Business Notes for April 21, 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

Katie Clark recently joined the Care Connections Clinic as a nurse practitioner at Mercy Cedar Rapids.

At Cottage Grove Place, Michon Scott has joined as director of nursing and Susan Bednar has joined as marketing and sales director.

Promotions

Cedar Rapids-based GreatAmerica Financial Services has promoted Mitch Leahy to vice president and general manager, office equipment group. He succeeds Jennie Fisher, who recently was named group president, office technology.

Elections

Tim Wesselink has joined the board of directors at His Hands Free Clinic in Cedar Rapids.

Rue Patel and Diana Ledford have been elected to the board of directors of The Hall-Perrine Foundation in Cedar Rapids.

Kudos

Bob Brown, CEO of Modern in Cedar Rapids, was featured on “Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid” on Thursday on the Fox Business News Network. The segment featured the company’s 85-year history, its innovative products and its impact on industry. The interview can be viewed on Modern’s website, moderncompaniesinc.com.

Dr. Dustin Arnold, chief medical officer for UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital, has been named a CMO to Know for 2024 by Becker’s Hospital Review. This list recognizes physician leaders who champion patient safety, uphold standards, act as liaisons between leadership teams and medical staff and manage risk.

Pete Alepra, financial advisor at RBC Wealth Management in Cedar Rapids, has been named to the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list in the United States. The rankings, developed by SHOOK Research, are based on best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, assets under management and revenue generated.

Eric Conlon and Andrea Kearns of Marion are among 16 UScellular associates who have been awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award by the president of the United States for volunteering more than 200 hours in 2023.

Other news

Blue Lagoon Spa opens in Hiawatha: The Hiawatha Economic Development Corp. held a ribbon cutting Thursday for the new Blue Lagoon Pool and Spa at 1200 N. Center Point Rd. in Hiawatha. The pool, hot tub and swim spa business, previously located in Cedar Rapids, will hold its grand opening April 27. Breanna Rickels owns the business and one in Coralville with her father, Jeff Frink. The business has 10 employees. For more information, go to https://bluelagoonic.com/.

Koopman Partners open in Marion: Sean Koopman has opened Koopman Partners, offering “contrarian” investment fund services focusing on four industries: industrials, materials, energy, and consumer goods. A ribbon-cutting for the business, launched last June, was held Thursday at the Marion Chamber of Commerce. For information, visit koopmanpartners,com or call (319) 540-2812.

Balanced Fitness & Health anniversary: Balanced Fitness & Health will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its physical and occupational therapy clinic in Hiawatha in May. Coffee and doughnuts will be served from 8 to 10 a.m. May 7 at the original clinic, 2200 Heritage Green Dr., Hiawatha. On May 8, an open house with drinks and appetizers will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the clinic opened in 2021 at 855 Wright Brothers Blvd. SW in Cedar Rapids. The Cedar Rapids clinic features an expanded area for work conditioning that will be open for tours, founder and CEO Melissa White said.

SCORE workshops: SCORE in-person workshops for networking and business skills will be held Thursday, April 25, in Cedar Rapids: 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Scott’s Family Restaurant, 1906 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chrome Horse, 1201 Third St. SE. A workshop also is available in Waterloo on Tuesday, April 23, from 8:30 to 10 a.m.at Cabin Coffee Company, 2040 Kimball Ave. For more information, email mark.hermann@scorevolunteer.org.

Small business of the week: U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, last week recognized The Landmark Bistro of Grundy County as small business of the week. Jill Krausman opened the bistro in Grundy Center in 2015 as a community gathering space. Krausman was named one of the 40 Women to Watch in the Hospitality Industry by the Iowa Restaurant Association. Ernst, the ranking member on 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.