Business Notes for Dec. 24, 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

Samantha Rogers has joined TrueNorth Companies as vice president of human resources and a member of the firm’s executive leadership team. TrueNorth is a privately held risk management and insurance brokerage business headquartered in Cedar Rapids.

The Cedar Rapids Downtown District has announced the hiring of Jennifar Bassett as the Downtown District’s program manager, effective Jan. 2. She will be responsible for carrying out projects and programs approved by the Downtown SSMID (Self-Sustainable Municipal Improvement District) Commission and regularly meet with downtown business and property owners.

Adam McAfee recently joined Hills Bank as vice president, branch manager, in its Coralville office.

Appointments

The Acterra Group has appointed Kidron Knox as chief operating officer. In this newly created position, Knox will lead sales, marketing, tank manufacturing and field services, reporting to CEO Tad Cooper.

Kudos

Luke Donah of Cedar Rapids Country Club has been named to the Golf Digest Best Teachers of 2024-25.

Other news

CIELO OPENS SECOND STORE: Cielo, a women’s clothing boutique and gift shop, has opened its second location at 125 S. Dubuque St. in downtown Iowa City in a space previously occupied by Basic Goods. Cielo means “heaven” in Spanish, a term of endearment from owner Monica Berry’s Guatemalan mother. Berry opened her first Cielo store in the Iowa River Landing District in 2021.