Business Notes: August 8, 2021

The Gazette’s Business Notes is a compendium of the week’s promotions, new hires, certifications, added business lines and business events, among other items, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and the rest of the Corridor.

Information and photos can be submitted to Business Notes by email to businessnotes@thegazette.com, or on our site at thegazette.com/businessnotes.

New Hires

GreatAmerica in Cedar Rapids hired Tony Fitzgerald as director of sales operations and Kristine Norem as contract solutions leader.

Joachim “Joah” Seelos is now with CommUnityCrisis Services and Food Bank as law enforcement liaison to work with the Iowa City Police Department.

Arthur Kim joined the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation as development officer.

Skogman Realty hired Becky Bowman, Micah Stickley and Madi Welcher-White as Realtors.

Sam Edsill now is with The Gazette as special projects editor. He previously worked at the University of Chicago and the American Hospital Association.

Promotions

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library promoted Naomi Winder to national development and events director.

Skywalk Group in Cedar Rapids promoted Melissa Healy to manager of sourcing and quality.

Board members

Pat Airy, CEO of Goodwill of the Heartland, will serve a three-year term on Goodwill Industries International’s board of directors.

Certifications

Tanager Place has achieved national accreditation from the New York-based Council on Accreditation. The four-year accreditation distinguishes Tanager Place as a licensed organization that implements international best practices in the field of human services.

Cedar Rapids lawyer James Moriarty received the AV Rating from Martindale Hubbell, the primary roster and listing of lawyers nationwide.

Kudos

Mount Vernon clothing store Bauman and Co. received a $20,000 grant through Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Open 4 Business contest. Runner-up Avoca Flower Shop will receive a $10,000 grant and third-place winner Grill Works in Marion will obtain a $5,000 grant. All three businesses are located in a designated Main Street district.

More

Tanager Place launched the Meraki Institute of Learning to increase awareness and provide learning and growth experiences rooted in authenticity, empowerment and excellence.

Kasasa partnered with Collins Community Credit Union to debut Kasasa Loans in Iowa, a take-back loan program that allows consumers to borrow the money used to pay off their loan.

The Gazette’s June 8 Business Breakfast panel on “The Power Grid of the Future” can be viewed at thegazette.com/special-events/business-breakfast. Panelists were Mayuri Farlinger of Alliant Energy; Michaela Freiburger, Dubuque County Energy District; Kerri Johannsen, Iowa Environmental Council; Dusky Terry, ITC Midwest; and Chad Wiltz, Van Meter. BerganKDV, the business, financial and technology solutions company, is the series sponsor. Supporting partners are NewBoCo and Corridor Careers.