Business notebook: Goodhue County celebrates 10 years with South Country

Goodhue County representatives received a plaque Aug. 27 commemorating their partnership with South Country Health Alliance during the company’s 10th anniversary and open house celebration.

“It’s because of the commitment and perseverance of our counties and all those involved that we’re here today,” South County Health Alliance CEO Leota Lind said. “This could not be done on our own — it is a partnership.”

Goodhue County is one of 11 in Minnesota that joined to form South Country. Others in the partnership are Brown, Dodge, Kanabec, Morrison, Sibley, Steele, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena and Waseca counties. Through SCHA they can purchase and maintain accessible health care for their Minnesota Health Care Program enrollees.

SCHA began enrolling members in November 2001. Eleven years later it has more than 23,000 members and offers five different programs to meet the needs of Minnesota Health Care Program enrollees in its 11 partnering counties.

• Dennis Koehl will resign in mid-September from his post as Xcel Energy’s senior vice president and chief nuclear officer.

Koehl is moving to Texas to become chief executive officer at South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Co. He has worked for Xcel since October 2007.

Xcel Energy Chairman, President and CEO Ben Fowke said an interim chief nuclear officer will soon be named.

“We have many qualified nuclear professionals in the company who have the leadership skills and experience to operate our nuclear facilities safely and reliably during the transition.”

• The Cannon River Winery in Cannon Falls is welcoming its guests to become members of a fall harvest crew.

Crew members have their choice of four shifts each weekend during harvest season. Every harvest shift entails picking grapes, dining alfresco and wine tasting in the vineyard. The shifts run from 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

People should email harvest@cannonriverwinery.com.

• Terry Cook of Red Wing was recognized by Norwex as the No. 3 senior executive sales leader in the United States at the Norwex national conference in Minneapolis.

Cook’s sales team generated more than $5.4 million in sales last year for Norway-based Norwex, a company that produces cleaning and personal care products.

“I was honored to be recognized at the conference,” said Cook, who has been a Norwex representative since 2006. “Not only do the Norwex products help our customers clean better and live healthier lives, but my team is made up of individuals who have improved their lives and learned to build their own futures with Norwex.”