Thrivent Financial has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as a 2015 World’s Most Ethical Company.
The designation recognizes organizations that have had a material impact on the way business is conducted by fostering a culture of ethics and transparency at every level of the company. This is Thrivent’s fourth consecutive year earning the recognition.
Thrivent is one of four companies in the financial services category honored in 2015.
“Conducting our business according to highest ethical standards is what our membership expects, and we strive to meet those expectations,” Teresa Rasmussen, senior vice president, general counsel and secretary for Thrivent, said in a release. “Being named to this prestigious list for the fourth year in a row is a wonderful acknowledgment of our commitment to business ethics.”
The World’s Most Ethical Company assessment is based on the Ethisphere Institute’s Ethics Quotient framework, which is a way to assess an organization’s performance in an objective, consistent and standardized way. Scores are based on five main categories: ethics and compliance program, corporate citizenship and responsibility, culture of ethics, governance and leadership, innovation and reputation.
Benjamin Weerts and Brad Nelson of Grand Rapids, financial consultants with the Crossings Group of Thrivent Financial, serve the International Falls area.
Jordan Pearson
A local real estate agency has joined the National Association of Realtors.
Island View Realty recently joined NAR after applying, being approved by its board, and completing a code of ethics training, Island View Realty owner Jordan Pearson said. The training is based on professionalism and protection of the public, he said.
“We are very excited to be part of this large organization,” Pearson said in a release. “It will not only help our office but also help our clients because our office will have profiles on www.realtor.com, access to a 24/7 attorney hotline, all of our forms will be available online and signed electronically, and so much more.”
According to Pearson, the NAR is dedicated to serving America’s property owners at both a local and national levels and is the largest professional association with over one million members.
A recent letter from a bipartisan group of senators, including both from Minnesota, calls for an investigation into paper imports from foreign countries which may be hurting the industry.
Minnesota U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken signed a letter calling for the U.S. International Trade Commission to look into uncoated paper imports from Australia, Brazil, China, Indonesia and Portugal.
According to the letter, the U.S. uncoated paper industry faces unfair trade practices which puts the industry at a competitive disadvantage as imports are dumped at significant margins and benefit from government subsidies.
The letter cites the closure of 15 uncoated paper machines at eight mills in the U.S. that have shut down since 2011, eliminating nearly 2,500 jobs.
“The pace of mill and paper machine closures has accelerated as imports have grown,” the letter reads. “These closures are devastating not only for the companies and workers directly involved, but for thousands of families, small businesses, and local and state governments that rely on paper mills for their livelihoods and economic survival. We ask that you thoroughly and objectively review the facts in this case and help ensure that American businesses and workers are able to compete on a level playing field.”
The eight mills that have experienced layoffs since 2011 are:
- Boise Paper, International Falls, 256 workers.
- Domtar in Ashdown, Ark., 110 workers.
- Georgia-Pacific in Crossett, Ark., 20 workers.
- Harbor Paper in Hoquiam, Wash., 175 workers.
- International Paper in Courtland, Ala., 1,127 workers.
- Lincoln Paper and Tissue, Lincoln, Maine, 200 workers.
- Mohawk Fine Papers, Hamilton, Ohio, 137 workers.
- Wausau Paper, Brokaw, Wis., 450 workers.
The Domtar Corporation and Packaging Corporation of America have filed antidumping petitions against unfairly priced imports of uncoated paper, which includes copy paper, as well as paper used in books, brochures, maps, business forms and flyers.
A March 6 release from the ITC states the commission has determined there is a “reasonable indication” the U.S. uncoated paper industry is “materially injured or threatened with material injury” because the imports “are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and that are allegedly subsidized by the governments of China and Indonesia.”
Because of the commission's determination, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue its investigation on imports of these products from Australia, Brazil, China, Indonesia and Portugal, with preliminary determinations on offsetting duties due sometime in April.
Benjamin Weerts
Sen. Amy Klobuchar
Sen. Al Franken
Jordan Pearson
