Business people

NorthStar Genetics, Wanamingo, Minn, named Lyle Marcus chief executive effective Oct. 1. Marcus joined the company in 2013 as a production manager and currently is chief operating officer for the U.S. operations.

Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) named Chad Leqve vice president, management and operations. Leqve was director of the MAC environment department and received the Randy Jones Award for Excellence in Airport Noise Mitigation, Abatement and Management in 2017.

Family Pathways, North Branch, named Lisa Mears executive director effective July 2. Meers was chief executive of VEAP in Bloomington.

Northern Plains Potato Growers, East Grand Forks, Minn., named Donavon Johnson president. Johnson was director of the resource management group for North Dakota Trade Office.

Wallin Education Partners, Edina, named Ellen Wolaner director of finance and operations. Wolaner was a management consultant for Ellen Wolaner & Associates and serves on the board for First Step Initiative.

Jones Day named Kelly Laudon of counsel for its business and tort litigation practice in Minneapolis. Laudon worked for Ballard Spahr.

HGA, Minneapolis, named Adaheid "Heidi" Mestad design anthropologist and senior associate in the Rochester office. Mestad was director of the Minnesota Children's Museum of Rochester and was manager of experience and engagement design for Mayo Clinic Destination Medical Center.

Architectural Antiques, Minneapolis, named Robert Brass store manager. Brass was a manager for Arhaus in Edina.

American Council of Engineering Companies of Minnesota, Minnetonka, gave Gene Sieve the Tom Roche Lifetime Achievement Award. Sieve is vice president, regional manager for Burns & McDonnell and serves on the board for the Metropolitan Economic Development Association.

Metropolitan Economic Development Association, Minneapolis, named Gloria Freeman entrepreneur of the year. Freeman is founder of Olu's Home and Olu's Beginnings in Minneapolis.