TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2019  |  IN THIS ISSUE  

Eli Wynes 
In a surprise move, the wealth management team at the University of Iowa Community Credit Union left the financial institution en masse on April 26, announcing plans to launch their own firm and taking their clients' business with them.
 
In all, 15 former UICCU officers and wealth advisors decamped to form United Iowa Financial, which will have offices in Cedar Rapids at 1120 Depot Lane SE and in Iowa City at 2345 Mormon Trek Blvd.

According to an email sent to clients and obtained by the CBJ, Eli Wynes, the former managing director of UICCU's Wealth Management division, will serve as CEO of the new firm. Mark Law will serve as chief investment officer, Michael Lehman will be chief planning officer and Mollie Thomsen will oversee operations.

Mr. Wynes declined to comment on the decision to leave UICCU. Jim Kelly, UICCU's chief marketing officer, said in an interview that the group's departure was "not completely unprecedented," but acknowledged that "it did catch us a little off guard."
 
The same team previously left MidWestOne Bank to join UICCU about a decade ago. Mr. Kelly said the former employees had not signed non-competes and could, in theory, take their roster of clients - and their business - with them to the new enterprise.
 
Mr. Kelly emphasized that all wealth management accounts remain unchanged and will be managed by the same advisors on the same platform, but would no longer be under the umbrella of UICCU. 
 
"Everything is intact. The only change is [the team] is operating at a different location," he said.
 
In a follow-up statement, UICCU CEO Jeff Disterhoft recast the group's departure as an opportunity to review and restructure the credit union's wealth management operations for the benefit of its members. 

Read the full members-only story in this week's print or digital edition of the CBJ.
 
Dawn Jindrich
The Linn County Board of Supervisors has named Dawn Jindrich to be the next Linn County finance director. 
 
Ms.  Jindrich, currently the Linn County budget director, is succeeding Finance Director Steve Tucker, who is retiring at the end of this month after 36 years with the county.
 
As finance director, Ms. Jindrich will be responsible for  directing  all activities relating to financial management of the county, including financial reporting and preparation of the county's annual budget. She will also set the   strategic direction for the finance and budget department and operationalize those goals in alignment with the county's strategic plan and customer-centered culture.
 
During her 25-year career with the Linn County Finance and Budget Department, she has developed Linn County's annual budget and award-winning budget document. She also has assisted with the administrative responsibilities of the department along with operational activities, including providing financial analysis and advising the Board of Supervisors on financial decisions.
 
Ms. Jindrich was named one of the CBJ's Financial Executives of the Year in 2015. 
 
"I am excited to continue my career with the Linn County Finance and Budget Department as Linn County finance director. I look forward to maintaining Linn County's strong financial position and  reputation for excellence in financial management, " she said in a statement.
 
A look inside the newly renovated Homewood Suites at 1140 Park Place NE, Cedar Rapids. CREDIT SCHULTE HOSPITALITY 
Schulte Hospitality Group has completed its renovation of the Homewood Suites by Hilton Cedar Rapids, located at 1140 Park Place NE. 
 
Improvements were made to the entire 95-suite hotel, including a new outdoor kitchen area and a redesigned business center with open space seating. The breakfast area was refurbished with new seating and all suites received new carpet, wall coverings and new flooring in the kitchen and bathroom room areas. 
 
"Our renovation transformation reflects our continual commitment to deliver guests the highest quality accommodations, service and convenience they have come to expect from staying at Homewood Suites by Hilton Cedar Rapids," General Manager Gary Schmid said in a statement.
 
To celebrate the renovation, the hotel will hold a ribbon cutting and open house from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on May 9. The community is invited to enjoy refreshments, view the renovated areas and take a tour of the property.

The U.S. Small Business Administration last month backed 33 loans to Iowa businesses worth about $9.2 million, including four in the Corridor worth $555,000. 
 
Corridor businesses approved for SBA-backed loans in April included:
  • $5,000 to Executive Forest LLC of North Liberty for a new gift, novelty and souvenir store
  • $440,000 to Kraus Enterprises LLC of Monticello for an existing car wash
  • $50,000 to Magic Men Sewer and Drain Cleaning LLC of Cedar Rapids for a new waste treatment and disposal service
  • $60,000 to Banes Enterprises LLC of Central City for a new landscaping service
Corridor businesses reported creating four new jobs and retaining 10 others as a result of the loans.
Statewide, the SBA capitalized 19 new and 14 existing businesses that reported creating 132 new jobs and retaining 140 jobs as a result.

April's largest loan of $1.56 million went to Fuel Express Travel Center Inc., of Floyd, a gas station and convenience store.

The Giving Three Theater stage. CREDIT CBS2/FOX 28
News partner CBS2/FOX 28 reports that the Giving Tree Theater in Marion is looking for new owners.

Owner Heather Akers posted a letter on Facebook saying her family will be moving to Orlando, Florida, for a new opportunity and they hope to transfer the theater to new owners.

In her letter, Ms. Akers said, " Our family has an opportunity to do a bit of a reset and we are going to take it. I have a great job opportunity with a health system in Orlando and will be starting very soon." 
 
"You have become a second family to us," she continued. "We've talked about wood walls, the health of your spouses, celebrated birthdays and anniversaries with you, shared some hugs during tough times and, honestly, I think I would be really sad if I missed out on the opportunity to say goodbye and, more importantly, THANK YOU." 
 
Ms. Akers and her husband, Richie, have owned the theater for 4.5 years.
 
May 7
Iowa City Roundtable, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., Hyatt Place Iowa City Downtown, 255 E. Court St. Network and keep up-to-date with chamber and community events. Free. For information, visit bit.ly/2J9Z5v5.
 
May 8
1 Million Cups, by 1MC Cedar Rapids, 8:15-9:15 a.m., Geonetric, 415 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Join for community connections, free coffee, and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more. Free. For more information, visit   facebook.com/1MCICR.
 
1 Million Cups, by 1MC Iowa City, 9-10 a.m., MERGE, 136 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. Join for community connections, free coffee, and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more . Free. For more information, visit   facebook.com/1MillionCupsIC/.
 
State of Linn County Luncheon, by League of Women Voters Linn County, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, 7725 Kirkwood Blvd., Cedar Rapids. Stacey Walker, chair of the Linn County Board of Supervisors, will discuss the county's successes and challenges. Cost: $40 per person, $400 for a table of 10. Free for those who only want to listen to the presentation and not eat lunch. To register, contact Dawn Jones at [email protected]  or visit lwvlinncounty.org.
 
New Member Speed Networking, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, 4-5 p.m., MidWestOne Bank Home Mortgage Center, 500 S. Clinton St., Iowa City. New chamber members will learn different ways to get involved during this networking event. Free. For more information, visit iowacityarea.com.
 
May 9
Grit to Greatness: A Leadership Journey, by PMI Eastern Iowa Chapter, 7:30-9 a.m., Kirkwood Regional Center, University of Iowa, 2301 Oakdale Blvd., Coralville. Learn why more than talent is needed to be great. Members $13, guests $20. For more information, visit bit.ly/2JVkrON.
 
Super Hero Influence, by SCORE of East Central Iowa, 6-7:30 p.m., Cedar Rapids Ladd Library, 3750 Williams Blvd. SW. This workshop will give you specific ways to inspire your employees and associates. Free. To register, visit conta.cc/2GsPGvB.
See and Be Seen


in the CBJ Book of Lists - THE definitive resource guide for business leaders. Ranked information on Corridor companies by sector, regional market facts and profiles of the most influential people under one cover. Don't be left out - Be Seen! For advertising information, contact Andrea Rhoades at  [email protected] .
Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28  
 
Iowa State Patrol has named the three victims killed in a crash on I-80 in Johnson County Sunday afternoon.  KaDaess Adams-Quarterman and Braden Brown, both 12, and Oneimus Quarterman, 11, were killed after the car they were riding in was broadsided by a semi. An 11-year-old and the driver of the car, 62-year-old Terrance Edwards of Cedar Rapids, are still in the hospital for their injuries.  Iowa State Patrol says the car was headed west on I-80 when it crossed over the inside westbound lane and was T-boned by a semi. Two of the children died at the scene, the other died at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.  The driver of the semi was not injured, according to the Iowa State Patrol.
 
Xavier High School is entering its third decade of existence by modernizing the home field of its two-time defending state champion football team.  The school broke ground on the project Monday night at Saints Field, where the natural grass will be replaced with FieldTurf ahead of the 2019 fall season. The plans were  first announced in December .  When completed, the field also will host night games for Xavier's soccer programs, give the school's dance team a better performance surface for halftime shows, and allow physical education students to use a marked field during classes.  "In order for any of this stuff to work, you've gotta have great people," head football coach Duane Schulte said on Monday. "Whoever it is is doing some great work. Hopefully we've had enough of a program here the last two decades, they think it's a good investment."  The renovations also will help the school save almost $40,000 a year in maintenance costs. 
 
T hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28 
CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails' Weather First Forecast

There will be a mix of sun and clouds today, but generally more clouds than sun. Temperatures will be cooler than yesterday, with highs near 60. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will begin to develop later this evening and move through tonight. Widespread showers and a few thunderstorms will then continue through the day on Wednesday. Due to the placement of the front, clouds and rain, temperatures will be in the 40s and 50s Wednesday afternoon. It will feel even cooler with a strong east wind. Rain will continue Wednesday night and wind down Thursday morning. Some heavy rain will fall during this time, and there could be a widespread 1-2 inches of accumulation. Due to the saturated ground, and some already high rivers, some flooding will be possible. It will be cloudy and windy Thursday with temperatures in the 40s and 50s once again.