Patrick Kennedy
Reporter
Business, ResearchKennedy also has written about nonprofit organizations and mergers and acquisition activity.
Latest from Patrick Kennedy
Fastenal’s longtime CEO Dan Florness to retire this summer
The Winona-based company’s President and Chief Sales Officer Jeff Watts will become chief executive July 16.
December 22, 2025
Activist fund pushes SPS Commerce toward ownership, leadership changes
Toronto-based Anson Funds Management, which announced its stake in the Minneapolis-based company last week, said it has not reached its potential since current CEO was named.
December 17, 2025
AI changing the game on intellectual property, making it more important than ever
Merchant & Gould managing director says new laws have yet to catch up to the potential impact that AI will have on intellectual property rights.
December 9, 2025
In money-saving move, Plymouth-based Tile Shop looks to go private again
The small retailer wants to shed the expenses of being traded on the Nasdaq exchange because officials feel the company hasn’t been able to capitalize on being a publicly traded firm.
December 2, 2025
Minnesota startup has found a way to use lasers to reduce energy and water use by data centers
Maxwell Labs says cooling computer chip hotspots with lasers could drastically reduce energy consumption and increase computational power.
November 26, 2025
Private equity firm finally closes $627 million deal to acquire Surmodics
The deal with Chicago-based GTCR was announced in May 2024, but the Federal Trade Commission had moved to block the deal.
November 21, 2025
SkyWater Technology, now one of biggest U.S. chip foundries, switches growth focus to new tech
Small but fastest-growing business for Bloomington-based chip company is with quantum computing, which could be the next leap in the way computers work.
November 10, 2025
Fastenal CEO leads with Minnesota modesty and so far is hitting the mark
Dan Florness is known for being frank, and also for facing problems before they show up in results.
November 8, 2025
Sleep Number has turnaround plan after 11 quarters of sales declines
New CEO Linda Findley said the company will simplify the line and restore marketing dollars. The company lost $40 million in the third quarter.
November 6, 2025
Minnesota software company going private through a $2.2B deal
Minneapolis-based software company Jamf is being acquired by global equity firm Francisco Partners.
October 29, 2025
Thrivent’s dividend has doubled since 2021, giving clients a record $590M payout this year
Well-placed private equity investments, plus strong performance by the stock market, resulted in the boost.
October 27, 2025
Personal security benefits for CEOs increase after killing of UnitedHealth executive
Annual survey of public company proxies also finds CEO pay is at record levels, increasing 11% this year.
October 23, 2025
