CEO Archives - KVRR Local News

Visit Fargo-Moorhead Hosts Annual Luncheon, Awards Ceremony

This was the first annual luncheon for new CEO Shirley Hughes since she took over for the departing Charley Johnson in September of 2025.

February 19, 2026

Gabriel Ostler,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Business owners, community organizers, and, of course, the leadership of Visit Fargo-Moorhead filled the Avalon Events Center on the afternoon of February 19. There was a lot to champion regarding tourism in 2025 and its impacts on the local economy. At the helm for her first-ever annual awards luncheon was the new CEO of Visit Fargo-Moorhead,…

Aptopix Federal Enforcement Immigration Minnesota

Minnesota CEOs issue joint letter urging de-escalation in Minnesota after shooting

January 25, 2026

KVRR Staff,

Protesters confront federal agents outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minn. (AP Photo/Tom Baker)NEW YORK (AP) — More than 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies including Target, Best Buy and UnitedHealth signed an open letter posted on the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce website on Sunday calling for state, local and federal officials to work…

Ann Prifrel takes over as new CEO of Great Plains Food Bank

January 13, 2026

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Great Plains Food Bank is now under the new leadership of Ann Prifrel. She brings more than a decade of executive leadership experience in hunger relief, nonprofit management and large-scale fundraising. Prifrel most recently served as Chief Development Officer of Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida. She is a Midwest native. “I’m proud to be the…

Former CVB employee returns to Fargo after nearly 30 years as its CEO

September 2, 2025

KVRR Staff,

FARGO, N.D. (KFGO) – A former employee of what was known as the Convention and Visitors Bureau has been hired to replace Charley Johnson as Chief Executive Officer of Visit Fargo-Moorhead. Shirley Hughes will succeed Johnson, who’s retiring next week after heading the agency the past 13 years. Hughes has worked in marketing, organizational growth and brand development in travel,…

Sandi Piatz Named New CEO of United Way of Cass-Clay

The local businesswoman and community figure has lived in Fargo with her family since 1998.

July 23, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Sandi Piatz is a North Dakota native and has resided in Fargo with her family since before the turn of the century. She’s felt a deep connection to the area and has had ties to the United Way that stretch back many years, so when she was approached about the possibility of filling their vacant CEO…

Hegland Succeeds Herman as Prairie St. John’s CEO

March 6, 2023

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Prairie St. John’s has a new CEO: Ty Hegland. He takes over running the mental health hospital after serving for the past five years as President and CEO of Sharehouse, a substance abuse center. He also previously served as an executive at Sanford Health. Hegland succeeds Jeff Herman who served as Prairie St. John’s CEO for…

Sanford Health announces layoffs

October 19, 2022

Site Staff,

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KVRR) – In a letter to employees from CEO Bill Gassen, Sanford Health announces it will lay off an undetermined amount of employees systemwide. The health system says it has worked on renewing focus on delivering exceptional health for the last two years. “This includes new investments to advance the care we provide, closing out programs outside…

Krabbenhoft Paid $49 Million When He Departed Sanford Health

November 15, 2021

TJ Nelson,

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KVRR) — The former CEO of Sioux Falls-based Sanford Health was paid $49 million when he stepped down in late 2020. Kelby Krabbenhoft had lead the company since 1996, turning it into a regional health care giant. He left after writing an email to Sanford employees making controversial statements about COVID-19 and mask use. Sanford Health in…

The Chamber chooses Shannon Full as new president & CEO

It announced who is taking the position at a conference this morning

October 13, 2020

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MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber announced its new president & CEO. It chose former president & CEO of TwinWest Chamber in Plymouth, Minnesota Shannon Full. The Chamber’s search committee worked with an executive search firm to help find Full and the other candidates. With over 20 years of experience, Full worked on chambers in Iowa, Florida, Wisconsin &…

Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber names new CEO

Full will begin her new role in December 2020.

October 13, 2020

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MOORHEAD, Minn.–The Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber has named Shannon Full as its new president and CEO. Full will begin her new role in December 2020. According to the Chamber, Full has over 20 years of Chamber experience from four states. She is currently the president and CEO of TwinWest Chamber of Commerce in Plymouth, Minnesota. Sandi Piatz, chair of…