BUSINESS AWARDS
( L-R ) Kyia Britts , Lauren Welch Lofrumento , Kevin Whelan , Caleb Peterson . Kevin Whelan
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AND RISING STAR AWARDS
Every year , VHEDC takes pride in recognizing individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership both at work and in the community . Leadership qualities that set them apart from the rest include creativity , volunteerism , responsibility , problem solving , respectfulness , cooperation and organizational skills .
Business Leadership Award Recipient
The winner of the 2021 Business Leadership Award is Kevin Whelan , who is the President of Frandsen Bank & Trust in Vadnais Heights . Whelan really stepped up to serve both his organization and the community when the pandemic struck .
After the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act was signed into effect in early 2020 , Whelan oversaw the Vadnais Heights Frandsen Bank & Trust branch efforts of distributing Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) funds to customers and non-customers alike in the Northeast Metro . His leadership and focus helped the bank provide 100 loans to small businesses in the community during the first round of the program .
In addition , when a member of his team experienced a medical emergency that took the person out of the office for several months , Whelan visited the employee every day in order to make sure they received the care they needed to get better .
Whelan isn ’ t only a leader at work . He served on the Finance Committee for Merrick , Inc ., and both a past president and past board member of the VHEDC . He was also the chair of the Keith Warner Memorial Golf Tournament committee for several years , and has been a strong advocate of the North Metro Young Professionals program led by Hoglund Coaching .
Several young Frandsen Bank & Trust employees have participated in the program over the years . “ The biggest
42 Northeast Metro Business