Business Notes for April 16, 2023

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

Kara Sabo has joined Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust as vice president, wealth management manager.

Macy Krug has joined Farmers National Co. as a professional farm manager and licensed real estate salesperson.

Jim Efting has joined Skogman Realty as a Realtor.

Election

Brad Brady of Brady Preston Gronlund was elected president of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers at the organization’s annual meeting.

Appointments

YPN has announced the addition of Diana Rodriguez, Chad Greenlee, Ellie Evans and Nikki Wilcox to its board of directors.

Ken Rupert has been appointed chief actuary at UFG Insurance.

Promotions

Deric Oshel was recently promoted to the rank of lieutenant and will serve as commander of the civil division for the Linn County Sheriff's Office.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office promoted Kevin Louis to the rank of sergeant and a supervisor in the Linn County Correctional Center.

South Slope Cooperative Communications has promoted Brian Hamacher to chief operating officer.

Events

LEADERSHIP OF FIVE SEASONS ANNIVERSARY: Leadership for Five Seasons will celebrate its 40th anniversary June 1, with all alumni invited to attend. The event will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Cedar Rapids from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Registration is at https://tinyurl.com/mryd8mtn. Cost is $60 per person, with a share of the proceeds going to the organization’s youth program.

BUSINESS BREAKFAST: Registration is now open for the next Gazette Business Breakfast on May 9, with a panel discussion planned on “Regional Collaboration Strategies.”

Johnson County entities collaborated to address quality-of-life issues and work on economic development during the pandemic. The north end of the Corridor also has evolving collaboration. How are we poised to work as a region toward economic growth, while still addressing individual needs?

Panelists will be Cady Gerlach, executive director of Better Together 2030; Tiffany O'Donnell, mayor of Cedar Rapids; Doug Neumann, executive director of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance; and Ryan Waller, city manager of Marion. Gazette Executive Editor Zack Kucharski will serve as panel moderator.

The breakfast and networking opportunity will run 7:30 to 9 a.m. May 9 at Geonetric, 415 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. To register and buy a $5 ticket, go to thegazette.com/special-events.

The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance is the presenting sponsor of The Gazette breakfast series, with community partner NewBoCo.