Business Notes for Oct. 8, 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

Ashlee Vander Hoek has joined Hills Bank as wealth management officer in its North Liberty office; and Melissa Flowers recently joined as financial reporting officer in its Hills office.

GreatAmerica Financial Services has announced the following new hires: Kendra Miller, account support adviser; Jenny Lester, HR administrative coordinator; Tyler Tinkey, portfolio manager; Petie Coffman, advanced salesforce admin; and Jess Johnson, documentation leader.

The Iowa Bicycle Coalition has announced the hiring of Luke Hoffman as its new executive director.

Promotions

Jessica Drees has been promoted to senior accountant at Dahm, Knapp & Associates, PC.

Jake Isbell and Heath Engelbart have been promoted to senior project managers at Nelson Electric.

UFG Insurance has promoted Kelly Allsup to a vice president within corporate finance; Kelly Dybvig to an assistant vice president, organizational development within human resources; and Kate Galligan to a vice president within the Cedar Rapids branch.

Appointments

The History Center has announced the appointment of four new members to its board of directors, as well as the full slate of executive officers for 2023-24. Joining the board of directors are Jack Gonder, Barbara Holden, Zack Kucharski and Liz Mathis. The 2023-24 slate of executive officers include Chris Wand, president; Wendy Buresh, vice president; Kris Gulick, treasurer; and Jan Altorfer, secretary.

Certifications

Doctor of physical therapy Caley Ploessel of Balanced Fitness & Health was awarded the Certified Professional Ergonomist credential by the board of certification in professional ergonomics.

Kudos

Carrie Thompson of Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC has been recognized by Best Lawyers as 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for litigation — health care, Cedar Rapids.

Eric and Ben Van Kerckhove, owners of Allegra Marketing Print Mail in Cedar Rapids, recently were honored by Alliance Franchise Brands, a world leader in marketing, graphics and visual communications, with the Sales Pinnacle, Sales Growth and the Circle of Excellence awards.

Other news

NEW LOCATION: The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival invites the community to an open house event at the nonprofit’s new location in the historic Veteran’s Memorial Building, 51 First Ave. Bridge. The open house will take place on Oct. 26 beginning at 4 p.m. and will include guided tours, giveaways, and an official ribbon cutting with the Cedar Rapids Economic Alliance Ambassadors.

ANNUAL RUG EVENT: Ten Thousand Villages, a nonprofit in downtown Iowa City, is hosting its seventh annual Fair Trade Rug Event Oct. 11-15 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Conference Center at the Iowa River Landing, 300 E. Ninth St., Coralville. Approximately 300 rugs, handmade in Pakistani homes by “fairly paid adult artisans,” will be available for purchase. Last year’s event raised $50,000 for Pakistani women.

NATIONAL PUBLICATION: Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery and its single malt, QuintEssential, was featured in the Fall 2023 edition of Whisky Advocate, which focused on American single malts.