Siouxland Business Journal - December 2017

Vol. 23 No. 2 PO Box 118, Sioux City, Iowa 51102

November 2017

SUCCESSION PLAN Gerkin Windows & Doors unveils new leadership

INSIDE THIS MONTH’S ISSUE: American adds second Dallas flight at SUX PAGE 4

BPI donates $100,000 to ship commissioning PAGE 5

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Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017

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L&L BuiLders Co. proud supporter of aLL miLitary veterans

Evan Palsma Air National Guard

James Mauer Navy

General ContraCtors ConstruCtion ManaGers

Jim Nutzman Army

John McGuire Jerad Keegan Air Force Air National Guard

Justin Jacobson Army National Guard

712-255-0657 www.llbuilders.com

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Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017 3

BusinessJournal Ron Peterson, publisher Dave Dreeszen, editor Siouxland Business Journal is published monthly by Sioux City Newspapers Inc., in cooperation with the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.

Requests for a free subscription or address changes should be sent to: Kevin McGarry Siouxland Business Journal Box 118 Sioux City, Iowa 51102

Editorial copy should be sent to: Dave Dreeszen Siouxland Business Journal editor Box 118 Sioux City, Iowa 51102 dave.dreeszen@lee.net For more information: Editorial: (712) 293-4211 or 800-397-9820, ext. 4211 Advertising: (712) 224-6279 or 800-728-8588 Circulation: (712) 293-4258 or 800-397-2213, ext. 4257 On the web: www.SiouxlandBusinessJournal.com

Index

Justin Wan, Sioux City Journal

Business People..................................................page 7

Home & Office.....................................................page 9

Chamber anniversaries.................................... page 17

On the move......................................................page 10

Chamber investors........................................... page 17

Ribbon cuttings...............................pages 11, 14, 18-23

NEW/FOR SALE

NEW/FOR LEASE

ON THE COVER

Executives of Gerkin Windows & Doors from left, Evan George, vice president of sales and marketing; Scott Gerkin and Scott Andersen, co-presidents and chief operating officers; and John Miller, vice president of manufacturing, are shown Nov. 14 at the South Sioux City plant. Steve and Paul Schneider, owners of the manufacturer of commercial and residential vinyl and aluminum window and door products, will step away from day-to-day management, effective Jan. 1, as part of a leadership succession plan.

NEW/FOR LEASE

1242 River Drive, North Sioux City

2500 Highway 75 North

2910 Hamilton Blvd, Ste 100

5.31 acre industrial lot ready to build.

Can be combined with adjacent 6.3 acres.

Streets, sewer & water in place at lot line.

Frontage on Highway 75 & easy & close access to Interstate 29.

Attractive brick office building directly across from the Market Place Shopping Center. This 925 sf space has parking at the door & would be great for medical, insurance or general office use. Recently remodeled.

Sand Trail Center, North Sioux City. 1,435 sf retail/office space for lease at only $9 sf including RE taxes, building insurance & common area. Open floor plan, parking at door. Just off of I-29 North Sioux exit.

NEW/FOR LEASE

NEW/FOR LEASE

REDUCED/FOR SALE

Commercial Real Estate Services SALES - LEASING - PROPERTY MANAGEMENT - INVESTMENTS salemrealestate.biz 700 Pierce St. Sioux City, IA EXPERIENCE. KNOWLEDGE. SUCCESS. CALL 712-224-4100 TODAY!

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SIOR, CCIM, Commercial Broker

712.204.2727 508 Pierce Street

4125 Gordon Drive

Prime retail/office space located in the professional Frances Office Building. This space has street level exposure with an open floor plan, glass atrium & company signage. It is attached to the Martin Luther King Parking Garage. Utilities included. Tenant pays internet & telephone.

Spaulding Center 2,250 sf office space on busy Gordon Drive for lease. 6 private offices, waiting/reception, conference, work room & break room. Good signage, exposure & off-street parking.

Sprint & Earl May Garden Center adjacent.

419 Nebraska St Income investment two-story commercial building for sale in downtown Sioux City. Currently being used as 2 retail offices for Susan G. Komen & Siouxland Coin & Jewelry. Second floor opportunities to renovate, redesign & recreate.

Karla Hertz

Commercial Sales Associate

712.251.6861

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Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017

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Great Western Bank Welcomes Aaron Gehling as Market President of the Sioux City branch.

Aaron brings a variety of experience to Great Western Bank. He has worked as a commercial lender but also has spent time as a home mortgage lender and branch manager and over the last 14 years with a national bank. Aaron is a graduate of Bishop Heelan Catholic School, earned an Associate’s degree from Western Iowa Tech Community College and then went on to graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the Iowa State University in finance.

Aaron is active in the community. He serves as Treasurer for the Launch Pad Children’s Museum and is a volunteer with several local conservation groups. Most recently, Aaron has helped develop a local youth shooting program called the Mighty Mo’ Youth Trap Team which he is the President of the committee. He lives just south of Sioux City with his wife, Emilee, and their 4 children.

Sioux City: 600 Pierce St. 712.522.4430 GreatWesternBank.com ©2017, Great Western Bank

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Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017 5

American adds 2nd Dallas flight at Sioux Gateway NICK HYTREK

Business Journal staff writer‌

SIOUX CITY | Passengers from Sioux Gateway Airport will have an additional flight to Dallas to choose from when making travel plans.

American Airlines will add a second round-trip flight from Sioux City to its hub at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport from Feb. 15 through March 3.

It is the third time in the past three months that American, the only carrier at Sioux Gateway, has announced additional seasonal flights to Dallas-Fort Worth. Second daily flights to Dallas will take place Nov. 20-28 and Dec. 23-Jan. 5.

“It is great to see that American is offering the additional DallasFort Worth flight again in February. Having two flights per day to American’s international hub in Dallas-Fort Worth is truly an upgrade in service, allowing business and leisure travelers to have

options when they fly,” Darrell Jesse, president of the Sioux Gateway Airport Board of Trustees, said in a news release.

In a previous interview with Jesse the Journal, Jesse said that if enough local travelers support the additional flights, American would consider making the second flight out of Sioux City a permanent addition.

The additional flight will depart Sioux City at 5:20 a.m. and arrive in Dallas at 7:38 a.m. The return flight departs Dallas at 8:55 p.m. and arrives in Sioux City at 10:57 p.m.

American, which started flying between Sioux City and Dallas in May 2016, also offers two daily Justin Wan, Sioux City Journal file flights between Sioux Gateway and Chicago’s O’Hare Interna- An American Eagle regional jet sits on the runway at Sioux Gateway Airport. The airline announced Tuesday that it will add a second flight from Sioux City to Dallas in Feb. 15 to March 3. tional Airport.

Experience an Extravagant Welcome at Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ Mayflower is a giving and welcoming church.

“No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”

Mission is lived out through the Project Good Neighbor.

Free coat tree during fall, winter, and spring Little Free Library (take a book; leave a book) Free community breakfast on the 4th Saturday of each month Free rummages in November and April Calico Kids Preschool And much more

Sunday Schedule Faith Formation Experiences: 9:15 am (3 yrs-adult) Worship Service: 10:30 am | Refreshments and Conversation: 11:30 am

Find us at: 1407 W. 18th St., Sioux City | 712-258-8278 mayflowerucc@gmail.com | www.facebook.com/MayflowerUCC/

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$100,000 from BPI directed to USS Sioux City BRET HAYWORTH

Business Journal staff writer‌

SIOUX CITY | Crew members from the USS Sioux City received a big surprise as they arrived in the ship’s namesake city for Veteran’s Day weekend.

BPI President Eldon Roth announced the Dakota Dunes-based company will donate $100,000 to the USS Sioux City Commissioning Committee. Roth took the action after touring the commissioning site at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, last September.

Roth said it is important to support charities associated with military veterans.

“I have always been, and remain deeply appreciative of the men and women in uniform who take an oath to defend freedom around the world. Let this contribution

signify how grateful my fa m i ly, a s well as our c o m p a n y, are to those courageous service Roth members who sacrifice so much to protect American values and our way of life across the globe,” he said.

Retired Rear Adm. Frank Thorp, chairman of the USS Sioux City Commissioning Committee, said he appreciated the gift, to keep boosting fundraising efforts toward the goal of $800,000 to $1 million to use toward commissioning, which will take place next spring or summer at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The Navy has yet to announce the commissioning date,

USS Sioux City crew members Mineman Cody Baker, left, and Executive Officer Chavius Lewis put up the Avenue of Flags Thursday at Graceland Park Cemetery in Sioux City. The USS Sioux City is currently undergoing testing in Wisconsin and will be commissioned next spring or summer.

Justin Wan, Sioux City Journal

but officials are reportedly considering mid-May. “This substantial gift will serve to cement the connection between this remarkable ship, her exceptional crew, and the extraordinary people of Sioux City.

Not only will BPI’s generous contribution lay the foundation for the decadeslong relationship between the ship and the namesake

PLEASE SEE BPI, PAGE 16

Rodney HugHes Vice President

Phone.. 712.277.2103 Fax.........712.277.2063 1432 Leech Ave. Sioux City, IA 51101 Email: rodneyh@boonebrothers.com

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BusinessPeople Estate Planning Council elects officers SIOUX CITY – The Siouxland Estate Planning Council has elected new officers and board members for the 2017-18 year.

Christie Finnegan of Goosmann Law Firm will serve as t h e o rga n i z a t i o n ’s p re s i d e n t .

Also elected were Lynda Cruickshank of Finnegan Security National Bank as vice president; Tim Swedean of Swedean & Company as treasurer; Anthony P. Lamb of Klass Law Firm LLP as secretary; and Chrystal Davis of Security National Bank of South Dakota as membership chair.

Siouxland Estate Planning Council convenes monthly to foster interdisciplinary relationships with professionals that deal with estate, tax and financial planning.

Members share ideas and learn about new and existing issues in estate, tax and financial planning, helping them to continue providing the best service to clients.

The nonprofit

organization’s members include attorneys, certified public accountants, financial planners, investment advisers, life insurance agents, trust professionals, farm managers and other professionals from Siouxland.

McAlpine

Coble

DenHerder

Jorgensen

4 re-elected to Northwest AEA board SIOUX CITY— Four Northwest Iowa citizens were recently re-elected to the Northwest Area Education Agency (AEA) board: • Mike McAlpine – District 2; • Glen Coble - District 6; • Glenda DenHerder – District 8;

607 - 611 Pearl St. Sioux City IA 51101 Prime commercial space available on Pearl Street near new Launch Pad and directly across the street from new city downtown park/green space. This location is prime for retail, restaurant or office space with a large daily work-force within 1-2 blocks this space. Increasing traffic flow and visibility in the historic Pearl Street district. Owner will provide a vanilla shell plus a significant tenant improvement allowance of $30.00 psf with a minimum 5 year NNN lease. Space may be divided down to 2,037 for 611 frontage or 3,542 for 607 frontage or all 5,579 in one.

Call for details on design/build/lease process made easy. Expenses are estimated and current taxes are not fully assessed.

• Ron Jorgensen – District 9.

I n a d d i t i o n , Roge r Brinkert was elected board president and Tom Bjorge was elected vice president of the board.

Accounting profs’ article published SIOUX CITY – Two Morningside College professors recently had an article published on “Tax Issues Facing a Surviving Spouse.”

The article by Mark C. Nielsen, assistant professor of accounting, and James M. Hopkins, retired professor of accounting, appeared in the October issue of Practical Tax Strategies, a tax journal published

by Thomson Reuters.

I t d i s - Hopkins cusses issues such as how to determine the tax return filing status, how to use various tax Nielsen carryovers in the year of death, and how to apply certain dependency exemption requirements to determine whether a surviving spouse can use the

Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017 7

qualified widow or widower filing status.

Both Nielsen and Hopkins are certified public accountants.

Professors receive NSF grant for research VERMILLION, S.D. – Two University of South Dakota professors have been awarded grants from the National Science Foundation for their research into germanium crystals and dark matter detection.

Jing Liu and Guojian Wang are two of 30 faculty members from institutions across the United States receiving fellowships through the NSF’s Established Program to S t i m u l a te Competitive Research or Liu EPSCoR. Both will receive more than $150,000 over a period of two years to fund their Wang research.

Liu, an assistant professor of physics at USD, will receive his fellowship for research on creating germanium crystal detection

615 Pearl St. Sioux City, IA 51101 Prime commercial space available on Pearl Street next to Launch Pad and directly across the street from new downtown park/green space. This location is prime for retail, restaurant or office space with a large daily work-force within 1-2 blocks this space. Increasing traffic flow and visibility in the historic Pearl Street district. Owner will provide a vanilla shell plus $30.00 psf tenant improvement allowance with a minimum 5 year NNN lease. Expenses are estimated and current taxes are not fully assessed.

Each office is independently owned & operated.

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devices on campus that can detect radiation, as well as hopefully someday detect dark matter.

Wang, a research assistant professor in the physics department, is receiving his fellowship for research into growing purer germanium crystals for use in detectors such as the ones built by Liu and his team.

According to the NSF, EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) Track-4 fellowship awards total roughly $5.6 million and will be distributed to researchers across 20 states. Awardees will “make extended collaborative visits to laboratories and scientific centers, establish partnerships with researchers with complementary expertise, learn new techniques, have access to sophisticated equipment, and shift their research focuses in new directions.”

Helms co-authors research paper SIOUX CITY – John Helms, assistant professor of chemistry at Morningside College, co-authored a research paper that was recently published in the journal Global Biogeochemical Cycles.

The paper, “Removal of Atmospheric Ethanol by Wet

Deposition,” focused on the concentrations of ethyl alcohol measured in rainwater collected in Helms Maine, Iowa, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, Texas, United Kingdom, Greece and Brazil.

It also highlights the atmospheric impact of the increased production and use of ethanol biofuels.

Madsen takes part in conference SIOUX CITY – Dave Madsen, assistant professor and chair of the department of mass communication at Morningside College, was recently a discussant for a research poster session at the Association for Educa- Madsen tion in Journalism and Mass Communication conference in Chicago.

Prior to the event, Madsen’s duties were to read and comment on the winning research papers. These papers were then presented in poster form at the conference.

103 S.Virginia St. Sioux City, IA 51101

Class A office space available in prime downtown Sioux City location.

103 Virginia is 1 block from historic 4th Street, Promenade movie theater, 5 minute walk from Hard Rock, 1 block from upcoming riverfront redevelopment, and a block off I-29. Second floor suite(s) available in in this fully renovated historic property. The 2nd floor is completely open and ready to be finished to tenant specifications. Owner will provide a vanilla shell plus $30.00 psf tenant improvement allowance with a minimum 5 year NNN lease. Expenses are estimated and current taxes are not fully assessed.

Listing agent is an officer of the corporation that owns the property.

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State ag secretary applauds water quality enhancements IAN RICHARDSON

Business Journal staff writer‌

SIOUX CITY | For months, downtown moviegoers circled around the machinery, upturned dirt and chainlink fencing at a construction zone directly outside Promenade Cinema 14.

Now, the barriers are down and the project is complete, providing some more green to the Fourth Street area while reducing storm water runoff.

The city on Nov. 3 d e d i ca te d the Promenade improvements p ro je c t , a Northey more than $400,000 initiative funded in part by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship that has added native vegetation to the area along with a handful of water quality elements.

Concluded in late September, the project has eliminated half the concrete paving and replaced it with various elements including bio-retention cells – landscape elements that capture and treat storm water runoff – as well as tree trenches and soil quality restoration.

“This reduces the amount of storm water that goes into our city’s infrastructure,” environmental services analyst Melissa Campbell said.

“They also work to filter out some of those nutrients and pollutants that would otherwise go to our water waste.”

The project, originally slated for completion in late July, was delayed about two months to allow crews to complete additional concrete removal and other minor tasks and additions, she said.

Design and construction of

Jim Lee, Sioux City Journal

Movie goers walk past the newly added green spaces in front of the Promenade Cinema 14. The city dedicated the new project on Nov. 3 with some help from Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.

Ian Richardson, Sioux City Journal

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey speaks at the ribbon cutting for Sioux City’s Promenade improvements project.

the project cost $415,333.50, approximately $68,000 of which was covered by grant funds through the Iowa Department of Land Stewardship’s Water Quality Initiative Program. Sioux City’s project was one of 13 in Iowa that received grants.

The city had received a total of $80,000 from the state and, due to lower-than-anticipated costs at the Promenade, used the remaining $12,000 for a separate

water quality project at a new parking lot at the Riverside Soccer Complex.

Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey attended the Nov. 3 ribbon cutting to praise the city’s proactive water quality effort, as well as those being instituted by farmers and cities around the state.

“Look at what a beautiful space this all is here,” he said. “As it all greens back up in the spring and we have a fountain running, this is

going to be an area that’s going to attract a lot of folks.”

Northey said he also believes people from other cities interested in learning about urban water quality initiatives will come to visit. He likewise invited the community to come see it in action.

“It’s probably not something you’ll do, but come during a rain storm,” he said.

“Come and see how it looks.

There’s a lot of neat, interesting features.”

Educational signage expected to be posted soon will include information about the various features work and assist with reducing water pollution.

Campbell said the plants should continue to grow in the spring and fill in the area. The plants are native, including prairie dropseed, side oats gramma, beardtongue, pale purple coneflower, prairie blazing star, prairie phlox, white false indigo and yellow coneflower.

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Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017 9

How to get fit without breaking the bank

T

his time of year, with the holidays upon us, money and time can be a little harder to come by. Do you find it difficult to fit exercise into your daily routine? If you’re like most people nationwide, you’ve spent more than half of your waking hours sitting or inactive for long stretches of time. The best way to raise your metabolism is by moving. Remember, five minutes of exercise is better than no exercise. It is time to get moving and improve your health. Be a good example for your children and co workers. There are many options to pick from that will not cost you a penny, such as: • Take the stairs every chance you get, even if it’s only one flight.

• Walk. Almost everybody can do it. Most people walk 4,000 to 5,000 steps per day anyway. Aim for 10,000 steps per day.

• Use a pedometer to help keep track of your steps. You can get one for about $10, but sometimes

Home & Office DEB TWYFORD

health fairs give them away free.

• Park further away and walk.

• Do not use your children as an excuse not to exercise. Take them along for a walk outdoors, weather permitting, or at the mall.

• Buy a dog from the Humane Society or borrow the neighbor’s pooch. People who walk with dogs walk longer and more often than those whose don’t.

• Turn on your radio and dance up a storm for 20-30 minutes in the privacy of your own home.

• Use your library card to check out all sorts of exercise videos or DVD’S. • Use the lowest stairs in your

home or outside to create your own step workout.

• Have “walking meetings” with colleagues at work.

• Have small weights in your office or around your home for doing arm exercises.

• Grab a chair or the kitchen counter and do some push-ups, squats and leg lifts.

• Pair a favorite TV show with some crunches to work those abs.

Stand up and jog during commercials.

• Thinking of buying a piece of equipment to work out on at home? Check the want ads, craigslist, and garage sales for a good deal.

• Clean your own house. You get something accomplished while burning calories.

• Call some friends for a pickup game of basketball at the gym.

• Check with your company wellness program, community league or local recreation center for any exercise classes, walking

clubs, or team sports you can join.

• Jump rope, this is a total body workout.

• Exercise with a friend or coworker. It will increase the chances you’ll stick with your new activity.

• Get in the pool. Swim laps or do an Aqua Aerobics class.

• Check with your boss or HR department to see if there’s a program that will help pay for part of a gym membership.

• Buy a stability ball. They can cost as little as $10. Use it as an office chair at work. Balancing on a ball works your core muscles.

• Get a standing desk, this is a great option if you are at a desk all day.

• Check out the company gym if you have one. There is a treadmill waiting for you.

• Go for a walk or just stand by your workstation and stretch for 5 to 10 minutes every hour.

• Call a trainer and arrange a session for you and a couple of friends to split the cost.

• Laugh. Great big belly laughs.

It’s good for the soul as well as your abs.

• Organize a basketball or baseball league with the people you work with.

Moderate to vigorous exercise gets your heart pumping and boosts blood levels of “good” cholesterol. Moving at moderate to vigorous intensity strengthens your bones and muscles and lessens your risk for a wide range of health problems.

Exercise has a potent effect on mood and anxiety. Exercising on a daily, consistent basis is best, but even short bursts of exercise throughout the day can be beneficial. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, right now.

Deb Twyford is an RN, Certified Wellness Coach, Tobacco Cessation Facilitator and Worksite Wellness Coordinator at Mercy Business Health Services.

Contact her at 712-274-4334 or Twyfordd@mercyhealth.com

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Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017

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OnTheMove Greenwell named board chair at LSB SIOUX CITY – Dan Greenwell of Sioux City was recently named chairman of the b o a rd fo r LSB Industries Inc. Greenwell has served as president and CEO of Greenwell the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based firm since December 2015.

LSB manufactures and sells chemical products for the agricultural, mining and industrial markets.

The company owns and operates Oklahoma-based facilities in Cherokee, Alabama, El Dorado, Arkansas and Pryor, and operates a facility for a global chemical company in Baytown, Texas.

Heelan hires new director of finance SIOUX CITY – Rhonda Brockamp-Bridges has joined Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools as director of finance.

She is overseeing Brockampthe Heelan Bridges school system’s accounting functions, payroll, monthly

financials, budgeting, annual audit preparations and more.

There are three PK-8 grade schools and a high school in the Bishop Heelan system.

Bridges previously worked for Great West Casualty, where she was the reinsurance accountant, and as an accountant for Henjes, Conner and Williams. A certified public accountant, she earned her accounting degree from Briar Cliff University.

Boettcher joins MHMJM law firm SIOUX CITY – Attorney Kaitlin Boettcher has joined the law firm of Moore, Heffernan, Moeller, Johnson & Meis LLP. Boettcher started working with the law firm in September and earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2017. She provides general practice for the firm, focusing on family law, employment law, estate planning and litigation.

Benson joins L&L Builders

dating back to high school and continuing through college, where he worked for an arBenson chitectural/ engineering firm.

After graduating from South Dakota State, he joined a large hotel chain designing and developing motel projects throughout the United States.

Benson continued his experience in construction estimating and project management in upstate New Jersey and later in Massachusetts.

Most recently he was employed with Sioux/Holtze Construction as a construction superintendent, estimator and project manager the past 29 years.

L&L Builders Co. is a Sioux City general contracting firm that has been in business for more than 55 years. It specializes in doing commercial construction surrounding schools, healthcare, franchises, preengineered buildings, retail, industrial, and building renovations.

Easter promoted at

SIOUX CITY – Todd Per Mar Benson recently joined L&L Builders Co. as an esSIOUX CITY – Per Mar timator/project manager. Security Services anBenson has worked in n o u n ce d i t p ro m o te d the construction industry Scott Easter to area sales

manager for its Sioux C i t y, D e s Moines and Fort Dodge branches.

As the area sales manEaster ager, Easter will be responsible for managing and growing the electronic security division in the three markets.

Easter has more than 20 years of sales experience and another decade 10 of sales management experience. He has worked for Per Mar for five years as a sales representative.

Two promoted at KRP SIOUX CITY – King, Reinsch, Prosser & Co. (KRP) recently promoted Rebecca George to partner and Jill Baker to manager.

B o t h women are certified public accountants and members of the American George Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Baker George is a 2004 graduate of Briar

Cliff University, where she earned a degree in accounting. She interned with KRP before joining the firm in 2004 as a staff accountant. She received her CPA certification in 2006 and was promoted to senior accountant in 2007, supervisor in 2011 and manager in 2014.

Baker is a 2004 graduate of the University of South Dakota with a master’s of professional accountancy.

She began her career with KRP in 2004 as a staff accountant. She was promoted to senior accountant in 2007 and supervisor in 2012.

Kletschke joins Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. SIOUX CITY – Stifel Financial Corp. announced that Korey Kletschke has joined its Sioux City private client group office of its broker-dealer Kletschke subsidiary, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company Inc., as a financial adviser.

Kletschke holds Series 6, 7, 63, and 66 securities licenses, along with life, health, and variable insurance licenses and the Chartered Financial Consultant certification. He earned

a bachelor’s of business administration in finance from the University of Iowa in Iowa City and is a graduate of North High School.

Prior to joining Stifel, Kletschke spent five years with Principal Financial Group Iowa offices in Cedar Falls and Des Moines.

He is a member of the Sioux City Growth Organization and the Siouxland Estate Planning Council.

Lindblom joins Primebank LE MARS, Iowa —Primebank announced Tracey Lindblom has joined its staff at the Le Mars location.

Lindblom joins Primebank as assistant vice president deposit services deLindblom partment. In her position, she will be responsible for a variety of deposit functions including coordination of all policies and procedures specifically as they relate to deposit products and services in all Primebank locations.

She will also manage many deposit related compliance issues. Additionally, Lindblom will manage all centralized deposit services and deposit products and services development.

www.siouxlandbusinessjournal.com

RibbonCuttings

Photos courtesy of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce

Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017 11

WEB & APP DEVELOPMENT Make a good first impression online with a professional website

In September, Briar Cliff University commemorated its first game played on Memorial Field’s all-weather turf by welcoming home and honoring members from the school’s first football team, who cut the ribbon celebrating recent improvements. The Sioux City school’s home season ended in November.

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In appreciation of the continued support of its members, the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce staff, ambassadors and board of directors hosted October’s month’s Rush Hour Connect at Whispering Creek Golf Course. Guests enjoyed live music from Terry Brooks with the Sioux City Conservatory of Music, appetizers from Gnarly Pepper, and food from Daga’s on Wheels. The event culminated with Megan Couwenhoven, pictured, manager of Scooters on Hamilton Boulevard, nearly making a $5,000 putt.

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Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017

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Big changes ahead for Gerkin Leadership succession plan unveiled, expansion nears completion TY RUSHING

Business Journal staff writer‌

SOUTH SIOUX CITY — Gerkin Windows and Doors will make some substantial changes in its leadership structure as it enters its 86th year of business and completes a major expansion.

Steve and Paul Schneider, owners of the South Sioux City-based manufacturer of commercial and residential vinyl and aluminum window and door products, will step away from day-to-day management, effective Jan. 1.

“We still own the company and we are going to stay involved, but there are some other people who are taking on day-to-day responsibilities,” Scott Schneider said.

Steve Schneider is the company’s chairman and CEO while his younger brother, Paul, serves as the company’s president and chief operating officer.

Under the new leadership structure, the brothers will become co-chairmen and co-CEOs. Meanwhile, long-term staff members Scott Anderson and Scott Gerkin will be promoted to co-presidents and co-COOs. Anderson, who has been with Gerkin since 1986, currently serves as the company’s vice president of manufacturing.

Scott Gerkin, an employee since 1983, is the firm’s vice president of sales and marketing. He is a grandson of company founder, Virgil Gerkin.

John Miller will take over Anderson’s former duties when the transition begins in 2018, which will mark his 20th year with the company. Evan George, who started his career at Gerkin in 1998, will assume Scott Gerkin’s former duties.

As part of the transition, the Schneiders also plan to remove themselves from Gerkin’s South

PLEASE SEE GERKIN, PAGE 20

ABOVE: Gerkin Windows & Doors is nearing completion of a 73,000-squarefoot expansion that will help alleviate crowding at the company’s 70,000-squarefoot plant/ headquarters in South Sioux City.

The new addition will provide space for increased production capacity, material and finished goods storage, and processing and shipping.

LEFT: Windows are shown ready for shipping at Gerkin Windows & Doors’ plant in South Sioux City.

Justin Wan photos, Sioux City Journal

www.siouxlandbusinessjournal.com

Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017 13

‘Green’ power plant set for South Sioux Kentucky firm turns wood waste into energy IAN RICHARDSON

Business Journal staff writer‌

SOUTH SIOUX CITY | Tony Demir was looking for a community seeking alternative energy projects in which to locate a biomass power plant.

South Sioux City leaders just so happened to be looking for ways to diversify the city’s energy sources.

Through an intermediary, Demir and South Sioux City leaders were introduced, and their shared interests led to a unique partnership.

“South Sioux City was the perfect profile. They were looking for what we were looking for,” said Demir, CEO of Green Star Gasifiers LLC, a subsidiary of Green Star Energy Group LLC. “Call it fate.”

Call it a relationship that will soon result in a first-ofits-kind power plant that, once online, is expected to supply South Sioux City with 8 percent of its electricity.

Green Star plans to begin construction in the spring on a $53 million renewable fuels power plant on a 17acre tract in the Roth Industrial Development Park. The plant will have the capability to use multiple sources of fuel, including wood waste, municipal solid waste (garbage), construction and demolition waste and agriculture waste such as cornstalks, to make electricity.

“This will be the first plant like this in the country,” Demir said.

Of the plant’s 8 megawatts of electricity produced, 3 megawatts will be sold to the city, and the rest will be used internally to power the plant.

And by recapturing and

Provided

An aerial view of the planned Green Star Gasifiers biomass power plant planned for South Sioux City. When built, the plant will take tree waste and other waste and burn it to create electricity.

recycling heat inside the burners, the plant will create a byproduct called torrefied wood pellets, which Green Star will sell to coal-fired power plants.

The cleaner-burning pellets can be burned in addition to coal, helping those plants reduce their emissions. Utility lines and access roads at the plant site have been completed, Demir said, and the company, which secured some of its funding for the project through state and local grants and funding mechanisms. He hopes the plant will be producing energy by the spring of 2018.

The plant will be producing energy by December 2018 or spring 2019.

It will create 29 direct jobs and 358 in-direct jobs, Demir said.

Once the plant is finished, the company’s headquarters will officially be moved to South Sioux City from Bowling Green, Kentucky, and located at the plant.

Demir is currently operating out of a temporary office locally. Green Star also has engineering offices in Topeka, Kansas, and Birmingham, Alabama.

The addition of Green Star will mean that 57 percent of the energy powering

South Sioux City will be renewable, city administrator Lance Hedquist said.

G r e e n Star’s decision to locate a plant in South Sioux City Hedquist and move its headquarters here helps the city reach its energy goals.

“It’s obviously very positive,” Hedquist said. “It’s a significant investment in South Sioux City.”

Ty Rushing, Sioux City Journal

Tony Demir, CEO of Green Star Gasifiers LLC, speaks with reporters about his upcoming South Sioux City facility slated POWER, PAGE 20 to break ground in the spring.

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Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017

RibbonCuttings

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Photos courtesy of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce

Kitchen Dressings has returned to the Southern Hills Mall and celebrated with a Siouxland Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting at its new location next to Finish Line. Owner Rook Willia established Kitchen Dressings in 2006 and provides top quality kitchen product and service to customers.

New Siouxland Chamber member Heartland Counseling Services Inc. celebrated its 40th anniversary by hosting the South Sioux City Chamber Coffee and Siouxland Chamber for a joint ribbon cutting. Pictured cutting the ribbon are board member Jim Miller and executive director Jennifer Jackson. Heartland, founded in 1977, serves individuals and families struggling with, but not limited to, mental health and substance abuse.

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Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017 15

CHANGING LIVES ONE JOB AT A TIME “ I just like to pay my own

bills and have a nice life. ”

That pretty much sums it up for Floyd.

The Sioux Center, Iowa man finds pure joy in being able to go to work to stock shelves, load vans and clean up other people’s messes.

His job at ServiceMaster in Sioux Center, Iowa is giving him more than just a paycheck. It’s providing him a livelihood and giving him the opportunity to bring value to his community.

Floyd is one of the many individuals who found competitive employment in the community thanks to the partner agencies of Sioux Rivers Partners. This unique partnership of five Iowa agencies works together to bring awareness to local businesses about Iowa’s untapped and very capable workforce.

“Ask anyone in town and they’ll tell you staffing is a big issue,” says Sioux Center ServiceMaster manager, Josh Christians.

“We had a need to have someone help us out with all sorts of tasks… we contacted them and it worked.” said Christians.

“Floyd makes work fun. He’s energetic— more energetic than anyone I’ve ever met. He’s a huge part of our culture here.”

“We were looking for some creative ways to integrate other assets in the community, as well as just looking for a different avenue from a hiring and recruiting standpoint,” said Nicole Ellermeier, Executive Director of Whispering Creek in Sioux City, Iowa.

“I wouldn’t have guessed two years ago that it would have been this successful. We found two of our more tenured employees through the process.”

meals that need to be brought to residents.

She too is a shining example of how Iowa businesses can benefit from hiring some of the state’s most capable and untapped workforce.

But the benefits to Stephanie go far beyond a paycheck. In the years since joining the retirement community, she has flourished – volunteering to perform extra duties, making friends with her coworkers and bringing smiles to the residents of Whispering Creek.

Stephanie, a member of the Sioux Rivers Partners organizations, works in the kitchen at Whispering Creek cleaning dishes, organizing them, and coordinating any

Working with Sioux Rivers Partners, Bob Taylor, a Human Resource Manager at Hy-Vee in Sioux City, Iowa, says he has found an employee that is a role model for all who work at the store.

“Sara is always positive. Always ready to go.

Always friendly with everyone. And that’s very important,” he said. “[Sioux Rivers Partners] contacted me about placement and coaching, and I said ‘we’d love to try that.’ And she’s been a great influence all around. When you talk to the people who work right next to her, day in and day out, they’re are always happy to see her,” said Bob. “That’s what inspires me most about her. If everyone would be like her…it would be wonderful.”

For more information on how to become a Valued Workplace and employer member of Sioux River Partners, please visit SiouxRiversPartners.org

All jobs are important and having meaningful employment can make a big difference in someone’s life. That’s the message the member organizations of Sioux River Partners want all Iowa businesses to know. Meaningful employment empowers people of all abilities, giving everyone the chance to find dignity, value and a livelihood through an honest day’s work.

“It’s been a pleasure and a joy to partner with Sioux Rivers Partners,” concludes Ellermeier.

“The culture you can create, seeing someone’s life improve…it’s more than just filling a spot.”

DIGNITY VALUE LIVELIHOOD

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Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017

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BPI: Donation received for ship FROM 6 city, but it will also serve as a catalyst for our ongoing fundraising efforts,” Thorp said.

A portion of the money will be used to build a Legacy Fund for educational expenses for USS Sioux City crew members. Some of the money will be allocated to cover costs associated with the ship’s commissioning, since federal funds can’t be used for such activities.

Ten future members of the USS Sioux City’s crew arrived in Sioux City on Nov. 8 to learn more about

the ship’s namesake city and meet the people who live here. They met with local members of the commissioning committee, local veterans, schools and the media. They helped unpack and set up 163 American flags along South Lakeport Street for the Veterans Day Avenue of Flags, and served as the color guard at a Sioux City Musketeers hockey game.

The visit was unique chance to learn about Sioux City and the people the crew will be serving, said Petty Officer 1st Class

Celebrating life’s milestones.

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Daniel Lane, a Deerlodge, Tennessee, native.

“It’s definitely an exciting experience. It’s something we don’t always get to do,” Lane said.

Siouxland Chamber President Chris McGowan praised the BPI donation, as more in the long-standing commitment to local and national philanthropy.

“In addition to supporting our military, last month BPI announced their $10 million employee relief fund, the company recently spent time serving approximately 100,000 donated meals to those devastated by Hurricane Harvey in Texas, and continue their generosity here in Siouxland,” McGowan said.

The USS Sioux City was announced in early 2012.

The Littoral Combat Ship will sail into ports around the world.

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Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017 17

ChamberAnniversaries

The following businesses and organizations are celebrating milestone anniversaries in December as Siouxland Chamber of Commerce investors.

35 YEARS – 1982

COFFEE KING INC. Doug Goosmann Sioux City LINWELD INC. Harold Schoepfer Sioux City NEW PERSPECTIVES INC. Jolie Corder Sioux City ROCKET AUTO WASH Mark & John Hanson Sioux City

30 YEARS – 1987

BABER’S VIS-VITA SALES LC Fred Karpuk Sioux City

25 YEARS – 1992

BEEF PRODUCTS INC. Eldon Roth Dakota Dunes, SD LONG LINES LLC Brent Olson Sergeant Bluff, IA

S

U

C

C

E

S

S

L

I

V

E

S

H

E

R

E

20 YEARS – 1997

LIBERTY NATIONAL BANK – SINGING HILLS Russ Wermers Sioux City

15 YEARS – 2002

RMS ARCHITECTS LLC Robert M. Lee Sioux City

10 YEARS – 2007

EARL MILLER CONSTRUCTION Earl Miller Dakota Dunes, SD HOLE N’ THE WALL LODGE Joe Cain Akron, IA SIOUXLAND SAFETY SERVICES Terry Gilmore Sioux City

WHERE

SUCCESS CC GOES TO LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER

5 YEARS – 2012

HARDEE’S Shawn Stanek Sioux City INTEGRATION PHYSICAL THERAPY Jane Stanley Sioux City

ChamberInvestors KETTERING UNIVERSITY ONLINE Doug Luberda Flint, MI SIOUX CITY TARP INC. Bill Bremer Sioux City, IA CENTRAL BANK/DAKOTA DUNES Jessika Evans Dakota Dunes, SD STUFF Thrift Store TISHA KELEHER Sioux City, IA KELLER WILLIAMS SIOUXLAND ALEX IMMING Alex Imming Sioux City, IA

STONE BRU/DAKOTA DUNES Brad Lepper Dakota Dunes, SD SHEAR BEAUTY SALON Lindsey Wells Sioux City, IA LE MEILLEUR INC. Sylvia Van’t Foort Hull, IA THE LEATHER SHACK Tony Ferrini Sioux City, IA

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Why has advanced manufacturing grown to be our largest industry? Why do more than 6,200 companies employ over 92,000 workers in the financial and insurance industry in Iowa? It’s simple. Iowa has built a business environment that breeds success. We believe in working hard. And living well. It’s a healthy balance that produces a productive and motivated workforce. Generates opportunities for our companies. And sparks a leadership in innovation and technology. Check out our website today. Learn why Iowa is where success lives. iowaeconomicdevelopment.com

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* 2016 SOURCE: TEConomy Partners

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Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017

Stay Connected to Siouxland.

Connect with us today! facebook.com/SiouxCityJournal

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RibbonCuttings

Photos courtesy of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce

Tim Brown, Toi Sullivan, Margie Bennett, Mike Bennett, Jim Malek, Chris McGowan, Chris Liberto, Jim Steele and Hanna Merica are shown with ceremonial shovels during recent groundbreaking ceremony for two expansion projects at Camp High Hopes. The Sioux City camp for children, teens and adults with disabilities anticipates the new Yorkshire Welcome Center and the Lincolnshire Boathouse will be complete by May 1, in time for campers arriving for summer camp sessions starting in June.

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The Sioux City Art Center recently broke ground on the Gilchrist Learning Center, which is slated for completion in July. Pictured are Jay Chesterman, campaign chairman, Chesterman Family Foundation; Bob Padmore, city manager of Sioux; Mayor Bob Scott; Steve Kammerer, Art Center Association Board Executive; Nathan Kalaher, PLaN Architecture; Dan Moore, City Council member; Al Harris-Fernandez, Art Center director and Board of Trustees chair; Rhonda Capron, City Council member; Greg Jones, Art Center Board of Trustees; Pete Groetken, City Council member; Cy Chesterman, Chesterman Family Foundation; Chris McGowan, Siouxland Chamber President; and Joe Twidwell, Gilchrist Foundation. The new 11,400-square-foot learning center will include classroom and studio space which will open up more exhibit space in the art center’s main building in the future.

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RibbonCuttings

Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017 19

Photos courtesy of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce

Ho-Chunk Capital recently unveiled its newest Virginia Square property, 103 Virginia Square.

Pictured cutting the ribbon are Pat Wojcik, Dennis Johnson, Belinda Johnson and Alexia Boggs. The modern-style renovated historic building offers wonderful views of downtown Sioux City and the riverfront. The building features one- and two-bedroom apartments for lease and two-bedroom, condominiums for purchase, as well as commercial space.

UnityPoint Health St. Luke’s Children’s Miracle Network dedicated its newest pediatric theme room, thanks to the generosity of CMBA Architects. Pictured cutting the ribbon are Ann Holmes, director of St. Luke’s Children’s Miracle Network; Brian Crichton, CMBA; Tricia Rogers, director of development, St. Luke’s Foundation; the Wanning Family and CMN Family.

The themed room features multiple hands-on activities and is created to keep patients – and their siblings – active and help them forget they are staying in a hospital.

New Siouxland Chamber member, STEMM (Siouxland Tanzania Educational Medical Ministries), recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate its 20th year. Pictured The crew at Boatman Tile & Granite held a Siouxland Chamber ribbon-cutting to celebrate its cutting the ribbon are STEMM Board Vice President Jim Johnson, STEMM executive director new membership. Employees demonstrated the cutting and finishing of the granite products and co-founder Jon Gerdts, and STEMM founder and President Steve Meyer. STEMM groups it provides and guests got a look at Siouxland’s largest indoor tile and granite showroom. travel to Tanzania on a semi-annual basis addressing the priorities of spiritual growth, medical care and educational opportunities.

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Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017

Power FROM PAGE 13 The plant will take tree limbs, wood and other waste, break down the molecular structure of those products and produce clean electricity.

“The technology we’re implementing is proven technology,” Demir said.

“It’s been around for a long time.”

South Sioux residents have had a chance to see how the process works since in summer 2016, when Green Star unveiled a smaller version of the plant, a gasifier, in the city’s Scenic Park.

Since its installation, city crews have fed wood waste into the gasifier, producing electricity that has helped power the park’s campground.

It also served as a demonstration model to other cities curious about being

home to a biomass plant of their own and will remain in operation once the power plant is built.

“This gasifier in South Sioux City is really kind of a showcase/educational gasifier” used to demonstrate how the process works, Demir said. “It puts South Sioux City in the forefront, a leader.”

Other cities that have checked out the gasifier liked what they saw. Demir said that, including South Sioux City, his company has commitments from 14 Nebraska cities, including Wayne, to build plants. The South Sioux City plant will be the first. Within the next 36 months, the other 13 plants will be built, Demir said.

As for fuel supply, Demir said there is plenty to be found. The plant will collect waste from a 100-mile radius, and Green Star has formed a partnership with the Nebraska Forest Service, which is providing

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information and data for possible supply chains, working to identify and possibly establish a wood waste market in Nebraska.

With the emerald ash borer now found in Nebraska and Iowa, many cities and private citizens will be cutting down and disposing of ash trees. Some pine trees in South Sioux City have begun to suffer from a wilting disease that will result in their removal. Red cedars have become a problem in other parts of the state and must be thinned, providing Green Star plants with a steady supply of trees that can be burned and turned into electricity.

Local residents will also be able to help supply the plant with its fuel source. Every spring, residents trim their trees, and summer thunderstorms annually knock down more trees and limbs.

Demir said residents will be able to drop off all those limbs and tree trimmings at the plant for free.

By moving its headquarters to South Sioux City, Green Star sees a future in producing energy in the area. The company has an option on 10 acres next to its current site for future expansion.

Journal staff writer Nick Hytrek contributed to this story.

www.siouxlandbusinessjournal.com

Justin Wan, Sioux City Journal

Gerkin Windows & Doors is nearing completion of a 73,000-square-foot expansion that will help alleviate crowding at the company’s 70,000-square-foot plant/headquarters in South Sioux City.

Gerkin FROM PAGE 12 Sioux City office and work from a new office in Dakota Dunes that will house just the two of them.

The reason for the changes are two-pronged, Steve Schneider said.

“I’m 66 and he’s 63; we’ve both been working 60-plus hours a week for 45 years,” he said. “...We are giving other people a chance to step into those positions and move forward.”

The Schneider brothers purchased Gerkin from Midwest Energy — a

predecessor to MidAmerican Energy — in 1991.

Shortly after the transaction, they relocated the business from Sioux City, where it had been since 1932, across the Missouri River to South Sioux City where they have led it through a substantial growth period.

Since 2004, the company has completed multiple expansion projects, including the construction of manufacturing plant/corporate headquarters at 5000 Rhino Road, which is named after one of Gerkin’s product lines.

The most recent expansion, which began last year,

is a 73,000-square-foot addition that will help alleviate space constraints at Gerkin’s 170,000-squarefoot plant/headquarters.

The new addition will provide space for increased production capacity, material and finished goods storage, and processing and shipping.

“They are going to probably be done by the end of November and so we’ll be occupying the new part of the building towards the end of the month,” Steve Schneider said.

Most of the work on the new addition is complete, but crews are still painting the interior walls, adding dock doors and doing concrete and landscaping work on the outside of the facility.

Despite all the changes the New Year will bring, Steve Schneider noted he and his brother are confident the transition will be a smooth one.

“It would be much more of a nervous time if all these people are coming in from the outside,” he said. “...Everybody that’s taking an upper management position are all people that have been here more than 25 years. It’s time for us to pass on some responsibility and some day-to-day activities and move off to the side.”

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RibbonCuttings

Photos courtesy of the Siouxland Chamber

Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017 21

We Care for the

Employees You Care For

Northwestern Mutual celebrated its recent move from Dakota Dunes to the US Bank building in downtown Sioux City. Pictured cutting the ribbon are Phil Sornsen; John Weber, managing director; Doug Davis;, Chris Schenkel, managing partner; JR Davis; Chris Richardson; Ricky Hampson and Abby Lubeck.

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(712) 490-3352 Central Bank recently celebrated its grand-opening for its new Dakota City branch with a ribbon-cutting, open house and fireworks. Pictured cutting the ribbon from left, Jessika Evans, relationship banking manager, and Steve Boden, vice president/cash management manager. Representing the bank, from left, are: Maryl Sponder, Steve Comes, Jeff Eaton, Matt Campbell, Pat Romig, SVP; Jason White, Karrie Meyerhoff, Jeff Goetz, Chris Krueger, Pat Rosacker, Randy Johnson, SVP; Greg McInnis, Jenna Nohr, Jessica Evans, Jessica Salcido, Todd Dykstra, Ashly Esquivel, Steve Boden, Laurie Beardsley, John Brown, president; Sue Wilcox, Mia Thomas, Carrie Brown, Jeff Lapke, SVP/chief lending officer and market president; Tim Brown, chairman of the Board/CEO; Jeff Richter, SVP; and Scott Wilson, SVP.

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Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017

RibbonCuttings

www.siouxlandbusinessjournal.com

Photos courtesy of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce

A recent ribbon-cutting marked the official opening of Sioux City’s first downtown park, Pearl Street Park, at the corner of Seventh and Pearl streets. The half-acre park, made possible through a generous donation by Beef Products Inc. co-founder Regina Roth, includes shaded green space, a walking path, sculptures, amphitheater, seating areas and tables, interactive play features and musical instruments.

Owner Brad Lepper, and employees of Stone Bru cut the ribbon to officially open the doors of its second location. During the opening, the business offered free drinks and food sampling.

The new Dakota Dunes location features a sit-down attitude with patio and fireplace seating and an expanded menu with a variety of breakfast items, soups and salads.

Margaret Sanders, executive director of the Council of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, Visiting Angels owners Kristen and Jeff Hammerstrom cut the ceremonial ribbon to celebrate their new location on Floyd Bouelvard and membership in the Siouxland Chamber cuts the ceremonial ribbon to celebrate the opening of the agency’s new administrative of Commerce. Visiting Angels provides home care services to seniors in the tri-state area. offices. CSADV provides support, advocacy, and a safe environment to empower adults and children who have experienced domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

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RibbonCuttings

Photos courtesy of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce

Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017 23

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Online. Accredited. Affordable. cde@usd.edu • 800-233-7937 Tony Demir, CEO of Green Star Gassifiers LLC, unveils plans for a renewable fuels power plant for the Roth Industrial Development Park in South Sioux City. The plant will use multiple sources of fuel including wood, municipal solid waste, construction and demolition waste and agricultural waste to produce electricity. A byproduct in the process, torrefied wood pellets, will then be sold to coal-fired power plants to burn in addition to coal to help reduce emissions.

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Siouxland Business Journal, December 2017

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