Who's News

Appointments

Neonatologist Dr. Pankaj Nagaraj (see photo) was named neonatal intensive care unit medical director at Allen Hospital. Nagaraj also serves at the NICU at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids.

Aid to Women in Cedar Rapids named new members to its board of directors: Ryan Burns (see photo); Steve Neighbor (see photo), treasurer; Kristy Staker (see photo); and Rick Kullander (see photo).

Promotions

A 25-year veteran of ACT Inc. was named president of the Iowa City organization's education division. Jon Erickson had been serving as interim president after the retirement of Cynthia Schmeiser earlier this year. Erickson started out in the organization's Midwest regional office in 1984, eventually rising to head that office. In 2002, he moved to Iowa City to become ACT's vice president of educational services, and he was later promoted to senior vice president in that area.

Elections

The Iowa Association for Justice installed new executive officers and members of its board of governors during its annual convention in Des Moines. Installed as executive officers were: Tom Staack, Dutton, Braun, Staack & Hellman, Waterloo, president; and Pressley Henningsen (see photo), Riccolo & Semelroth, Cedar Rapids, president-elect.

Sara Riley (see photo), Cedar Rapids, Judicial Subdistrict 6, was among those elected to the board of governors from various judicial subdistricts of the state. J. Dean Keegan, Iowa City, and Darin Luneckas (see photo), Cedar Rapids, were elected to at-large positions. Dave O'Brien (see photo) of Cedar Rapids received IAJ's 2011 Verne Lawyer Outstanding Member Award in recognition of his winning political leadership this past decade.