April 2019 Ames Business Monthly

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AB AMES BUSINESS

MONTHLY A P R I L 2019

April Chamber Update

WHEATSFIELD CELEBRATES 10 YEARS AT CURRENT LOCATION, 45 YEARS IN AMES SEE PAGE 2

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2 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | APRIL 2019

AMES BUSINESS

MONTHLY APRIL 2019 Vol. 12, No. 4 AMES TRIBUNE Ames Business Monthly is a publication of the Ames Tribune, 317 Fifth St., Ames, IA, 50010; (515) 232-2160.

3 Main Street Iowa Awards 4 State approves package for Vertex 5 Ames Chamber of Commerce 17 IowaWORKS Ames office pushes collaboration 18 Nate Brammer 19 Rick Brimeyer 19 Prometheus Awards

Wheatsfield Co-op recently celebrated its 10th anniversary at its current location on 413 Northwestern Ave., and its 45th anniversary of being in Ames. PHOTO BY LEXIE TROUTMAN/AMES TRIBUNE

Wheatsfi eld celebrates 10 years at current location, 45 years in Ames By Lexie Troutman, Staff Writer ltroutman@amestrib.com

Wheatsfield Co-op recently celebrated its 10th anniversary at its current location on 413 Northwestern Ave., and its 45th anniversary of being in Ames. Linda Johnson, general manager of Wheatsfield, said the store holds a member appreciation celebration every quarterly month in which it chooses a day to celebrate the roughly 6,000 member-owners who are part of the community-owned store. In March, Wheatsfield combined the weekend celebration with the anniversary celebration. “Planning (the event) was pretty

standard to what we do usually for membership appreciation,” Johnson said. “It was just an added bonus that this happens to be our 10th anniversary. It’s hard to think really that we’ve been here for 10 years, but we have.” Before moving to its current location, the store had been located at 413 Douglas Ave., which is currently home to the Octagon Gallery Shop, for more than 30 years. Johnson has been working at the store since 1999. She said that when she was at the old location, it was renovated and expanded the space, taking it from 1,200 square feet to 3,000 square feet. “When we did that, things really took off, not only in sales, but in membership,

and the board realized that we were out of space and we needed to find a bigger location,” Johnson said. At its current site, Wheatsfield went through more renovations to expand from 10,000 square feet to roughly 20,000 square feet. In that time, it has increased parking from roughly 30 spots to 90 spots, added a separate room for the various classes offered, increased space for the kitchen and deli dining areas, and added a bakery. Johnson said that throughout the planning process, it was fun for the team to look back at its time with the store. “We had to think back a lot about how we got here,” Johnson said. “It’s fun to contemplate everything it took to get to this point.”

APRIL 2019 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 3

Ames Main Street businesses recognized in 2019 Main Street Iowa awards By Lexie Troutman, Staff Writer ltroutman@amestrib.com

For roughly 30 years, Main Street Iowa has presented awards to the state’s Main Street businesses, and this year a handful of Ames businesses were recognized. The winners for the 2019 Main Street Iowa awards were announced recently at the Scottish Rite Consistory in Des Moines. The awards honor the accomplishments, activities and people that are part of Iowa’s Main Street districts. Sweet Potatoes on Main Street walked away as the winner in the Itty Bitty Nitty Gritty category. This project

started in the spring of 2018. Sweet potatoes and other vegetables were grown in the downtown garden beds and when they are ready to be picked, they were donated to organizations, including Food at First, a local food pantry. Ames Main Street Beautification was nominated for Partner of the Year. Quilting Connection was nominated for the Excellent Exterior Rehabilitation category. In Terrific Total Building Rehabilitation, Avec Design + Build was nominated. RAGBRAI On Main was nominated for the Exceptional Special Event category. Little Woods Herbs & Tea was nominated for the Business of the Year category.

There were other recognitions for Story County at the event. Story City was recognized for achieving $10 million in local investment since being designated a local Main Street program. Volunteers were also recognized at the awards, and Mark Peterson, owner of Emerhoff’s Footwear, received the Leadership Award for his years of helping with Ames Main Street. Ames was also recognized for 10 years of participation as a designated Main Street Iowa community and for hosting the Smithsonian’s exhibit, “Hometown Teams: How Sports Changed America.”

A Main Street volunteer sorts sweet potatoes picked from downtown gardens last fall. AMES TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO

4 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | APRIL 2019

State approves fi nancial assistance package for Vertex The Iowa Economic Development Association (IEDA) approved Ames-based software company Vertex’s financial assistance application that looks to create 300 jobs. PHOTO BY

By Robbie Sequeira

Staff Writer resequeira@amestrib.com

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) recently approved “with great enthusiasm” Ames-based software company Vertex Software LLC’s financial assistance application that pledges to create 300 high-quality jobs, a third of which would pay $100,000 or more, according to Jacque Matsen, IEDA marketing and communications director. “The board was really pleased with the number of jobs, type of jobs and the fact that they are so highpaying,” Matsen said. “It’s the type of project that we should be incentivizing growth and it’s really exciting that (Vertex) has made

VERTEX

such a strong commitment to Ames.” Vertex, which opened in September 2017, has

developed a cloud-based software product that enables users to securely share 3D product data, to

any computing device. The company will invest $32 million into Ames, pledging to create 300 new high-quality jobs that would offer a pay rate above 120 percent of the IEDA Story County laborshed rate at $26.11 per hour. The company’s total capital investment will be $20 million, which includes the company’s plan to build and lease a 60,000 squarefoot facility in the Iowa State University Research Park. Dan Murray, CEO and founder of Vertex, said that talks with contractors will start next month with the intention breaking ground in the fall, with construction beginning in the spring of 2020. IEDA’s incentive package for Vertex is $1.9 million in forgivable and zero-interest loans and tax credits. The company also is seeking $1.27 million in a sliding

scale tax abatement from the city of Ames. The impact of the 300 quality jobs could create a direct economic impact of roughly $100 million dollars for the city of Ames, Murray said previously. Murray said the company looks to double its workforce by year’s end. “We’re adding 300 jobs on top of the 66 jobs we have now, so we intend to more than double this year,” Murray said. “From there, it’s a case of scaling to meet that goal and you look at next year in 2020, and looking to nearly double the company at that point, as well. Murray said the hiring will include the addition of software engineers, information technology workers, product managers, and administrative, marketing and customer service workers. “When you start to scale your sales organization,

and all of the support that comes with that, it helps you fuel the growth and success you have with your customers,” Murray said. For those prospective hires, Murray wants to not only market the job opportunity, but the city of Ames as well. “From my perspective, Ames is an easy sell,” Murray said. “A great quality of life, the amazing people here, amazing educational opportunities as well as the cost-of-living relative to other large urban areas where earlystage businesses grow is significantly less.” Dan Culhane, president and CEO of Ames Chamber of Commerce called the decision a shot in the arm for the Ames workforce and community. “Dan (Murray) and his wife chose Ames to build this business here, so it starts with them,” Culhane said. “It’s an incredible shot in the economic arm for Ames, Story County and central Iowa, the creation of 300 jobs, especially with the magnitude of wages, is truly incredible.” Murray, who has been involved in the entrepreneurial community in Ames for 30 years, noted his appreciation to the Ames community during the application process. “We are really grateful for the support we have received from the state of Iowa, the city of Ames, the place I grew up,” Murray said. “It’s just tremendous to have a business like this that you’re getting off the ground, and having strong community support behind us is big.”

Local news now • www.amestrib.com

APRIL 2019 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 5

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he Ames Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome Libby Spears, founder of Bravo Communications and Consulting, to launch the 2019 Leadership Series on April 10. The Ames Chamber of Commerce Leadership Series is a collection of four events held throughout the year to inspire, motivate, and empower community members. These events are designed to provide Chamber and community members top-notch leadership training without the expenses of travel RU VLJQLÂżFDQW WLPH DZD\ IURP family and work. This year’s events are focused on CHARGE – leading a meaningful life both in and out of the workplace. “The Leadership Series includes some of our most exciting events of the year,â€? says Sarah Buss, Event Coordinator for the Ames Chamber. “This year’s CHARGE theme is set to challenge and inspire attendees. You will ÂżQG YDOXH UHJDUGOHVV RI \RXU LQGXVWU\ W\SH RU SRVLWLRQ KHOG DV ZH GHVLJQHG WKLV VHULHV WR ÂżW everyone. Our launch event with keynote Libby Spears will do just that – as she has a way of

captivating every audience!� Libby Spears is a seasoned professional when it comes to speaking and consulting. Spears has created multiple training sessions focused on changing how we communicate in order to be successful. Aside from starting her own consulting business, Spears is a published author and former professor at North Texas and TCU. Our Take CHARGE launch event will focus on “Plan Be�, a new way of thinking about who you are and what you do. Spears will inspire the audience and provide tools to help them take

charge and move forward as game changers in the marketplace. The Leadership Series launch event, Take CHARGE, will be Wednesday, April 10, from 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. at CityChurch Ames (2400 Oakwood Road, Ames). Tickets are $25 for Chamber Members and $35 for General Public, with breakfast provided. Employees of members qualify for the member discount. Members are asked to log in to their Member Portal on AmesChamber.com to register. A discount is available for those who purchase tickets to all four events of the series (a $50 savings). For more information or to purchase tickets, call 515-232-2310 or visit www.AmesChamber. com. 2019 Leadership Series Presenting Sponsor

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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Andrew Perry, Chair McFarland Clinic Stacy Dreyer, Vice Chair, Iowa Small Business Development Center Matt Converse, Second Vice Chair Converse Conditioned Air Vanessa Baker-Latimer, Treasurer City of Ames Sara Hunter, Divisional Chair, Community Development Vermeer Corporation Lawrence Cunningham, Divisional Chair, *RYHUQPHQW $൵DLUV Iowa State Daily Media Group Nate Easter, Divisional Chair, Membership Iowa State University Research Park Luke Jensen, Immediate Past Chair Real Estate Service Group, Inc. Dan Culhane, President / CEO Ames Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Commission

BOARD MEMBERS

Lindsey Beecher, Gilbert Community School District Scott Blum, Accord Architecture/Henkel Construction Ben Conway, HyVee West Ames Brenda Fugere, 3M -H൵ -DQHV, Des Moines Area Community College Nikki Kyle, Central Iowa Air Service Nate Rippke, Rippke Design Dr. Sonya Stoltze Newstrom, Stoltze & Stoltze Family Dentistry Jason Schwenneker, Renewable Energy Group, Inc. Dr. Reginald Stewart, Iowa State University Michelle Vogel, Sigler Companies Randy Woodbeck, Atlantic Bottling, Inc. Eric Abrams, AMS Representative, Duck Worth Wearing & The Loft Justin Dodge, TAF Representative, Hunziker Companies Scott Wannarka, CAA Representative, 1RKA, LLC Taylor Hopper, YPA Representative, Fox Engineering Associates, Inc. 7KH &KDPEHU 8SGDWH QHZVOHWWHU LV SXEOLVKHG E\ WKH $PHV &KDPEHU RI &RPPHUFH 0DLQ 6WUHHW _ $PHV ,$ _ ZZZ DPHVFKDPEHU FRP

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mes Seed Capital is hosting their Annual Event on Tuesday, April 23 at the Gateway Hotel & Conference Center in Ames. The annual event will celebrate Ames Seed Capital’s accomplishments throughout the past year and contributions to entrepreneurship initiatives in the State of Iowa. Two sessions will be held to highlight entrepreneurs presenting their business ideas for investment, including a morning Entrepreneur Showcase and afternoon Pitch Competition. The Entrepreneur Showcase will be from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and will feature established companies who are seeking direct investment from seed capital groups and/or early stage venture capital organizations. The Pitch Competition will take place from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. and is open to entrepreneurs who are in the early development stages of their businesses. The Showcase includes companies from a variety of sectors including: Health Care, Cancer Therapeutics, Agriculture, Software, Transportation, and Land Surveying. The Pitch Competition Companies also

represent a spread of sectors including: Virtual Reality, Health Care, Electronics, Agriculture, Real Estate, Fin-tech, Engineering, Software, Health & Beauty, and Apparel. Companies in the Pitch Competition and Entrepreneur Showcase are coming from across the state of Iowa to present their unique business ideas. Please join us on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 to celebrate innovative companies from the State of Iowa. Both the Entrepreneur Showcase and Pitch Competition are free of charge to attend, though registration is requested. Please RSVP at AmesChamber.com.

Ames Seed Capital ™ - 2019 Annual Event Tuesday, April 23rd

b 9:00b amb b ˧bb 11:00b amb b b b bEntrepreneur Showcaseb 11:00b ambbb ˧b bb 1:00b pmbb b b b Annual Meeting & Luncheon*b bb1:30b pmb b ˧b bb 3:30b pmbb b b b Pitch Competition *Luncheon: $40 per person, $400 per table of 10 Register online at AmesChamber.com for all events. Gateway Hotel & Conference Center 2100 Green Hills Dr Ames, IA 50010

Pitch CompaniesĹ– Aloha Corporation Cardio Diagnostics CocoRoo Natural Skin Care Insulights e Lunchsox My Nest Egg Invest Nova Home Tech NX GenCare Ramdo Solutions, LLC Stratafolio True360 Xilution

Showcase CompaniesĹ– ClearFlame Englines EtalycĹ– Molecular Targeting, LLC Pitchly SwineTech, Inc. SynderBio, INC VetMeasure, Inc. ViewpointĹ– VoxelloĹ– Whirrx

Universities, Communities, Entrepreneurs, Adding Value to Iowa

$0(6 &+$0%(5 $1' $)),/,$7( 67$)) • Dan Culhane, President and CEO • Ron Hallenbeck, Executive Vice President • Andrea Hammes Dodge, Vice President • Amy Howard, Vice President, Finance & Operations • Sarah Buss, Director, Events & Sponsorship • Karin Chitty, Campustown Action Association, Executive Director

• Sydney Dighton, Client Services Coordinator • Brenda Dryer, Director, Existing Industry & Workforce Solutions • Sarah Dvorsky, Events Coordinator • John Hall, Director, Marketing • Merrill Holden, Project Manager • Dustin Ingram, Director, Community & Economic Development Outreach

• Drew Kamp, Director, Public Policy & Business Development, Ames Main Street Executive Director • Brandon Mumm, Director, Membership Development • Lojean Petersen, Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market Manager • Calli Sandahl, Director, Digital Marketing • Allee Wengert, Workforce Development Coordinator

8 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | APRIL 2019

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eadership Ames team, The Neighbor Good Watch, has been working since fall on critical upgrades for Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance (GNEA, 613 Clark Avenue, Ames). Good Neighbor provides emergency rent and utility assistance, as well as food vouchers to those in need in Story County. In order to better VHUYH WKHLU FOLHQWV WKH WHDP KDV IRFXVHG LWV H൵RUWV RQ WUDQVLWLRQLQJ WKH QRQ SUR¿W WR D PRUH PRGHUQ paperless intake and documentation process. As a ¿UVW VWHS WKH\ KDYH DGGHG LQWDNH IRUPV WR *1($ V website that allow community members to submit requests for assistance electronically. Team Neighbor Good Watch is currently in the ¿QDO VWDJHV RI IXQGUDLVLQJ WR XSJUDGH *1($ V R൶FH KDUGZDUH DQG DQ\ DVVLVWDQFH ZRXOG EH JUHDWO\ appreciated. They hope to purchase laptops, tablets, DQG D VFDQQHU VR WKH WHDP RI VWD൵ DQG YROXQWHHUV can continue their move to become paperless, keep their records secure, and serve the community. Any questions or assistance can be directed to Jen Hacke Sass at jhacke@iastate.edu.

A PROJECT OF LEADERSHIP AMES CLASS 32

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1 11:30AM-1:00PM O C TAG O N C E N T E R F O R T H E A RT S

Presenting Sponsor:

About Launch + Learn

When others see cardboard boxes, kids see rocket ships... and that sense of creativity, wonder, & possibility is what believing in the spirit of a child – ChildServe’s brand promise – is all about. A lot has changed since we opened our doors in Ames in 1995. The goal of Launch + Learn is to share who ChildServe is and how we can help children and families in the Ames area! The event will feature a delicious lunch and provide an opportunity for our community members to learn about our mission and services and hear the stories of children and families impacted by ChildServe.

Sponsorship Opportunities

We invite you to consider a sponsoring a table at ChildServe’s Launch + Learn on May 1, 2019. Invite your collegues, friends or family out for lunch, while connecting them with an organization helping children and families right here in your community. Each table will be reserved with the sponsor’s name and level.

GOLD LEVEL - $1000 - Full table (8 seats) - Recognition in ChildServe Ames Great Life Newsletter - Company name on table - Social Media Thank You - Plaque recognizing your partnership with ChildServe

SILVER LEVEL - $500 - Full table (8 seats) - Recognition in ChildServe Ames Great Life Newsletter - Company name on table - Social Media Thank You

Reserve Your Table To reserve your sponsorship and table, please visit childserve.org/launchandlearn For questions, please contact Lacey Wolf at LaceyWo@childserve.org.

BRONZE LEVEL - $250 - Half table (4 seats) - Recognition in ChildServe Ames Great Life Newsletter - Company name on table

APRIL 2019 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 9

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7KDQN <RX $PHV &KDPEHU $PEDVVDGRUV Tess Ashley, Global State Mortgage Steve Bock, RE/MAX Real Estate Center Don Borcherding, Greater Iowa Credit Union Bonnie Brown, Global State Mortgage Tobias Brown, OrangeTheory Fitness Nathan Buss, VisionBank Adam Calder, :KHDWV¿HOG &R Op %X൵\ &ODWW First National Bank John Coder, VisionBank Lisa Downs, Hunziker & Associates, Realtors Stacy Dreyer, Small Business Development Center Paula Feltner, Thisday Photography Pam Fleener, First National Bank Teresa Garman, Individual Member Shelley Goecke, McFarland Clinic Colette Gunhus, Keeling Wealth Advisors Tom Haggas, Cheshire Moon Films Jessica Harris, 3UR¿OH E\ Sanford -H൵ +DUULVRQ Midwest Heritage Bank Ashley Howe, Xpanxion Michelle King, The Krell Institute Carol Kisling, iHeart Media Matt Koehler, Greater Iowa Credit Union Demond Lee, U.S. Cellular Premier Locations Paul Livingston, Hunziker & Associates, Realtors Stephanie Livingston, Hunziker & Associates, Realtors

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Thank you to the following members who have donated ten percent more than their annual dues for Chamber projects. Because of contributions from members like these, the Ames Chamber can maintain a level of excellence in the services we provide. Please note: This represents only a portion of the Chamber’s Gold members.

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n Thursday, March 14 Ames and Story County were on display at our beautiful State Capitol, as leaders from the City of Ames, Story County, and the Ames business FRPPXQLW\ ¿OOHG WKH &DSLWRO 5RWXQGD IRU WKH 2019 Ames Chamber of Commerce Day at the Capitol. Keeping with an always popular tradition, Hickory Park served over 600 Legislators, state R൶FLDOV OREE\LVWV YLVLWRUV DQG HYHQW DWWHQGHHV Ames Day at the Capitol is always one of the most popular events of the entire Legislative Session, and this year’s event built upon that tradition and represented Chamber members and residents of Ames and Story County well. Prior to the Community Showcase, business, community, and institutional leaders met with Governor Reynolds and Legislative Leadership and discussed the Chamber’s priority policy

issues. This is yet another unique opportunity our Public Policy Program provides Ames Chamber of Commerce members and is a pivotal part of Ames Day at the Capitol. Thank you to our 2019 Ames Day at the Capitol Sponsors, each of which played an integral role in making Ames Chamber of Commerce Day at the Capitol a success. Day Sponsors: Burke Corporation, City of Ames, Mediacom, Renewable Energy Group, and Workiva Booth Sponsors: Ames Chamber of Commerce, Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau, Barilla America, Inc., Iowa State University, Stevens Memorial Chapel, Story County, and WorkInAmes State Policy Sponsors: Burke Corporation,

Greater Iowa Credit Union, and VenuWorks Public Policy Sponsors: Renewable Energy Group, and First National Bank

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ttention Story County employers and job seekers! Mark your calendars for the Story County career fair. IowaWORKS Central Iowa, in partnership with the Ames Economic Development Commission and the Ames Public Library, will be holding a career fair on April 3 at the Ames Public Library from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. More than 20 top employers representing a wide variety of industries will be available to meet with job seekers to discuss current job RSHQLQJV LQ ÂżHOGV VXFK DV PDXIDFWXULQJ KHDOWK FDUH HGXFDWLRQ DQG ÂżQDQFH Job seekers should bring copies of their

resume and be prepared to meet a future employer. Prior to attending the career fair, job seekers interested in receiving free resume and interviewing help should FRQWDFW WKH ,RZD:25.6 RŕľśFH DW 7KH RŕľśFH LV ORFDWHG DW ( Grand Ave in Des Moines. Employers interested in participating in one or more of the career fairs should contact the career fair coordinator, Asgdish Fellake by email at asgdish.fellake@iwd.iowa.gov.

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he Ames Foundation would like to invite the public to participate once again in replanting Ames! The Spring Tree Planting will take place Saturday, May 18 and we’re looking for volunteers! In 2015, The Ames Foundation entered into a multi-year partnership with the City of Ames to help raise money for and volunteer in the replanting of trees to replace those that will be lost to the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). This H྾RUW FXOPLQDWHG LQ WKH ¿UVW FRPPXQLW\ ZLGH tree planting days in 2016. In 2016, The Ames Foundation volunteers planted well over 150 trees. In 2017 and 2018, volunteers planted more than 500 trees. 8QIRUWXQDWHO\ H྾RUWV OLNH WKHVH WR UHIRUHVW Ames are necessary, because ash trees in our community may be a dying breed thanks to EAB. This invasive species continues to destroy ash trees across the nation, and lessons learned in other parts of the country demonstrate that, without costly ongoing treatment, ($% ZLOO VLJQL¿FDQWO\ UHGXFH WKH QXPEHU RI ash trees right here in Ames. In fact, EAB KDV EHHQ LGHQWL¿HG LQ $PHV ZKLFK PHDQV WKH demise of our ash population is imminent and unavoidable. Many of you will recall a similar biologic calamity visited upon our community

several decades ago. During the 1970’s, Ames’ many American elm trees were virtually wiped out by Dutch elm disease. What followed was a VWHDG\ H྾RUW WR UHIRUHVW WKH FRPPXQLW\ ZKLFK continues to this day. We have thousands of trees here in Ames that serve to improve our community by protecting ZDWHU TXDOLW\ WKURXJK ¿OWUDWLRQ DQG HURVLRQ FRQtrol, moderating harsh temperatures and strong winds, and supporting wildlife habitat necessary for biodiversity. Trees also increase property values, help reduce crime, and improve PHQWDO KHDOWK $ UHFHQW LQYHQWRU\ LGHQWL¿HG approximately 2,300 ash trees on city managed property, making up about 16 percent of all public trees in Ames. These numbers already are dwindling as the City of Ames continues to implement its’ EAB Response Plan, which calls for the preemptive removal of poor quality and/ or low value ash trees in the city. The Ames Foundation invites the public to join it in replanting select areas within the city where ash trees have been removed. Join us for our spring planting that is scheduled for Saturday, May 18. Volunteers are recommended WR FRQWDFW -H྾ ,OHV DW RU LOHV# iastate.edu. If you would like more information or to donate money or learn more about the

Ames Foundation, please visit our website at: www. AmesFoundation. org, our Facebook page @TheAmesFoundation, or contact Ames Foundation Board members Nick Johnson at nick@amesford.com or 515-233-1913 or Jan Williams at 515-663-3009 or jan.williams@ fnb247.com directly.

14 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | A P R I L 2 0 1 9

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FUEL STORY COUNTY RIBBON CUTTING COMING IN APRIL! MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!

REIMAN GARDENS • AMES, IOWA

COST » $5 FOR ADULTS » FREE FOR FUEL MEMBERS » FREE FOR CHILDREN » OPEN TO EVERYONE!

INFORMATION » LAST THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH (STARTING MAY 30, 2019) » LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT » FOOD CARTS » ADULT BEVERAGES

SPONSOR

A P R I L 2 0 1 9 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 15

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Stroll through downtown and enjoy the variety of talent Ames has to offer!

Ames Main Street Music Walk

Friday, April 26 | 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Downtown Ames Sponsored By: Learn More: AmesDowntown.org

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or the second consecutive year, Central Iowa Air Service will welcome Foodies & Brew, presented by First National Bank, to the Ames Municipal Airport Hangar for some of Ames’ best food and brews. Foodies & Brew is an annual Ames Main Street fundraising event designed to allow local chefs, restaurateurs, and breweries an opportunity to interact with the Ames community while showcasing their trade. Attendees can expect to enjoy unique food creations and delicious regional craft beer samplings while listening to local musicians. Attendees are encouraged to visit HDFK VWDWLRQ DQG YRWH IRU WKH 3HRSOH V &KRLFH $ZDUG ZKLFK ZLOO EH DZDUGHG WR WKH best food and beer vendors at the end of the night. A list of participating restaurants and breweries can be found on the Ames Main Street website, www.AmesDowntown.org. Foodies & Brew will be held Friday, May 3 from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. and is a 21+ event. Tickets will be $30 in advance, available at AmesDowntown.org, or $35 at the door if the event is not sold out. All proceeds from Foodies & Brew go toZDUGV VXSSRUWLQJ WKH EHDXWL¿FDWLRQ DQG JURZWK RI the Downtown Ames business district.

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16 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | A P R I L 2 0 1 9

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A P R I L 2 0 1 9 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y | 17

IowaWORKS Ames office pushes collaboration among businesses and employees By Lexie Troutman

Staff Writer ltroutman@amestrib.com

When it comes to improving the workforce for Ames and Story County residents, one message that is being stressed by various members of Iowa Workforce Development is the need for collaboration among businesses and future employees. IowaWORKS recently opened a satellite expansion office in Ames at 903 Lincoln Way. Roughly one year ago, Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend began the conversation with Mark Lowe, director of the Iowa Department of Transportation, about finding an available space for the office. “The unemployment rate

here in Ames is the lowest unemployment in the metro area in the country, and it has been for a sustained period of time, so we’ve always felt like this is a city where we need to have a presence,” Townsend said during a recent ribbon cutting at the new office. The goal of the organization is to assist people with all aspects of trying to find employment. It offers mock interviews, help with resumes and help with online applications, among other things. Townsend said what IronWORKS has done recently, and what it hopes to continue in the years to come, is a push for stronger engagement with businesses. “Sometimes I don’t know that

businesses appreciate how much we can do to help them find employees,” Townsend said. “We hear constantly that we’re having a hard time finding them, and we want them to utilize this office to hold career fairs or interviews because we can promote that traffic. It’s a win-win. If we help (potential employees) prepare with resumes and interview skills, then when they meet the employer, they can make a better impression, and hopefully that leads to a quicker connection.” Vonnie Stewart-Kai is the business marketing specialist at Iowa Workforce Development and has been with the agency for 18 years. She said that before she relocated to the Des Moines location, she had worked in the Ames

office before it closed and set up a virtual access point around five years ago. She said that she was excited when she heard they were bringing the office space back to the area. She agreed with Townsend, saying the agency has recently moved toward a more collaborative approach with all of its resources. “In the last couple of years, I’ve seen us move more toward partnering with employers and school districts. I’ve seen more of a collaboration than I have for the 18 years that I’ve been here,” Stewart-Kai said. “I see us converging and sharing information and just working together to serve individuals.” Stewart-Kai said that in order to help with this collaboration

the office has on-site recruitment with employers. The businesses need to call the office to set up a day that would work best for them to come in. They also bring companies that partner with them, such as the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, to meet with people. People do not need to make appointments for any other services. They are able to walk in anytime the office is open. On Wednesdays, it’s open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Every work day it is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. “When I first came in (to the Ames office), I saw people that I used to see five or six years ago still looking for work or looking for full-time work, so I could see how valuable it was to have this office here,” Stewart-Kai said.

18 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | APRIL 2019

Identity theft: it could happen to you

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aving your identity stolen may be costly. Many Americans have taken steps in recent years to protect their personal information, but persistent cybercrooks have overcome some of those defenses. A 2018 Javelin Research report found identity theft hit an all-time high in 2017, affecting an estimated 16.7 million consumers. For the first time, Social Security numbers were compromised more frequently than credit card numbers. Recently, consumers have been contacted by people impersonating the Social Security Administration. They say there has been a computer problem and they will ask you to confirm your Social Security

number. Check with the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 directly to verify the reason for the contact. If you have not taken measures to protect yourself, it may be a good idea to consider your options. Individuals can take four basic steps to help protect themselves against identity theft. These steps are represented by the acronym SCAM. Be Stingy when giving out your personal information. Make sure the person requesting the information is on a “needto-know” basis. For example, someone who claims to be calling from your bank does not need to know your mother’s maiden name if it is already on file with the bank. Never give out

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sensitive information unless you know who you are dealing with. If they contacted you, you can’t be sure who they are. Check your financial information periodically. If you get hard-copy credit card or bank statements mailed to you, consider keeping these documents in a safe, secure location. Be skeptical if it appears the financial institution missed a month. Identity thieves may try to change the address on your accounts to keep their actions hidden from you for as long as possible. From time to time, Ask for a copy of your credit report. This report shows bank and financial accounts in your name and may help provide evidence

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Nate Brammer if someone has used your name to open another account. To obtain a report, contact any of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. You can also request one at www.AnnualCreditReport.com. Federal law allows you to get a free copy of your credit report every 12 months. Maintain good records of your financial accounts and obligations. Retain your monthly bank and credit card statements, either in hard-copy or digital

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form. Easy access to this information may make it easier to dispute a transaction, especially if your signature has been forged. Additionally, consider these steps. Think about guarding the information on your phone the way you protect the data on your computer, by setting a password. You can choose two-factor authentication at the websites of the retailers you frequent most; this potentially gives you the same degree of protection you would get on your bank account. You can also elect to freeze your credit report at the major credit bureaus, for a small fee. If your identity is stolen, you may face not only out-of-pocket financial loss, but the additional cost of trying to restore your good name. Help protect yourself by using caution when sharing your personal information and keeping an eye out for warning signs. NATHAN D. BRAMMER MBA, CIMA®, AIF® is a principal and investment advisor at Marrs Wealth Management. He can be reached at Nate@marrswealth.com

A P R I L 2 0 1 9 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 19

Pursuing formal certification D

ue to the nature of my work and my network, I’m frequently approached for career advice by budding entrepreneurs, folks in between jobs, those contemplating a change, or those simply hoping to advance within their current organization. A question that often comes up during these conversations is my thoughts regarding the value of formal certification for a specific skill set which the individual possesses (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, project management, etc.). My typical answer is it depends… In the interest of full disclosure, I should preface my comments by clarifying that the last official “certification” which I received from a third party was a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Iowa State University more than 36 years ago. That was vital to getting my foot in the door with my first employer. Once inside, however, my

Rick Brimeyer growth was undeterred by a lack of certifications, and was instead driven by contributions. Note this was likely due to the entrepreneurial disposition of the company. Other organizations may be different. So a significant consideration to the certification question has to be the perceived value of such within current or likely employers. Somewhat surprisingly, the question of formal certifications has been raised by a less than a handful of potential clients over the past 10 years while vetting my services. Many, many

Story Co. businesses nominated for 2019 Prometheus Awards By Lexie Troutman, Staff Writer ltroutman@amestrib.com

The nominations have been announced for the 14th-annual Prometheus Awards for 2019, and companies from Story County are nominated in 10 categories for the awards. The award celebration will be on April 11 at Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines, and the winner of each of the 14 categories will be announced. The Prometheus Awards are presented by Ames-based company, LWBJ.

Kingland Systems in Ames is nominated for the FinTech and InsurTech Company of the Year. GlobalVetLINK and Renewable Energy Group are nominated for the AgTech and BioTech Company of the Year. In Huxley, Kreg Tool is nominated for Manufacturing Technology Company of the Year. Performance Livestock Analytics in Ames is nominated for Software Development Technology Company of the Year, and Gross-Wen Technologies in Ames is nominated for Startup Technology

more have asked about my experiences in applying various tools and thoughts on how that could extend to their organization. Therefore, the most meaningful certifications ascertain not only that coursework was completed and a test passed, but also that knowledge was applied in a meaningful project. The latter is key. I may have (miraculously) garnered an “A” or a “B” in differential equations at ISU, but you wouldn’t want me designing your control system. Even completion of an application project doesn’t guarantee that extensive hand-holding didn’t occur. Most certification organizations have a vested interest in ensuring participants cross the finish line. Certifications on a resume may help clear original sorting hurdles, but a worthwhile interview searches for evidence that the certified skills have been repeatedly and successfully applied and

Company of the Year. In the Creative Technology Solution of the Year category, Global Reach Internet Productions in Ames is nominated. Harry Aller, CTO of Innovative Lighting in Roland, is nominated for CIO/CTO/CiSO of the Year. As a whole, Story County has been nominated for Technology Community of the Year. In the Small/Medium category of Technology Company of the Year, two Ames companies, GlobalVetLINK and Performance Livestock Analytics, have been nominated. For the Workive Large Technology Company of the Year, Kingland System in Ames has been nominated.

that a deep, thorough understanding of the principals exists. Since certifications help make a resume more attractive, does that mean organizations shouldn’t promote certification in an effort to dampen employees’ mobility? To that, I refer to the popular internet meme: CFO: What happens if we invest in our people and they leave us? CEO: What happens if we don’t, and they stay? (Author’s note: I always feel that meme is a disservice to the majority of CFOs that I know). Pursuing formal certification is almost always more expensive than procuring the same knowledge informally without certification. But it is also likely more effective. In the case of an individual between jobs and

on a tight budget, the cost may likely be prohibitive. For an organization, the cost not only includes fees but the almost certainty that there will be portions of the certification process that aren’t particularly pertinent to its line of work. For both individuals and organizations, choosing the certification organization is even more important than determining whether to pursue certification. In essence, we want to ensure the certifier is certified to certify. Don’t assume that a pretty website ensures that. Last November I received a message via LinkedIn from an organization with a global presence. It wanted to know if I was available to instruct their fourday Lean Six Sigma Black Belt workshop. They didn’t know me from Adam. Here’s the kicker…I received the request on a Thursday and the workshop was scheduled to begin the following Tuesday! Two days to

become familiar with four days of training materials from another organization! (It took less than a minute to respond, “No thank you.” Unfortunately, for those enrolled in that particular workshop, certification was a bad decision. If the organization is large enough to have the resources to do so, an ideal solution is to custom design the training and certification process to meet its specific needs. This can be accomplished with an internal expert if you already have one, a contracted external consultant, or a collaboration between both. RICK BRIMEYER is the president of Brimeyer LLC, an independent management consulting firm located in Ames which guides organizations to higher performance by focusing on process improvement and leadership development. Further information is available at www.brimeyerllc.com or by calling (515) 450-8855.

20 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | APRIL 2019

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