MONDAY, NOV. 13, 2017  |  IN THIS ISSUE  

Washington-based SmartScripts Holdings has completed $2.5 million of new investment funding to commercialize its Regimen Management Pharmacy solution for people who need to manage their daily medications.

The funding was led by the Rural Vitality Funds in partnership with Next Level Ventures, the Iowa Startup Accelerator and other Iowa-based investors.  
 
"SmartScripts' novel approach represents the continued evolution of the practice of pharmacy," said Adam Koppes of the Rural Vitality Funds in a press release. "We could not be more excited to begin working with SmartScripts as they continue to tackle the large problem of prescription medication adherence."  

The new investment will be used to expand SmartScripts' sales efforts, hire additional talent and enhance its Regimen Management Pharmacy solution.
 
Company officials said the product was developed to help people taking multiple daily medications. Prescriptions are sorted and packaged in personalized medication pouches based on the time of day and automatically delivered to the home free of charge once monthly. The prescriptions are also typically provided at a lower cost than traditional pharmacies.
 
"Traditional pharmacy models have become impersonal and confusing, which is leading to negative health outcomes." said Todd Thompson, president and CEO of SmartScripts, in an announcement. "Our team manages every aspect of a patient's prescription process from coordination with prescribers, to insurance authorizations."
 
Maybe it's China using open
remote access to steal your customers' personal information. Or maybe it's one of your own vendors using ransomware to snatch credit card numbers.

Those were just two of the random, fictitious attack scenarios attendees at the CBJ's second-annual Cyber Security Breakfast generated by rolling specially made dice, before asking a panel of experts to weigh in with possible solutions. The rolling of dice was an apt metaphor for a cyber environment where massive breaches, hacking and ransomware attacks make the nightly news regularly and keeping data secure can feel like a game of chance.

"Do not be negligent - the threat is real and it is large," said Shadrack Roberts, a cybersecurity and privacy official and chief information security officer with HQ Army Sustainment Command - one of five panelists offering their cybersecurity expertise at the event, held Nov. 1 at the Cedar Rapids Marriott.

"For many of those mid- to small-size companies in this Corridor, it's a daunting task when you have companies like Equifax that are getting breached," Mr. Roberts added. "The good news is, there is help and you are not alone."

That message - that the threat is real, but one that can be mitigated - came through repeatedly as part of the discussion, presented and moderated by ProCircular CEO Aaron Warner, and sponsored by ImOn Communications, along with sponsors Grinnell Mutual, Involta, RSM US LLP and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Below are a few of the highlights from the panel, which also included Mr. Roberts, Jane Drews, chief information security officer at the University of Iowa; John Henk, senior vice president and chief information officer, MidWestOne Bank; Andrew Neller, information security manager and security official, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield; and Travis Wendling, manager, risk advisory services, RSM US LLP. 

Read the full, members-first story in this week's print or digital edition of the CBJ.

The Corridor Business Journal is taking registrations for its Dec. 7 Workforce Awards event, to be held from 7:30-10 a.m. at The Hotel at Kirkwood.
 
This third-annual event recognizes 12 of the region's workforce leaders for their effective recruitment and retention strategies. Categories include:
  • Internship Program [Large Company] - Alliant Energy
  • Internship Program [Small Company] - MSI Mold Builders
  • Marketing and Recruitment Campaign - UFG Insurance
  • Hiring Strategies of Iowa Graduates - Mercy Medical Center
  • Employer and Education Workforce Collaboration - Raining Rose
  • New Jobs Training 260E - Circle Computer Resources
  • Training for Existing Employment Needs - CRST International
  • Retention Campaign - CliftonLarsonAllen
  • Diversity Workplace Strategy - Rockwell Collins
  • Nonprofit Talent Engagement Strategy - Horizons, A Family Service Alliance
  • Publisher's Award [Large Company] - Transamerica
  • Publisher's Award [Small Company] - Greater Iowa City Area HBA
 
Following the presentation of awards, Kim Becicka, vice president, continuing education and training services at Kirkwood Community College, will moderate an honoree panel discussion. Panelists include Shonna Dean of Mercy Medical Center, Dale Larsen of MSI Mold Builders, David Little of CliftonLarsonAllen, Jennifer Moreland of Raining Rose and Tim Ruth of Homebuilders Association of Iowa.
 
Attendees will receive a copy of the Workforce Leaders supplement, outlining the honorees' successful strategies and advice for companies that are looking to get started.
 
Tickets are $45 through Nov. 30, and $60 after. Breakfast will be provided. For more information to register, visit  www.corridorbusiness.com/events, or contact Ashley Levitt at  [email protected] or (319) 665-6397, ext. 311.
 
Following the Workforce Awards, Kirkwood will host a "Recruit. Retain. Develop." workshop, featuring a panel of 2016 Workforce Awards honorees. To register, visit www.kirkwood.edu/talentsupplychain.
Story4Re-opened McDonald's invites customers to taste the future 
 
An old Iowa City favorite, the McDonald's restaurant at 1861 Lower Muscatine in Iowa City, is getting a new futuristic look.

The restaurant, owned and operated by Kevin O'Brien, will celebrate its grand re-opening Friday, Nov. 17. It will be the first McDonald's in Johnson County to debut what the company calls "the Experience of the Future." The newly re-opened restaurant will feature self-serve kiosks, mobile ordering, dual-lane drive through ordering and a sleek, modern interior/exterior.
 
To celebrate, the restaurant will donate 75 cents from every self service kiosk transaction between Nov. 17 and Dec. 16 to the Dream Center and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois. The restaurant will also host a neighborhood party on Saturday, Nov. 18 featuring breakfast bingo, including prizes and free coffee for all players, from 8-10 a.m. and family activities from 2-4 p.m., including face painting, balloon twisting, giveaways/prizes and an appearance by Ronald McDonald.

The O'Brien family has operated 11 McDonald's restaurants in Iowa, Johnson, Washington, Muscatine, Scott and Cedar counties for 59 years. For more information on attending this event, please contact Michelle Shalla at 319-471-5537 or [email protected].
Story5Tech meets fashion in IC this week
 
The integration of fashion and technology will take center stage this week with several events celebrating costume designer Machine Dazzle.

The University of Iowa's Hancher Auditorium will host  Machine Dazzle on Nov. 14-15 for a site visit ahead of performance artist Taylor Mac's appearance at Hancher in April. Machine Dazzle is Mac's costume designer and many of his costumes will be on display at Hancher during a weeklong residency in the spring. During the site visit, Machine Dazzle will work with an advisory group from the university and community to plan his April residency which will lead up to Iowa City's Flyover Fashion Fest and the Taylor Mac performance.

During the designer's visit, he will attend a reception at M.C. Ginsberg on Tuesday, Nov. 14 from 6 to 7 p.m. Area artists are encouraged to attend. As part of the event, The Fashion Lab will be unveiling designer Erica Cole's motor-powered dresses. Throughout the fall, The Fashion Lab has been collaborating with the M.C. Ginsberg Design Studio to produce garments that integrate technology into fashion.

Following the reception, the party moves to RAD, Inc., 123 E. Washington St.,  for a fashion show featuring Iowa City drag stars Haus of Eden and I.C. Kings as well as Cole's garments. Doors open at 8 for the 8:30 p.m. show. Cover is $10 and drinks will be provided.

EventHeadlinesShort-Term Event Planner

Nov. 13 
  Women of Innovation Awards, by Technology Association of Iowa, 4:30-8 p.m., The Meadows
Event Center, 1 Prairie Meadows Drive, Altoona. The 10th-annual Women of Innovation awards recognize and celebrate women in business, government or academia who are leaders in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). A reception and networking will begin at 4:30 p.m., with the dinner and awards ceremony starting at 6 p.m. Cost: $115-$135. For more information or to register, visit technologyiowa.org.

Innovation Center Discussion No. 3, by John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, 6 p.m.,
Pomerantz Center, C20, 213 N. Clinton St., Iowa City. Join this final workshop to offer your opinion and
insights as JPEC representatives and the Massive Change Network attempt to define what could happen i n a facility devoted to innovation. Free and open to   the public.  

Nov. 14
EIHRA Corridor Update, by the Eastern Iowa Human Resource Association, 7:30-9 a.m., The
Hotel at Kirkwood Center, 7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids. Join for a presentation by
the ICAD Group and the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. Cost: Free for members, $15
for non-members. For more information or to register, visit bit.ly/2hOCNU6.

National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon, by Eastern Iowa Association of Fundraising Professionals, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Radisson Hotel & Conference Center   , 1220 First Ave., Coralville.   The Eastern Iowa Chapter of the AFP will honor individuals   and organizations who best represent the spirit of philanthropy in our community. Cost: $20/members, $45/nonmembers before Nov. 3. To register, visit   http://conta.cc/2xkqPnT.

Strategic Planning for Leaders, by ICAD Group and Kirkwood Community College, 2-4 p.m.,
136 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. Dan Ebener will share his knowledge about how to ensure that strategic planning can be a fun, engaging and meaningful experience. This session will introduce you to Mr. Ebener's eight-step process, which he has used with more than 150 organizations. Cost: $25. Call (319) 398-1022 or visit bit.ly/2yO5mY5 to register.

Pub Club, by EPIC, 4-6 p.m., Backpocket Brewery, 903 Quarry Rd., Coralville. Join the Empowered
Professionals of the Iowa City Area for drinks and casual networking during the last Pub Club of 2017 Free. For more information, visit www.iowacityarea.com/member-resources/epic/.

ITI Facility Visit: Freund-Vector Corp., by International Traders of Iowa, 5:30-7 p.m., Freund-Vector
Corp., 675 44th St., Marion. Local manufacturing company Freund-Vector will host the ITI's annual member company facility visit. Pizza and soft drinks provided. Cost: $10 for m ember  s, $12 non-members, $5 students. To register, visit iowatraders.org.

Graphic Means Screening, by AAF:CR-IC, 6-8:30 p.m., Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth
Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Join the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City chapter of the American Advertising
Federation for a screening of Graphic Means," a documentary on the history of the graphic
design industry. A Q&A and discussion of processes and design problem solving will follow the
screening. Cost: Free for members, $10 for non-members. For more information, contact [email protected].
 
Be a know-it-all

Forward the FREE CBJ Business Daily newsletter to your friends and colleagues, and share the feeling of being informed! Use our fast, one-minute subscription to the CBJ's newsletters here, or check out our other subscription options here.

See something we missed? Send tips, leads, corrections, etc. to [email protected].
Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28  
 
Police in Cedar Rapids are treating a death of a man found near Coe College as a homicide. Police found the 40-year-old victim at a home in the 1500-block of D Avenue NE around 9:45 p.m. Sunday. The cause of death has not been released by the Medical Examiner's Office. No one is yet in custody and the investigation is ongoing.

Five years ago assistant pastor and former police officer, Bill Graham started a safety team. It formed after Graham attended training on church security by the U.S. Marshals Service. The team of 12 parishioners trained in the laws of self-defense, and armed with a gun in church. "I teach eight hours worth of tactical shooting class, actually go to a range and teaching safety, safe handling of a weapon, how to be accurate," Mr. Graham said. The team trains regularly including active shooter training. He knows there are mixed feelings about guns in the church and he agrees its not a place you should need them but the shooting at a church in Texas brings a new level of understanding. "Now I honestly believe that they are more comfortable (with it) than they've ever been, seeing what has happened just a week ago," he said. The brutal attack in Sutherland Springs has also triggered wider interest in Mr. Graham's expertise. "Since last Sunday I've received 15 or 16 calls from churches all over America, California, Illinois, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Louisiana, I could go on and on, that want me to schedule and come teach them security and safety," he said. On top of armed parishioners the doors are locked during the service and a safety team member watches the door to let in anyone running late. It gives another layer of security to a church they believe is well protected.
    
T hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28 
CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails'  Weather First Forecast

Areas of dense fog possible through the late morning, especially in southeast Iowa. Otherwise, there will be mostly sunny skies today and cool temperatures in the low to mid 40s. Clouds will build overnight and showers will be developing. Light rain/drizzle will be possible through the day Tuesday. Skies will clear for Wednesday and it will be breezy. But on Wednesday afternoon temperatures will climb to near 50 and above normal for the first time in 19 days. Thereafter cooler air will move in and send temperatures back below normal on Thursday to highs in the low 40s.