AB AMES BUSINESS
MONTHLY A P R I L 2017
April Chamber Update
MOZZARELLA MAN: HOW THE CHEESE IS MADE AT LOST LAKE FARM SEE PAGE 20
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2 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | APRIL 2017
AMES BUSINESS
2 Local ag venture fund halfway to fundraising goal
6 West named to 100 Great Iowa Nurses list
3 Library donation honors local coin shop owner
7 April Chamber update 19 Mediacom to install fiber optic internet downtown
4 Ames honored with Hy-Vee Customer Experience Award
19 John Deere opens location in Research Park
4 McFly’s owners to open new BBQ joint in Luther
MONTHLY APRIL 2017
20 Mozzarella Man: How the cheese is made at Lost Lake Farm
5 OrangeTheory gym to open in north Ames this spring
21 Lyft starts operating in Ames, central Iowa counties
6 State board approves Ames eastern industrial annexation
Vol. 10, No. 4 AMES TRIBUNE Ames Business Monthly is a publication of the Ames Tribune, 317 Fifth St., Ames, IA, 50010; (515) 232-2160.
22 Rick Brimeyer
6 Main Street businesses invited to compete for $25K in state grants
22 Nate Brammer
STARTUP
Local ag venture fund halfway to fundraising goal By Dan Mika
Staff Writer dmika@amestrib.com
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n Ames-based agricultural technology fund is about halfway toward its fundraising goal for startups based in the Iowa State University Research Park. The Ag Startup Engine was founded last year to support fledgling companies working in the agricultural sector, cofounder Joel Harris said. The goal of the fund is to fill a gap for startups between initial idea and the first round of fundraising despite a boom in formal entrepreneurial support in the state, Harris said. Harris said the fund is
looking to find eight to 10 investors to give a total of $750,000 to Iowa-based agriculture companies over three years. Five companies, including Summit Agricultural Group owned by Iowa Board of Regents president Bruce Rastetter, have already invested in the fund. The group has begun funding three startups in the ISU Research Park, and intends to invest in between 10 and 15 startups overall. “What we’re focusing on is seed funding and higher risk investment with a longer term payout,” Harris said. “It’s supposed to foster more creativity and more startups.” The Ag Startup Engine, which is completely controlled by its
“What we’re focusing on is seed funding and higher risk investment with a longer term payout. It’s supposed to foster more creativity and more startups.” Joel Harris, Ag Startup Engine co-founder
private sector funders, is based in the ISU Research Park and is partnered with the Startup Factory, a university-supported incubator. Harris said the investors and outside volunteers will mentor the fund’s entrepreneurs and use ISU’s arsenal of business development resources to their fund’s advantage. “We’re able to look at companies that haven’t gone through that and maybe they’re not ready for investment, and we send them over to the Startup
Factory so they can develop and get some traction, or we get a first look at some of the companies coming out of that cohort,” he said. Harris said the mentorship style of the fund is as handson or hands-off as an investor wants it to be. Investors can go so far as to meet with their companies each week or as little as giving them recognition for media exposure or reaching a small goal. “As an entrepreneur myself,
that kind of support, even if it seems trivial, means a lot when you feel like you’re on your own or have a crazy idea, it’s beneficial,” Harris said. Harris, who co-founded Ames-based HarrisVaccines with his father and later sold the company to Merck Animal Health, said the main skill needed to run a business and a venture fund is problem solving. He said the ups and downs he faced working at HarrisVaccines is easily transferrable to the trials all startups, including the ones funded by his group, will eventually face. There are no deadlines for startups to apply, but the final date for investors to join the project is July 31.
A P R I L 2 017 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY | 3
RESOURCES
Library donation honors local coin shop owner By Grayson Schmidt, Staff Writer gschmidt@amestrib.com
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he Ames Coin Club is raising money to add resources to Ames Public Library in the name of Scott Nichols, the former club member and owner of Chester’s Coins & Gifts, who died last May. Though he is gone, Ames Coin Club President Dillon Kraft said Nichols’ memory will not be forgotten with the resources that will be purchased with a donation from the club in his name. “For years he (Nichols) had donated books to the
library, so we did this in Scott’s memory,” Kraft said. “He was at every one of our coin meetings, and supported the club, so we just wanted to keep his memory alive.” Kraft said the internet is a great resource for coin collectors, but the library is another great outlet for enthusiasts and those interested in coin collecting or who are curious about old coins they may stumble upon. According to Kraft, the coin club originally intended to buy the books valued at $500, and donate them to
the library. However, since the library would have more purchasing power, the club decided to donate the money instead, he said. “It gave us more bang for the buck,” Kraft said. But after the first order of books fell well short of the $500 cap, Kraft said he is sending another list of books for the library to purchase. Kraft said since the Ames Coin Club meets once a month, and does not have a location to permanently house the books, it made sense to partner with the library. That way the club can provide that extra resource
for the community, which has more coin collectors or enthusiasts than people may think, he said. Just last month the Ames Coin Club had its annual coin show, and had more than 500 people attend. “There’s quite a dedicated community to coin collecting in Ames,” Kraft said. “Our show is one of the most wellattended in the state, and it’s been that way for years.” Kraft said most of the books are general collection books, providing basic information. However, they also have books for those interested in a specific type of coin, such as Morgan silver dollars, or even Iowa-specific currency. “People of all types of interest, whether they’re just starting out, or are looking to do more advanced research, can do that research as well,” Kraft said.
Ames Coin Club President Dillon Kraft poses in front of Chester’s Coins & Gifts on Main Street Tuesday, March 7, 2017, in Ames, Iowa. PHOTO BY NIRMALENDU MAJUMDAR/AMES TRIBUNE
Every person who checks out or even picks up one of these books from the library will see a small note, letting people know who the donation honors. “Scott was a prominent
member of downtown for many years,” Kraft said. “He’s gone, but the shop’s still here.” Chester’s Coins & Gifts remains open at 221 Main St.
4 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | APRIL 2017
RESTAURANT
AWARD
Ames honored with Hy-Vee Customer Experience Award
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y-Vee, Inc. CEO Randy Edeker recently presented Ames’ Lincoln Center Hy-Vee with one of six 2016 Hy-Vee Customer Experience Award to recognize them for excellence in customer service. Hy-Vee’s Customer Experience Program, which began in fiscal year 2014, is designed to evaluate customers’ shopping experiences. Stores are rated by trained customer experience analysts several times a month in areas such as conditions, employee image and customer satisfaction. The Customer Experience Program was created to provide stores with constant analytical feedback on how they are performing so they can make improvements throughout the year “For 85 years, Hy-Vee has built its reputation on being helpful, friendly and doing whatever it takes to ensure great customer experiences,” said Sheila Laing, executive vice president and chief customer officer of Hy-Vee. “The Customer Experience Award winners go above and beyond on customer service and store appearance and serve as excellent examples for the company to emulate.” Two stores from each of Hy-Vee’s three regions were recognized last month for ranking the highest in their store category on the customer experience surveys. Stores were divided into two size categories — smaller than 50,000 square feet and larger than 50,000 square feet. Full- and part-time employees from each of the top-rated stores will receive a bonus for helping their store excel in customer experience. 2016 Hy-Vee Customer Experience Award Winners Eastern Region East Washington Hy-Vee 3801 E. Washington Ave., Madison, Wis. Store Director, Rob Budd Pella Hy-Vee 118 Southeast 9th St., Pella, Iowa Store Director, Derek Sparks Northern Region Lincoln Center Hy-Vee 640 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa Store Director, Kevin Mills Ames Hy-Vee Drugstore 1215 Duff Ave., Ames, Iowa Store Director, Ross Grunwald Western Region Sixth Street Hy-Vee 4000 West 6th St., Lawrence, Kan. Store Director, James Lofts Tarkio Hy-Vee 110 Chestnut St., Tarkio, Mo. Store Director, Kalvin McIntosh
McFly’s owners to open new BBQ joint in Luther By Grayson Schmidt
Staff Writer gschmidt@amestrib.com
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ess than two years after bringing the 1980s-themed McFly’s to the downtown Ames bar and restaurant scene, owners Steven Perlowski and Tanya Doyle are set to open a new restaurant for outdoor enthusiasts, just outside of Ledges State Park in Luther. “You wouldn’t think that there’s a restaurant out here in the country,” Perlowski said. “We’re trying to make it a destination, but also with the heavy traffic, just trying to make it a convenient place for a lot of people to stop.” Though he said they are still in the early stages, Perlowski said the restaurant, named Whatcha Smokin, will hopefully be ready to open by late spring or early summer. So far, he said the framing for the restaurant is almost finished, but the interior still needs extensive work. The location was once a gas station, which fits with the restaurant’s theme, described by Perlowski as an “outdoor enthusiast’s garage” or “man cave.” The 2,400-square-foot restaurant — located at the intersection of Iowa Highway 17 (S Avenue) and 270th Street — will feature traditional barbecue staples such as brisket and chicken, but because it
“You wouldn’t think that there’s a restaurant out here in the country. We’re trying to make it a destination, but also with the heavy traffic, just trying to make it a convenient place for a lot of people to stop.” Steven Perlowski, owner
is Iowa, it will lean heavy on the pork. “One, we’re in Iowa, so everyone loves barbecue,” Perlowski said. “We wanted to kind of do Iowa comfort food, and as people drive through Luther, they’re going to smell it, and they’re going to get hungry.” Perlowski said that the idea for the restaurant came from Doyle, who owns a motorcycle shop with her husband in Luther. Though Whatcha Smokin has a much more rural setting than McFly’s, Perlowski said he jumped at the opportunity to open a barbecue joint. “I was never hesitant,” Perlowski said. “I’ve worked with Tanya for a long time, and she’s a smart business person.” According to Perlowski, about 4,600 vehicles pass
McFly’s co-owner Steven Perlowski sits in his restaurant at its downtown Ames location. PHOTO BY GRAYSON SCHMIDT/AMES TRIBUNE
the intersection where the restaurant will be located each day. In addition to the vehicle traffic, the location is also near bike trails, which he said will bring in an entirely new crowd that he doesn’t see at McFly’s. Though Perlowski said he has extensive experience in the food service industry, he said barbecuing and smoking has been a fairly recent fascination of his, and one in which he has been focusing almost all of his time. Some of his recipes are already on the McFly’s menu, but Perlowski said he is excited to get them on at a restaurant that emphasizes the barbecue. “I’ve been spending a lot of my time learning the art of barbecue, and cooking
and testing a lot of foods and recipes,” Perlowski said. “This new place is definitely going to be more of a restaurant than McFly’s. Yes we have food, but we’re more of a bar.” In addition to the setting and menu items, Perlowski said there is a staunch difference between McFly’s and Whatcha Smokin. However even with the differences, he said that he can still apply many of the same lessons he learned. “It’s all preparation,” Perlowski said. “(McFly’s taught me) the dedication it takes to get a business going, and keeping it going. It’s about taking care of your guests, listening to feedback, making changes when necessary.”
APRIL 2017 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 5
FITNESS
OrangeTheory gym to open in north Ames this spring By Dan Mika
Staff Writer dmika@amestrib.com
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local husband and wife team are preparing to launch an OrangeTheory fitness studio later this spring just steps away from the North Grand Mall. Co-owner Jacob Johnson described OrangeTheory’s classes as a full-body, hour-long high intensity interval workout using multiple types of workout equipment meant to be done every day. He said the workout provides results for anyone, from olympic athletes to his own family. “My grandmother goes six days a week down in Florida and she’s lost over 60 pounds,” he said. “This workout is literally geared to anybody.”
The trainers focus on keeping people’s heart rates at specific levels while they work out using OrangeTheory heart rate monitors, which store the information to track progress and broadcast the heart rates of the entire class to a television at the front of the studio. Co-owner Brittany Johnson said the trainers at the studio keep everyone on track with their workout. She said gymgoers lose some of the effectiveness of a workout if they aren’t on a set plan at other gyms. “Some others make it up as we go,” she said. “This is very streamlined, they do the work for you.” Jacob Johnson said he wanted to expand the company’s footprint in the state outside of Des Moines, and Ames seemed like a
natural fit. “We thought the market here was perfect,” he said. “Ames is a very active community, a very professional community and it’s something we thought people here would enjoy.” The Johnsons and two other partners are also owners of a sister branch in Iowa City. Classes are available from mornings to evenings on weekdays and morning classes on weekends. The only day the center’s not open, Jacob Johnson said, is on Christmas. The gym won’t be ready for workouts until mid-May, as the company is still building the gym into the two adjacent suites. However, Jacob Johnson said customers can sign up for earlybird discounts until their grand opening.
Jacob and Brittany Johnson. The husband and wife duo are part owners in an OrangeTheory Fitness branch set to open in north Ames in May. PHOTO BY DAN MIKA/AMES TRIBUNE
Classes average around $10 per session, but vary depending on various packages available for
purchase. OrangeTheory Fitness is located at 725 24th St., Suite 103.
6 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | APRIL 2017
DEVELOPMENT
State board approves Ames eastern industrial annexation By Dan Mika, Staff Writer dmika@amestrib.com
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A map of the eastern industrial annexation area, outlined in red. The Iowa Economic Development Authority approved the annexation Wednesday. GRAPHIC BY DAN MIKA/AMES TRIBUNE
he city of Ames has annexed more than 1,300 acres of land east of the city for industrial development, pending any appeals that could be filed. The City Development Board with the Iowa Economic Development Authority approved the annexation of the eastern industrial area in mid-March, opening the land for industrial development. Ames has earmarked $5.3 million for water and sewer service installation in the area. The annexed area lies east of Interstate 35, south of the Union Pacific railroad tracks and would run to 590th Avenue, the border at which Ames and Nevada have previously
GRANTS
Main Street businesses invited to compete for $25K in state grants By Dan Mika, Staff Writer dmika@amestrib.com
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usinesses on Ames’ Main Street can win more than $25,000 in local and state business expansion grants through a statewide pitch competition running through the spring and summer. The “Open 4 Business” contest, run primarily by Iowa Economic Development, is asking for pitches from Main Street business owners across the state for how they could use grant money to improve their businesses and the entirety of their downtown. Local owners will meet with a group of Iowa State business students, faculty and local entrepreneurs for a “Shark Tank” style pitch in midApril. Main Street Cultural District director Cindy Hicks said the judges will choose the
agreed to not cross when annexing county land. Representatives from the city, along with Ames-based Renewable Energy Group and Nevada-based Lincolnway Energy, voiced support for the annexation, saying it would provide more good-paying jobs in the area. Charlie Kuester, a planner for the city, said allowing the annexation would help the city support its recent population growth. “The population growth in Ames requires us to provide land suitable for job production,” he said, noting that much of the city’s growth has come from more students attending Iowa State University. “Ultimately, when they finish their four-year degree, they’re going to be job seekers and we would like to retain what we can in this community.” Earlier, Dan Culhane, the president and CEO of the Ames Chamber of Commerce, said infrastructure projects could begin soon, but that development in the area is a long-term project. However, because of the proximity to rail access and other benefits the area offers, he expects it to be very productive. “So will there be a project there in six months? Probably not,” Culhane said. “But we anticipate a plethora of activity as a result of this area.”
NURSING winning business not just on the long-term viability of the business plans, but also on if the pitch meets the needs of the district and draws more foot traffic to the area. “It’s more than just how good is your idea, because a lot of people have good business ideas,” she said. “How does it benefit and complement what’s already going on?” The winner of the local competition will receive $500, a year’s membership to the Ames Chamber of Commerce and a professionally-produced promotional video for use in the regional and statewide Open 4 Business competitions. Hicks said whichever business wins the local competition is required to represent Ames at the regional contest in Des Moines, where the top prize is $8,000. If they win the regional competition, they will compete in the statewide contest in Sioux City for the $20,000 grand prize. The contest rules also require the local winner to match 25 percent of their winnings with their own funds. The competition is open to all types of businesses already open or developing plans to start in the Main Street Cultural District. Applications can be found at amesdowntown. org and are due May 12.
West named to 100 Great Iowa Nurses list
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ary Greeley Medical Center annouced that Deb West, RN, Home Health services has been named to the 100 Great Iowa Nurses list for 2017. She was nominated by a fellow colleague and was cited for her extraordinary care and compassion. In order to be West selected, certain criteria had to be met. A Great Iowa Nurse must be registered in the state of Iowa, have practiced nursing for a minimum of three years and made a significant contribution to the profession of nursing.
Deb West is a registered nurse in Home Health services and has been at Mary Greeley since 1982. In her nomination, West was praised for being a tireless advocate for the safety and well-being of pediatric clients in the home setting and going above and beyond to ensure they have everything they need to guarantee a successful transition from the hospital to their home. She goes the extra mile to ensure that she never leaves a child’s home if they are feeling scared. The nomination also spoke to the fact that she not only mentors new employees, but she exceeds expectations to ensure new employees feel supported and empowered. She inspires new staff to reach their full potential and also challenges them by helping them to discover their strengths. West will be among those honored at the annual celebration of the 100 Great Iowa Nurses on Sunday, May 7 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.
APRIL 2017 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 7
Chamber Update APRIL 2017
Ames Foundation plans annual tree planting
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e are fortunate to have a beautiful community to call home. We have thousands of trees here in Ames, which enhances our community by improving water qualLW\ WKURXJK ¿OWUDWLRQ DQG HURVLRQ FRQWURO SURYLGLQJ WHPperature control and wind breaks, and supporting wildlife habitat necessary for biodiversity. Trees have also been shown to increase property values, reduce crime, and improve mental health. There are approximately 2,300 Ash trees located on City managed property, making up about 16 percent of all public trees in Ames. In addition, there are thousands of Ash trees located on privately owned property. Unfortunately, Ash trees may be a dying breed thanks to the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). This invasive species has been destroying Ash trees across the nation for several years, and lessons learned in other parts of the country demonstrate that, without costly ongoing treatment, EAB will wipe out a population of ash trees within a decade. Emerald Ash Borer has been identi¿HG LQ 6WRU\ &RXQW\ ZKLFK PHDQV WKDW WKLV GHVWUXFWLRQ is imminent in our community. Many members of this FRPPXQLW\ PD\ SHUKDSV UHFDOO WKH ¿UVW PDMRU EOLJKW WR impact Ames. During the 1970’s, the City’s many American Elm trees were virtually wiped out by Dutch Elm disease. What followed was a steady effort to reforest the community, which continues to this day. Thankfully, the City of Ames has created and implemented the Emerald Ash Borer Response Plan. Each year the City of Ames will remove a select number of Ash trees preemptively, and, in partnership with the Ames Foundation, will repopulate the community with D YDULHW\ RI \RXQJHU WUHHV (DFK 6SULQJ DQG )DOO WKH Ames Foundation has organized volunteers to help plant new trees in various parts the community. Last year, the $PHV )RXQGDWLRQ SODQWHG RYHU RQH KXQGUHG DQG ¿IW\ trees. This year, we hope to plant more than two hundred. Want to help? The Ames Foundation is planning D GD\ RI SODQWLQJ RQ 6DWXUGD\ $SULO 9ROXQteers are needed to assist with planting trees in the area EHWZHHQ *UDQG $YHQXH DQG 'XII $YHQXH WK 6WUHHW WR WK 6WUHHW ,I \RX DUH LQWHUHVWHG LQ SDUWLFLSDWLQJ WKLV spring or want to learn more, please contact Peter Ampe at (515) 232-2310 or at peter@ameschamber.com.
The mission of the Ames Chamber of Commerce is to provide our members services that strengthen the economic vitality in Ames and enhance the quality of life in our community.
8 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | APRIL 2017
AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | APRIL 2017
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS 2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CASEY JOHNSON, Chair of Board of Directors Ames Ford Lincoln LUKE JENSEN, Vice Chair Real Estate Service Group, Inc. ANDREW PERRY, 2nd Vice Chair McFarland Clinic, PC SCOTT BLUM, Divisional Chair, Community Development Accord Architecture / Henkel STACY DREYER, Divisional Chair, Government Affairs & Treasurer First National Bank NATE EASTER, Divisional Chair, Membership Iowa State University Research Park DAVE TUCKER, Immediate Past Chair Workiva DAN CULHANE, President / CEO Ames Chamber & Economic Development Commission BOARD MEMBERS Vanessa Baker-Latimer, City of Ames Bret Bartholomew, Bartholomew Chiropractic Lindsey Beecher, Gilbert Community School District Scott Blum, Accord Architecture/Henkel Construction Nathan Buss - YPA Past President, VisionBank Matt Converse, Converse Conditioned Air Lawrence Cunningham, Iowa State Daily Media Group Stacy Dreyer, First National Bank Nate Easter, ISU Research Park Sara Hunter, Vermeer Corporation Luke Jensen, Real Estate Service Group, Inc. Casey Johnson, Ames Ford Lincoln Dr. Sonya Stoltze Newstrom, Stoltze and Stoltze Family Dentistry Andrew Perry, McFarland Clinic, PC Cliff Smith - MSCD Past President, GlobalVetLink Jason Schwenneker, Renewable Energy Group Trevin Ward - CAA President Elect, Workiva Jill Wellman, Danfoss Dave Tucker,Workiva The Chamber Update newsletter is published by the Ames Chamber of Commerce 304 Main Street,Ames, IA, 50010; phone: (515) 232-2310; fax: (515) 233-3203 www.ameschamber.com.
2017 Ames Day at the Capitol
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n Tuesday, March 7th Ames DQG 6WRU\ &RXQW\ ZHUH RQ GLVSOD\ DW RXU EHDXWLIXO 6WDWH &DSitol, as leaders from the City of $PHV ,RZD 6WDWH 8QLYHUVLW\ 'HV 0RLQHV $UHD &RPPXQLW\ &ROOHJH 6WRU\ &RXQW\ DQG WKH $PHV EXVLQHVV FRPPXQLW\ ¿OOHG the Capitol Rotunda for the 2017 Ames Chamber of Commerce Day at the Capitol. Keeping with an always popular tradition, Hickory Park served over 600 Legislators, VWDWH RI¿FLDOV OREE\LVWV YLVLWRUV DQG HYHQW attendees. Ames Day at the Capitol is always one of the most popular events of the entire /HJLVODWLYH 6HVVLRQ DQG WKLV \HDU¶V HYHQW built upon that tradition and represented Chamber members and residents of Ames DQG 6WRU\ &RXQW\ ZHOO We wound be remiss if we did not WKDQN RXU 'D\ DW WKH &DSLWRO 6SRQsors, each of which played an integral role in making Ames Chamber of Commerce Day at the Capitol a success. 3UHPLHU 6SRQVRU 0LGODQG 3RZHU Cooperative. 'D\ 6SRQVRUV %DULOOD $PHULFD ,QF %RHKULQJHU ,QJHOKHLP 9HWPHGLFD &LW\ of Ames, Des Moines Area Community College, Renewable Energy Group, Workiva %RRWK 6SRQVRUV $PHV &RQYHQWLRQ DQG 9LVLWRUV %XUHDX $PHV /DERUDWRU\ ,RZD 6WDWH 8QLYHUVLW\ 6WRU\ &RXQW\
APRIL 2017 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 9
AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | APRIL 2017
SCENES FROM AMES DAY AT THE CAPITOL
10 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | APRIL 2017
AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | APRIL 2017
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Legislative Luncheon to be held March 24th
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n Friday, March 24th from DP SP DW 5HQHZable Energy Group, Chamber members and their guest are encouraged to attend the Ames Chamber of Commerce March Legislative Luncheon. Attendees will hear from RXU 6WDWH /HJLVODWRUV UHJDUGLQJ SULRUity policy issues and the progress being made at the Capitol. The schedule for the /XQFKHRQ ZLOO EH DP SP 5HJLVWUDWLRQ DQG lunch available to all attendees. DP SP 6WDWH /HJLVODWRUV DGGUHVV WKH FURZG DQG ¿HOG TXHVWLRQV The event is open to Chamber members and their guest. The cost of attendance is $10.00 and includes lunch. If you have questions regarding the event, are interested in attending, or wish to submit a question, please contact Drew Kamp at 515-817-6311 or drew@ ameschamber.com. The Ames Chamber of Commerce thanks Converse Conditioned Air, Des Moines Area Community College, First National Bank, Midland Power Cooperative, Renewable Energy Group, and Workiva for their support as 2017 Taking /HDGHUVKLS /HJLVODWLYH 6SRQVRUV The Chamber also thanks Greater Iowa Credit Union; Harold Pike Construction LLC; Roseland, Mackey, Harris $UFKLWHFWV 3 & DQG 9HQX:RUNV IRU WKHLU generosity as 2017 Legislative Lunch 6SRQVRUV :LWKRXW WKH FRQWLQXHG VXSSRUW of our outstanding sponsors, the Ames Chamber of Commerce could not provide the great events and services we do today.
government relations THANK YOU TO OUR 2017 INNER CIRCLE SPONSORS
A P R I L 2 0 1 7 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y | 11
AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | APRIL 2017
April calendar Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
2
3
4
5
6
12 noon.: Farmer’s Insurance (R/C)
7
8
14
15
21
22
28
29
4:30 p.m.: elan spa LLC (R/C)
9
10
11
12
4:30 p.m.: My Salon (R/C)
13 12 noon.: Grandpa Noodle Gallery (R/C)
Leadership Ames
16
17
1811:30 a.m.: Ames Seed 19 Capital Annual Meeting 4:30 p.m.: Express Employment Professionals (R/C)
Easter Sunday
23
24
25
26
20 12 noon.: Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa (R/C) 4:30 p.m.: BAH @ Green Hills Retirement Community
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4:30 p.m.: PCI Academy (R/C)
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Chamber Board
Youth Leadership Ames
AEDC Board
AEDC !MES %CONOMIC $EVELOPMENT #OMMISSION s BAH "USINESS !FTER (OURS s CAA #AMPUSTOWN !CTION !SSOCIATION s C #HAMBER /FlCE s FAW: Friday After Work s L&L: ,UNCH ,EARN s R/C 2IBBON #UTTING s YPA 9OUNG 0ROFESSIONALS OF !MES s YLA: Youth Leadership Ames
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AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | APRIL 2017
RIBBON CUTTINGS
Celebrate with a ribbon cutting If your business has completed a PDMRU UHPRGHOLQJ SURMHFW PRYHG WR a new location, changed ownership, or reached a milestone, you need to take advantage of the Chamber’s Ribbon Cutting service that brings members and the media to you. With each Ribbon Cutting, your business will be exposed to WKH $PHV FRPPXQLW\ DQG 6WRU\ County. Event photos of your Ribbon Cutting will be published in the Chamber’s Weekly E-mail Update and the Ames Business Monthly. A Ribbon Cutting is a great way to invite people to your location and showcase your business.
Bottlesode Films 208 5th St. Ames
Not only does this opportunity get people to your place of business, but it offers a unique networking environment in addition to VRPH JUHDW PDUNHWLQJ 6R ZKDW DUH you waiting for? Contact Jan WilOLDPV DW MDQ#DPHVFKDPEHU FRP or call 232-2310, to schedule your Ribbon Cutting today!
✂ Cyclone Truck & Auto Repair 310 SE 16th St. Ames
A P R I L 2 0 1 7 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y | 13
AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | APRIL 2017
AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AMBASSADORS
Tess Ashley,Global State Mortgage Alli Azbill, Global State Mortgage Don Borcherding, Greater Iowa Credit Union Steve Bock, RE/MAX Real Estate Center Laura Brassell, Bank of the West Nathan Buss, VisionBank Tara Carlson, Tom Randall Real Estate Team Kelsey Carper, Re/Max Real Estate Center John Coder, VisionBank Zack Cregeen, Re/Max Real Estate Center Lisa Downs, EXIT Realty Stacy Dreyer, First National Bank Pam Fleener, First National Bank Teresa Garman, Individual Member Leslie Ginder, ISU LAS Career Services Ashlee Goetsch, Waterford at Ames Sherry Hosteng, RE/MAX Real Estate Ashley Howe, Xpanxion Sharon Johnson, RE/MAX Real Estate Michelle King, The Krell Institute Greg King, South Duff Matt Koehler, Greater Iowa Credit Union Paul Livingston, Hunziker & Associates, Realtors Danielle Minde, EXIT Realty Brandon Mumm, Ames Tribune David Orth, Spirited Giving Matthew Pacha, Hy-Vee Lincoln Center Mike Peckis, Sam’s Club Sarah Powers, RE/MAX Real Estate Tom Randall, Tom Randall Real Estate Team Molly Redenbaugh, Danfoss Power Solutions Matt Roghair, Exchange State Bank Dorothy Schumer, Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau Tim Tryon, First National Bank Daryle Vegge, Ames Morning Rotary Allyson Walter, Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau Cherie Wandling, Wilson Toyota of Ames Michelle Wild, Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau Keathen Winter,Northridge Village
Stadium View Suites 1206 S 4th St. Ames
Weber Accounting Services 319 Lincoln Way Ames
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AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | APRIL 2017
Welcome, new Ames Chamber members Hogan-Hansen, PC, is a full service CPA ďŹ rm with ten ofďŹ ces in Iowa. Located in Ames at 1601 Golden Aspen Drive, #107, we’ve combined Pyle Accounting, PLLC and Dennis Pyle, CPA. Let them work hard for you, with expertise in Accounting, Consulting and Wealth Management. Call them at 232.0533 or visit www.hoganhansen.com for more information.
Mr. Burrito, located at 2508 Lincoln Way, is a family owned, local restaurant. They create 100% Mexican food and it’s always fresh! Visit them for your next lunch or dinner outing, and experience why the Iowa State Daily voted them Best Mexican Food. Stop in or call them at 515.292.3002.
National Alliance on Mental Illness of Central Iowa (NAMI CI), is a non-proďŹ t agency that supports people affected by mental illnesses, educates the public about mental health issues and advocates for people affected by mental illnesses. Visit www.namiofci.org for more information or call 515.292.9400 to learn more.
Mike Louis Body & Paint, is a full circle Service Center, specializing in autobody, towing, mechanical, sandblasting & restoration work. They are a salvage yard and also buy scrap metal and used vehicles. For a complete listing of their services, visit them at www.mikelouisautobody.com, stop in at 1901 East Lincoln Way, or call 515.232.3330.
Hyland Shoe Repair, located at 301 Kellogg Avenue, is shoe repair and so much more! Stop in for leather & purse repair, orthopedic build up work, or to buy polishes, laces, conditioners and more. Not sure if your item can be ďŹ xed or modiďŹ ed? Bring it in and ask!
Join the Chamber. Make new connections, promote your business, take advantage of professional development programs and more when you join the Ames Chamber of Commerce. Contact Jan Williams at (515) 2322310 for more information on how you or your organization can become a Chamber member. When you join, here are some of the many benefits you can take advantage of right away. s 0OST COUPONS ON OUR Web site for FREE. s!TTEND MONTHLY "USIness After Hours, First Shot Sessions, Legislative Luncheons and more for FREE. s 4AKE ADVANTAGE OF REAsonably priced ways to promote your business such as ribbon cuttings and mailing labels, just to name a few.
Individual Member: George Belitsos
s $ISCOUNTED 9OUNG Professionals of Ames membership (ages 21 to 40).
Ames Chamber and AfďŹ liate staff ‡ Dan Culhane, President and CEO
Executive Director
‡ Peter Ampe 'LUHFWRU 3URMHFW 0DQDJHPHQW
‡ Edana Delagardelle (YHQW &RRUGLQDWRU 0DLQ 6WUHHW Cultural District
‡ Sarah Buss 'LUHFWRU 6SRQVRUVKLS DQG Membership Events ‡ Karin Chitty, Campustown Action Association
‡ Lauren Frandsen, Director, Communications & Marketing
‡ John Hall, Director, Business Development & Marketing ‡ Ron Hallenbeck ([HFXWLYH 9LFH 3UHVLGHQW ([LVWLQJ Business and Industry ‡Kelly Hendrick, &OLHQW 6HUYLFHV &RRUGLQDWRU ‡ Cindy Hicks 0DLQ 6WUHHW &XOWXUDO 'LVWULFW Executive Director
‡ Amy Howard, 9LFH 3UHVLGHQW )LQDQFH Operations ‡ Drew Kamp 'LUHFWRU 6WRU\ &RXQW\ &RPPXQLW\ Outreach and Government Affairs ‡Lojean Petersen $PHV 0DLQ 6WUHHW )DUPHUVœ Market Manager ‡Jan Williams, Director, External Business Relations
A P R I L 2 0 1 7 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 15
AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | APRIL 2017
C HA M B E R LEADERSHIP
SERIES
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MEMBERS Thank you to the following members who have donated 10 percent more than their annual dues IRU &KDPEHU SURMHFWV A & R Marketing ATS Logistics Alfred's Carpet & Decorating Ames Eye Clinic Ames Ford Lincoln Avec Design + Build Big Creek Design Group Blue Sky Orthodontics CIT Signature Transportation CON-STRUCT, INC. Central Software Solutions Country Landscapes Dan's Custom Landscapes, Inc. Dublin Bay Farmer's Insurance - John Schremph Farner-Bocken Co. Fuji Steakhouse Grandpa Noodle Gallery H.L. Munn Lumber Co. Hanson Homes Inc. Hedrick Construction, Inc. iHeart Media Iowa State Center Iowa State University Memorial Union KHOI Heart of Iowa Communtiy Radio Keller Williams / Tom Randall McFarland Clinic Moorman Clothiers Ames, Inc. Orange Theory Fitness PCI Academy Pinnacle Properties Pizza Pit Robert Buck Special Olympics Iowa Staff Management | SMX The Weitz Company Thrivent Financial, Dueane Fass U.S. Cellular Workiva
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. All Gold members will be listed one time during the year.
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16 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | A P R I L 2 0 1 7
AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | APRIL 2017
Young Professionals of Ames
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et involved with Young Professionals of Ames for opportunities to build and IRVWHU UHODWLRQVKLSV WKRXJK
YPA AT AMES CHAMBER ANNUAL EVENT 2017 YPA Board
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Some of the YPA board members and winners of the Ames Chamber of Commerce annual awards gathered at the Chamber Annual Event. This year’s annual event boasted a record turnout of nearly 800 friends, members, and investors!
Jessica Mortvedt, President, Haverkamp Properties Nathan Buss, Past-President, VisionBank Megan Vollstedt, PresidentElect, Workiva Charmian Stewart, Hilton Garden Inn Ames Taylor Hopper, Fox Engineering Heather Johnson, Octagon Adam Halbur, Grandgenett Family Dental Jason Mortvedt, Kinzler Construction Bri Anderson, Ames Public Library Justin Moorman, Moorman Clothiers Megan Filipi, Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau Chamber Liaison/Staff: Sarah Buss, Ames Chamber of Commerce
Thank you to our 2017 YPA sponsors
LUNCH & LEARN YPA would like to again thank Iowa State Head Football Coach Matt Campbell for presenting at February’s Lunch & Learn.YPA Lunch and Learns allow you to learn something new, connect with others and enjoy free lunch! Visit www.ypames.com to learn about upcoming Lunch and Learns.
SEVEN REASONS TO JOIN YPA 1. Networking in real life still matters 2. Practice makes perfect – work on your business skills with other YPs 3. Gain knowledge of the business community 4. Create partnerships – you never know who you’ll meet 5. Contribute to the Ames community 6. Learn about new professions and career paths 7. Have fun and meet some like-minded friends
Ames Ford Lincoln First National Bank Global Reach Internet Productions Hunziker & Associates, Realtors ISU MBA Kingland Systems Mary Greeley Medical Center Munn Lumber North Grand Mall Story Construction VisionBank Hy-Vee Converse Conditioned Air
Connect with YPA Visit www.ypames.com for upcoming events, committee openings and volunteer opportunities.
A P R I L 2 0 1 7 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H L Y | 17
AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | APRIL 2017
MAIN STREET CULTURAL DISTRICT
Ames couple recognized by Governor for leadership
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hen it comes to volunteers, they GRQ¶W FRPH DQ\ EHWWHU WKDQ 6WDQ DQG Tammy Hyer! During 2016, the Hyers took all that Mother Nature could dish out and kept on lending a helping hand RQ 0DLQ 6WUHHW 7KH\ VKRZHG XS LQ WKH FROG UDLQ during extreme heat, and even braved a thunderstorm! Because of their dedication and spirit of leadership, the Hyers will be recognized by the
Governor with the Leadership Award at the Main 6WUHHW ,RZD $ZDUGV RQ $SULO DW D FHUHPRQ\ EHLQJ KHOG DW +R\W 6KHUPDQ 3ODFH 0DLQ 6WUHHW Ames is lucky to have such people who give their time, not because they have to, but because they want to. They truly want their downtown to be the best and their passion shows in their actions! &RQJUDWXODWLRQV 6WDQ DQG 7DPP\ DQG 7KDQN \RX IURP WKH 0DLQ 6WUHHW &XOWXUDO 'LVWULFW
18 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | APRIL 2017
AMES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | APRIL 2017
CAMPUSTOWN ACTION ASSOCIATION
Make Campustown Shine 2017 CCA Board President: Kathy Dubansky,
Workiva Past-President: Trevin Ward,
Workiva President-Elect: Scott Wannarka, GlobalVetLink Business Improvement Chair: Ryan Jeffrey, Arcadia Café Community Outreach Chair: Xena Jolly, Copyworks Promotions Chair: Kristin Erdman, Memorial Union Amy Mellies, St. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s by the
Campus Mike Adams, Welch Avenue
Station Chad Watkins, Battlecry Iowa
Smokehouse Kelsey Bolte-Carper, RE/MAX Mark Rowe-Barth, Iowa State
University Julie Gould, City of Ames Amy Howard, Ames Chamber of
T
Delta Delta Delta participated in the last Shine event of 2016
he month of April marks the beginning of the Make CampusWRZQ 6KLQH SURJUDP IRU &$$ KRVWV JURXSV RI YROXQWHHUV IRU D KRXU VKLIW WR KHOS FOHDQ XS OLWWHU LQ &DPSXVWRZQ 6HYeral groups have already signed up for the date of their choice. Clean ups are held one or two times a month, depending on volunteer availability. If you have a group interested in helping to make a difference in the Campustown district â&#x20AC;&#x201C; please send an email to director@ amescampustown.com. The Make Campustown Shine program is sponsored by The Fighting Burrito. $YDLODEOH GDWHV )ULGD\ 0D\ WK ± $0 30 RU 30 6DWXUGD\ 0D\ WK ± $0 30 Friday, June 2nd â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3-5PM 6DWXUGD\ -XQH WK ± $0 30 6DWXUGD\ -XO\ WK ± $0 30 6DWXUGD\ -XO\ QG ± $0 30 6DWXUGD\ $XJXVW WK ± $0 30 )ULGD\ 6HSWHPEHU QG ± 30 6DWXUGD\ 2FWREHU VW ± $0 30
Commerce Janelle Gibney, ISU Student Rep-
resentative Joe Biegger, ISU Student Repre-
sentative
Thank you to our 2017 Sustaining Investors Arcadia Café Chitty Garbage Service, Inc. Dogtown University Fighting Burrito Kingland Systems Workiva
Connect with CAA Visit www.amescampustown.com for upcoming events, committee openings and volunteer opportunities.
A P R I L 2 0 1 7 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 19
INTERNET
Mediacom to install fi ber optic internet downtown By Dan Mika, Staff Writer dmika@amestrib.com
I
nternet provider Mediacom is preparing to install fiber optic internet access for more than 100 businesses in the Ames downtown district this spring. Tom Larsen, Mediacom senior vice president for government and public relations, said the project would reach 62 buildings and 162 businesses downtown. The company is offering the fiber hookups free of charge, he said. The approximate range of the project is Sixth Street and Lincoln Way as the north and south border, with Grand Avenue and Duff Avenue as the east and west borders. The project is part of a three-year, $1 billion investment by Mediacom to improve its services in business districts. Larsen said business owners can get up to 10 gigabits of upload and download speeds under top-tier plans. “It’s bringing more fiber deeper into the cities,” Larsen said. “The businesses are the key fiber users today that have the appetite for bigger speeds and faster pipes.” Fiber optic lines, first developed for medical endoscopes in the 1950s, send information coded in beams of light through glass or plastic pipes as thin as human hair. They can provide internet access with up to hundreds of megabits of upload and download speeds, more than what cable providers can
provide with telephone or cable lines. Mediacom is preparing to request construction permits from the city and will begin contacting business and building owners next week. If a business owner refuses to grant Mediacom right of entry for construction, Larsen said the company will build around it. He also said Mediacom will still install fiber free of charge if the building owner changes their mind later. The investment comes after preliminary discussions by the Ames Chamber of Commerce and the city electric department to potentially give Ames-based internet provider ICS a chance to provide fiber to the downtown district using the city’s power vaults. John Hall, business development director at the Chamber, said the move by Mediacom is a win for the district, as current and potential downtown business owners had voiced concerns over internet speed and reliability in the area for a while. The Chamber views fiber optic internet as a recruiting tool to tech companies that want easy access to amenities such as coffee shops, restaurants and other services. The idea has been echoed by the Iowa State University Research Park in partnering with Ames Racquet and Fitness and McFarland Clinic to bring a gym and a clinic respectively to the city’s south side. Downtown has the amenities, but not
An approximate map of where Mediacom intends to install fiber optic internet cables downtown. The internet provider has committed itself to install the cables free of charge to businesses in the area. COURTESY GOOGLE MAPS
the internet speeds those companies want, and Hall said it’s preventing tech company expansion into the area. “We know of interest from companies who want to be down here, but internet is a barrier that makes that impossible for them to do,” he said.
Larsen said construction has been delayed due to poor weather and for planning purposes as the company would need to bore through concrete to install fiber to buildings. He expects construction to begin sometime this spring and finish sometime in the summer.
TECHNOLOGY
John Deere opens location in Research Park By Dan Mika
Staff Writer dmika@amestrib.com
J
ohn Deere is putting the final touches on a new 2,000 square foot technology office in the Iowa State Research Park. The Moline, Ill.-based agricultural machine company has had staff from its world headquarters in the park since Feb. 1, and expects to have just under 10
full-time staff in the area once at full strength, directing company projects, spokesman Ken Golden said. The company will also have several ISU students working on projects for the company at any given time. The employees who will staff the office are existing John Deere employees, and no new jobs will be created, he said. Golden said the company is focusing on developing “precision
ag” technology at the office, such as self-driving tractors, precise seed planting and other products developing in the agriculture sector. John Deere’s ISU office is the second of its kind at a major U.S. university, its first being located at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill. Golden said the company maintains less formal research and development ties with other universities around the country.
ISU Research Park director Steve Carter said John Deere’s decision to move into the park reinforces a long-standing relationship between the company and the university. “They have a long relationship with Iowa State that has been productive in research projects, utilizing infrastructure, and they have recruited a lot of employees from Iowa State,” Carter said. Companies establishing
physical locations at the Research Park is not a new phenomenon. Vermeer, an agricultural machinery company and a John Deere competitor, opened its own technology hub in the park last October. The Pella-based company had expressed interest in having a closer physical location to ISU and potential interns in the city. That hub also houses companies in the ISU Startup Factory.
20 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | APRIL 2017
CHEESE
Mozzarella Man: How the cheese is made at Lost Lake Farm By Austin Cannon
Staff writer acannon@amestrib.com
I
t was about 7 p.m., and Kevin Dietzel already was anticipating the long night ahead of him. About 70 pounds of mozzarella cheese curd sat in the pasteurizer tank before him, and over several hours late Thursday he would cut and stretch the cheese before packaging 36 eight-ounce balls and 75 bags of curds for Lost Lake Farm, his and his wife Ranae’s farm. He estimated he’d be done by 1 a.m. or 2 a.m., depending on whether he decides to clean up before going to bed. He began the day at 5 a.m. He said that’s pretty typical, but what he’s doing now has been the goal since he worked on a German dairy farm as a teenager. “Dairy farming has been a dream for a long time,” said Dietzel, who had worked other jobs in agriculture to build savings. “The cheese kind of came along the way.” He realized that dream in September, when Lost Lake Farm began selling its mozzarella and Ingrid’s Pride, a cheese most closely related to provolone named after one of the farm’s cows. The entire cheese-making process stays on site — the farm that’s on a dirt road off another dirt road north of Jewell. From the farm, the cheese goes to five grocery stores, food co-ops and a coffee shop in Story City. On Thursday, the cheese was destined for the east Ames Hy-Vee. It began as about four days’ worth of milk from the 15-cow
herd before it was pasteurized. Dietzel then spent the day turning it into cheese curds. As night fell, it was time to stretch the mozzarella curds and shape it into balls. In a process that’s half therapeutic and half muscle-building for his forearms, Dietzel cuts up the large curds into smaller pieces and then dumps them into 190-degree saltwater that necessitates large, insulated rubber gloves. In the water, he molds pieces into a giant blob. When the consistency is right, he raises the top of cheese up and lets the rest of it stretch down into the bowl. The stretched section then goes back into the bowl as Dietzel pulls up the next, non-stretched section. It’s cyclical, almost as if he’s reeling in a rope. “Now you see what I mean by stretching it,” he said, mozzarella in both fists. “I’m literally stretching it.” Once the cheese reaches the desired consistency, he squeezes with both hands to produce a ball. He pulls it off and tosses it into a bucket to be packaged later on in the evening. Back when he started, the mozzarella took 15 small scale batches to perfect and several more weeks to get the large-scale batch right. It’s a challenging process; Dietzel got help from dairy farmers and cheesemakers from around the state. One even helped him design the building next to his house that contains the milking parlor, the chilled aging room and the open room with the pasteurizer tank, bowls and heating plates — a kind of
Kevin Dietzel of Lost Lake Farm pours water back onto a heating plate as he prepares to stretch some mozzarella Thursday night. Lost Lake Farm sells mozzarella and its other cheese, Ingrid’s Pride, in grocery stores around Ames. PHOTO BY AUSTIN CANNON/AMES TRIBUNE
cheese laboratory where the mozzarella is stretched. “There is so much to learn,” he said. “You can’t do it on your own. You have to learn from the mistakes of others and the wisdom of others.” He’s had to sacrifice time, too. The farming, cheesemaking and selling the cheese is the equivalent of three full-time jobs, Dietzel said.
“Not everybody wants to work that hard, so we’re glad some do,” said Connie Lawrence, the cheese buyer at Wheatsfield Co-Op in Ames, where Lost Lake Farm cheese is sold. The mozzarella has sold well enough at Wheatsfield that the store had to start a waiting list for hungry customers when they sold out. And the Dietzels have a fan in Lawrence, who used to
work at a cheese company herself. “I really like the fresh mozzarella,” she said. “It has more flavor, more of a buttery flavor than your average mozzarella.” Dietzel is also developing a couple other cheeses, one of which is a pressed, alpine-style type. When spring arrives, he and Ranae will sell at the Ames Farmer’s Market. They’ve
also applied to Des Moines Farmers Market and are waiting to hear back. But if anyone wants the cheese at its most fresh, it’s best to stand near Dietzel during the stretching process. “When it’s fresh and warm like this,” he said, “it doesn’t get better.” Visit lostlakefarmllc. com to find where you can buy Lost Lake Farm cheese around the area.
A P R I L 2 0 1 7 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | 21
RIDESHARE
Lyft starts operating in Ames, central Iowa counties By Dan Mika, Staff Writer dmika@amestrib.com
R
idesharing company Lyft has begun operating in a swath of central Iowa counties after receiving provisional approval by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Lyft began operating earlier this year in Story, Boone and Marshall counties, and in Perry, as part of a 54-city nationwide expansion of cities it offers rides in. According to a coverage map on its website, its Ames travel area also goes as far north as Gilbert and as far south as Elkhart. Lyft also added or expanded service in Des
Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Dubuque, Iowa City, Sioux City and Waterloo. IDOT spokeswoman Andrea Henry said the department processed Lyftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s application and has granted the company permission to operate in Iowa as long as it abides by ridesharing rules set by the Legislature last year. It also must reapply for permission to operate every year, she said. Under state law, ridesharing companies must require vehicle liability insurance and perform background checks on all drivers before allowing them to pick up drivers through their apps. Lyft now provides an alternative in Ames to competing rideshare company
A map of the Ames travel area for Lyft drivers. The ridesharing company began operating in Ames and other central Iowa counties last weekend. MAP COURTESY OF LYFT
Uber, which started operating in the city in 2015 and can take passengers as far
east as Nevada and as far west as the Boone city limits. Representatives from
Lyft did not respond to questions about how many drivers have signed up in the
Ames or other counties the service has begun operating in.
22 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | APRIL 2017
BRIMEYER
Harvesting great ideas A
lthough it took place roughly 20 years ago, the lesson is seared into my mind like the brand on a cow’s rear flank … My peer team of managers was attending teamwork training, the outdoor experiential kind. As our challenge was being described to us by the event’s facilitators I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. We were to split into sub-teams with each sub-team handed a compass and a map on which various points were designated. We were to use our orienteering skills to find the points hidden among the camp’s 1100 acres of rugged wilderness along the Des Moines River. Each point earned us supplies that we would use to build a raft to float our team. Based on the number of team members floated and tasks completed on the raft we would earn “revenue” for our fictitious “company.”
Rick Brimeyer This was right up my alley. I love hiking. Maps, compasses and knot tying were specialties of mine as an Eagle Scout. I couldn’t believe I was getting paid to have so much fun. Our sub-team consisted of three engineering managers and our administrative assistant Deb. I gave the group a quick lesson in orienteering.
We divided up targeted points among the subteams and took off. Our initial point was located in an open field relatively close to our “headquarters” cabin. We determined the bearing and distance from the map, used the compass to select a landmark in the correct direction and counted our paces. Voila! There was the 4-inch red square with a white letter attached to the trunk of tree, hidden below the tall grass. A quick celebration ensued and we selected our next target. We’ve got this! We set our attention on our second point, again getting our bearing and distance from the map (roughly a half mile). This time, however, our journey took us into the woods so we had to opt for an intermediate target on the edge of the forest, perhaps 100 yards away. Once there, we
reasoned, we would pick another landmark and proceed to our mark in multiple segments. As we advanced into the woods, however, the growth became thicker and thicker. Our segments grew shorter and shorter due to limited visibility. Once a landmark was established, we could no longer walk directly to it due to thickets. Exactly which tree was our target again? Still, we kept our heads down and struggled forward, burning an hour of valuable time. We even tried creating our own landmark, tying a bandana on the end of a long stick and swinging it as the compass person (me) lined it up in what we now hoped was the correct direction. Our segments were down to 15 yards. Relatively quiet to this point Deb spoke up, “Guys this is crazy! There has to be a better way! We arbitrarily chose the last point as our starting point because we knew where we were. Can’t we find a distinct landmark on this map that’s much
closer to our target and start from there?” Silence. Three engineering managers sheepishly stared at their feet as lightbulbs flashed above their heads. We had literally lost the forest in the trees. Our initial success further cemented our paradigm. Finally someone muttered, “I think that’s a good idea.” We looked at our topographical map and noted a ridge coming to a point not 30 yards from the target. If we could find that rather distinct feature it would be much easier to shoot a new line from there to our target as opposed to trying to follow our current course through the Amazon jungle for another quarter mile. Fifteen minutes later we were celebrating the capture of our second point. More importantly, we had developed an improved process for locating future points. We radioed the other subteams to share our learning. We might still be wandering through the thicket if we hadn’t previously established a culture on our team where
Deb felt safe sharing a critical observation and an idea. Just as importantly, an environment that recognized that managers don’t have the monopoly on good ideas and that each idea deserves a respectful hearing, evaluation and response. If your organization seems to lack creativity and innovation, a good place to start is to determine if you are unintentionally limiting the number of idea generators. You never know where your next great idea is coming from … but if you place limits on people you know where it won’t come from. Happy Administrative Professional Day on April 26! 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.
BRAMMER
How much risk do I have in my portfolio?
I
Nate Brammer
have been asked many times; “How much risk should I have or do I have in my investment portfolio?” My first thought before answering is trying ascertain what is actually being asked. Seek first to understand as the saying goes. So let’s define our terms. What is the definition of risk relative to an investment portfolio? In finance, the most commonly accepted definition of risk is one that involves a well-known statistical measure known as variance. What is variance? A well-constructed portfolio based on a multitude of variables
has an annual “Expected Return.” So the definition of risk is that the portfolio’s actual return for the year is something different than the expected return. It varies from what investor expected. The year’s return could be better or worse than what was expected. A couple of criticisms of this definition is that the average investor does not consider a return above average as an unfavorable outcome; Risk. The second issue is that variance makes assumptions that returns will be symmetrical around the Expected Return when that is not always the
case. There can be anomalies or outliers in investment returns. Does anyone remember 2008? We can account for some risk through proper portfolio construction. One way to reduce risk is through diversification. It is analogous to a farmer planting both corn and beans. If the farmer knew which crop was going to provide a better return for the time and money invested before the planting season, they would surely plant 100 percent of that crop in their fields. Unfortunately, there are many things out of the control of the producer that can happen between May and October to change the prices of commodities. Likewise in investment
portfolio, we can reduce some risk through diversification. Diversification should be among and between asset classes. Diversification among asset classes means a portfolio should own many companies, across many industries, and from many countries. Unfortunately, like farming we cannot diversify all risk away. Next month, we will examine the many types of risks in typical investment portfolios. NATHAN D. BRAMMER MBA, AIF is a Principal and Investment Advisor at Marrs Wealth Management. He can be reached at Nate@ marrswealthmanagement.com or www.MarrsWealthManagement. com.
A P R I L 2 017 | A M E S B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY | 2 3
24 | AMES BUSINESS MONTHLY | APRIL 2017