Organization Management is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. It is the premier nonprofit professional development program for association and chamber professionals, fostering individual growth through interactive learning and networking opportunities.