New DCR Chamber President Is an 'Industry Pro,' Board Says

Vicki Stute will replace current DCR Chamber president Ruthe Batulis on June 1.

The Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce has found a successor for current president Ruthe Batulis, who announced her resignation in January after nine years of service. Vicki Stute, a former executive vice president and CFO for the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, will take the reins at the DCR Chamber beginning June 1, according to an announcement released Monday. "Vicki is seen as an industry pro, with an extensive chamber of commerce and association management background in Minnesota, most recently as president of the Angel Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps adults with cancer and their families," DCR Chamber Board Chair Michele Engdahl said. "Vicki is well-known in the Minnesota chamber community and is often …

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Community Spotlight: Swenson Wants to Leave the World a Better Place

Eagan resident Scott Swenson's list of contributions to the community is nearly endless.

Some volunteers are so interwoven into the fabric of Eagan that they seem omnipresent, an integral part of nearly every organization or community initiative. Eagan resident Scott Swenson is one of those people. The list of local organizations that Scott Swenson has volunteered for is nearly endless, which is why Patch chose to recognize this longtime Eagan resident with a Community Spotlight profile. Swenson's enthusiasm for volunteer work goes back to his college days, when he was a member of a service fraternity. "I didn’t realize it right away, but I kind of figured out that we could make a difference and have fun at the same time," Swenson said. Since then, Swenson has taken on significant leadership roles at All Saints Lutheran Church…

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Why Was Halverson the Only Democrat to Vote Against the Health Insurance Exchange?

District 51B Rep. Laurie Halverson (DFL) says she has some serious reservations about the Minnesota House version of the health insurance exchange.

Last week, all but one of the Democrats in the Minnesota House voted in favor of a bill establishing a state health insurance exchange. Who was the lone DFL hold-out? Eagan's District 51B Rep. Laurie Halverson (DFL). While the bill eventually passed both the House and Senate, Halverson's vote against the measure stood out. Critics accused her of representing the interests of her former employer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, which is opposed to the bill in its current form, according to a recent Politics in Minnesota report. But the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce, which believes the insurance exchange will hurt the state's small businesses, applauded Halverson's decision. It's not as if Halverson opposes the idea of a …

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Donald Lee

3:34 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013

Can we get a correction in the header of this article. She is in 51B, not 52B?   more ›

DCR Chamber WomEn's Conference Kicks Off March 14

The mission of the event is to connect women and enrich their personal and professional lives.

Editor's Note: The following is a press release from the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Dakota County Regional (DCR) Chamber of Commerce is hosting their third annual WomEn’s Conference on March 14, 2013 at Lost Spur Golf and Event Center in Eagan, Minnesota. Their mission is simple, to connect women and enrich their personal and professional lives by providing the tools and resources to fulfill their aspirations. This event will feature keynote speaker, Jennifer “JJ” Schaidler, breakout speakers, Anne Pryor and Kathleen Crandall, closing panel of “Women to Watch” and a wine tasting reception. A marketplace of businesses offering their products and services related to Energizing, Educating and Empowering women will also be…

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Letter to the Editor: Halverson Made Good Choice on Health Exchange Bill

The Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce thanks Rep. Laurie Halverson (DFL) for voting against the health insurance exchange bill.

To the Editor: On behalf of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, and the Dakota County Regional Chamber, special thanks to Rep. Laurie Halverson, (DFL-Eagan) for voting against the health insurance exchange bill (H.F. 5) on the House floor Monday night. The business community believes a state-specific exchange will best serve the needs of Minnesotans, but we oppose the bill in its existing form. It raises costs for small businesses and individuals through a 3.5 percent premium tax and restricts choice. We commend Representative Halverson for looking out for the best interests of small businesses and individuals. Sincerely, David C. Olson, president, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Ruthe Batulis, president, Dakota County Regional Chamber of …

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Dakota County Regional Chamber's WomEn's Conference on March 14

The DCR Chamber is hosting its third annual WomEn’s Conference at Lost Spur Golf and Event Center in Eagan.

Follow Eagan Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter | Blog for us Editor's Note: The following is a press release from the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Dakota County Regional (DCR) Chamber of Commerce is hosting their third annual WomEn’s Conference on March 14, 2013 at Lost Spur Golf and Event Center in Eagan, Minnesota.  Their mission is simple, to connect women and enrich their personal and professional lives by providing the tools and resources to fulfill their aspirations. This event will feature keynote speaker, Jennifer “JJ” Schaidler, breakout speakers, Anne Pryor and Kathleen Crandall, closing panel of “Women to Watch” and a wine tasting reception.  A marketplace of businesses …

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Week in Review: Council Preserves Caponi Art Park, Pardon My French Closes

Catch up on all the latest headlines when you check out our "Week in Review" feature.

BLOGS: BUSINESS: COMMUNITY: GOVERNMENT: PUBLIC SAFETY: SCHOOLS:

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DCR Chamber President Ruthe Batulis Stepping Down

Batulis served as the Chamber of Commerce head for eight years.

Follow Eagan Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter | Blog for us Editor's Note: The following is a press release from the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce. Batulis is leaving to take up a role in civic engagement efforts in Spooner, Wis. The Dakota County Regional (DCR) Chamber of Commerce today announced that longtime president, Ruthe Batulis, will resign from her position effective Apr. 1, 2013, following an eight-year run as Chamber leader, where she fostered a culture of innovation, advocacy and relationship building. Batulis came to the DCR Chamber after gaining valuable experience at both the Bloomington and Burnsville Chambers of Commerce. In 2005, the then Northern Dakota County Chamber…

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Three Eagan Businesses Win Recognition for Environmental Leadership

More than half of the recipients of the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 Business Excellence Awards were based in Burnsville or Eagan, according to Sun Thisweek.

Eagan Art House, DCR Chamber Recruiting Local Artists for Rotating Exhibit

Want to exhibit your artwork in the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce offices? Get the details here.

Follow Eagan Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter Editor's Note: The following is a press release from the Eagan Art House. The Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Eagan Art House invite artists to display their artwork at the Chamber offices located at 1121 Town Center Drive, Suite 102. Artwork will be exhibited on a rotating basis for a minimum of 12 weeks. Solo artists or group artists are accepted. Selected artists will be responsible for their own installation and take down. Exhibits are coordinated by the Eagan Art House. To be considered for display, apply to the Eagan Art House by October 1. Applications are available on-line at eaganarthouse.org. Call Julie Andersen at the Eagan …

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