Business Notes for Aug. 31, 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

Deanna Derlein has joined Trees Forever in the new role of human resource manager.

Myrna Boyle has joined Hills Bank as senior vice president, internal audit and controls, in the Hills office.

Promotions

At Hills Bank, Scott Appleget was recently promoted to senior vice president, credit administration, in the Hills office.

At UnityPoint Health — St. Luke’s Hospital, Karla Pisarik has been promoted to patient experience director.

Kudos

Darin Luneckas, founder of Luneckas Law, P.C., has been named 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” for Cedar Rapids in the category of Workers' Compensation Law — Claimants, by the group/publication The Best Lawyers in America®.

Appointments

United Fire Group, Inc. has announced the appointment of Gilda L. Spencer as a new independent member to its board of directors. As a Class A director, Spencer will serve on the board’s risk management and compensation and human capital committees.

Elections

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists House of Delegates has elected Shellie Pike of Fairfax to serve as vice president for the 2025-2026 term. This is Pike’s fifth term as a board member. Pike has worked as a registered radiologist assistant for Radiology Consultants of Iowa in Cedar Rapids for 17 years.

Other news

Small Business of the Week: U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, has announced Orange City Family Animal Care of Sioux County in northwest Iowa as her small business of the week. Established in 1984 by Dr. Dave Bomgaars as Orange City Veterinary Clinic, the practice later became part of Pipeline Veterinary Services. In 2023, Dr. Laura Vander Stelt purchased the companion animal portion, now known as Orange City Family Animal Care. Since then, the clinic has expanded to a 10-person team and is building a larger facility downtown. The clinic gives back to the community by supporting local schools and youth programs, as well as donating pet oxygen masks to local fire departments. 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.