Sauer-Danfoss Inc. announced today that it has appointed Jesper Christensen as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective May 1. He will replace Karl Schmidt, who announced his retirement today to pursue other business interests. Sauer-Danfoss has major manufacturing operations in Ames.

The Iowa Senate has confirmed three Iowa credit union leaders’ appointments to the Credit Union Review Board within the Credit Union Division of the Department of Commerce. Dave Cale, CEO of Financial Plus Credit Union of Des Moines, and Tim Marcsisak, CEO of Nishna Valley Credit Union of Atlantic, were confirmed to two open positions on the board; Denise Dolan, board chair of Dupaco Community Credit Union of Dubuque, was reappointed to her position. The board oversees the operations of the Iowa Credit Union Division and approves any administrative rules proposed by the superintendent. The terms run from May 1 through April 30, 2012.

Hubbell Realty Co. announced yesterday that it has acquired 67 home sites from First American Bank. Originally developed by Regency Homes, the sites are located in Glenstone Ridge across from Horizon Elementary School in Johnston and Meadow Vista at the corner of Orinoco Court Southwest and 28th Avenue Southwest in Altoona. Hubbell will begin construction on townhomes and detached villas on the sites immediately.

Despite a 3.1 percent decrease in carbon dioxide emissions from U.S. power plants nationwide last year, Iowa was among six states that had a CO2 emissions increase of 1 million tons or more. The nationwide decrease was linked to the recession and milder-than-usual weather, according to a new report from the Environmental Integrity Project, and reversed years of steady increases. However, the Department of Energy predicts that carbon dioxide emissions from power generation will increase 15 percent from 2009 to 2030 due to new or expanded coal plants. Iowa was among 10 states with the largest CO2 increases over the past 10 years, with an increase of 6 million tons. The report is available at www.environmentalintegrity.org.

The Center on Sustainable Communities will host a lunch and learn on the Iowa Department of Economic Development’s Green Streets program on Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the West Des Moines Community Center, 217 Fifth St. The cost is $10 for members and $20 for nonmembers. Register by tomorrow at www.icosc.com.

May 1 is the deadline for the 2009 John Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan Competition. Businesses in existence for less than six years are eligible to enter for a chance to win up to $25,000. Applicants must fill out an entry form and submit an executive summary of their business plan. For more information, go to www.iowabusinessplancompetition.com.

The majority of U.S. women are concerned about the cost of food and are looking for bargains, dining out less often and comparing food prices to try to cut costs. Those are among the findings of the Better Homes and Gardens “The Food Factor: How America Cooks, Eats and Shops” study, which looked at more than 2,100 women’s motivations, attitudes and behaviors relating to food. The survey also found that 79 percent of women select a brand of food based on “value for the money,” 83 percent try to save money by preparing meals regularly, approximately three out of four women are eating at home primarily to cut back on spending and restaurant expenses, and 64 percent are more concerned about wasting food than they were two years ago. On average, women spend $105 per week on groceries, $34 more than they did two years ago.

As part of National Start! Walking Day, the American Heart Association and Lt. Gov. Patty Judge will host a rally at the north entrance of the state Capitol tomorrow at 11 a.m., followed by a walk. To register a team for the 2009 Greater Des Moines Start! Heart Walk on June 6, go to www.dsmheartwalk.org or call Joani Matalone at 246-4566.