Business notebook: National Eagle Center introduces new director

For nearly 20 years, Rolf Thompson has used his love of the outdoors to teach and lead others as they take advantage of opportunities to get to know nature.

Most recently, he became a leader at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha as it just hired Thompson for the executive director position. He is taking over from interim executive director Karlin Symons.

“I’m eager to engage my passion for conservation and environmental education with the National Eagle Center,” Thompson said. “The remarkable story of the recovery of the bald eagle has many lessons to teach us about how we can protect the natural world for generations to come.”

Thompson’s past jobs also demonstrated his passion for the outdoors. He earned tenure as executive director at the YMCA Camp Widjiwagan in Ely, Minn., where he led wilderness education camps. He spent his time there developing programs, fundraising, strategically planning and adding major facilities.

Thompson comes to the National Eagle Center in Wabasha just as it prepares to celebrate its fifth year in the interpretive facility on the banks of the Mississippi River.

• Eric Starbuck of Red Wing Chiropractic and Acupuncture Clinic has fulfilled all of the Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners’ requirements to be registered to practice acupuncture as a chiropractic doctor. Starbuck is registered to use needle, laser, surface and electric acupuncture for pain, addiction control and weight control.

• Deb Hanson of Lake City and Lisa Johnson of Zumbrota have become independent consultants with Tastefully Simple Inc., a direct sales company that features more than 60 easily prepared foods.

The new consultants will offer Tastefully Simple product samples at home taste-testing parties, along with providing ideas for everyday meals, recipes and serving suggestions.

• Wieser Concrete Products’ employees earned the 2012 Presidents Award from Security Insurance Company of North America for their high safety performance in the areas of safety programming, loss control and risk management.

Wieser Concrete, Maiden Rock, has manufactured precast concrete since 1965. The company recently added sales engineer Shane Harris to its staff at its Roxana, Ill., location.

• Leona Johnson is retiring from administration in the Ellsworth School District. Her career with Ellsworth schools started as a family and consumer education teacher. She has been the district’s director of curriculum and instruction since 2001 as well as the Hillcrest Elementary School principal for the past three years.

• Professional organizer Marilyn Tomfohrde earned a level I certificate of study in CD client administration from the Institute for Challenging Disorganization, formerly known as the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization. Tomfohrde started her business, New Life Organizing, in 2005 to help people rid their homes and lives of clutter.

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