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- Robin Graham, MSW, SWLC, announces the opening of her counseling practice, Robin Larrick Graham Counseling, LLC, located at 286 Fifth Ave. EN in Kalispell. Graham’s clinical focus is depression, anxiety, grief, as well as school-related, career, parental, midlife and relationship issues. She works with groups and individuals, from “tweens” to adults, helping them strengthen their capacity to manage difficult emotions, negative belief systems, life situations and transitions. Call for a free phone consultation at 406-270-3422.

- Patrick Landon has joined Cherie Hansen’s team at Re/Max of Bigfork. A Montana native, Landon grew up in Bigfork and attended the University of Montana. He is a sixth-generation Montanan and a third-generation Montana Realtor with strong marketing and sales experience, having managed teams at two Fortune 500 companies.

- NXGEN, a Whitefish-based technology company that delivers state-of-the art payment solutions to merchants globally, has announced its partnership with SumUp, one of Europe’s leading financial technology companies that is poised to become the first-ever global card acceptance brand.

SumUp’s proprietary, end-to-end payments platform is the first fully certified EMV mPOS system in the world to cover the entire payment process: card acceptance terminals, mobile apps, a payment processing platform and risk and anti-fraud solutions. SumUp’s contactless terminal has been specifically developed for the U.S. and connects wirelessly to any smartphone or tablet. The company said it offers the most advanced EMV-compliant mPOS device in the U.S. market, allowing merchants to accept payments in-store and on the go.

Giuseppe Caltabiano, president of NXGEN International, said the roll-out of the global partnership “enables NXGEN to offer payment services in a complete OmniChannel solution.

“SumUp satisfies the needs of a brand new business, entrepreneur or large enterprise who decides to begin accepting payments, overnight,” Caltabiano said in a press release. “The SumUp App and Card Reader work on iOS and Android devices as well as multiple online payment functionalities, making it the unique winner in its space.”

NXGEN is the largest global Merchant Service Provider, serving over 13,000 merchants in multiple countries. The company has recorded double-digit growth year after year since opening its doors in 2002 and grew to become the largest MSP/Independent Sales Organization (ISO) in processing volume.

- MKM Event Management Inc. of Kila has won a $36,480 federal contract from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency for rental of audio/visual equipment and graphics productions during the U.S. Army’s annual meeting. The place of performance will be at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.

* Lauri Morris, life enrichment director at Prestige Senior Living at Kalispell, recently received the National Center for Assisted Living Noble Caregiver in Assisted Living Award. The national center, one of the nation’s leading assisted-living advocacy organizations, recognizes individuals and communities from around the country who demonstrate exemplary care. Morris has served as life enrichment director of the Kalispell facility since 2015 and was recognized for her positive contributions that improved quality of life for residents and helped lead to a better work environment for the Prestige Assisted Living at Kalispell community.

Morris was nominated for the award by her colleagues for her role in introducing many memorable and impactful programs for residents at Kalispell. One of her most successful initiatives is a program called “Celebrate Your Neighbor,” where Morris works with a select resident each month to share their life story with other residents, family members, and staff. As part of this program, she also takes time to find and invite meaningful acquaintances to surprise the resident during their special event.

- Flathead Electric Cooperative joins the nation’s 29,000 cooperative businesses in recognizing National Cooperative Month in October. Cooperatives are businesses owned and operated by their member-owners, and 30 million Americans — more than a third of the country — are members of a co-op. A recent survey found that the vast majority of consumers believe businesses owned and governed by their members are more trustworthy than those that are not. In a nutshell, cooperatives put people first and are motivated to meet their needs. Members are invited to stop by sometime during the week of Oct. 16-20 to enjoy a cookie in celebration of National Cooperative Month. The main office of Flathead Electric is located at 2510 U.S. 2 E. in Kalispell.

- Stack Financial Management of Whitefish has been named to Barron’s 2017 list of the “Top 100 Independent Financial Advisers” in the United States. The firm jumps up to No. 39 in the ranks and is the only firm to be recognized from the region that includes Montana, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota. Barron’s “Top 100” elite group of advisers are ranked based on a matrix of over 100 different criteria, including assets under management, revenue growth, quality of service, and client satisfaction and retention. This marks the 10th recognition for the Stack firm by the financial publication, which began vetting top firms in the nation 11 years ago.

“Stack Financial Management is honored to be recognized by Barron’s as one of the top independent financial advisers in the country. This achievement is shared by each member of our remarkable team who is committed to providing the highest quality of client service from our office on the shores of Whitefish Lake,” said James Stack, president.

Stack Financial Management is noted for its “safety-first” investment philosophy and manages over $1.2 billion in accounts for high net worth individuals spanning all 50 states ($750,000 account minimum). Stack founded the firm in 1994, and also owns and operates InvesTech Research, an independent financial research firm.

- JCCS, a regional accounting firm with locations in Great Falls, Hamilton, Helena, Kalispell, Missoula and Whitefish, has acquired Lopach & Carparelli, a firm in Helena. The purchase will further serve the needs of JCCS’ clients through the addition of experienced tax accountants who specialize in business tax for agricultural companies and medical and dental practices, according to JSSC President and Chief Executive Officer John Stevens.

“Adding Lopach & Carparelli complements our vision to be sought out for accounting and advisory services based not only on what we do, but for how we think and the difference we make,” Stevens said. “This firm is made up of longtime Helena residents with a commitment to their community and their clients.”

The firm also moved offices in Helena to better serve its clients and employees and is located at 3060 Cabernet Drive, Suite 2, in Helena.

- Greg Jewell has joined Immanuel Lutheran Communities as chief financial officer, while Sarah Shepard is the organization’s new chief development officer.

Jewell replaces Dale McDaniel, who retired after nearly 18 years with Immanuel Lutheran Communities. He brings more than 16 years of experience in health care and senior living, including 15 years with Mid Coast Hospital in Maine, primarily as controller. There, he was part of the organization’s rapid growth, including the addition of a nursing home, home health, a retirement community and physician practice and construction of a new hospital. Jewell then spent time in golf management and private country clubs before joining the management team of Sagewood, a full-service life plan retirement community in Phoenix. Jewell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance from the University of Maine and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern Maine. He and his wife have four adult children.

Shepard comes to Immanuel Lutheran after working as director of development for the Montana Wilderness Association and director of advancement for the Montana Community Development Corporation. A graduate of the University of California-San Diego with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, she discovered while working with the Vermont Foodbank development department that she had a passion for helping others and talent for the administration of raising money. Returning to San Diego, she worked for 10 years at ElderHelp, ultimately becoming associate executive director and directing the agency’s financial, development and operational activities. In 2007, Shepard received her certified fundraising executive designation. She successfully has recertified every three years since. In 2012, Shepard became director of development of Project Wildlife in San Diego after several years of volunteer board service. Soon after, she and her husband relocated to Montana.