MONDAY, FEB. 10, 2020 | IN THIS ISSUE

• Timm named new president of Collins Aerospace
• CEI Pacer to become KT Pacer
• Deere & Co. to lay off 105 in Dubuque
• Draper named new executive director at Hawkeye Downs
• Linn County accepting proposals for Dows Farm Agri-Community
Timm named new president of Collins Aerospace
United Technologies Corp. has named Steve Timm as the new president of Collins Aerospace as former chief executive Kelly Ortberg shifts to serve as a special advisor to UTC CEO and Chairman Gregory Hayes ahead of its planned merger with Raytheon .

Mr. Ortberg served as CEO of Collins Aerospace, a business unit of UTC, which was created in September 2018 through the merger of UTC Aerospace Systems and Rockwell Collins. In his new role, he will draw on his experience with multiple mergers and industry relationships to help the company’s leadership team build out its capabilities and identify future areas of growth.

“Kelly's outstanding work in integrating Rockwell Collins and UTC Aerospace Systems into Collins Aerospace, which he then led and achieved better than anticipated cost and revenue synergies, while creating new offerings that leverage the advantages of both organizations, is a testament to his leadership skills," Mr. Hayes said in a release. “The knowledge and insights he will bring to this role, will help us to successfully navigate the next steps in our journey as Raytheon Technologies, and undoubtedly set us up for a tremendous future."

Mr. Timm brings nearly 25 years of experience in the aerospace and defense industry, most recently serving as president of Collins Aerospace’s Avionics business. During his time in that role, he helped secure key avionics wins for the company and established the foundation for what is now the company’s Information Management Services portfolio.

“Steve’s reputation as a respected leader, combined with his relentless focus on the customer will help ensure a smooth transition, and play a critical role in the future success of Collins Aerospace,” Mr. Hayes said.

Collins Aerospace is considered a leader in aerospace and defense solutions, with $26 billion in net sales and 70,000 employees around the world. Two of six Collins business units – avionics and mission systems – remain based in Cedar Rapids.

The merger with Raytheon will create the nation’s second-largest aerospace and defense company by sales, and is expected to close in the first half of this year, pending regulatory approvals. Collins recently announced the sale of its military GPS business to BAE Systems for $1.925 billion as part of the merger divestiture process.

IMAGE: Steve Timm. CREDIT Collins Aerospace
CEI Pacer to become KT Pacer
CEI Pacer, which manufactures animal feed trailers in Cedar Rapids, will become part of KT Pacer, a Kentucky Trailer Company.

The new company is the product of a merger between CEI Pacer (CEI Equipment Co.) and the animal feed transport division of Warren Manufacturing Inc. that was announced Jan. 28 Kentucky Trailer, a subsidiary of Alleghany Capitol Corp. The merger creates one of the largest feed transport solution companies in North America, Kentucky Trailer said in a news release.

Kentucky Trailer is a manufacturer of custom trailers, truck bodies and mobilized workplace solutions. The company’s growth strategy focuses on achieving leading market positions in specialized transportation markets.

In December 2018, Kentucky Trailer entered the feed transportation market through the acquisition of CEI Pacer, headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Kentucky Trailer expanded its footprint in the industry with the acquisition of Warren Manufacturing’s animal feed transport division assets in Birmingham, Alabama, in July 2019.

“Bringing these two companies under the KT Pacer umbrella means more manufacturing efficiencies and capacity for our customers,” Kentucky Trailer president and CEO Gary A Smith, Sr., said in a news release.

Manufacturing operations for KT Pacer will continue in both Iowa and Alabama. The company expects to combine more processes and operations as they continue to identify synergies. 
Deere & Co. to lay off 105 in Dubuque
John Deere Dubuque Works announced Friday that it will be laying off 105 employees, news partner KCRG-TV9 reports .

According to Deere Public Relations Manager Dan Bernick, the layoffs are in response to market conditions. The layoffs will be effective starting April 6, 2020.

In Dubuque, John Deere focuses on manufacturing forestry and construction equipment.

Mr. Bernick stated that each factory is based on customer demand for the products and the size of the workforce. No other John Deere location will be impacted at this time.

In November 2019, John Deere announced that their net sales had increased by 4% in the fourth quarter and that construction and forestry reported higher sales and profit for the year. Its total net income was $3.353 billion, and company leaders said they expected 2020's result to be between $2.7-$3.1 billion.

"Despite present challenges, the longer-term outlook for our businesses remains healthy and points to a promising future for Deere," CEO John May said in a November earnings call. "We are particularly encouraged by the adoption of precision technologies and believe we are well-positioned to be a leader in the delivery of smarter, more efficient and sustainable solutions to our customers. At the same time, we are committed to the successful execution of our strategic plan and have initiated a series of measures to create a leaner organizational structure that can operate with more speed and agility."
Draper named new executive director at Hawkeye Downs
Jenn Draper has been named executive director and events manager of Hawkeye Downs, the events venue and racing attraction in southwest Cedar Rapids.

Ms. Draper previously as event planner with the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, where she planned and coordinated the Downtown Farmers Market, Market After Dark, Cedar Rapids Restaurant Week and more. She was named a CBJ Forty Under 40 honoree in 2018.

“I'm honored to be a part of an organization with such a rich history in Cedar Rapids,” Ms. Draper said in a release. “Hawkeye Downs has a great story to tell, and I'm ready to proudly share the newest chapter with our community."

In her new role, Ms. Draper will focus on helping Hawkeye Downs grow its event schedule, as well as its entertainment and racing facility offerings. Planning is already underway as Hawkeye Downs looks to celebrate 100 years of racing in 2025.

“As Hawkeye Downs enters this new chapter and historic revitalization era, we are absolutely thrilled to have Jenn Draper leading the charge for us,” said Hawkeye Downs Board President Julie Kraft. “Jenn’s events planning experience and vast community connections are exactly what we need to turn Hawkeye Downs into a top events and racing destination. She has a terrific track record of producing top-notch events. We love her enthusiasm and can’t wait to see what she does for Hawkeye Downs.”

IMAGE: Jenn Draper. CREDIT Hawkeye Downs
Linn Co. accepting proposals for Dows Farm Agri-Community
Linn County is seeking proposals from experienced farmers and/or organizations to develop, manage and conduct agricultural operations as part of the Dows Farm Agri-Community, part of the 179-acre Dows Farm owned by the county.

The design concept for the Dows Farm Agri-Community envisions development that incorporates and protects the site’s environmental features and agricultural heritage, with 75% of the site reserved for conservation or agriculture, and 25% allocated to development.

The property is bordered by Mt. Vernon Road on the south, Dows Road on the west and the Squaw Creek Ridge residential development on the north.

Agricultural operations would include growing food for the Dows Farm residents and greater community while providing educational activities to the larger area. Educational activities could include field trips, classroom presentations, demonstrations, workshops, markets, cooking classes, volunteer days and other community engagement opportunities.

The vision for the Dows Farm operation is of a financially viable, environmentally and socially responsible operation that grows healthy foods for people, and where the Dows Farm Agri-Community residents and others can participate to varying degrees in the acts of planting, growing, harvesting and eating food grown on the farm.

The selected applicant will enter into an agreement with Linn County for the operation and management of the farm in accordance with mutually agreed farm management guidelines.

The deadline to submit proposals is March 18. More information and a link to the full request for proposals is available on the Linn County website at LinnCounty.org .

IMAGE: Site plan for the Dows Farm Agri-Community. CREDIT Linn County.
Short Term Event Planner

Feb. 10
Coralville Roundtable, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., Vesta, 849 Quarry Road, Coralville. Members are invited to network and keep up to date with chamber and community events. Free. For information, call (319) 337-9637.
 
Feb. 11
Hiawatha Business Summit, Hiawatha Economic Development Corp., the city of Hiawatha and the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 8-9 a.m., Honkamp Krueger & Co. PC, 1751 Boyson Road, Hiawatha. Learn more about the city of Hiawatha's distinction as a Home Base Iowa community and what that means for veterans and your business in 2020. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/2rHM45C .
 
Small Business Lunch Roundtable, by SCORE of East Central Iowa, noon-1 p.m., Granite City Food & Brewery, 4755 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Join this networking opportunity for those in business and those thinking about starting a business. Free. To register, visit conta.cc/35XjMCm .
 
VERV Auto Ribbon Cutting, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, 4 p.m., VERV Auto, 230 Sugar Creek Lane, Ste. 200, North Liberty. Free. For more information, visit bit.ly/2FUzqE2 .
 
Feb. 12
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/ .
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Headlines from KCRG-TV9
These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9  
 
Eastern Iowa television viewers will see a familiar face in the evening co-anchor chair starting next month. Veteran KCRG-TV9 news anchor and reporter Chris Earl joins Beth Malicki on the station's top-rated evening newscasts starting Monday, March 9. After 34 years at the anchor desk, long-time KCRG-TV9 News anchor Bruce Aune will anchor his final newscast on Friday, March 6. Bruce announced his retirement in July 2019. Chris has been at KCRG-TV9 since April 2008 and currently co-anchors KCRG-TV9's weekday morning newscasts: KCRG-TV9 First News, the KCRG-TV9 Early Morning News and the KCRG-TV9 Morning News with Nicole Agee. Additionally, he anchors the KCRG-TV9 News at Midday. Read the full story here.

Authorities arrested a University of Iowa basketball player early Monday morning for driving on a revoked license due to a previous OWI. Records show redshirt junior Cordell Pemsl, 22, bonded out from the Johnson County jail. According to arresting documents, a Johnson County deputy stopped Pemsl near S. Riverside Drive and Highway 1 just after 1 a.m. Monday for having a broken taillight. The documents show Pemsl gave the deputy an Iowa identification card. Pemsl allegedly told the deputy he did not have a driver's license from Iowa or any other state, but authorities said they found Pemsl had a revoked license due to a previous OWI in September. In that incident, Pemsl reportedly failed a field sobriety test and registered a blood alcohol content of .151 on a breath test when he was pulled over. The legal limit to drive is .08. Following the September arrest, Pemsl had been removed from all school activities at the University of Iowa.

These news items are provided by KCRG-TV9
Your KCRG-TV9 First Alert Forecast
Plan on a nice one overall with highs into the 20s over portions of northern Iowa where the snowpack is deeper. The rest of us will have highs into the lower 30s, with mid-30s possible from I-80 and points south. Our weather generally stays pretty quiet with this trend continuing through Wednesday morning. By Wednesday afternoon and evening, we're continuing to watch a system that should affect our area with some snow. Right behind it, it'll turn windy and cold for a few days and Valentine's Day morning looks particularly cold with below zero lows possible. This won't last long and we'll be right back into the 30s by Saturday. Have a great week!