THURSDAY, NOV. 19, 2020 | IN THIS ISSUE

UI's Tippie College elevates acting dean to permanent role
New unemployment claims rise due to seasonal layoffs
• McGrath sells CR collision business to Texas company
IC Area Homebuilders name 2020 award winners
• Reynolds announces additional pandemic housing aid
• Corridor events, KCRG-TV9 headlines and First Alert Forecast
UI's Tippie College elevates acting dean to permanent role
Amy Kristof-Brown, who has served as interim dean of the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business since March 1, will become the college's permanent dean, UI officials announced today.

Ms. Kristof-Brown, also a Henry B. Tippie Research Professor of Management, will assume the new role Dec. 1. She succeeds Sarah Gardial, who was named dean of the Massey College of Business at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, in March 2020.

“Dean Kristof-Brown has demonstrated tremendous talent as interim leader of Tippie, and I know she will continue to move the college forward as its permanent leader,” said Kevin Kregel, interim executive vice president and provost, in a release. “I am delighted that she has agreed to serve the college and university in this way.”

Ms. Kristof-Brown was one of three finalists who participated in virtual campus visits in October and November - the second round of campus visits by prospective candidates after the University of Iowa relaunched an external search in June to “recruit a new and diverse pool of strong candidates.” After hosting virtual forums with three candidates in April and May, the university paused the search. In addition to Ms. Kristof-Brown, the UI hosted Paolo Volpin, who leads the Cass Business School at City University of London and Tom Steenburgh, senior associate dean for the University of Virginia-Charlottesville’s Residential MBA Program.

Ms. Kristof-Brown joined the Tippie faculty as an assistant professor in the Department of Management and Organizations in 1997. She served in numerous roles since, including director of the department’s graduate studies and department executive officer. She was named senior associate dean of the college in 2017.

She earned an undergraduate degree in psychology and business administration from the University of Richmond and a Ph.D. in organizational behavior and human resource management from the Maryland Business School at the University of Maryland. Her research interests focus on the compatibility or fit between individuals and their work environments. She is co-editor of the book “Organizational Fit: Key Issues and New Directions,” and has published more than 20 articles in academic journals, as well as several book chapters.

Ms. Kristof-Brown has served on 30 doctoral and master’s thesis committees. She is a past associate editor of the Journal of Applied Psychology and of the Journal of Business and Psychology, and is a fellow of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology and the American Psychological Association.

She presents regularly to companies and student groups on topics including finding a good fit during the job search, the millennial and Gen Z workforce, managing change, and negotiating for what you need. 

“Working through the challenges of 2020 with my colleagues in the Tippie College and at the University of Iowa has been truly inspiring,” she said. “I am excited to continue to develop our research reputation, build meaningful learning experiences for students, and engage deeply with our corporate and non-profit partners. I’m ready to lead Tippie to the next level as a destination business school for faculty, students, professionals, and life-long learners.”

Ms. Kristof-Brown will receive an annual salary of $450,000. Her appointment must be approved by the Iowa Board of Regents.

PHOTO: Amy Kristof-Brown
New unemployment claims rise due to seasonal layoffs
Iowa's unemployment rate rose to its highest level since late summer, according to Iowa Workforce Development, which reported 6,312 initial unemployment claims filed in the state between Nov. 8 and Nov. 14 — a 1,095 jump over the previous week's adjusted numbers.

IWD also reported the number of continuing weekly unemployment claims was 35,242, an increase of 29 from the previous week. 

The agency said November through February are traditionally the months that see the most unemployment claims, driven by increased claims in construction, agriculture, landscaping and manufacturing due to seasonal layoffs. 

For the week ending Nov. 14, 2020, nearly 44.1% of claimants indicated their claims were not COVID-19 related. Industries with the most claims included manufacturing, with 1,177; construction, with 945; self-employed and independent contractors, with 771; health care and social assistance, with 676; and accommodation and food services, with 418.
McGrath sells CR collision business to Texas company
The McGrath Family of Dealerships announced earlier this week it had sold its Cedar Rapids McGrath Collision Center to Caliber Collision, a Lewisville, Texas-based company that bills itself as the nation's largest collision repair company.

"After proudly serving Cedar Rapids with elite level auto body services for years, there’s a new name on the door," McGrath said in an online announcement. "Effective Monday, Nov. 9, McGrath Collision Center officially became Caliber Collision, joining their family of over 1,100 locations across the country."

McGrath said Caliber would keep the same team and "bring along with them the values, principals and commitment to quality you’ve come to expect over the years"

No details of the sale were immediately available.

McGrath Collision of Dubuque will continue operation as normal.
IC Area Home Builders name 2020 award winners
McCreedy-Ruth Construction topped the list of winners when the Greater Iowa City Area Home Builders Association (HBA) presented its yearly awards during a virtual annual meeting Nov. 12.

The Riverside-based company founded in 1997 by Kevin McCreedy and Tim Ruth won the HBA's 2020 Builder of the Year honor in recognition of its "outstanding and dedicated service to the building industry."

Mr. McCreedy and Mr. Ruth, joined this year by partner Sam Jones, have been leaders in the HBA, especially in the workforce development arena. McCreedy-Ruth was integral last summer in the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) student chapter Durant High School obtaining a trailer and skid steer by being the sponsor organization and spearheading the purchase process. In October, the company was spotlighted by Iowa Ideas for demonstrating the success of apprenticeships for workforce development.

Other 2020 award winners include: 
 
Sandy Steil, MMS Consultants, Associate of the Year: Ms. Steil was cited for her time and dedication to the HBA, including her role as the HBA’s Women’s Council representative to the association’s board of directors.

Ms. Steil "takes time to give HBA leaders perspectives it doesn’t have and provides insight on development plans to come early in the process," the HBA said. She was honored over the summer with an Ovation honor by the Iowa Women’s Foundation for her part in creating the Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s Home Improvement Confidence Course for Women, which taught hands-on home-improvement skills. 
 
Josh Anderson, Bea Day Plumbers, Remodeler of the Year: The owner of Bea Day Plumbers, long-time supporter of Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity, and NAHB Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist this year helped IVHH complete an aging-in-place project for a couple suffering debilitating illnesses. In addition, Mr. Anderson assisted when the HBA received a request through its Remodelers Council’s Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County grant in February to fix water issues for a woman who lived with her young granddaughter.

"Before the application was even approved, Anderson and Bea Day Plumbers replaced the hot water heater to stop a leak and restore hot water to the home," the HBA said.

Star Equipment, Industry Partner: Star Equipment was honored for its "commitment to the building industry’s future." Star Equipment aided Durant High School in buying a trailer and skid steer last summer so the school could offer students the rare opportunity to learn how to safely operate the equipment, a qualification that makes them "highly marketable and critical assets to the skilled-trades workforce shortage." 

IMAGE: McCreedy-Ruth Construction was named the 2020 Builder of the Year by The Greater Iowa City Area Home Builders Association Nov. 12. CREDIT IOWA CITY AREA HBA
Reynolds announces additional pandemic housing aid
Gov. Kim Reynolds has announced an additional allocation of CARES Act funds to support Iowa renters and homeowners at-risk of eviction or foreclosure due to a COVID-19-related loss of income.

The governor announced an additional injection of $8 million to the Iowa Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention program Wednesday. The program has now been allocated a total of $37.4 million.

The deadline to apply for rent and mortgage assistance as well as utility assistance through the Iowa Residential Utility Disruption Prevention program is Dec. 4.

“At no fault of their own, many Iowans are struggling to pay their bills as a result of lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Ms. Reynolds said in a release. “Today’s announcement bolsters the Iowa Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention program, which is helping Iowa homeowners and renters make their rent or mortgage payments."

According to Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority Director Debi Durham, nearly 11,000 renters and 500 homeowners have received assistance with their rent or mortgage payments and another 2,800 have applied for utility assistance to date.

“Our goal is to assist as many Iowans that have been impacted by COVID-19 and are at-risk of eviction, foreclosure or utility disruption as possible," she said.

Federal CARES Act funds are required to be expended by Dec. 30. 

For a full list of eligibility requirements and to apply for either program, visit iowahousingrecovery.com
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Short Term Event Planner

Nov. 20
PDI Legislative Roundtable, by Professional Developers of Iowa, 8 a.m., online. Join PDI leadership, lobbyist Craig Patterson and local legislators to hear updates on the Governor's Economic Recovery Advisory Board and provide input on 2021 legislative priorities. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/34YBpo1.
 
Nov. 23
Ethical Decision Making and the Role You Play, by Association for Talent Development-Hawkeye Chapter, 8-9:30 a.m., online. Learn the basics of ethical decision making and taking ethical action. Facilitated by Kristymarie Shipley, an attorney with Shuttleworth & Ingersoll. Cost: Members free, non-members $20. To register, visit bit.ly/34kIkYu.

Dec. 1
Hiawatha Business Summit, by the Hiawatha Economic Development Corp., city of Hiawatha and Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 8 a.m., online. Industry experts will talk about challenges and opportunities in 2020 and what they see coming in 2021. Speakers will include Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority; Brent Cobb, president, World Class Industries; Joe Ahmann, president, Ahmann Companies; and Mike Graf, owner, Graf Home Selling Team and Associates. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/328JZPh.
 
Financial Planning: Dare to Dream, by CLA, 11 a.m., online. Learn about the financial planning process and strategies to achieve goals for yourself, your family and your business. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/36mzPvE.
 
Dec. 2
1 Million Cups, by 1MC Cedar Rapids, 8:30 a.m., online. Join for community connections and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more. Free. For more information, visit facebook.com/1MCICR.
 
1 Million Cups, by 1MC Iowa City, 9 a.m., online. Join for community connections and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more. Free. For more information, visit facebook.com/1MillionCupsIC.
 
Prepare to Serve Your Clients for Year-End, by CLA, 10 a.m.-noon,, online. Recognize year-end tax planning strategies, gain Paycheck Protection Program insights and discuss payroll tax deferral opportunities. Cost: $89. To register, visit bit.ly/2IqpXbW
 
Online, But Never Alone: How MMU Supports Online Students, by Mount Mercy University, noon, online. Learn how the MMU support team helps new and returning adult students enroll and succeed in an online environment. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/37Iixvf.
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Headlines from KCRG-TV9
These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9 

Two people were sent to the hospital after their vehicle rolled into a ditch on Wednesday. Linn County Deputies, Fairfax Fire and Area Ambulance responded to a single-car accident at Linn Benton Road and Morgan Valley Road just after 1:30 p.m. Authorities say Jeffery Karr, of Cedar Rapids, was driving a 2002 Toyota Tacoma truck northbound on Linn Benton Road when he lost control, went into a ditch and rolled the vehicle onto its top. Karr and his passenger, Christine Karr (also of Cedar Rapids) were both trapped inside the truck when first responders arrived. The two were freed from the truck and taken to an area hospital for what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. The accident remains under investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.

A Cedar Rapids man was found dead in Boone County after his body was discovered underneath a bridge. Investigators say Michael England, 21, was pronounced dead at the scene on Nov. 14 after a person called the Boone County Sheriff’s 911 to report a body underneath the High Trestle Trail Bridge. It is unknown at this time if his death was a suicide, accidental or other. The case remains under investigation. The Boone County Medical Examiner, Boone County Hospital, Boone County Conservation, Boone County Search and Rescue, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation assisted at the scene. Iowa State University Police also assisted with the investigation.

These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9
Your KCRG-TV9 First Alert Forecast
As the southerly wind continues, mild weather remains in place. Upper 60s will be with us for the afternoon. More clouds are on tap for Friday with rain chances building this weekend. The rain chance also comes with cooler conditions with highs staying in the lower 40s. The early outlook for Thanksgiving week includes clouds and seasonable temperatures.