Business people

UnitedHealth Group Inc., Minnetonka, appointed Marianne Short executive vice president and chief legal officer. Short previously was global managing partner of Dorsey & Whitney and served as a Minnesota appellate judge from 1988-2000.

Copeland Buhl & Co., Wayzata, named Garry McCreary as chairman of the board. McCreary has been with the firm for 30 years. Copeland Buhl also named Nate Lilleodden managing partner of the firm. Lilleodden has 18 years' experience with the firm and became partner in 2003.

Buffets Inc., Eagan, appointed marketing executive F. Warren Ellish and restaurant executive Philip Friedman to the board of directors. Ellish and Friedman have more than 30 years of restaurant industry experience and held leadership positions in the restaurant and hospitality industries.

Donaldson Co., Bloomington, appointed Sheila Peyraud vice president and chief technology officer. Peyraud previously was the general manager of aerospace and defense business and joined Donaldson Co. in 1978.

United Properties, Bloomington, named Rob Loftus vice president. Loftus joined United Properties in 1988 and is a board member of the Boys & Girls Clubs. United Properties also named Kristi Olson vice president for the residential team. Olson was the founder and partner of Keystone Communities and before that chief executive of Twin City Christian Homes.

NAI Everest, Minneapolis, named Claire Roberts vice president. Roberts has more than 20 years of commercial real estate experience and most recently was associate vice president at UGL Services. She is on the board of trustees for the CREW Foundation and is a member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors.