Westell names interim execs

AURORA — Westell Technologies’ board of directors has appointed Kirk R. Brannock as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer and Dennis O. Harris interim chairman of the board. Brannock, 58, served as a member of Westell’s board of directors from February 2011 to September 2014. He retired in 2010 from his position as senior vice president — Ethernet deployment at AT&T after a career spanning more than 30 years. Previously, he served in leadership positions at AT&T, Ameritech and SBC. Brannock succeeds J. Thomas Gruenwald. The Board plans to initiate a search for a permanent CEO, likely retaining an executive search firm, with such search expected to be completed within the next six months. Harris and Thomas P. Minichiello, Westell’s senior vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer and secretary, will help execute interim executive leadership duties until Brannock joins the company on Oct. 17.

Baxter makes diversity list

DEERFIELD — Baxter International has been recognized by Thomson Reuters as a Top 100 company for outstanding practices in diversity and inclusion in its inaugural Diversity & Inclusion Index. The index and ratings are designed to transparently and objectively measure the relative performance of companies against factors that define sustainable, diverse and inclusive workplaces. The Diversity & Inclusion Index and Ratings from Thomson Reuters are based on a composite of data from publicly available information sources that define diverse and inclusive workplaces. These sources include annual reports, company websites, stock exchange filings, corporate social responsibility reports and news sources. “Baxter is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment that attracts, engages and retains a diverse workforce to drive health care innovation that betters the lives of the patients we serve,” said Baxter Chairman and Chief Executive Officer José (Joe) Almeida.

Missner completes 2 projects

DES PLAINES — The Missner Group has completed construction of two retail spaces, comprising 10,000 square feet at 29 E. Orland Square Drive in Orland Park, and completed construction of a 4,000 square foot Mattress Firm location at 1044 S. Route 59 in Naperville. The two new Orland Park retail properties are in an outlot of Orland Square Mall. The Missner Group demolished two existing buildings and constructed the exterior shells for a Mattress Firm location as well as a space to be occupied by a new restaurant, State & Main. The Naperville project involved demolishing an existing building at Route 59 and Ogden Avenue, to construct another new free-standing shell for Mattress Firm. The Missner Group also constructed a new parking lot for the facility as well as completed extensive landscaping and utilities. Bob Nomellini led the construction team, which included Kent Nepras as project manager and Bill Uchyn as project superintendent.

Millworking firm to move

ST. CHARLES — NAI Hiffman’s Perry Higa recently represented Out of the Woods, a high-end, commercial millworker, in the sale of its 8,579-square-foot building in St. Charles. Terms of the sale were not announced. The property at 3805 Commerce Drive was sold to Ruben Aburto, owner and operator of Abzenco Welding, who has relocated his business from Batavia to its new location in St. Charles. Steve Morken of Morken Associates represented Abzenco Welding in the purchase.