Business Notes for June 9, 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.

Promotions

Hills Bank recently promoted Pam Loan to wealth management service center manager/officer in its North Liberty office.

Other news

Kendra Scott to open at Iowa River Landing: Kendra Scott, an American fashion and lifestyle brand, will be opening in August at the Iowa River Landing in Coralville. The company, founded by Kendra Scott in 2002, started with a focus on colorful jewelry pieces. The boutique has since added home decor, beauty products, accessories and gifts to its 100-plus stores.

Timberline Manufacturing award: RTX, the owner of Collins Aerospace, has given its Premier award to Marion-based Timberline Manufacturing for performance in 2023 for overall excellence in cost competitiveness, collaboration and customer service. Timberline, 1029 Blairs Ferry Rd., specializes in electrical component manufacturing of wire harness, control panel, electromechanical and advanced electronics assembly, with services that include engineering support, prototyping and product testing.

Collins inks Colombian fleet deal: Avianca, a leading airline in Colombia, has selected Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, to provide wheels and brakes to its new fleet of 103 A320neo aircraft over the next 15 years. Collins currently equips Avianca’s fleet of A320ceo and A320neo aircraft with wheels and brakes.

Series for summer interns, young professionals: Greater Iowa City is launching a free event series this summer for interns, college students and early career professionals who are living or working in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids area this summer. The goal is to connect young individuals to the community and help area employers retain talent in Iowa. The Ignite IC series, in collaboration with the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, starts June 20 with an evening of bowling, golf and curated programming. Future plans include a panel discussion in downtown Iowa City, newsletters and volunteer opportunities and resources to provide “a connected and eventful summer.” To learn more and to register, go to https://greateriowacity.com/ignite-ic/

Small business of the week: U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, last week named the Farmers Hen House of Washington County as her small business of the week. Eldon T. Miller started the business in 1997 in Kalona, partnering with three Amish and Mennonite farms to produce and sell organic eggs. He founded the Organic Growers Group in 1995. His neighbor, Mark Miller, bought the Farmers Hen House in 2000. Today, Mark’s son, Ryan, is president of the business and has spearheaded outreach efforts, including collaborations with culinary experts to develop egg recipes; creation of The Scramble podcast; and a community blog. Farmers Hen House donates more than 12,000 eggs a week to food banks in Iowa. 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.

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