Vernon A. Raile, 60, senior vice president and chief accounting officer of MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE:MDU) will be promoted to executive vice president and chief financial officer effective Jan. 4, 2006.Warren L. Robinson, who currently holds that position, has elected to retire, effective Jan. 3, 2006. Robinson will continue to be employed by MDU Resources as a special projects advisor through Feb.17, 2006. Raile has been with MDU Resources for more than 25 years. He joined the corporation in 1980 as tax manager after serving at the Iowa Department of Revenue for eight years as the supervisor and director of the Income Tax Division. He was promoted in 1987 to assistant treasurer, in 1989 to controller and chief accounting officer, in 1994 to vice president, controller and chief accounting officer and then in 2003 to his present position as senior vice president and chief accounting officer. Raile is also a certified public accountant.