WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019  |  IN THIS ISSUE  

Ed. note: The CBJ offices will be closed and no newsletters will be sent tomorrow in honor of Independence Day. Newsletters will resume on July 5. Have a safe and fun holiday! 
 
Katie Roche, shown during a recent recording session at the CBJ Studios in North Liberty.
As development director for Iowa City's iconic Englert Theatre, Katie Roche is charged with the delicate task of balancing art and business. Her role is to build the means necessary to support the mission of the theater - a critical task, considering no money means no commu­nity arts organization. Nothing, not even something as pure and idealistic as art, can escape the laws of economics, it seems.

What makes her so good at her job is that she understands this intuitively. An accomplished musician in her own right, she knows how to nurture artists and create big things while still working within financial constraints.

Now, Ms. Roche, along with other leaders in the Iowa City community, have embarked on their most ambitious fundraising endeavor to date: the Strengthen, Grow, Evolve campaign, which aims to make Iowa City "the Greatest Small City for the Arts." Campaign leaders have set a goal of raising $6.5 million, which will go toward improvements at the Englert, a state-of-the-art cinema for FilmScene and dynamic, affordable arts programming for the Corridor.

Ms. Roche sat down with former NFL star and CBJ contributor Nate Kaeding to discuss the intersections of art and business as part of the CBJ's monthly podcast, "Real Success with Nate Kaeding," presented by MidWestOne Bank.

Listen to this week's episode  here, and subscribe to the series wherever you listen to podcasts (now including Stitcher).
 
The Tippie College of Business has been re-accredited by AACSB International in business and accounting, ensuring the college meets the accrediting organization's standards of excellence, rigor, and commitment to continuous improvement.

AACSB is the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, master's and doctorate degrees in business. The status has been earned by fewer than 5 percent of the world's business schools. Today, more than 687 business schools in 45 countries and territories have earned AACSB accreditation, while 182 institutions hold an additional specialized AACSB accreditation for their accounting programs.

Achieving accreditation involves a process of rigorous internal review, evaluation and adjustment. The AACSB requires each school develop an accreditation plan that addresses high-quality teaching environments, innovative programming and active engagement with industry. In addition, as required by the AACSB standards, all accredited schools must go through a continuous improvement peer review process every five years in order to retain their accreditation.

For the complete list of this week's Movers & Shakers, see the  July 1 edition of the CBJ.

The CBJ is now accepting applications for its Fall 2019 Leadership Academy.
 
This rigorous five-session Leadership Academy focuses on practical leadership, coaching and management skills in a professional business environment, giving promising employees the skills and introspection to help them grow and lead.
 
"The eight-weeks facilitated some great self-discovery and vulnerability, which is fundamental to refining one's leadership skills," said Jason Boyles, national account manager at Marion Process Solutions, of the CBJ's Spring Leadership Academy. "I can't think of a better opportunity in the Corridor to expand my network with valuable resources from those in my cohort and the presenters in such a short time."
 
This unique learning experience will enable participants to grow via:
  • Personal and professional development through a Core Values Assessment
  • Established C-Level executives' leadership lessons and fresh perspectives
  • Custom curriculum including team building, coaching, emotional intelligence, diversity and inclusion, dress and dining etiquette
  • Professional network of like-mindedpeers from a cross-section of industries
Lon Olejniczak, former Global Head of Talent Development at Aegon, will facilitate the sessions, scheduled for every other Wednesday from Sept. 11 to Nov. 6.
 
Applications are open to emerging Corridor business and nonprofit leaders who are poised to take the next step within their organization. If selected, participants must pay a one-time enrollment fee of $2,950. The fee includes all meals and materials needed for the class.
 
For more information or to apply, visit  corridorbusiness.com/events/cbj-leadership-academy/ .  Applications should include the nominee's recent resume or bio and one letter detailing why the nominee should be selected. All nomination materials must be submitted together. Nominations are due July 31.
 
Insurer Grinnell Mutual held its annual meeting on June 26, electing several new directors and re-electing current chair Paul S tueven, of Fairmont (Minnesota) Farmers Mutual. 
 
Other newly elected officers include Bill Lampe, of Heritage Mutual in Preston, Iowa, who was elected vice chair, and Will Maas, of Farmers Mutual in Hull, Iowa, who was elected second vice chair.

The company's elected directors include: 
  • Dan DeArment, president and CEO of Friends Cove Mutual in Bedford, Pennsylvania, who was elected to fill the seat left vacant by the retirement of Jim Buch.
  • Mr. Stueven and Susan Taggart, of Mutual of Indiana, who were re-elected for three-year terms ending in June 2022.
  • Amy Goughnour, of Steele Traill County Mutual in Finley, North Dakota, who was elected to fill a vacancy left by the retirement of Stephen Smith.
Established in 1909, Grinnell Mutual is the 111th largest property casualty insurance company in the United States and the largest primary reinsurer of farm mutual companies in North America. Its products are available in 19 states.
 
July 8
Coralville Roundtable, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., Iowa River Power Restaurant, 501 First Ave., Coralville. Use this social hour to network and keep up-to-date with chamber and community events. Free. For more information, visit bit.ly/2Xx6wnE.
 
July 9
TechBrew AM, by Technology Association of Iowa, 8-9 a.m., Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 501 First St. SE. TAI President Brian Waller conducts casual interviews with CIOs who share their favorite music, discuss their career path and share what's most important for the Iowa technology community. Free. To register, visit technologyiowa.org/events.
 
Marketing Forum, by Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Economic Alliance, 501 First St. SE. Driven by group discussion, participants will receive advice and tips, learn from others and grow their professional network. This month's topic is market research, surveys and customer feedback. Free. For information, visit cedarrapids.org.
 
July 10
Secrets to Sales Success, by Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 8-9:15 a.m., Economic Alliance, 501 First St. SE. Learn how to structure your day, reduce the sales cycle and win more deals. Led by Lee Roberts, director of sales at BerganKDV. Free. For information, visit shorturl.at/abuKT.

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/.
 
Ribbon Cutting: TownePlace Suites by Marriott, by Marion Chamber of Commerce, 4:45 p.m., TownePlace Suites, 2823 Seventh Ave., Marion. Celebrate the grand opening of Marion's newest hotel with a ribbon cutting, following by an open house from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Free. For more information, visit bit.ly/2IsHu0S.
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] .

Note: The CBJ is now observing summer hours through Aug. 30. The CBJ offices will be open Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Fridays, 8 a.m.-noon. 
Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28  
 
If the highways and interstates are the main arteries through Iowa, the state's gravel road network are the capillaries that hold it all together. They are also the main mode of travel for one of the state's biggest industries: agriculture. That's why a rough year of heavy rain, ice and snow has taken an extreme toll on roads in Linn County and the rest of Eastern Iowa.  County leaders admit it has been a struggle in recent months. Efforts to lay new gravel on damaged roads was delayed because of a heavy snow melt and a wet spring. They also pulled money from their paved roads budget in Linn County to help fund the work. That left some residents who live in rural parts of the county few options to navigate to and from work and home safely. Read the full story here. 

The Washington Police Department is welcoming a new member to its force.  K-9 offier Dex was sworn in Tuesday night by Washington Mayor Jaron Rosien.  Dex and his handler Officer Seth Adam recently completed six weeks of special training in Indiana.  In a Facebook post, the Washington Police department says they are happy to have Dex working on patrol.

T hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28 
CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails' Weather First Forecast

The day will start partly cloudy and temperatures will warm into the 80s once again. A front will continue to linger in the area and trigger another round of scattered thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Some storms could be strong and produce heavy rain and gusty winds. Storms will wind down this evening. 
That front will linger in the area and keep rain chances elevated on Independence Day. It will be partly sunny with temperatures in the 80s and muggy conditions. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop in the afternoon and evening, but there is uncertainty on how long they last. We'll keep an eye on storm chances for all of the 4th of July celebrations.