GreatAmerica Financial Services announces staff additions

NEW HIRES

GreatAmerica Financial Services, Cedar Rapids, announces these staff additions: Alyssa Nelson (see photo), previously with MediRevv, as funding specialist; Cory Hall (see photo), previously with Walmart, as account support adviser; Dan Gogel (see photo), previously with Collective Data, as vendor transaction manager; Jenelle Paulson (see photo), previously with Transamerica, as senior accountant; Laura Seiwald (see photo), previously with Premier Advisors, as account support adviser; and Tamara Karamitros (see photo), previously with Verizon, as strategic technology analyst.

The City of Cedar Rapids has hired Gail Loskill (see photo) as parks and recreation communications coordinator, Greg Buelow (see photo) as public safety communications coordinator and Emily Muhlbach (see photo), previously with Tanager Place, as development services communications coordinator.

CliftonLarsonAllen LLP has hired Shuo Zhao (see photo) as an associate and Fred Paulsen (see photo) as manager, Tax, in its Cedar Rapids office.

Emily McMahon (see photo) has been named development director for Summer of the Arts, an organization that sponsors free summer festivals, concerts and outdoor movies in downtown Iowa City.

Monica Cornelius, previously with UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's Hospital, has joined Northwestern Mutual in Hiawatha as a financial representative. She will be associated with The Zach Group.

PROMOTIONS

Samuel E. Jones (see photo) and Jason R. Sytsma (see photo), associate attorneys at Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, were voted in as new members of the law firm and promoted to vice presidents.

Shawn Ireland (see photo), previously a deputy with the Linn County Sheriff's Office, was promoted to sergeant and assigned duty in the Linn County Correctional Center. Ireland also received the Service Above Self award from Cedar Rapids Rotary West.

O'Neal Manufacturing Services has promoted Roger Blakesley, previously a sales manager, to enterprise account manager, and Adam Scharpman, previously in outside sales, to strategic account manager, in its Cedar Rapids location.

CERTIFICATION

John Evans (see photo), vice president and LPL financial adviser at MidWestOne Bank in Iowa City, received certified fund specialist designation.

Kristine Vogt of Barvinek Appraisal Service, Cedar Rapids, has earned certification as a Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser.

Erb's Technology Solutions, Cedar Rapids, has achieved Select Certification with a small and midsize business specialization from Cisco and Mobility Computing and Advanced Data Capture Certifications from Motorola Solutions.

BOARD MEMBERS

Dave Ver Woert (see photo) of TrueNorth was elected to the United Benefit Advisors board.

The History Center has named to its board Andrew Almoayed (see photo), Alliant Energy; Samuel Jones, Shuttleworth and Ingersoll; Jennifer Pruden (see photo), Czech Village-New Bohemia Main Street Program; Susie Weinacht (see photo), Iowa PTA; Becky Esker (see photo), professional organizer, author, speaker and business success coach; and Jill Wilkins (see photo), current member of New Bo City Market board of directors and Leadership for Five Seasons Class of 2014.

The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance has named Nancy Kasparek of U.S. Bank as chairwoman of its Policy Board and Lydia Brown of Ascent as vice-chairwoman. Named to leadership positions of its Innovation Councils are: Scott Gasway, J.P. Gasway Inc., chairman, and Tom Hughes, Hughes Nursery and Landscaping, vice chairman, Business Support Innovation Council; Bill Courter, Courter Law, chairman, and Lois Buntz, United Way of East Central Iowa, vice chairman, Community Development Innovation Council; and Duane Smith, TrueNorth Companies, chairman, and Tim Kortemeyer, Penford Products Co., vice chairman, Economic Development Innovation Council.

NEW OWNERSHIP, NAME

Mitesh Patel has purchased the former Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, 4444 Czech Lane NE, Cedar Rapids, and rebranded it Country Inns & Suites North. Teron Townsend is the general manager. Patel also owns the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Fort Dodge. For more information, call (319) 294-8700 or visit www.countryinns.com.

KUDOS

Lorrie Bell (see photo), a certified inspector for the ARC-190 radio program, has been named Rockwell Collins 2013 Volunteer of the Year for her work on behalf of children with mental health issues, and men and women serving in the U.S. military.

MediRevv, a health care revenue cycle management company in Coralville, ranks third in the Extended Business Office category in the 2013 Best in KLAS: Software and Services Report.

CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS

The Iowa Pork Regional Conference will be Friday, Feb. 28, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Johnson County Extension Office in Iowa City. There is no cost for those who preregister - call (800) 372-7675 or send email to schristensen@iowapork.org; otherwise, it is $5 at the door.

MISCELLANEOUS

Nominations are open for the 2014 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards, celebrating innovative business leaders who turn vision into reality. Deadline is March 14. To nominate a candidate or for more information visit ey.com/us/eoy/um.

Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman, Cedar Rapids, has launched its new website. For easier accessibility, visit www.simmonsperrine.com.