Cedar Rapids bank appoints first board chairwoman in Corridor

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust  has appointed Donna Sorensen as chairwoman of the board, the first woman to serve in that capacity at a Corridor bank.

Sorensen began her appointment on Friday, succeeding Chuck Peters who will continue to serve on CRB&T's board of directors. Peters, president and chief executive officer of The Gazette Co., served as chairman for six years.

Larry Helling, president and CEO of CRB&T, said Sorensen will bring a valuable set of skills and knowledge from her extensive experience in the financial services industry.

Sorensen is president and founder of Sorensen Consulting. She formerly served as executive vice president of trust and investments for Firstar Bank Iowa; president of SCI Pension Services, a unit of SCI Financial Group Cedar Rapids.

Sorensen is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law. She also is an active volunteer within the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City communities.

Re-elected to CRB&T's board in addition to Peters were Pat Baird, retired president and CEO of AEGON USA; Ann Lipsky, president of Smulekoff Investment Co. and Smulekoff's Furniture; Loren Coppock, managing director, TrueNorth Companies LLC; Randy Ramlo, president and CEO, United Fire Group; Fred Timko, chairman of the board, Point Builders LLC, and James Tinker, president emeritus, MercyCare Service Corp.