Business Notes for April 20, 2025

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 at https://www.thegazette.com/business-notes/submit/

New hires

Lisa M. Gaspar Thompson has joined ImOn Communications’ leadership team as vice president of business transformation, where she is responsible for driving business and technology innovations. She received her bachelor of science in management from Iowa State University and her Master of Business Administration from the University of Iowa, graduating with distinction.

Ryan C. Shellady has joined the firm Bray & Klockau, P.L.C., specializing in areas of divorce, custody, child support/alimony, modifications, guardian ad litem services, and other family-related matters.

GreatAmerica Financial Services has announced the following new team members: Max Stevens, charge management specialist; Mia Peyton, credit analyst; and Nathan Welch, portfolio manager.

Promotions

At the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Dave Beuter was promoted to captain and will serve as the assistant jail administrator in the Linn County Correctional Center; Todd Egli was promoted to lieutenant and will serve as the commander of the Criminal Division (Detective Bureau); and Alan Bennett was promoted to sergeant and will serve as a supervisor in the Linn County Correctional Center.

Hills Bank recently promoted Laura Hill to vice president, trust officer, in the North Liberty office.

Appointments

Joining Tanager’s operating board are Brian Brandt of Strategic Financial Solutions; Clark Haker of Dakota Red Corporation and Patty Lynott of ImOn Communications.

Ben Rogers has joined St. Luke’s Foundation as the senior director of development.

Lindsey Stanley recently transitioned to a new role as a pediatric nurse practitioner at Mercy Pediatric Clinic. She previously was a nurse in Mercy’s Pediatric Clinic and Pediatric Inpatient Center.

Kudos

Bradley Shelman, a private wealth adviser with Ameriprise Financial in Iowa City, was named to the list of “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” published by Forbes. The list recognizes financial advisers who have demonstrated high levels of ethical standards, professionalism, and success in the business

Other news

Bank branch relocation: The Cedar Rapids branch of Community Savings Bank will be relocating to downtown Cedar Rapids. Currently located at 3414 Mount Vernon Rd. SE, the bank will be relocating to 100 First Ave. NE #116, Cedar Rapids, also known as the Cedar River Tower in downtown Cedar Rapids. The new space offers expanded facilities, improved accessibility and new opportunities for engagement in the Cedar Rapids metro area.

Networking: SCORE in-person round tables for networking and business skills development will be held Thursday in Cedar Rapids. The breakfast meeting will be from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Scott’s Family Restaurant, 1906 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE. The lunch meeting in Cedar Rapids will be at 11:30 to 1 p.m. at Parlor City Pub & Eatery, 1125 Third St. There also is a round table in Waterloo on Tuesday from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Cabin Coffee, 2040 Kimball Ave. For more information, email mark.hermann@scorevolunteer.org

Small Business of the Week: U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, has announced Mike Molstead Motors of Floyd County in northern Iowa, as her small business of the week. In 1982, while attending the University of Northern Iowa and playing football, Mike Molstead began selling cars at a local dealership in Cedar Falls. He worked his way up to general sales manager before deciding to start his own dealership. In 1995, he opened Mike Molstead Motors in Charles City. The family business has since expanded to a full-service dealership across two locations, and will celebrate its 30th anniversary this month. Ernst, chair of the Senate’s Small Business Committee, is naming one exceptional small business of the week in each of Iowa’s counties during this congressional session.