DEBT AND EQUITY

St. Jude Medical Inc., Little Canada, said its board of directors authorized a share repurchase of up to $1 billion of its common stock. The repurchases will occur at such times and at such prices as the management of the company determines.

PERSONNEL

Regis Corp., Edina, appointed Steven Spiegel executive vice president and chief financial officer. Spiegel most recently served as vice president of finance and controller of Unilever Group. Brent Moen will step down as Regis CFO effective Dec. 3 and remain an employee through Jan. 4.

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Minnetonka, promoted Suzanne Riesterer to chief commercial officer. Riesterer has been executive vice president for finance and administration since 2009.

FOOD Minnesota Milk Producers Association, Buffalo, Minn., named Blue Diamond Dairy in Melrose as Minnesota's 2012 Producer of the Year at the Midwest Dairy Expo in St. Cloud.