Business Notes for June 11, 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

Thaddeus Ennen has been named the new general director of Cedar Rapids Opera.

Frederick W. James joined RSH Legal as a trial attorney in January. He practices personal injury law with a focus on medical malpractice matters.

Appointments

UFG Insurance appointed controller Kelly Allsup as an assistant vice president within corporate finance.

His Hands Free Clinic has announced the members of its board of directors executive committee: Dr. Don Paynter, president; Phil Hershner, vice president; Kimberly Ivester, secretary; and Beth Disselkoen, treasurer.

Promotions

Design Engineers has promoted Adam Bunnell to associate principal.

OTHER NEWS

IOWA CITY MASQUERADE BALL: Black professionals in Johnson and Linn counties are invited to the inaugural Masquerade Ball to be held 7 p.m. July 1 at Old Brick in Iowa City. The evening of networking will offer “glamour, mystery and elegance” and masquerade masks, according to organizers. Tickets are $50 per person. To RSVP, go to tlard@jdbeautysupply.org.

SUMMER INTERNS: Three events are being planned to welcome summer interns to the Corridor. The first was Thursday night at NewBo City Market. The next one will be 4 to 6 p.m. June 29 at Big Grove Brewery and Taproom in Iowa City. And the final one is planned from 5 to 7 p.m. at restaurants in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Marion. The events are hosted by the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, Iowa City Area Development Group and MEDCO. Organizations interested in enrolling a college student in the “Ignite ICR” program can email Lucy Schneekloth at lschneekloth@cedarrapids.org.

CELEBRATION & RIBBON CUTTING: A ribbon-cutting is set for 11 a.m. June 22 at the Chris and Suzy DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia, located in HallMar Village, 9000 C Ave. NE in Cedar Rapdis. The DeWolfs provided a $2 million lead gift for the center, which will focus on research, training and education to improve the lives of individuals with dementia. In addition, the Mercy Center for Memory Health has moved to the Innovation Center. HallMar Village is being developed by Mercy Medical Center as a senior living community in partnership with Presbyterian Homes & Services.

NEW BANK BUILDING: Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust broke ground Thursday afternoon at 116 Sixth St. NE, where a three-story, 34,000-square-foot building will be going up. The $19 million project will house 30 full-time equivalent employees, with space for up to 115 workers.

ELY DEVELOPMENT: Skogman Realty has announced the launch of Main Street Legacy, a mixed-use commercial and residential development in Ely.

NEW DIGS: “The Morning Scramble Morning Show” on radio station Z102.9-FM unveiled a remodeled workspace June 2 in a ribbon-cutting at 1110 26th Ave. SW. The show’s Clare Duffy and Erin Hanson were named Iowa Broadcasters of the Year last year by the Iowa Broadcasters Association.

LEADERSHIP: Thirty-five individuals from the Cedar Rapids metro area have been selected to participate in the 41st class of Leadership for Five Seasons. Participants spend one Friday each month, for 10 months, in leadership training and traveling to industries within the city. Since the program started in 1983, nearly 1,400 business professionals have gone through the training. To see the Class of 2024, visit cedarrapids.org/membership/leadership-for-five-seasons-cr-metro-economic-alliance/lfs-adult-class/