Business Notes for Oct. 9, 2022

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

Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center has named Leslie Wright as its new director.

Emily Freeman joined Mercy Pediatric Clinic.

Samantha R. Kuntz is now with Lynch Dallas law firm.

Aaron Greenwald will be the new programming and engagement director for the University of Iowa’s Hancher Auditorium and Office of Performing Arts and Engagement.

Promotions

Skywalk Group promoted Kyle Noesen to manager, client support.

Kudos

Blake Helms and Kyle McLaughlin of the Strellner Financial Group have been named to the NAIFA Advisor Today’s 4 Under 40 2022.

OPN Architects received American Institute of Architects Iowa Excellence in Design Awards for its work on Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust and the Flint, Mich., Public Library.

The firm also received Excellence in Energy-Efficient Design Awards from Alliant Energy and MidAmerican Energy for their work on Cedar Rapids Community School District’s West Willow Elementary School.

Appointments

The local branch of the American Association of University Women in Cedar Rapids has announced Linda Armitage as president; Jeaneal Weeks, vice president-membership director; Trudy Sundermann, finance director; Deanna Howard, secretary and web consultant; Sue Jorgensen, communications; Carol Hedberg, webmaster and communications; Deborah Reed, membership and finance committee; Barbara Goings, programming and policy; Anne Kiche, diversity and equity and inclusion director; and Sofia DeMartino, adviser and consultant.

Insights and sessions

The Gazette Business Breakfast panel’s third-quarter discussion, “A Small Business’ Tool Kit for 2023: Lessons we’ve learned and challenges — and opportunities — for which we can be prepared,” now is online at https://bit.ly/3eD04Wv. Panelists are Paul Andreasen, founder and owner, Saucy Focaccia; Sydney Rieckhoff, CEO, Almost Famous Popcorn; and Kymberly Stevenson, Targeted Small Business Development Program manager, Iowa Economic Development Authority. The discussion series was sponsored by BerganKDV.

The latest installment of the “Gazette Spotlight on …” series of recorded interviews also is available to view at business.thegazette.com. This group of interviews recognizes businesses and organizations for their focus on growth. Interviewed are Luke Bishop of BAE Systems; Matt Swift of Big Grove; Sarah Nelson of Comm-Unity Crisis Service; and Drew Martel of Foundation 2. Also, the Better Business Bureau Cedar Rapids office joined The Gazette in speaking with Marc Meyer of Inteconnex. The series was sponsored by TrueNorth Cos.

Monthly in-person networking and informative breakfasts sponsored by SCORE are held at Scott's Family Restaurant. The next breakfast will be 7:30 to 9 a.m., Oct. 27. Go to scorecr.org for more information.