Business Notes for Jan. 28, 2024

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

Jon M. McCright has joined Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC.

April Haven, ARNP, has joined Mercy Neurosurgery Clinic in Cedar Rapids.

Gray Stefani & Mitvalsky, PLC announces the addition of two civil ligation lawyers, Matthew J. Nagle and Corinne R. Butkowski.

Promotions

Hills Bank announces the following promotions:

Mark Willis will become vice president of operations for UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital effective Feb. 12. Willis currently serves as director of St. Luke’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He has been with St. Luke’s since 2012.

Appointments

The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation's board of directors welcomes new members Jill Ackerman, Ray Brown, Craig Smith and Matthew Van Maanen. In addition, the board of directors has elected Jon Landon as 2024 chair; Michelle Neirmann as 2024 chair-elect; David Little as 2024 treasurer; and Anthony Arrington as 2024 secretary.

Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa has announced new board leadership for each of its area market boards. Both the Cedar Rapids and the Cedar Valley Area board of directors have each appointed one new member, while the Iowa City Area board of directors has appointed two new members. The new appointments have been made as of January 2024. New to the Cedar Rapids Area Board is Niki Lee, executive vice president, chief human resources officer, Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust. New to the Cedar Valley Area Board is Thomas Verhulst, attorney/partner, Beecher Law Firm. New to the Iowa City Area Board are Kara Sabo, first vice president wealth management officer, Hills Bank & Trust; and Stephen Simmons, director, trades, crafts and training, MidAmerican Energy Co.

Elections

Brucemore has announced the election of three new members to three-year terms on the board of trustees:

Officers elected to the Brucemore executive committee for 2024 include:

Washington County pig farmer Matt Gent is the new president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA). He took over the role during the organization’s annual meeting in Des Moines on Jan. 23. Gent and his family own a farrow-to-finish swine enterprise called Prairie Pork near Wellman. They also grow corn and soybeans.

Kudos

Mercy Medical Center has been recognized by Wellmark Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® with a Blue Distinction® Centers+ (BDC+) for Maternity Care designation as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. To earn this designation, facilities must safely deliver high-quality and cost-effective maternity care.

Dupaco Community Credit Union has been named a Best Place to Work by Employ Humanity. The member-owned financial cooperative was one of 20 employers Employ Humanity, a leadership development and culture design company, recognized throughout the United States. Employ Humanity recognizes employers who demonstrate excellence to the comprehensive well-being of its employees, industry and communities. This recognition is awarded annually to employers selected on qualitative methodology that considers leadership, culture and community impact.

Other news

New owners for Lindale Sears property: Reserve Development, an investment company based in Dallas, Texas, acquired the former Sears property at Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids. Redevelopment plans are underway to renovate the building and attract national retailers to the center. “We are excited to work with our new neighbors and witness the ongoing redevelopment.” said Becky Eckley, general manager of Lindale Mall.

Hometown Restyling brand “refresh”: Hometown Restyling has refreshed its brand and logo and created a new website. Wayne Winn founded the home remodeling company in 1986 in a rented shop in Hiawatha, before moving to its current location, 1205 N. Center Point Rd., in 1993. The company now has five owners: Tom Casey, president; Dave Wageman, sales manager; David Wilslef, marketing director; Tim Casey, window installation manager; and Brad Winn, sunroom manager.

GreatAmerica Giving: GreatAmerica Financial Services has announced its Employee Advised Fund completed its $500,000 annual pledge to the community by awarding $250,000 to nonprofits in the Cedar Rapids area. It was the second of two giving cycles in 2023. GreatAmerica also awarded $500,000 from its separate Donor Advised Fund. Employees selected the nonprofits to benefit from this round of giving by the Employee Advised Fund. The 15 nonprofits receiving grants ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 were the Catherine McAuley Center, Willis Dady Homeless Services, Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity, Families Helping Families of Iowa, No Foot Too Small, Waypoint, Marion Cares, Matthew 25, Boys and Girls Club, Horizons-A Family Service, Chelsey's Dream Foundation, Kids First Law Center, Junior League of Cedar Rapids, Indian Creek Nature Center and the Wheelchair Ramp Accessibility Program Coalition.