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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
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JULY 2011
It’s easier to succeed when you have a faithful, loyal and trusted companion – Community National Bank.
Always by your side. Congratulations To This Year’s Elite Eight Over 80 Ken Allbaugh Barbara Adams Bob Beach R. Hovey Brom Cedar Falls University Avenue Office 6004 University Avenue (319) 266-0002
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Downtown Office 312 West First St. 319) 273-8917
tment i m m Co Trust ty Loyal
Bob Brown Helen Guernsey Rev. Homer Larsen Bob Molinaro Waterloo Downtown Office 422 Commercial (319) 291-2000
Kimball Office 11 Tower Park Drive (319) 235-6709
www.cnb1.com
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JULY 2011
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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
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THE COURIER
Volume 5 ● No. 8
BUSINESS MONTHLY COLUMNS Page 3
Jim Offner The Courier honors eight pillars of our community.
Page 17
Habitat for Humanity Eight Over 80 winners have been good friends to Habitat.
Page 24
University of Northern Iowa A lifetime of learning opportunities offered at UNI.
BUSINESS MONTHLY STAFF DIRECTORY EDITORIAL CONTENT David Braton david.braton@wcrcourier.com (319) 291-1500 Nancy Raffensperger Newhoff nancy.newhoff@wcfcourier.com (319) 291-1445 Jim Offner jim.offner@wcfcourier.com
Jackie Nowparvar jackie.nowparvar@wcfcourier.com (319) 291-1527 Sheila Kerns sheila.kerns@wcfcourier.com (319) 291-1448
COURIER PHOTOS
The Eight Over 80 winners for 2011 are, clockwise from upper from left, Ken Allbaugh, Hovey Brom, Bob Brown, Bob Beach, Barbara Adams, Homer Larsen, Helen Guernsey and Bob Molinaro.
Eight Over 80 Courier honors eight pillars of our community
Cedar Valley Business Monthly is published monthly. It is a free publication direct-mailed to more than 6,500 area businesses. For distribution, call Courier Communications at (319) 291-1527 Contact Cedar Valley Business Monthly at P.O. Box 540, Waterloo, IA 50704.
BUSINESS MONTHLY ON THE COVER The Courier’s 8 Over 80 Awards for 2001 honor Barbara Adams, Ken Allbaugh, Bob Beach, Hovey Brom, Bob Brown, Helen Guernsey, the Rev. Homer Larsen and Bob Molinaro. All eight winners are profiled inside.
Last year it was a novelty. This year it’s a tradition. Fo r t u n a te ly, The Courier’s 8 Over 80 awards have plenty of candidates to build the heritage of the honor the newspaper is bestowing for the Jim Offner is the Courier second straight business editor. year.. Contact him at This time, we jim.offner@ are privileged to wcfcourier.com. confer awards on Barbara Adams, Ken Allbaugh, Bob Beach, Hovey Brom, Bob Brown, Helen Guernsey, the Rev. Homer Larsen and
Bob Molinaro. Eight Over 80 follows in the footsteps of 20 Under 40, an awards program The Courier launched in 2002 to honor young leaders who have demonstrated a profound commitment to guide the Cedar Valley into a prosperous future. It is a fitting tribute to young people who have set lofty goals for themselves and their home region and focused on achieving them to the benefit of the rest of us. The 8 Over 80 awards honor those who have gotten us here. It is a way to say thanks to winners for a lifetime of dignity, integrity, devotion, sacrifice and ser-
vice to their community, as well as their families. Their decades of dedication have enabled the community to grow and give it tangible character that other regions endeavor to imitate. That the Cedar Valley is one of Iowa’s chief centers of vibrance and progress is in no small way a result of the efforts of these individuals. As with last year, the class of 2011 is a rich mixture of backgrounds and skill sets. They all have taken leadership positions in an array of professions and shared that experience with the community at large.
See 8 OVER 80, page 9
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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
Barbara Adams
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JULY 2011
Determination, dedication to family, community a foundation of her success
By META HEMENWAY-FORBES meta.hemenway-forbes@wcfcourier.com
WATERLOO — Barbara Adams’ mother taught her to “never think we were better than anyone, but always be as good as someone.” So it is with a quiet elegance that Adams, 80, downplays any suggestion that her life’s work has been above and beyond. “I’m so surprised to receive this honor. There are so many people who’ve done so many things,” she said. But daughter-in-law Mary Adams, who nominated Barbara Adams, said her mother-in-law more than deserves The Courier’s Eight Over 80 honor. “You know, she’s the kind of woman who does what she has to do when the time arises,” Mary Adams said. “She is quite an amazing woman.” From a young age, Barbara Adams traveled a path fraught with challenges. As a teen in the 1940s, she excelled at East High School in a time when racism kept many African-Americans from reaching their potential. After high school, she and her sisters entered nursing school. At the time, no nursing schools in the state accepted black students, so the girls enrolled in St. Mary’s Infirmary in St. Louis, a Catholic nursing school run by nuns for black students. The school housed a hospital for black patients, and it was the first time Barbara Adams and her sisters saw black doctors, nurses and other professionals. “It was our first all-black experience,” Adams said in a 1998 Courier story highlighting her and her sisters’ achievements, namely being among Waterloo’s first black nurses. Hired at Allen Memorial Hospital in the late ’50s, Barbara Adams worked there with one of her sisters until the early 1970s. She returned to school and in 1980 received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and in 1983 earned her master’s. Through it all, Barbara Adams was a single mother of two sons. Education was important in the Adams household. The boys were taught to study as hard as their mother had. Today, Barbara Adams is proud of both of her sons — Dr. Russell and Michael. It was Russell who encouraged her to go back to school in her 50s to earn advanced degrees.
Barbara Adams ■ AGE: 80 ■ BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: “First and foremost, being a Christian and a mother.” ■ ONE WORD THAT DESCRIBES YOU: “I would hope it would be ‘kind.’” ■ SOMEONE WHO INSPIRED YOU AND WHY: “Years back, when I was a young girl, there was a junior missionary in church, Mrs. Page. She inspired me to the point I wanted to be a missionary.”
“‘Mom, what else would you be doing?’ he said, and I thought then that I’d just go ahead and give it a whirl,” Barbara Adams recalled. “It just goes along with her,” said Mary Adams. “I don’t know that I could have done that. It’s very courageous.” After retiring from nursing in 1993, Barbara Adams looked for other ways to help people. She volunteered in spiritual care at Allen Hospital, served on the Habitat for Humanity board for more than a decade and helped organize a library at Payne A.M.E. Church, where she is a lifelong member. But among the most rewarding work she has done has been with children. When her grandson, who recently graduated from high school, was a secondgrader at Lincoln Elementary, she began volunteering in his classroom. She still volunteers there on Thursdays, now with first-graders, helping students with spelling and reading. “At that level you can make more of a difference,” she said. “Maybe it’s a stepping stone for them to accomplish something and drive them to further their education. I love working with them. I probably get as much out of it as they do.”
“At that level you can make more of a difference. Maybe it’s a stepping stone for them to accomplish something and drive them to further their education. I love working with them.” Barbara Adams on working with children
MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor
Barbara Adams
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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
Ken Allbaugh By ANDREW WIND andrew.wind@wcfcourier.com
WATERLOO — Volunteering is part of Ken Allbaugh’s genetic makeup. The retired MidAmerican Energy engineer traces his interest in civic engagement back to his parents and growing up in Eagle Grove, a town 25 miles northeast of Fort Dodge. “My folks were active in that community for 40 years,” said Allbaugh, including his father’s service on the school board. Roy and Cornelia Allbaugh were so active in Eagle Grove that Ken and his sister founded an award in their honor 26 years ago. It is given out annually by Eagle Grove’s chamber of commerce. Allbaugh’s parents serve as an inspiration for his own community involvement. “That gene, you might say, was implanted,” he said. At age 88, he continues to volunteer in a number of community organizations. Allbaugh initially pursued a degree in engineering when he started at Iowa State University. “I got into radar training with the Marines in ’43,” he said, after being drafted into the military during World War II. He completing a degree in electrical engineering after two years in the military. His military experience is another reason for his community involvement. While he became an instructor in field artillery and never served overseas, other young men from Eagle Grove died during the war — five in Europe and two in the Pacific. “They paid the price,” he said. Allbaugh met his wife, Meg, while a Marine in western Pennsylvania. The couple raised three children: David, Ann and Laurie. Meg died in 2008. He graduated from Iowa State in August 1947 and shortly after started working as an electrical engineer for Iowa Public Service (now MidAmerican Energy)
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Involved parents sparked a lifelong interest in volunteering, helping the community
Ken Allbaugh ■ AGE: 88 ■ BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: His leadership and involvement on the boards of Hawkeye Community College and the HCC Foundation. ■ ONE WORD THAT DESCRIBES YOU: Volunteer. ■ SOMEONE WHO INSPIRED YOU AND WHY: Parents Roy and Cornelia Allbaugh and Harold Brock, one of HCC’s founders. “They had an appreciation of what a community is,” said Allbaugh. “It takes people to work at it where they’re living.”
in Waterloo. Between 1949 and 1960, he worked in Eagle Grove and Shell Rock before returning to Waterloo, where he retired in 1987 as a district engineer. Allbaugh didn’t see retirement as a reason to pull back. Allbaugh’s involvement with the Boy Scouts dates back to the early 1950s, and he’s still on the executive board of the Winnebago Council. In addition, he counts a combined 55 years of involvement with the Lion’s Club in Eagle Grove and Shell Rock and the Civitan and Rotary clubs in Waterloo. Allbaugh sees his involvement with what was originally called Hawkeye Institute of Technology as his most significant contribution, though. He’s been on the board of Hawkeye’s foundation for 42 years, since it was created in 1969. He served 27 years on Hawkeye’s board of trustees, from 1969 to 1983 and 1986 to 1998. “My dad was active on the school board, that’s why I was excited to serve on the Hawkeye Tech and later the community college board,” said Allbaugh. He was chairman 20 years ago when the board of trustees voted to become a community college and said it’s been exciting to see the growth through the years. “That’s been very satisfying to me, when I was able to be there (while) they got some really neat Ken Allbaugh things accomplished.”
MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor
JULY 2011
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Wartburg College The solution to Iowa’s college student “brain drain�? Try Wartburg College’s Pathways Center for Career Services. More than 74 percent of Iowa students who graduate from Wartburg stay in the state, as do 26 percent of out-of-state U.S. graduates. With more than 50 majors, Wartburg students can assist your business in a variety of fields. Our leading majors are biology, business administration, communication arts, elementary education and psychology. See all that Wartburg has to offer at www.wartburg.edu/academics. Our success speaks for itself: t QFSDFOU KPC BOE HSBEVBUF TDIPPM placement rate for all graduates
t QFSDFOU PG BQQMJDBOUT BDDFQUFE BU NFEJDBM TDIPPMT QFSDFOU OBUJPOBM BWFSBHF QFSDFOU BU EFOUBM TDIPPMT t QFSDFOU BDDFQUFE JO PQUPNFUSZ podiatry, veterinary medicine, nursing schools, occupational therapy, and physician’s assistants programs t 8FMM SPVOEFE TUVEFOUT 8BSUCVSH PòFST both leadership and social entrepreneurship minors. It has gained national recognition for its service programs. Contact Derek Solheim, associate director of Pathways Center for Career Services, 319 352-8425 or derek.solheim@wartburg.edu.
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For internships, contact Jo Dorrance, 319 352-8698 or jo.dorrance@wartburg.edu.
Advertising in the The Cedar Valley Business Monthly is an efficient way to spend your advertising dollars. If you want to place a display ad, call an account executive at 291-1497 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Our account executives and creative department will be happy to help you establish a campaign, step-by-step, that will sell. Before you set next year’s budget, give us a call.
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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
Bob Beach By JON ERICSON jonathan.ericson@wcfcourier.com
CEDAR FALLS — Bob Beach was simply looking for a place to stay when he first came to Iowa State Teacher’s College in 1947. He found much more. Beach had been out of the U.S. Navy for a year when he walked into Paul Bender’s office to find approved housing. Bender told him to go look for a “tall drink of water,” T. Wayne Davis, who had a room to rent near campus. Soon, Beach had a room to sleep in and an opportunity. “He asked if I was looking for work, and I said I’m always looking for work,” Beach said. And so it began. Beach began working at Latta’s bookstore near campus. Over time, he gained more responsibilities and eventually would go to school all summer so he could take the fall semester off to work more during the busiest season. “When I graduated, he asked if I wanted to stay on, and I did,” Beach said. Beach would gradually buy into the business. When the college changed to the State College of Iowa, the bookstore became the SCI Bookstore. When it would later become a university, University Book & Supply was born. He became partners with Davis, John Latta and Marv Klepfer, all of whom had been active in supporting the Cedar Valley. Beach, who grew up in Bemidji, Minn., Columbus Junction, Neb., and Guthrie Center, followed in the footsteps of his mentors and established himself as a part of the community. He has long been a fan and booster of UNI athletics. In 2008 he was inducted into the UNI Athletics Hall of Fame for his support. He spent 20 years on the UNI Foundation board. At University Book & Supply, as Beach changed from employee to boss, he remembered what it was like on the other side. “I always treated my employees
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JULY 2011
Cedar Falls bookstore was just the first chapter in this philanthropist’s community involvement
Bob Beach ■ AGE: 84 ■ BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Fundraising for the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center ■ ONE WORD THAT DESCRIBES YOU: Compassionate ■ SOMEONE WHO INSPIRED YOU AND WHY: T. Wayne Davis. “He was a true entrepreneur. He always worked hard and helped me appreciate the value of doing a good job.
“He asked if I was looking for work, and I said I’m always looking for work.” Bob Beach on the beginning of his career with Latta’s bookstore
well and tried to help them succeed,” Beach said. Rose Lorenz, now president of University Book & Supply, worked for Beach for 18 years and confirmed Beach wasn’t just blowing smoke about how he dealt with employees. “He set the path to ensure and continue UBS’s success. His graciousness made it fun to work with him. This is evident from the many former student employees who come back to ask about Bob and the good old days,” Lorenz said. Beach’s reach extends beyond just the UNI community. He worked on fundraising for the Oster Regent Theatre renovation and Sartori Hospital, among many other commitments in Cedar Falls. These days, Beach remains active. He attends many UNI sporting events and still has his hand in community projects. He can trace most of his successes back to that fateful day when he met Davis. “It made all the difference in my life,” he said. Bob Beach
MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor
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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
THE COURIER
The 2010 Eight Over 80 award winners
I am a lifelong learner.
The 2010 Eight Over 80 award recipients were W. Louis Beecher, the late Harold Brock, John Deery Sr., Tunis Den Hartog, Betty Jean Furgerson, Cathy and Ed Gallagher, Milton Roth and Ike Leighty.
HOVEY BROM From page 10 Brom applied his craft to UNI and Wartburg, which presented challenges and rewards that were similar to the church projects, he said. “The university buildings were really fun because you were dealing with people who knew exactly what they wanted and could express themselves and were delightful to be with,” he said. Perhaps fitting his dreamlike career, Brom can say he has lived in two places at one time. Through a mistake in the build-
8 OVER 80 From page 3 All take seriously their roles as citizens. Through their tireless efforts, all have devoted much of their long lives to building a better Cedar Valley for all of its residents. In 2010, the selection process for the inaugural class of winners proved to be difficult. How is it possible to narrow down a list if 68 worthy candidates to only eight? A daunting task. If it demonstrated nothing else it showed that the Cedar Valley boasts a veritable mother lode of community-minded leaders. It also provided a road map of sorts to guide the selection committee this time around. A committee of community leaders — Lou Porter, Judith Cutler, Joe Vich, Bob Justis and Jim Waterbury — analyzed nominations and selected the winners. It was an ambitious process but also enlightening. The Courier is deeply appreciative of the committee’s time in laboring over the many worthy nominations. The committee faced obvious challenges. In the assess-
ing permit issued by the town of Castle Hill, which was between Cedar Falls and Waterloo, the home that Brom and wife, Marge, built in 1954 rested on top of what is now the border between Cedar Falls and Waterloo. The Broms reared three children — sons Dirk and Timm and daughter Kristi — in that house, onto which they have added several times over the years. “The bedrooms are in Cedar Falls and the rest of the house is in Waterloo,” he said. “It was kind of fun because when our kids were doing things they shouldn’t, we’d say, ‘Get out of town.’ That meant their bedrooms.” ment of committee members, all nominees had proven themselves winners in life, not just in the community. The Courier also wishes to thank Barmuda Cos. for allowing us the time and space needed to shoot this year’s pictures at the Park Place Event Center in Cedar Falls. Thanks also to Ron Knapp Video, which shot the videos of the winners used at the June 23 awards luncheon. As you leaf through this issue of the Cedar Valley Business Monthly, you will read the stories of each of the winners and gain some insights into the inestimable generosity of these local treasures. As was the case with last year’s first class of 8 Over 80, winners credited others for their innumerable successes. In that singular characteristic, they prove once again to be exemplars of generosity and humility that are so rare a commodity in this day and age. In these individuals’ eagerness to share any credit conferred on them, their typical response is that they’re lucky. In that sense, their good fortune is ours.
Want to learn about religious doubt and the Western secular tradition? Interested in the art and architecture on the UNI campus? Or what the past, present and future are for Iowa caucuses? Then UNI’s Lifelong University is the program for you. Courses and class formats include four-week, three-week and one-week programs. Lifelong University is geared toward the lifelong learner and will offer non-credit courses taught by retired and current UNI faculty and staff. For more information, call University Events Coordination at 319-273-5141 or visit www.uni.edu/llu. WO-062411073
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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
Hovey Brom
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Architect turned his dreams into concrete contributions to life in the Cedar Valley
By JIM OFFNER jim.offner@wcfcourier.com
WATERLOO — For someone who admits to living in a world of dreams, Hovey Brom has made plenty of concrete contributions to the Cedar Valley. His work is evident across the region in the buildings he designed in his 58 years at InVision Architects in Waterloo. “We make our living dreaming as an architect,” said Brom, a member of The Courier’s second annual 8 Over 80 class. “The one thing that’s been the most interesting, I guess, is to dream about a building that isn’t there yet and won’t be unless you use your imagination and skills and background to make it happen.” Brom, 85, still puts his dreams to work. He retired as a partner at InVision several years ago, but he still puts in 30 hours a week, bringing visions of churches, museums, recreational centers and campus buildings to reality. “There’s hardly a major building in the Cedar Valley that hasn’t been designed by Hovey Brom,” said ME&V founding partner Dee Vandeventer, a longtime friend and skiing partner (Yes, he still skis, Vandeventer said). “Go to Wartburg, (University of Northern Iowa) or Allen Hospital and you’ll see Hovey’s work. He designed the original ski lodge at Keystone, Colo., and the lodge at our Girl Scout council’s Camp Tahigwa,” said Vandeventer. More than 250 Iowa church and synagogue projects, including Nazareth Lutheran, Westminster Presbyterian and Sons of Jacob Synagogue used Hovey’s architectural plans. Vandeventer also pointed out that the new Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum followed Brom’s original layout. Brom began his career at Thorson and Thorson — now InVision — following his 1952 graduation from Iowa State University. He earned a partnership in the company in 1957.
MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor
Hovey Brom
Richard Hovey Brom ■ AGE: 85 ■ OCCUPATION: Architect ■ BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT OF YOUR LIFE: Partnering with my wife and raising our children, and partnering with our community leaders and my office personnel, designing buildings to enhance the lives of our citizens in both work and play while adding to the visible beauty of our wonderful Cedar Valley. ■ WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU: People I’ve always said I’m very patient and a good listener. ■ SOMEONE WHO INSPIRED YOU AND WHY: My first boss, Oz Thorson, who hired me. He was a great mentor and helped me make it, learn the ropes, what an architect is supposed to do. He was in general a fine man.
Brom, who had been a pro“He may have retired his partnership a few years ago, but he is fessional musician as a bassist far from retirement and contin- before starting college, didn’t set ues to put in a full day every day,” out to be an architect. “I started school as an electriVandeventer said.
cal engineer and didn’t like it,” he said. “I just didn’t think I wanted to spend the rest of my life in that. I learned there was a testing service, and I went to the testing service. They said the first thing I should be is a musician.” Having already indulged in that passion, Brom asked about an alternative. “The second thing they said was, ‘You might try architecture.’ I couldn’t spell it, let alone know what an architect is.” Nevertheless, he soon ventured over to ISU’s architecture school. “They showed me around and what was going on,” he said. “I thought it would be kind of fun to
draw and design buildings.” Architecture also gave him a chance to build a new identity, of a sort, using his middle name (his full name is Richard Hovey Brom). “One of my very first clients asked me where ‘Hovey’ came from. They thought it was much more distinguished. I’ve been ‘Hovey’ ever since,” he said. Brom has no “favorite” project. “An architect almost never has a favorite building. The one you’re working on is the one that takes your energy and time,” he said.
See HOVEY BROM, page A9
JULY 2011
cvbusinessmonthly.com
CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
Bob Brown By JOHN MOLSEED john.molseed@wcfcourier.com
WATERLOO — Bob Brown has had a difficult time staying retired. “I feel much better when I’m doing something,” he said. By that measure, Brown has felt pretty good all his life. He has served terms as president or chairman of more than two dozen community organizations and charities. That includes a 10-year stint as board president of the Community Foundation of Waterloo and Northeast Iowa. He has also held three jobs since retiring after more than 30 years in the insurance business and started his own car detailing business. He has spent the past 30 Christmas holidays with 50 to 600 close friends at Westminster Presbyterian Church. “I can’t imagine being alone on Christmas,” Brown said. That’s why he and his wife started hosting the dinner. Some people attend because they can’t afford a nice holiday meal. Others come out for the company, Brown said, recalling a Decorah couple who volunteered their time at the dinner the first Christmas after their daughter’s death. Asked to provide one word to describe himself, Brown narrowed the list to two. “Empathetic and compassionate,” he said. Picturing someone unwillingly spending Christmas alone sparked him to team up with his wife to start the annual dinner. Empathy has also sparked his other involvements, he said. “I want to help people who are struggling with life, because I’ve been so blessed,” he said. “When I see somebody struggling, I say a prayer.” With new projects also come new friends, Brown added. Working at the Geist-BrownGeist Insurance agency, making new friends came with the territory. “First you meet a client, set
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Compassion is a driving force for this man who shares Christmas dinner with 600 friends
Bob Brown ■ AGE: 80 ■ BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: On Feb. 4, 1973, committing my life to Christ. ■ ONE WORD THAT DESCRIBES YOU: Empathetic
them up, and hopefully later they become a friend,” he said. Brown said he enjoyed the job — and the jobs he had before and since his 31-year insurance career. Brown sold men’s clothes at Palace Clothiers after attending Gates Business College and two tours with the U.S. Navy. Brown and his wife adopted three children. The couple put themselves on the list of adopting parents and five days later came home with their first child. “We didn’t have squat,” Brown admitted. “No diapers, no baby stuff. We had to get all that.” Years later, when Brown was 58, he learned he, too, had been adopted. “In those days it was kept on the quiet side,” he said. After 30 years with GeistBrown-Geist, he couldn’t adjust to retiring. Brown accepted the membership manager position with the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce for a year and then, in 1990, became business development coordinator for Norwest Banks and in 1995, business coordinator with Hogan-Hansen CPA. Brown has even started a car detailing business. “I tell people the dirtier the car, the better it looks when I’m done,” he said. The other accomplishments he has made may not be so easily measurable “When I leave this earth,” Brown said. “I hope my balance sheet is at least even.”
“When I see somebody struggling, I say a prayer.” MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor
Bob Brown
Bob Brown
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Helen Guernsey
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JULY 2011
Guernsey Charitable Foundation’s co-founder still runs the show
By PAT KINNEY pat.kinney@wcfcourier.com
WATERLOO — Max Guernsey was fearless. He was unafraid to dream, to try, to fail if need be, and to try again and to rejoice in achievement. That was the way he ran his businesses and built homes and neighborhoods. That was the way he gave back to the community — investing in the dreams and aspirations of others who shared his dream of a better Waterloo, a better Cedar Falls and a better Cedar Valley. No one knows what made Max tick better than his wife, Helen. For 60 years they worked, played, loved and raised a family as part and parcel of each other. They saw life, and their community, through clear eyes without rosecolored glasses. They knew how their community fell short and shared a keen eye for what they thought would make it better. There’s a saying that you never really leave a place you love; you take a part of it with you, leaving a part of you behind. When Max died in 2005, he left a big legacy and a big part of his heart behind with Helen, to keep giving back to the place they loved the same way they had for six decades. That legacy is the Guernsey Charitable Foundation. Helen, now 92, still runs that show as the foundation’s co-founder and its living inspiration. She still calls them as she sees them. And she never has to ask “WWMD” — what would Max do — because she knows that answer better than anybody. She shrugs off personal recognition for the foundation’s philanthropy. It’s not about her, she says. It’s about Max. “It’s because he did those wonderful things that I have been able to do things,” she said. “And I want that understood.” The foundation has funded everything from police canine programs, to a residential shel-
MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor
Helen Guernsey ter for women seeking a second chance after brushes with the law or addiction, to a downtown sports complex still in its formative stages. And Helen makes darn sure every penny Max left behind, and every penny generated from its investment, is well spent. She devotes as much detail to how that money’s spent as she did when she took charge of renovating the landmark downtown Hotel Russell-Lamson after she and Max bought it in 1965. She and foundation executive director Soo Greiman — with the support of Max’s compatriots
“We absolutely love to do that because you get to know people Helen Guernsey better than just reading an appli■ AGE: 92 cation,” Helen said. ■ BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Personally, renovating the Russell-Lamson “We’re really a hands-on, Building; late husband Max, the Guernsey Charitable Foundation. grassroots foundation,” Greiman ■ ONE WORD THAT DESCRIBES YOU: “Nuts!” she said jokingly. Referring to said. “You develop a measure of Max: “He’d try anything.” ■ SOMEONE WHO INSPIRED YOU AND WHY: “One person that Max was very the passion people have for what very fond of and helped him a lot was Glenn Bown (of Cedar Falls). He did a they’re doing. When you have lot for Max. He’s sell him the land he wanted. I’d say he was kind of a mentor. a manager and a staff of people He had his fingers in a lot of stuff, I’ll tell you. Max, at Christmastime, would who are very passionate about always want to have some kind of nice gift to give to Glenn Bown.” what they’re doing. It’s a very safe investment.” But no greater investment than and remaining board members to see how it is or would be used. the one Max and Helen Guernsey Tom Paulsen, Harold “Duke” Helen and Soo are known for on- made in each other — an investStrever and Gary Nelson — follow site visits to recipients, before and ment which continues to pay dividends to the Cedar Valley. the money right out into the field after donations are made.
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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
Homer Larsen By KAREN HEINSELMAN karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com
CEDAR FALLS — Homer Larsen doesn’t like to recycle sermons. Even after almost six decades of preaching, Larsen, 87, takes great care to prepare each message. He spends hours pouring over the Bible, absorbing the now-beloved and familiar words. He devotes time to exegeses of the Greek and tries to whittle it all down into a focused, digestible talk even a 10-year-old could understand. “The most challenging part is to stay true to the word of God,” Larsen said. The longtime Lutheran minister strives for more than comprehension. He wants to convey spiritual truths that touch hearts. “So the challenge for us is to really make this thing personal,” he said. But, there’s a caveat. “You have to earn the right to become personal,” he added. Technically, Larsen is retired. He stepped down as senior pastor of Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church, one of the largest in town, in 1996 after a career that spanned more than four decades. Nevertheless, Larsen remains a respected presence in the community. Larsen prepares 45 sermons a year for the radio ministry Christian Crusaders, which he joined in 1962. He also continues to visit congregations as a guest preacher. “I have to stay busy,” he said. Larsen leads a weekly Bible study at Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church for almost 20 men. On a recent Thursday, a mixture of active and retired businessmen, educators and blue collar workers showed up to discuss a passage in Galatians. Larsen guided the study but periodically asked others to share insights. “I’m more of a facilitator,” Larsen said. That said, Larsen was and remains a spiritual father to many. When Larsen, a Maine native, first came to Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1953, he wasn’t yet 30 years old. Under his leadership, the church grew from 700 to 4,300 members. Steven Moore joined Larsen’s church in 1978 and credits his conversion to the pastor’s clear and consistent preaching of the Gospel. In addition to his devotion to the gospel message, Larsen could relate to people, whether it be from behind the pulpit or over coffee. “When you are sitting in the congrega-
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Longtime Cedar Falls minister has been a guiding spiritual influence for decades
Homer Larsen ■ NAME: Rev. Homer Larsen ■ AGE: 87 ■ BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: The most fulfilling part of ministry is “watching lives change.” ■ ONE WORD THAT DESCRIBES YOU: “I think to some extent I am a pragmatist. If it doesn’t work, fix it.” ■ SOMEONE WHO INSPIRED YOU AND WHY: His wife, Eunice. “Well, she has a terrific work ethic and she was a very positive person. At times when I would get down, as we often do, she was right there to lift me up, see the brighter side of it.”
tion, a large congregation, you feel like he was speaking to you,” Moore said, “not just giving a speech or giving a talk to a large group. It seemed personal.” Serving an active and growing church brought many blessings, Larsen said. As all pastors do, he also experienced trials and doubts. At least once he considered quitting the ministry, but kind yet blunt words from his wife, Eunice, put him back on course. Seeking help from others seems to be a common theme at pivotal moments in the preacher’s life. Once, he sought advice from the late Oswald Hoffmann, a clergyman and broadcaster known for The Lutheran Hour radio program. Larsen recalls Hoffmann’s advice: “‘Go back and preach evangelistically. Don’t be afraid of Billy Graham. He’s OK.’” As a senior pastor, Larsen didn’t back down from stating his beliefs, be it marriage or sexuality or general Christian tenets. But he also believes convictions can coincide with love and willingly made house calls and bedside visits to anyone in need, regardless of their choices. Larsen’s influence extended beyond the church. He served on the Cedar Falls School Board and helped start what used to be known as the Lutheran Home and House of Hope. He served the Cedar Falls Rotary and on hospital and bank boards. He also cares for and is a companion to his wife, who suffered a debilitating stroke in 1994. The Larsens have three children and seven grandchildren. Larsen’s devotion to the Gospel remains at the heart of all that he does. “My ambition is to try to help people know what it’s like to live in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ,” Larsen The Rev. Homer Larsen. said.
MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor
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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
Bob Molinaro
cvbusinessmonthly.com
JULY 2011
Trucking company executive cites family, work ethic, community for his success
By TIM JAMISON tim.jamison@wcfcourier.com
WATERLOO — Bob Molinaro was a teenager when his only suit went missing at the end of World War II. “Mom would take clothes and sew pennies in them and send them to Italy after the war,” Molinaro recalled. “She’d sent my suit to Italy.” Benevolence was one of many lessons the son of an Italian immigrant foundry worker would learn while growing up one of five siblings in an ethnic, working-class neighborhood of Racine, Wis. “I remember shoveling snow for money, raking leaves, mowing lawns, and I used to give it all to my mom,” Molinaro said. “She’d give us 11 cents to go to the show. The show was a dime and the penny was for candy. “And my dad, he worked so hard, and I never really appreciated it until I worked with him,” he added. “One thing they beat into our heads, you’ve got to have a better life than we have.” Waterloo would eventually benefit from those values — work ethic, generosity, the importance of family and community — when Molinaro, now 81, moved from Wisconsin around 1950 to help start Warren Transport Inc. with his father-in-law, Irv Warren. The company Molinaro would eventually lead has grown from six trucks and 10 trailers to more than 700 tractors and 2,000 trailers. His 1993 effort to buy back the company, which had been sold to Flying Tiger and Federal Express, helped keep North America’s largest commercial motor carrier of agricultural equipment — and its jobs — based in Waterloo. Professionally, Molinaro has been showered with honors from transportation industry groups. He’s one of only 12 people to receive the American Trucking Association’s Emeritus for Life award.
MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor
Bob Molinaro Politically, he’s worked behind the scenes for policies he feels will better the community. Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad is counted among his friends. And the Cedar Valley community has benefited from Molinaro’s leadership in organizations ranging from the Chamber of Commerce to Waterloo Leisure Services Commission. His good fortune has translated into hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations annually to a lengthy list of nonprofit agencies and worthy causes, including groups such as the Salvation Army and National Alliance on Mental Illness. “I don’t necessarily measure accomplishments by the yard-
stick of money,” he said. “I try to give a good share of my compensation to those who need it, and I mean really need it.” He’s helped water and improve the city’s three municipal golf courses and supported substantial renovations at the National Cattle Congress fairgrounds. Most recently, Molinaro and wife Mary Ellen donated $1.2 million toward the construction of a new Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta Catholic Middle School being built just west of Columbus High School. It’s named after Mary Ellen’s great aunt. Molinaro has never been shy when it comes to expressing his views on community issues,
“Bob Molinaro is a Cedar Valley icon and an internationally rec■ AGE: 81 ognized transportation mogul,” ■ BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Harshbarger said. “His tenaIn every field that I pursued, I think cious, principled and at times I’ve left my mark. cantankerous nature have earned ■ ONE WORD THAT DESCRIBES him a reputation for shaping YOU: Fair. outcomes. Ask anyone, Bob is a ■ SOMEONE WHO INSPIRED YOU power to reckon with and at the AND WHY: All of his family memsame time a ‘Gentle Ben.’” bers but specifically his wife, Molinaro said his epitaph would Mary Ellen, who taught him, among other things, about giving. “She’s reflect that character. the only one who can control me; “I would fight for what I the only one who can calm me thought was right and believed in down,” Molinaro said. with all my might,” he said. “And if I was wrong, I was prepared to added Chris Harshbarger, one of take the consequences.” After a pause, Molinaro grinned the community members who nominated him for the Courier’s and said, “That might have happened, once.” annual 8 over 80 award.
Bob Molinaro
JULY 2011
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Money is available to lend to businesses Every week, I meet business owners who have discovered a word-of-mouth secret in the Cedar Valley: Credit unions loan money to businesses. It’s important to our local economy that we spread the word. I had worked at local banks Chad Lyons for more than is a commercial a decade and loan officer with had ignored Veridian Credit credit unions as Union in Cedar a resource for Falls. Contact business until I him at Chadal@ joined Veridian VeridianCU.org or Credit Union as a 833-4534. commercial loan officer in 2008. Startups and small businesses should take note of credit union
resources. Certainly Rep. Bruce Braley and others have noted the benefits of commercial lending by credit unions. They’re working to raise the current federal cap on these loans to increase commercial lending by $10 billion next year, including an estimated $200 million more in credit and 2,200 jobs in Iowa. Now, it’s no secret that the economy is just beginning a modest recovery in the wake of a recession that froze lending nationwide. The thaw has begun in the face of improving business performance, but many financial institutions still hold their underwriting criteria tightly. Meanwhile, we’ve been busy at Veridian. We didn’t make it more difficult to get dollars
during a difficult time. Instead, we’ve taken many lending opportunities that others were passing up, putting money to work for the members’ businesses and their communities across the Cedar Valley. These loans have been good for Veridian; we expect to see about 40 percent loan growth this year. Many of these loans are to existing members, and many more are from the referrals of satisfied members. It turns out our local economy — long rooted in agriculture and industry — is doing pretty well. Indeed, there are still plenty of people starting and growing businesses in the Cedar Valley. For example, BikeTech in Cedar Falls has grown as a Main Street purveyor of green transportation with Veridian’s help.
And the growth and expansion of owner Brent Johnson’s bicycle shop includes investments in energy efficiency that will save him money over time. We’re rooting for him in his pursuit of grants to invest further in his historic building, and will continue to help his business expand as needed. Also consider the economic benefits of Environmental Lubricants Manufacturing Inc. Though fire threatened Lou Honary’s technology transfer project in 2007, he was able to restart the company’s production and packaging by retrofitting an existing facility in Grundy Center with help from Veridian. Today, ELM is increasing employment as the largest bio-based lubricant manufacturing facility in
the United States, working to replace conventional petroleum products with the invention of more than 30 environmentally friendly products made from soybeans — a value-added agricultural niche that benefits the whole community. Certainly everyone can take pride in a healthy local economy. Downtown revitalization and commercialization of value-added agriculture are part of the vigor of our communities. I’m proud of Veridian members whose businesses continue to grow. We want to see more business growth in the Cedar Valley. And one important component is access to capital for real estate, equipment and more. So, please spread the word: Credit unions make business loans.
d n a S E YCE A J O RLO E EN T P A O W O E TH RLO E T A W offer to
s n o i t a l u t a r g n or f o o C r a in b Mol nor.
o Bo h 0 to 8 r e e n v o o d your 8 ll you have vents e ra d o f n a u o n y o Thank r organizati er year. u ft make o essful year a succ WO-062411118
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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
cvbusinessmonthly.com
JULY 2011
Small businesses can benefit from intellectual property Many small business owners confuse the forms of intellectual property and the protections the various forms offer to protect the products of human intellect in their businesses. Intellectual Katherine Cota-Uyar property is is associate director the product of the John Pappajohn human intelEntrepreneurial lect, and this Center at the product can University of Northern have commerIowa. Contact her cial value. The at 273-5732 or products could katherine.cota@ uni.edu. be designs, inventions, chemical formulas, software, artwork, songs, stories and much more. The commercial value of these products comes from the owners’ ability to control their use. There are four types of intellectual property: patents, trademarks/service marks, copyrights and trade secrets. Laws for intellectual property offer affirmative rights and not protection. This means the law will not stop someone from violating your rights, but the laws do provide a strong case for the owner when in court. In the United States, many business owners think of patents as the way to protect intellectual property in their business. There are three types of patents: utility, design and plant. A utility patent is for a process, machine, manufacture, composition or an improvement on any of these things. A design patent must be innovative, nonfunctional and part of a functionally manufactured product. A plant patent is for any asexually or sexually reproducible plant that is novel and non-obvious. Patent protection on these patents lasts from 14-20 years depending on the type of patent. There are three quick questions a business owner can ask herself to determine if the invention can
be patented. The first question is: Is the idea (invention) novel/ new? The second question is: Is the idea clever/non-obvious? The third question is: Is the idea a naturally occurring substance, a law of nature or a mathematical formula? If the answers to the first two questions are yes and the answer to the third question is no, then the idea may be patentable. Two types of patents exist from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. A provisional patent may be filed to provide time to work on the full patent, but the full patent must be filed within one year of the provisional patent. The examination period for the full patent can last one to three years. Companies or inventors may choose to license a patent to a manufacturer to produce and sell the products. As part of the licensing agreement, the company or the inventor will receive royalties for the products sold. Once the patent expires, the invention is in the public domain and can be used by any company. Trademarks are another form of intellectual property and one many types of businesses might use. A trademark is a distinctive word, phrase, logo, graphic symbol or other device is used to identify the source of a product or service and to distinguish it from others. A service mark is basically the same except for services. Generic terms that describe an entire group or class of goods or services cannot be trademarked. For example, eBook and computer are generic terms and all companies can use these words without penalty. A company may put a “TM” or and “SM” next to the mark to let others know they are claiming ownership. The ® may not be put next to a mark unless the mark has been registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Another form of intellectual property that may benefit businesses is a copyright. A copyright automatically
applies to all types of original expression including art, sculpture, literature, music, songs, choreography, crafts, poetry, software, photography, movies, websites, etc. There are three criteria to determine if a copyright can exist. First, the work must be original. Second, the work must be fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Third, the work must have some element of creativity; that is, human intellect must be involved in its creation. Copyright protection is extended to a work the moment it is fixed in a tangible form. Be sure to put the copyright notice on the work. Protection of the copyright can be enhanced by registering the work with the U.S. Copyright Office. The copyright lasts for the life of the work’s creator plus 70 years. When the prod-
uct is a work made for hire, the copyright lasts between 95 and 120 years. A copyright gives the owner the right to prevent others from using the work without the owner’s permission. It also gives the owner the rights to reproduce, display, perform and distribute the work as well as make derivative works. When a copyright expires, the work goes into the public domain and anyone can use it without permission of the creator. Works created by employees as part of their employment are usually considered a “work made for hire” and the copyright belongs to the employer. For commissioned works, the copyright is owned by the commissioner. Also, creators may sell their copyrights to others. The final form of intellectual
property does not require any filing with a state or federal agency. A trade secret can be almost anything that provides the business owner with a competitive advantage and is treated to prevent public or competitor discovery. Trade secrets may be formulas, processes, designs, devices and more. Trade secrets need to be limited in exposure to competitors, the public, employees, etc. Basically, trade secrets must be kept secret and guarded to prevent theft. They are stronger if they cannot be reverse engineered or independently duplicated. Many small businesses have intellectual property that may benefit from protection of some sort. Businesses should assess their intellectual property and take appropriate action to protect it.
TWENTY-FOUR
SEVEN
365 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT • MOVIES • LIVE MUSIC
cvbusinessmonthly.com
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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
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8 Over 80 winners help Habitat reach milestone Milestones are important — ages, achievements, special events — and Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity is pleased to congratulate several longtime Habitat supporters in their recognition as 8 Over 80 community Linda Morgan members. Barb Adams is executive director and Helen Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity Guernsey have in Waterloo. Contact been important her at 235-9946 contributors in or director@ making Habitat heartandhfh.org for Humanity a successful organization. Their support is a significant reason why we are celebrating our milestone of 100 homes completed on Aug. 12.
Barb has been a committed volunteer, serving on the Family Support and Selection teams helping many Habitat families become successful homeowners. As a member and officer of the board of directors, she has been a strong community leader. She is still a consistent contributor to Habitat’s mission of affordable housing for families. Helen and the Guernsey Foundation have financially helped build twelve Habitat homes since 1999. Helen has had lunch with volunteers on several of the sites and has attended many of the home dedications. On several tours of Habitat homes with staff, Helen has shared humorous stories about Waterloo neighborhoods. And the Guernsey Foundation contributed toward our 100th home. The 100th home celebration
actually begins with celebrating the 99th home dedication at 1016 Lantz Ave., Cedar Falls, at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 12. The 100th home celebration will be at 726 Willow St. in Waterloo at 4:30 p.m. and will be followed by a picnic at Ferguson Field at the corner of Oneida and Linden streets at 5 p.m. Food and drink will be provided by Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity. Come and celebrate with us. At the same time we celebrate 100 homes, we will celebrate our contribution toward 1000 Habitat homes completed throughout the state.
How Habitat works Houses are built with volunteer labor, homeowner sweat equity hours, local subcontractors and products and taxdeductible donations of money
and materials. Habitat homes are sold to qualified families with affordable zero percent interest mortgages. Mortgages on Habitat homes range from $65,000 to $100,000. The mortgage proceeds are used to build additional affordable homes with more qualified families — dollars that keep on giving long after the debt is paid. Currently, Iowa Heartland HFH can build three to four homes annually on mortgage income — but our goal is to build 12 homes a year because of the desperate need for affordable housing. That’s why we keep asking businesses, churches, community organizations, community foundations and local governments to keep their donations and their volunteer time directed toward the mis-
sion of Habitat for Humanity. Pre-purchase counseling and post-purchase support are provided by the Habitat affiliate to assist families in becoming successful homeowners and community members. Habitat is not a “rescue agency” but is a partner with the family in helping themselves to better housing and to a better economic future. In the past 12 months, Iowa Heartland Habitat has helped 15 families move into affordable homes in Butler, Bremer and Black Hawk counties. Habitat helps families help themselves — with affordable homes that build communities and build hope for a brighter future for all. Call 235-9946 or visit our website www.heartlandhfh for more information.
Christian Crusaders Radio & Internet Ministry
Celebrating 75 years of Christian Broadcasting!
WMT
Cedar Rapids
AM/600
9:00 p.m.
WHO
Des Moines
AM/1040
6:06 a.m.
KWMT
Fort Dodge
AM/540
8:30 a.m.
KGLO
Mason City
AM/1300
8:00 a.m.
KNWS
Waterloo
AM/1090
3:00 p.m.
KWLO
Waterloo
AM/1330
9:06 a.m.
KXEL
Waterloo
AM/1540
10:30 a.m.
KWAY
Waverly
AM/1470
7:30 a.m.
And on the Internet - www.ChristianCrusaders.org WO-062411125
Congratulations Rev. Homer Larsen on being honored for your contributions to the Cedar Valley!
Many have been blessed through the preaching of Rev. Larsen on Christian Crusaders for the past 50 years!
WO-062411125
You can hear Rev. Larsen proclaim the Gospel message Sundays on these local radio stations:
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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
Firm’s cell-phone policy should be re-examined situations.” After that, anyone who continues to over-text should be dealt with individually. Finally, this would also be an excellent Q. Our office has an outdated time to eliminate that rather silly cell phone policy that doesn’t address text messaging. It simply “call in the hall” cell phone rule. Allowing personal conversations says “If an employee receives on a desk phone, while banishing an important call on their cell phone, they are to leave the office mobile talkers to the corridor, and proceed into the hall to take makes absolutely no sense. the call.” At least half our employees Q. I recently applied for the keep cell phones on their desk supervisory position in my and do a lot of texting during the department, but management workday. Many people feel that selected an applicant from outmanagement needs to step up side the company. Although my and deal with this issue, because boss said I was not qualified for texting distracts people and the position, he has now asked reduces productivity. Don’t you me to train the woman who was think we should have a texting hired. If he thinks I’m not qualipolicy? fied, how can he expect me to train someone else? A. Actually, your company needs a more general guideline, A. While your confusion is not another specific rule. Phone understandable, your manager’s calls and texts are only two request actually does make examples of the many personal sense. External candidates are pursuits that can make people typically chosen for their manless productive. Others might agement expertise, industry include online shopping, runexperience or some other useful ning errands, reading magazines, attribute. exploring social media, or anyWhat they lack, however, is thing else that takes time away an understanding of their new from work. surroundings. As a knowledgeFor that reason, your policy able insider, you are being asked should simply indicate that dur- to orient this woman to the ing work hours, employees are company, not teach her how to expected to avoid engaging in supervise. Although your recent personal activities which interrejection may have left you feelfere with productivity. Providing ing slightly resentful, you need to examples would be helpful, as recognize that training your boss long as the policy clearly states presents a valuable opportunity. that the list is not comprehenNot only will she see that you are sive. Management should intro- well-regarded, but you will also duce the new policy in a staff be able to impress her with your meeting, allowing time for ques- competence and helpful spirit. tions and discussion. If you handle this interaction If texting has been a particular wisely, she might even recomproblem, then that issue should mend you for the next supervibe specifically addressed. For sory opening. example: “Texting has become a Marie G. McIntyre is a worksignificant distraction from work place coach and the author of for some employees. From now “Secrets to Winning at Office on, everyone is expected to limit Politics.” Get free coaching texting about personal matters tips at www.yourofficecoach. to breaks and lunch. Excepcom, or follow her on Twitter @ tions can be made for critical officecoach. MARIE G. MCINTYRE
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
WO-062411097
cvbusinessmonthly.com
JULY 2011
cvbusinessmonthly.com
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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
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2011
Business MILESTONES 152 YEARS
140 YEARS
123 YEARS
116 YEARS
116 YEARS
Michael's
Painting & Decorating www.blackhawkabstract.com (319) 234-3566 501 Commercial St. • Waterloo
(319) 291-4000 614 Sycamore St. • Waterloo
The Funk Group (319) 233-8441 110 Plaza Circle • Waterloo
CARDINAL CONSTRUCTION INC.
Painting & Decorating • Quality Since 1895
(319) 232-5400 700 Waterloo Building • Waterloo
(319) 232-3755 1008 Jefferson Street • Waterloo
115 YEARS 102 YEARS 101.5 YEARS 101 YEARS Every thing you love about home www.McGregors Furniture.com Crossroads Center WATERLOO and 6 other Iowa locations
Hudson Printing Co., Inc.
FEREDAY HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING
HUDSON HERALD
(319) 234-7515 www.feredayheating .com 268-9110 • Cedar Falls 233-8411 • 1010 Broadway, Waterloo
(319) 266-1741 406 State St. • Cedar Falls
95 YEARS
generalsheetmetaliowa.com
www.pdcm.com
(319) 234-5428 Ph (319) 234-5026 Fax 217 Rath • Waterloo
Locally Owned Since 1916
80 YEARS
79 YEARS
78 YEARS
www.carneycpa.com
www.fogdallrv.com
(319) 233-3318 500 W. 4th St., Ste. 300 Waterloo
(319) 277-2641 Ridgeway Ave. & Hwy 58 Cedar Falls
97 YEARS
GENERAL SHEET METAL
100 YEARS
www.NationalCattleCongress.com mjudge@nationalcattlecongress.com
Black Hawk County, Iowa • Established 1911
257 Ansborough Ave., Waterloo
(319) 988-3855 411 Jefferson • Hudson
89 YEARS
80 YEARS
80 YEARS
www.thatpartsplace.com
CLEANERS
(319) 234-6681 201 E Mullen Ave • Waterloo
(319) 233-3571 216 W 11th St • Waterloo
(319) 234-6979 229 E. 5th St. • Waterloo
75 YEARS
68 YEARS
“Custom Fabrication”
319-234-8888 3927 University Ave. • Waterloo
www.marquartconcreteproducts.com
See us for your Block Brick & Landscaping Needs (319) 233-8421 110 Dunham Place • Waterloo
'RZQWRZQ :DWHUORR 6LQFH
Commercial Printing www.thepioneergroup.com (319) 232-4535 123 Arizona • Waterloo
(319) 234-8969 319 W. 5th St. • Waterloo
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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
cvbusinessmonthly.com
JULY 2011
2011
Business MILESTONES 66 YEARS
66 YEARS
63 YEARS
63 YEARS
(319) 232-7993 84 W. 11th St. • Waterloo
(319) 233-8473 1004 Decathlon Dr. • Waterloo
(319) 232-0140 451 LaPorte Rd. • Waterloo
62 YEARS
www.invisionarch.com (319) 233-8419 531 Commercial Street #900 Waterloo
62 YEARS Waterloo -Warren Transports Home 100 years of Warren Trasport Know How
(319) 233-6113 210 Beck Ave. • Waterloo
58 YEARS
ALLEN GLASS CO., INC.
www.allenglassco.com (319) 232-0461 1620 Jefferson St. • Waterloo
55 YEARS
62 YEARS of excellence
61 YEARS
BAKERY
Since 1949
(319) 266-3513 • Cedar Falls (319) 234-2150 • Waterloo (319) 352-1405 • Waverly
58 YEARS www.maxss.com (319) 234-0344 4017 University • Waterloo
55 YEARS
59 YEARS JOHNSON’S Jewell’s 61 YEARS
(319) 232-4000 3842 Airline Hwy. • Waterloo
56 YEARS
We are commited to products, and service which exceed our customers expectations www.stetson.com (319) 236-5074 320 W 18th St. • Waterloo
54 YEARS
(319) 232-8154 820 W 5th St. • Waterloo
56 YEARS
(319) 233-4407 305 N. Rd. • Evansdale (Next to City Hall)
55 YEARS
EVANSDALE PHARMACY
www.city-national.com
“For all your health-care needs”
(319) 232-6641 221 E 4th St. • Waterloo
(319) 233-3395 3506 Lafayette Rd. • Evansdale
53 YEARS Ray Mount
Wrecker Servce
51 YEARS
Harris
Cleaning Service GROSSE STEEL COMPANY (319) 277-5900 2225 Lincoln St. • Cedar Falls
www.cfneia.org (319) 287-9106 425 Cedar St. • Waterloo
Dry Wall, Plastering & Painting www.Iowawallsystems.com (319) 296-1663 4601 Crestwood Dr. • Waterloo
Fred J. Harris Brian • Tim • Ronda (319) 232-4444 829 Sycamore St. • Waterloo
(319) 235-6647 Waterloo
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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
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Business MILESTONES 51 YEARS www.lassoerv.com Service (319) 462-3258 Sales (319) 1-800-798-3511 Anamosa Iowa
39 YEARS
51 YEARS
48 YEARS
41 YEARS
(319) 233-3461 3040 Leversee Rd. • Waterloo
(319) 277-2121 3321 Cedar Heights Dr. Cedar Falls
www.sandeesltd.com (319) 235-1681 1111 South St. • Waterloo
(319) 235-0246 1-888-235-0246 1023 Peoples Square
38 YEARS
37 YEARS
36 YEARS
35 YEARS
51 YEARS
R.C. Willett Co.
northstarcampers.com
STEPHEN D. KNAPP
4130
(319) 232-6537 3613 Texas St. • Waterloo
35 YEARS
Lockard Realty www.universitymotorsonline.com 1-800-232-7721 (319) 235-6509 4501 Prairie Parkway • Cedar Falls 525 East 18th St. • Cedar Falls 3610 University Ave. • Waterloo
493-4000
34 YEARS
33 YEARS
31 YEARS
(319) 272-2112 2055 Kimball Ave. • Waterloo
31 YEARS
Diamonds Body Shop, Inc. and Associates L.L.P.
(319) 277-7173
(319) 233-7649 2125 Falls Ave. • Waterloo
(319) 268-9802 2615 Rainbow Dr. • Cedar Falls
9128 W. Cedar Waspi Rd. • Cedar Falls
30 YEARS
30 YEARS
27 YEARS
(319) 235-0479 3419 Lafayette • Evansdale
26 YEARS
(319) 266-1771 7314 Chancellor Dr. • Cedar Falls
24 YEARS NORTHSIDE Auto Salvage and Repair
(319) 277-5661 516 Washington St. Cedar Falls
(319) 266-0807 215 E. Main St. • Cedar Falls
www.billcolwellford.com (319 988-4153 Hwy 63 • Hudson
RON POTTER, OWNER 1416 W. 4th St. • Waterloo (319) 232-7113
(319) 234-1595 812 Dearborn Ave. • Waterloo
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JULY 2011
2011
Business MILESTONES 23 YEARS
22 YEARS
20 YEARS
19 YEARS
SJ
Construction Inc.
SJConstinc@mchsi.com (319) 232-9178 1027 Sycamore St. • Waterloo
(319) 233-8313 2420 K-Line Dr. • Waterloo
(319) 233-9911 3230 Marnie Ave. • Waterloo
www.expresspros.com (319) 277-6603 3014 Rownd St. • Cedar Falls
18 YEARS
15 YEARS
15 YEARS
13 YEARS
VJ Engineering
Dr. Kelly Jean Amosson
www.hawkeyetrucks.com
(319) 234-0051 www.kastliauctions.com
SCOTT PARSONS, LUTCE (319) 277-5920 4807 University Ave., #104 • Cedar Falls
9 YEARS 9 YEARS SCHMITT TELECOM ABC PARTNERS INC. Embroidery Our Experience Makes It Simple
schmitthouse.com
(319) 232-3701 722 Water St. • Waterloo
(319) 232-0094 105 Industrual Dr. • Evansdale
Congratulations to these businesses and their many years of service
(319) 266-5829 1501 Technology • Cedar Falls
visit business monthly's website
www. cv business monthly .com
18 YEARS
(319) 233-3280 Waterloo Iowa
13 YEARS
(319) 233-2455 (319) 236-2737 3510 Kimball Ave., Ste B • Waterloo 924 La Porte Rd. • Waterloo
JULY 2011
cvbusinessmonthly.com
CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
THE COURIER
+WPIGT NKXGU KP O[ JQWUG
Hunger lives here. Across Northeast Iowa. Across town. Hunger lives in my house.
The Northeast Iowa Food Bank needs a new building with more space. The food is here—they just don’t have enough room for it. Your donation will help build a bigger and better Food Bank so they can stop turning away food and start feeding more people in need. Hunger lives here. But it doesn’t have to.
P.O. Box 2397, Waterloo, IA 50704
319-235-0507
Help us Set the Table of Hope. Please visit NortheastIowaFoodBank.org to learn more and donate today.
PLEASE HELP BUILD A NEW FOOD BANK. WO-062411155
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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
THE COURIER
cvbusinessmonthly.com
JULY 2011
A lifetime of learning opportunities offered at UNI Benjamin Franklin said, “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” As a lifelong learner, Franklin knew it doesn’t matter if the investment is made when you’re eight, 18 or 80 because the dividends are the same: Your world becomes broadRuth Goodman is a communications er, your life becomes richer specialist at the University of Northern and your wisIowa. dom becomes deeper. What does matter, however, is that you keep learning. With that same commitment to lifelong education, the University of Northern Iowa launched Lifelong University in 2005 to offer short-term, noncredit courses to adults. Participants gather in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere to discover new things about the world and themselves. “We offer courses on a broad range of topics, such as art and culture, history, religion and cur-
rent events,” said Stacey Christensen, public relations manager at UNI. “Our classes are targeted toward retirees, but we’ve also had younger people attend as well. Anyone who wants to continue to learn is welcome.” The LLU offers five classes in the fall and four in the spring. The one-, three- and four-week classes are held during the day on the UNI campus and at University Book & Supply, adjacent to campus. Courses range from 90 minutes to two hours once per week, giving participants a chance to learn something new or deepen their knowledge in a subject area without investing hours and hours of time. A fee of $15 to $40 is charged for each course, which covers the cost of course materials and an on-campus parking pass. “Our Lifelong University gives people a chance to see our programs and get to know UNI professors on a different level,” Christensen said. “There are no prerequisites or assignments in the Lifelong University. The atmosphere is very conversational and relaxed.”
Over the years, participants have listened to and discussed Beethoven’s musical masterpieces; learned to preserve photos, quilts and other family treasures; and traced the development of the American cemetery from pioneer graveyards to contemporary memorial parks. In September, which is when the next LLU session begins, the courses are just as varied and include a campus walking tour to view and learn about UNI’s indoor and outdoor artwork; view films that explore and commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11; and explore French culture and cuisine without leaving the comfort of their chairs, among others. LLU courses are taught by current and retired UNI faculty and staff who love to teach and share
their knowledge and interests with others. Roughly 1,600 students have enrolled in nearly 55 courses since the LLU began in 2005. “‘Lifelong University’ is an apt name, and one I find especially appealing,” said Shirley Cropper, who enrolled in the first LLU and who typically takes between one and four courses per semester. “There is so much to learn that one doesn’t know, and the courses are always timely, informative and interesting.” Cropper, who is especially fond of the LLU American history courses, has taken 23 courses over the years and will come back for more this fall. “I enjoy being on campus and find the classroom atmosphere extremely stimulating because there’s quite a lot of discussion,”
said Cropper. “Older people are not shy about asking questions or raising points that may not be in agreement with others.” Carol Gilgen and her husband, Al, are also longtime LLU participants. They began taking courses in 2005 and continue to take one or two courses each semester. “We enjoy the classes on history, religion and art,” said Gilgen. “It gives us a chance to get out together and expand our horizons as a couple. Taking classes is a nice way to stay intellectually active and to sample an area of study we may not have studied before.” To learn how you can remain intellectually active and expand your horizons, contact Kelli McCarthy at kelli.mccarthy@ uni.edu, 273-5141 or visit www. uni.edu/llu.
$299,900
Kimball Drive, Medical Center Greenhill Cedar Falls
• For Sale • 1.6 Acres Greenhill • Great Visibility • Ideal location for your business
CLEANERS
Chris Fischels • 319-830-5000
Complete Professional Garment Care
$12 NNN
$ ORDERS OF
15
2004 Enterprise Ct., Independence, IA
OR MORE
EXCLUDES REPAIRS/ALTERATIONS AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS EXPIRES 7/22/11. NOT VALID WITH OTHER DISCOUNTS. COUPON MUST ACCOMPANY INCOMING ORDERS
2120 Kimball Avenue | Waterloo 11th & Commerical | Waterloo 4th & Washington | Cedar Falls
www.varsitycleaners.com | 319.233.3571
WO-062411090
• For Lease • 1,108 sq. ft. • Built-in hood system • End cap w/drive thru
$395,000
$13 NNN
3409 Cedar Heights Dr., Cedar Falls
225 Sycamore, Waterloo
• For Lease • 4,141 sq. ft. • Stately brick w/tremendous curb appeal • High visibility @ corner of University Ave. and Cedar Heights Dr.
• For Sale/Lease • 17,136 sq. ft • Warehouse space is 15,336 sq. ft. • Office space is 1,800 sq. ft. $5 NNN
Jim Sulentic * 319-215-5000
Jim Sulentic * 319-215-5000
Chris Fischels * 319-830-5000
WO-062411094
cvbusinessmonthly.com
JULY 2011
CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
THE COURIER
PAGE 25
Robert John
MOLINARO Son Brother Husband Father Grandfather Friend Leader Mentor Philanthropistt Philanthropis Robert, Your Family, Friends, & the Employees of Warren Transport congratulate you on your recent induction to the Cedar Valley’s “Eight over Eighty” honor roll. No one can ever count everything that you have done for us and our community. We are truly blessed to have you here: • A tireless crusader for what is right, even when it may not be popular. • For what is fair, even if that wasn’t in your own best interest. • For speaking truth to power, even if it was unwelcome. • For all this and so much more, our unending gratitude! WO-062411110
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THE COURIER
CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
With age comes wisdom, and inspiration for others The prospect of living a long, healthy, and productive life has become reality for the majority of people in many parts of the world, especially right here Candy Diercks in the Cedar is franchise owner Valley. of Home Instead Our senior Senior Care in citizens are Waterloo. Contact her at 235-5999 such an inspior candy.diercks@ ration, contribhomeinstead.com. uting a wealth of knowledge to future generations through a
lifetime of experience. The legacies and wisdom they pass on help others to live a fulďŹ lling and happy life. The sacriďŹ ces they have made for their families and country are inspiring. What have our seniors taught us? Never give up. Patience, there are two sides to everything, nothing is black or white, Laughter is the best medicine. They are the greatest generation, they survived the worst economic downturn, the Great Depression. I often wonder how today’s generation would cope with a situation like that. Young people today think that life is over if they have to give up cable, the Internet
or their cell phones. My grandfather once said, “We may have been poor in things, but we were rich in the things that really mattered: people, family and our community.� In hard times, I often hear seniors say you look out for each other and respect one another. Though they lived through the Depression, not one among them remembers being depressed, maybe because there always seemed to be someone else who had it worse. I want to honor them with thanks and appreciation for all of the life lessons they share and continue to share.
cvbusinessmonthly.com
JULY 2011
WO-062411128
A personal, more meaningful approach to financial planning. Whether you’re a small business owner, evaluating your estate planning strategies, or sending your kids to college, we can help you plan to reach your financial goals through personal, customized financial planning. Call (319) 234-7000 and ask for Larry today!
Larry K. Fox & Associates A financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
"# " $ % &&&" " & larrykfox.com ' * + % / / 56 86 6 8 / +6 +: ' * + % / ; / + /: '< % => ; ?:
Find all your latest news in
JULY 2011
cvbusinessmonthly.com
CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
THE COURIER
Congratulations to the 8 Over 80, including two residents of Western Home Communities, Bob Beach (left) and Rev. Homer Larsen.
Find
your fulfilling lifestyle here.
VILLAS • TOWNHOMES • RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES ASSISTED LIVING • REHAB • MEMORY SUPPORT • NURSING CARE SURECARE SERVICES IN-HOME COMPANION CARE
277-2141
266-5764
Downtown Campus
South Main Street Campus
A non-profit service organization since 1912 www.WesternHomeCommunities.org WO-062411108
PAGE 27
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THE COURIER
CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
cvbusinessmonthly.com
JULY 2011
Disasters costing $100 billion begin to lift insurance rates Bloomberg News
NEW YORK — Natural disasters costing insurers almost $100 billion are beginning to lift some commercial insurance rates after a seven-year decline. Insurers hurt in the past 16 months by earthquakes in Japan, New Zealand and Chile and tornadoes in the United States are charging more for property coverage. Companies are seeking to strengthen finances after the recession drained value from investment portfolios and limited demand from business clients. “The market is turning,” said Chris Johnson, senior vice president of commercial insurer FM Global. “If you look at reserves, if you look at every indicator for the industry, we have no slack left,” he said in an interview. “The only way to start turning the corner is for rates to rise.” Travelers Cos. and Warren, N.J.-based Chubb, which repurchased shares in the past three years rather than writing more coverage, are among insurers that may benefit from higher prices, said Cliff Gallant, an analyst at KBW Inc. Brokers like Chicago-
based Aon and Marsh & McLennan Cos., which collect commissions on policies sold, may also gain. Among the signs of sporadic rate increases: Prices for property coverage for businesses rose 0.2 percent in catastrophe-prone areas since mid-April, according to a report from Marsh’s flagship unit last week. The cost for general liability fell at a slower rate so far this quarter than a year earlier. Insurers have increasingly been able to charge more to existing clients, even if they’ve had to cut rates to win new customers. Renewal rates for New York-based Travelers’s business customers, excluding the largest accounts, rose for the first time since 2007 in the three months ended March 31. CNA Financial Corp., a subsidiary of Loews Corp., increased commercial rates the last six quarters for renewals. Allianz, Europe’s biggest insurer, may benefit from higher prices for insurance renewals, Oliver Baete, chief financial officer of the Munich-based firm, said in a statement last month.
Some U.S. property-catastrophe reinsurance rates rose 5 percent to 10 percent on June 1, partly spurred by almost $100 billion in global losses since February 2010, according to a report from Marsh & McLennan’s reinsurance brokerage on markets including Florida. Reinsurers like No. 1 Munich Re and Swiss Reinsurance Co. provide coverage to primary carriers, protecting against the largest risks including natural disasters. Rising rates from reinsurers often lead to higher insurance prices. Reinsurance rates for Japan earthquake protection climbed 20 percent to 60 percent after the March 11 disaster, Matthias Weber, Swiss Re’s head of property and specialty, said last week at a Bloomberg Link conference in New York. The cost of reinsurance for flooding and wind damage climbed as much as
Call me today for help with your business insurance needs: auto, property & liability.
(319) 277-5920 4807 University Ave., Cedar Falls
(319) 233-3380
WO-062411129
Scott G. Parsons, LUTCF scottparsons@allstate.com
1120 W. 4th St., Waterloo Insurance subject to availability and qualifications. All state Insurance Company and Allstate Indemnity Company, Northbrook, Illinois © 2009 Allstate Insurance Company.
WO-062411070
10 percent in Japan, he said. American International Group Inc., the largest U.S. commercial insurer, is becoming more selective about risks it will take, said Peter Hancock, who was picked in March to run the propertycasualty business. AIG said in February it would take a charge of more than $4 billion to build reserves after underestimating the cost of claims. AIG dropped 43 percent this year in New York trading. “We’re coming out of this phase of insureds going into the market thinking they’re going to get a rate decrease,” said Lou Iglesias, head of commercial casualty at Chartis, in a conference last week sponsored by Advisen Ltd. U.S. commercial rates have dropped 23 percent since the peak in late 2003, according to Advisen’s ADVx index. The last sustained climb in rates was
in a period through the end of 2003 as insurers paid more than $22 billion related to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Prices often climb after extraordinary claims. Some of the increases in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina, the costliest U.S. natural disaster, reversed the next year as new private-equity-backed firms competed for business. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. added sales after Katrina then “sharply reduced” its appetite for covering storm damage, Chairman Warren Buffett said in 2007. The firm instead invested in takeovers, striking deals to buy a railroad and lubricants maker. “Premium rates have not been attractive enough to warrant increasing volume,” Omaha, Neb.-based Berkshire said in a quarterly filing with regulators in May.
JULY 2011
PAGE 29
WWW.GREATERCEDARVALLEYCHAMBER.COM
Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber Spring Golf Classic was a success!
Another great Alliance & Chamber Event!
Burgers, beans & potato salad!
Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course Check in with Kim, Peggy & Bette
Sandy, Norma and Jane served the pies!
Golf Carts ready to go..........and even more golf carts ready to go!
Matt Halbur welcomes all. Andy Devine gives instructions.
Let the games begin!
Golf hats for everyone!
Lunch in the shade.
It's not raining....yet!
Warming up for the win!
Linda, Bob & Dave discuss the weather.
Shot Gun Start!
Golf carts rolling out!
PAGE 30
JULY 2011
WWW.GREATERCEDARVALLEYCHAMBER.COM
Thank You to all of the Spring Golf Classic Sponsors!
Cart Sponsor
19th Hole Sponsor Hole Sponsors:
Beverage Cart Sponsor
Putting Contest Sponsor
Breakfast Sponsor
Raffle Sponsors: AmericInn Lodge & Suites Andy Devine, Golf Pro McDonald Supply Scheels Sport Shop-Crossroads Center
JULY 2011 MARCH 2010
WWW.GREATERCEDARVALLEYCHAMBER.COM
Fall Golf Classic
Waterloo & Cedar Falls New Teacher's Breakfast
SAVE THE DATE!
Teacher Sponsorships are available! Sponsorship Investment $30
Tuesday, August 23
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย อ อ อ อ วค อ อ ย ย ย วควก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย อ อ อ อ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย อ อ อ วฆอ อ อ อ ย ย email her at ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฬทย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วคย ย ย
PAGE 31
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย อ อ อ วฆอ อ อ อ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฬท ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วคย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค
Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber Adds UNI Interns WATERLOO/CEDAR FALLS, IOWA โ The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber has enlisted three University of Northern Iowa interns to their ย ย ย ฦกวค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦคย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦคย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦคย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦคย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦคย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย วฆ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฏย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย วฆ ย ย ย วฆ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦคย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฏ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค วฒ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦฌ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฆย ย วฆย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วกวณ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦฌ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค วฒ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วควณ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วข ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก อ อ อ อ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วข ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค
JULY 2011
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WWW.GREATERCEDARVALLEYCHAMBER.COM
Joining the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber Help make the Cedar Valley a Better Place to Live, Work and Play! ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦฌ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย อ อ อ ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦฌ ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ศ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦฌ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฆย ย ย วฆย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย วฆย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ศ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ศ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย อ อ อ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย อ อ วกอ อ อ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ศ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย อ อ ฮจ 1-5 employeesวข อ อ ฮจ 6-50 employeesวข อ ฮจ 51-500 employeesวข อ ฮจ 501+ employees ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦฌ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย อ อ อ วฆอ อ อ อ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย อ อ อ วฆอ อ อ อ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦฌ ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฬทย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วคย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฬทย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วคย ย ย วค
Mark your calendar for TRC 2011
WELCOME NEW MEMBER!
Tย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦฌ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฬถ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วกฬถ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วจ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦฌ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦฌ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย อ อ อ วฆอ อ อ อ วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฬทย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วคย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฦฌ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย อ อ อ วฆอ อ อ อ วค August 30, 31 and Sept 1 ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก อ อ อ อ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก Cedar Falls, อ วฃอ อ ศ อ อ วฃอ อ
September 13 ย ย ย วฆ ฦก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Sunnyside Country Club อ อ อ อ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วควก Waterloo อ วฃอ อ ศ อ วฃอ อ
September 22, 29, October 6, 13, 20, 27, November 3 ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Clarion Inn University Plaza อ อ อ อ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วควก Cedar Falls อ อ วฃอ อ ศ อ วฃอ อ
November 10 TRC Victory Party ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย อ อ อ อ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วควก Cedar Falls อ วฃอ อ ศ อ วฃอ อ
JULY CALENDAR OF EVENTS ย ย ย อ ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก อ วฃอ อ วฆ อ วฃอ อ ย วคย วค ย ย ย อ อ ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วควก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก อ วฃอ อ วฆอ วฃอ อ ย วคย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วควก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก อ วฃอ อ วฆ อ วฃอ อ ย วคย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก อ วฃอ อ วฆ อ วฃอ อ ย วคย วค ย ย ย อ อ ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วควก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก อ วฃอ อ วฆ อ วฃอ อ ย วคย วค ย ย ย อ อ ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก อ วฃอ อ วฆ อ วฃอ อ ย วคย วค ย ย ย อ อ วฆอ อ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย วฆ ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย อ อ อ อ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก อ อ อ อ อ ย ย ย ย วฃ อ อ อ วฆอ อ อ วฆอ อ อ อ Website: ย ย ย วคย ย ย ย ย ย ย วคย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฃ ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฃ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Thank you to the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber Premier Members! ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย วค
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค Steve Showers ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
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WWW.GREATERCEDARVALLEYCHAMBER.COM
Ribbon Cuttings - New Businesses/Buildings in the Cedar Valley!
Future home of Winter Hall Allen Health Systems
Hawkeye Community College Health Education and Services Center
Heartland Exchange Conference
1501 E. Orange Rd., Waterloo
Leave a Legacy
Mod Hair Color Salon & Beauty Store 4507 Algonquin Dr., Ste. B, Cedar Falls
Palace Clothiers Ridgeway Plaza, Waterloo
St. Ambrose University at HCC 1501 E. Orange Rd., Waterloo
USA Staffing, Inc. 4113 University Ave., Cedar Falls
Wheaton Covenant Rehabilitation Center 3421 W. 9th St., Waterloo
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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
THE COURIER
cvbusinessmonthly.com
JULY 2011
Good customer service is the key gaining, keeping business In a previous column I identiďŹ ed four tactics for providing personalized customer service: â&#x2013; Use names, introduce yourself and address your customer by name. â&#x2013; Exhibit empathy so that it is obvious you care about the c u s t o m e r â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s situation. â&#x2013; Make effective use of space by breaking down both literal and ďŹ gurative barriers that separate Rick Brimeyer you from your is president of customers. Brimeyer LLC, â&#x2013; Make the an independent e x p e r i e n ce management special; let the consulting ďŹ rm customer know in Ames. Further serving them information is was a joy and available at www. brimeyerllc.com not a chore. or by calling Soon after (515) 450-8855. starting my own business, it became obvious I needed insurance. As an insurance consumer Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a real loggerhead. And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s with relatively simple matters covering autos and home where I have decades of experience. To say I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t looking forward to researching and procuring business insurance would be an understatement. I started by calling the agency that handled our family insur-
ance. We had enjoyed a good relationship for years. After leaving a voicemail message, I received a call from the business agent asking me â&#x20AC;&#x153;to stop down at the office and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get started.â&#x20AC;? He emailed application forms that would be used to quote the policy with various national chains. I inquired as to an estimated cost for the coverage. Yikes. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just say it had an extra zero behind the value I had assumed in my business plan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stop on down at the office,â&#x20AC;? he repeated. I decided to call an acquaintance with another agency. Although he is the president of the agency, he took the call himself. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where do you live?â&#x20AC;? he asked. I gave him my address and he explained it was on his way home (a bit of a stretch, I later learned). â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you have time tonight, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll stop. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s discuss what your business does and ďŹ gure out what you really need.â&#x20AC;? This was an attractive deal for me; as a new business owner there werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough hours in the day to address every need. Saving even an hour by having him visit me was a big deal. When he arrived later that afternoon his sole intent was to understand my business and provide me with the information needed to make a sound decision. We determined that I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need all of the coverage
originally thought and that my business plan estimate for the premium was indeed appropriate. The entire episode reminded me of sitting down with a friend or family member for advice. Needless to say, he won the business. But it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop there. The next time our family coverage was due, we asked for a comparative quote from the new agency and it came back favorable. Although we were happy with our family insurance agency, we switched. Our newlywed daughter and her husband are now quoting their family insurance with the new agency and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve since referred several others. All because of the attention provided to me and my small business policy. I want to emphasize that the old agency didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily do anything wrong; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just that the new agency did things better. The new agency made me feel like I was their most important customer before they even knew that I was a viable customer. A few weeks after we transitioned our family insurance, I received a survey call from the national chain which the old agency represented. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wow, this is impressive,â&#x20AC;? I thought. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They want to learn from the experience so they can provide better service to others.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mr. Brimeyer, I understand
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh, sorry to bother you. Have a nice day.â&#x20AC;? I sat for a couple of moments in stunned silence. Then I smiled, knowing we had made a good decision.
that you have your home and auto insurance with us,â&#x20AC;? the young interviewer asked. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, I used to, but we recently transferred to another agency,â&#x20AC;? I explained.
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Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
Creating and providing services to empower individuals to remain independent. Case Management Healthy Lifestyles Centers Meal Programs Home Delivered Meals Consumer Protection Caregiver Support Options Counseling Respite Support Disaster Assistance For more information call the Aging & Disability Resource Center at 319-272-1767 or toll free at 1-877-538-0508 WO-062411133
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THE COURIER
CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
cvbusinessmonthly.com
JULY 2011
Know your rights when dealing with door-to-door salespeople When the weather turns warm, sellers head to your front porch. The products they sell vary: magazines, home security systems, home improvement or home repair projects, household products, or even food products. But their sales tactics are often quite similar — they’re Tom Miller high-pressure. is Iowa attorney If you purgeneral. To file a complaint or get chase somemore information, thing from a contact the Iowa salesperson at Attorney General’s your door, you Consumer Protection should know Division at that Iowa’s (888) 777-4590 Door-to-Door or www. IowaAttorneyGeneral. Sales Act gives you the right to gov. cancel within three business days and get a refund, but only in certain circumstances. The law applies to all door-to-door sales of merchandise or services, including products, food and services. The law also applies to sales at a place other than the
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seller’s office or local address, including a seminar and a fair booth. The law does not apply to purchases made by phone, mail or through the Internet, purchases at a seller’s normal place of business, or to purchases under $25. Iowa law requires sellers to tell you of your right to cancel at the time of the sale and give you two copies of a written notice of your right to cancel. The contract is voidable if the seller fails to do this. You should not buy from a seller who fails to inform you of your right to cancel. In such instances, you should notify local law enforcement and the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. If you cancel your purchase and request a refund, the seller must refund your money within 10 business days.
Warning signs
to help them pay for school. Stu- day following the purchase, or challenge the charge within 60 dent sellers can be scammed by hand-deliver the notice. (Week- days after the date the first bill ends and holidays do not count as was mailed to you. Keep in mind subscription companies, too. business days.) A certified letter that a debit card offers you fewer Protect yourself is proof of when you mailed your protections than a credit card. ■ Ask for identification as soon request, and a signed receipt is ■ Contact local law enforceas the seller arrives. Many cit- proof if you hand-delivered your ment officials and the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection ies require solicitors to register notice. with the city, and require sellers ■ If you used a credit card for Division if you are victimized by a your purchase, you can contact door-to-door scam or you do not to carry registration with them. ■ If you feel pressured to buy your credit card company and receive a refund you requested. something you hadn’t planned to buy, just say NO to the seller. Excellent QUALITY Printing ■ Get all promises and terms in writing, read the fine print, and Friendly, FAST Service make sure the fine print matches REASONABLE Rates the sales pitch. ■ If you are buying a product or service, get estimates from several sellers and check references. 2515 Falls Ave. ■ To cancel a sale, sign and date one copy of the cancellation form Waterloo, IA 50701 and mail it to the address given Phone: (319) 235-6085 for cancellation. Make sure that www.karensprintrite.com the envelope is postmarked by midnight of the third business WO-062411114
Be wary of sellers pushing highpressure, limited-time “special offers.” You may end up paying higher prices for substandard or unneeded merchandise or services. Beware of high school or college students pressuring you to buy a magazine subscription
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Eight Over 80 winners make good role models
Developing character So how does this happen? Here are three practices I believe can lead to greater levels of resilience. ■ Follow. As we were growing
up, our parents insisted that my siblings and I read lots of biographies. Not only were these entertaining stories, they were often inspiring accounts of explorers, scientists, athletes and caregivers who were forced to adapt before they could overcome. These were the accounts of world-changers who showed uncommon resolve when it came to finding solutions, breaking records and reaching out to the most undeserving. Reading books, however, wasn’t the end-game. Rather, we were encouraged to identify in each life story the actions that were worth emulating...and then to incorporate these virtues into our daily routines. Beyond that, we were encouraged to identify virtuous behavior even in the people in our little community, and then to model ourselves after what we’d observed. Even now, years later, my sister has habit she calls “secret generosity” simply because she is still following in the footsteps of a fourth grade teacher she admired. ■ Share. Our world seems to celebrate people who amass power and fortune. In the end, however, we know that those who have made the greatest difference in history are those who leveraged what they had for the people they cared about. Whether it’s Carnegie giving away millions, a guy like Paul Farmer trying to root out tuberculosis through his research and practice or Jesus offering eternal life, those who leave the greatest legacies are those who share most lavishly. Yet, for most of us, giving is not intuitive. It’s a practice that needs to be cultivated. That’s why my wife, from the time our daughters were old enough to talk, has insisted that our girls set aside toys and clothes and time to share with others. And now that our girls are older, we see the fruit of Mary Beth’s labor; they willingly set aside portions of their modest “incomes” to share others in need. We know as parents that learning to share
now will help our daughters develop greater resilience in the future. ■ Thank. Several years ago, I lost a dear friend to cancer. He had lived a full life, had a successful career and raised a remarkable family. But what set Mark apart wasn’t his determination or drive; it was his conspicuous gratitude. This guy knew how to express thanks. Rather than bottle it up, he just let it flow. Notes, calls, text messages, Mark thanked his friends often and well.
to genuinely appreciate the contributions of others, and they go out of their way to recognize and celebrate these things. Sure, expressing appreciation comes easier for some than others. But it is one of those habits that we can all improve with practice. Want to make a difference?
One of the things I’ve noticed about people who do well over time is that they seem to have just a little bit more gratitude than the rest of us. They seem
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Want to leave a great legacy in your community someday? Find and follow great examples. Share sacrificially. And thank often. Not only will these actions set you apart from your peers, they will also ensure that you continue to be an inspiration to the rest of us.
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My daughter cut her hand a few weeks ago. I marveled at how easily her body seemed to heal itself. Within a week, we could hardly identify where the cut had been. She had virtually no scar and no pain. In fact, she hardly had any memory of what had happened just sevChris Rygh is executive pastor at eral days prior. Healthy bodPrairie Lakes Church in Cedar Falls. ies are like that. Contact him When they are at 266-2655, injured, they ext. 122. rebound quickly. They fight for wholeness. They recover quickly, and move on. Ever notice how the healthiest people are the ones who bounce back quickly, who show a special resilience when they’ve been cut or slighted. They are the ones who inspire the rest of us because they overcome odds, take risks and still maintain high-levels of optimism despite setbacks. This month we are celebrating Eight Over 80. We are recognizing a unique group of women and men who, for over eight decades, have been demonstrating a special resilience. One doesn’t achieve a resume or reputation like the ones featured here without knocking though a few barriers, without starting over a time or two. How do such people find the courage to begin again? Where does one find the emotional elastic to snap back? I don’t think it’s a matter of having it or not. As a mentor of mine used to say, “Developing [this kind of character] is not an art or science; it’s a practice, something all of us can develop over time.”
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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
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JULY 2011
Supplements help you get the best out of your golden years There are a variety of natural supplements that may be of benefit to assist us as we age. B vitamins were among the first nutritional supplements sold and are still a cornerstone of the natural products industry. A good B complex (all of the B vitamins together) has Marilyn Bartels many benefits. is owner TnK Health The “Bs” may Food Store in help prevent Waterloo. Contact her birth defects, at 235-0246. aid pregnancy, prevent Alzheimer’s, stress, supply energy, and help hair, skin, and nails. Recent research has shown vitamin D3 is not only beneficial for strong bones, but for an array of different things. Vitamin D3 deficiency is common in older adults, causing concern about neurological disorders, Alzheimer disease, depression, impairment of cognitive performance, back pain and lowered immunity. Vitamin D3 can be
obtained from the sun during the summer, but additional supplementation is recommended. Calcium is often recommended for strengthening bones. It is best to be taken with magnesium and vitamin D3. Calcium along with magnesium also helps with muscle contraction and relaxation , as well as how freely blood flows through the body. It is important to have a good balance of calcium and magnesium. Magnesium is vital for overall health. Studies have linked low magnesium levels with low energy, fatique, hormonal imbalances, heart disease, abnormal heart rhythms, headaches, asthma, nervousness, irritability, and diabetes. The wear and tear on our joints over the years can be a big concern. Glucosamine plays a key role in the construction of cartilage that cushions the joints. As we age our bodies may not be able make enough glucosamine which may result in inflammation, breakdown and destruction of the connective tissue and cartilage. When the cartilage wears down, it leaves the bone endings exposed, which may result
in pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints. Supplementation of glucosamine may be necessary. Glucosamine has fewer gastrointestinal side effects than the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs often used in treating joint disorders. Often you may see chondroitin or MSM with glucosamine for joint health. Also it would be beneficial to include anti-inflammatory herbs such as boswellia, devil’s claw, ginger, nettles, tumeric, and yucca in your joint regimen to reduce inflammation. Coenzyme Q10 (often referred to as CoQ10) is present in every cell of the body. It is an antioxidant by reducing free radicals (cells that have gone bad). CoQ10 produces ATP, a cell’s major energy source that helps with processes like muscle contraction and making protein. It also supports the heart. For those
taking cholesterol medication, it is important to take CoQ10, since those medications lower the CoQ10 levels in the body. Levels of CoQ10 decrease with age, so it is important for people over 50 to supplement with this nutrient. Essential fatty acids such as fish or flax oil are great for reducing inflammation. They are rich in omega 3-6-9. Reducing inflammation can affect many systems in the body. The oils found in fish and flax have been shown to support cardiovascular health by reducing the thickness of the blood and may reduce levels of triglycerides. Fish oil also boosts brain health. The brain needs essential fatty acids. Brain nerve cells use omega-3s to control inflammation and serve as signaling agents. A deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids accelerates brain aging in adults and impairs brain development in children.
Omega-3s may be of benefit for those with depression, excess stress, and lack of concentration and/or hyperactivity. We get too much of the omega-6 from saturated fats, and partially hydrogenated trans fats. This imbalance interferes with optimal function of nerve tissue in the brain. Good nutrition can be a big boost in how we feel, especially as we get older. Fast food and processed food has taken the place of real fruits and vegetables packed with nutrients our bodies use the best. Sugar-laden drinks have taken the place of good old water. Sweet treats have taken the place of fiber rich fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Did you know that sugar is a major cause of inflammation in the body? Provide your body with the best nutrition and supplements, and see for yourself the difference you can feel.
The Waterloo Convention & Visitors Bureau offers congratulations and thanks to volunteer Ken Allbaugh and past board member Bob Brown for your 8 over 80 honor. Congratulations to all eight recipients, and thank you for everything you’ve done to make the Cedar Valley a great place. Providing Third Party Integrated Logistics, Public Warehousing JIT Services, Trucking, and Reclaim Service
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JULY 2011
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THE COURIER
Preparing for the long-term future of a business Here’s an important question for busy business owners — what’s next for your company? Not just tomorrow or even in the months ahead, but when the time comes that you or one of your key employees retires or leaves the organization Larry K. Fox unexpectedly? is senior financial adviser with At a time Ameriprise Financial when many Inc., Waterloo. baby boomContact him at ers are thinking 234-7000. about retirement, those who own a business need to plan not just for their life after work, but for the future of the firm they’ve committed so much of their lives to. In a small- or mid-sized business, the owner
and perhaps other key personnel play such a vital role that special planning is required to prepare for circumstances in which any of these individuals is no longer part of the organization. If your business doesn’t have a succession plan, it is an issue that needs prompt attention. There are a number of questions to consider in helping prepare for the period of transition a company inevitably faces.
Have a replacement The most fundamental aspect of a succession plan is to have a replacement (or replacements) in line. In many cases, a family business will move from one generation to the next. In other situations, a trusted employee or group of employees may need to be groomed and prepared to assume control of the company in the future.
Transfer of control Once successors are identified, there is a variety of ways that control of the business can be transferred to them. This usually works best when the current business owner and potential successors can establish an agreement in advance for an orderly transfer of ownership. This may occur in a number of ways. Among the options are: ■ An outright sale to the new owner, either in a one-time transaction or an installment sale (with payments made by the buyer over a number of years). It may be possible to establish an annuity that will make payments to the owner over a period of years as a way to fund the sale. ■ The use of a trust vehicle, such as a grantor retained annuity trust or a grantor retained unitrust. GRAT/GRUTs are irrevocable trusts to which you transfer
appreciating assets while retaining an income payment for a set period of time. At either the end of the payment period or your death, the assets in the trust pass to the other trust beneficiaries (the remainder beneficiaries). The value of the retained income is subtracted from the value of the property transferred to the trust (i.e., a share of the business), so if you live beyond the specified income period, the business may be ultimately transferred to the next generation at a reduced value for estate tax or gift tax purposes. There are other options to consider as well. An important consideration in the decision-making process is the potential tax ramifications, particularly for the seller. There are tools available to help reduce the potential impact of capital gains, estate and gift taxes when a sale occurs. Good
planning plays a critical role in making sure that both the seller and the buyer achieve the most favorable results.
The unexpected can occur The need to implement a succession plan can sometimes strike without notice. It is important to have protection solutions in place in the event of the sudden death or disability of the business owner or a key individual in the organization. Businesses that involve partners or likely successors, for example, may benefit from having a buy-sell agreement in place. A buy-sell agreement lets you keep control of your interest until the occurrence of an event that the agreement specifies, such as your retirement, disability, or death.
congratulates The Allbaugh Family es for 2011 the 8 Over 80 honore urier for giving and commends the Co portunity the community the op these k to recognize and than o have wh , ls ua outstanding individ da Ce r Valley. given so much to the
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thank you for Dad, we love you and sband and being a wonder ful hu supported d and father. You have love e community. th not only us, but also model of a en be Your life has y, cheerful op generous philanthr g support rin volunteer work, and ca t think of a can’ for those in need. We would be as om M el. better role mod e! proud of you as we ar Laurie Allbaugh Ann & Steve Burrell gh Jeanne & David Allbau
See FOX, page 40
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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
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JULY 2011
Following the example of the Eight over 80 winners
Jessica Crouch is Shaklee director of Organized for You! in Waterloo. Contact her at 504-6689.
The Courierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eight Over 80 honors those who created the foundation which allows us to build the future. Beyond the skills that we learn in training for our position, we can gain inspiration from the philosophy, attitude, dedication and perseverance from those who came before us. The Cedar Valley Young Professionals seek mentorship from our community leaders through a monthly lunch. We see the value in learning from oth-
FOX From page 39 Other events like divorce can also be included as triggering events under a buy-sell agreement. When the triggering event occurs, the buyer is obligated to buy your interest from you or your estate at the fair market value. The buyer can be a person, a group (such as co-owners), or the business itself. Price and sale terms are prearranged, which eliminates the need for a ďŹ re sale if you become ill or when you die. Remember, you are bound under a buy-sell agreement: You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sell or give your busi-
They answered
ersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; successes and look forward to some day imparting our experience to the next generation. In some ways, this has already started through programs that recognize our young leadership, such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Young Women of Achievementâ&#x20AC;? in May. How blessed we are to live in a community that recognizes the importance of celebrating, honoring, and encouraging our past, present and future.
THE CALL OF DUTY
ness to anyone except the buyer named in the agreement without the buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consent. This could restrict your ability to reduce the size of your estate through lifetime gifts of your business interest, unless you carefully coordinate your estate planning goals with the terms of your buy-sell agreement.
work with a ďŹ nancial advisor, tax specialist and an attorney experienced in these types of matters to structure a solution that is most suitable for your business and potential successors. It is a critical matter to address to assure that the rewards for years of hard work in building a successful business are realized long after you are no longer part of Keep plan up to date the day-to-day operations of the Like anything related to per- organization. sonal ďŹ nance, no plan is a ďŹ nal plan. Things change in the lives of business owners and in the structure of the business. It is important to review a plan regularly and make appropriate adjustments to it. Business succession is a complex matter. It involves close
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR â&#x20AC;&#x153;8 OVER 80â&#x20AC;? VOLUNTEERS:
Helen Guernsey R. Hovey Brom Ken Allbaugh for going above and beyond in our community! THANK YOU
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Co-worker’s side business should be reported to boss By MARIE G. MCINTYRE McClatchy-Tribune News Service
Q. I have a co-worker who is running a Web-based business on company time. “Linn” spends hours monitoring her website, taking orders, sending invoices and arranging for shipments. At the end of the day, she prints out her documents and takes them home. Linn gives more time to her business than to her job, but our boss appears to be completely unaware of these activities. He occasionally asks other employees to help Linn out because she’s so busy. However, she’s just busy making money for herself. Linn’s behavior is just plain wrong, and she should not be
allowed to get away with it. Is there anything I can do?
A. Bluntly put, Linn is a thief. By accepting a paycheck, then using work time for her own personal gain, she is effectively stealing from the company. Advising management of this transgression is no different than reporting someone who pockets money from a cash register. If you work in a large business, you can ask the human resources manager or corporate attorney to investigate while keeping your name confidential. However, if you’re in a small company, going directly to management may be your only option. In that case, have a concerned colleague accompany you to verify your story. When you describe the situ-
ation, remain calm and focus on the facts. For example: “I thought you should know that Linn has been running a personal business on company time. She spends several hours a day selling products through her website. Other employees are becoming resentful because she’s falling behind in her work. We would appreciate your investigating this.” Once you inform the powersthat-be, you will have done all that you can do. If your management is at all competent, Linn will soon be operating her business at home.
able atmosphere on our team. As a business owner, I feel I have a responsibility to keep people from being harassed this way. What should I do?
For example: “As team members, we need to recognize and respect the boundary between our work and our personal lives. Making critical comments about a colleague’s lifeA. For starters, you should tell style is disruptive to the team this self-righteous woman that and totally unacceptable. If anyone ever treats you this way, she must immediately stop please let me know.” lecturing co-workers about A stern admonition may their personal lives. Explain that this rule applies to all team resolve the problem. But if your sanctimonious employee members, including anyone who might criticize her own life stubbornly refuses to curb her offensive behavior, the only choices. solution is to remove her from To ensure that everyone understands your expectations, the team. Marie G. McIntyre is a workdiscuss the issue in a team place coach and the author of meeting without mention“Secrets to Winning at Office ing this particular employee. Q. One of my employees conPolitics.” Get free coaching The others may assume that stantly criticizes her colleagues tips at www.yourofficecoach. her behavior triggered your for making “immoral” life com, or follow her on Twitter @ choices. Her judgmental remarks remarks, but that’s OK as long officecoach. as you don’t single her out. are creating a very uncomfort-
CORRECTION
Cancer Society hotline number A column on Page 31 of the June Cedar Valley Business Monthly provided a wrong number for the American Cancer Society’s hotline. The correct number is, toll-free, (800) 227-2345.
Achieving great things for our community Robert Molinaro On your most recent honor and Thank you to all 8 over 80 Recipients For their contributions to our wonderful community. Nelson Properties 501 Sycamore Street, Suite 710, Waterloo
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When someone comes along who has the courage and vision to turn dreams into reality, the future looks brighter for everyone. Bob Brown, it’s an honor to recognize you as one of this year’s Elite Eight Over Eighty recipients.
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Families need succession plan before it’s too late McClatchy Newspapers
HACKENSACK, N.J. — More family-operated businesses acknowledge they need to create a succession plan to prepare for when the business is passed from one generation to the next. However, small-business experts say very few companies do so. Despite the increased awareness, family members often avoid that discussion because it usually evokes emotional and fiscal tension between relatives. Those issues become even more difficult when there is no plan in place, and when it is time to transfer the business, it is too late, say experts and family business owners. “We can call it denial,” said Alexandra Solomon, co-author of a family business study for the Family Institute at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. “There’s a tendency for all of us to avoid things that make us feel uncomfortable, makes us feel confused, because it makes you ask tough questions.” A seamless succession is difficult with a plan, and almost impossible without one, accord-
“I think there’s more awareness, but there’s often times where parents simply can’t deal with the tougher issues.” Alexandra Solomon Family Institute at Northwestern University
ing to Solomon. Experts say 30 percent of all businesses stay in the family from the first to the second generation. That number drops to 10 percent from the second to the third generation, according to Solomon. Just like families, no two familyowned businesses are alike, so the issues involved vary, according to Mike Forman, co-chairman of the Estate Planning Committee at the Hackensack-based law firm Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard. “How do I handle the issue of active children or inactive children?” Forman said. “How do I protect my employees and be fair to my children? That is the chess game we are involved with.” Forman believes that today
more of those business owners recognize the need for a plan, but that does not necessarily spark action. “I think there’s more awareness, but there’s often times where parents simply can’t deal with the tougher issues involved,” he said. For Sergio Lima and his father, George, who sell boats at Lima & Sons Marine LLC of Upper Saddle River, N.J., luck was on their side. The elder Lima retired from the boat dealership 17 years ago, but it wasn’t until 2008 that the family decided on a succession plan. Sergio Lima bought out his father, and his father then cut a check to Sergio’s brother, a lawyer who also owned a share of the business, but who had not been active in it for years. The family avoided any serious succession planning before that
and Sergio Lima recognizes how fortunate he is, especially after hearing other families’ stories. At issue are money and emotion. “You’re fighting with people you like, but if you don’t fight you won’t get what you want,” he said of those worst-case scenarios. To make matters worse, family members are rarely compensated
enough, Sergio Lima said. “People who work for their family business are underpaid,” he said. “We are all underpaid. If you had to hire someone to do what you do, it would cost more. So where is the money? The money is in sweat equity you put in so you can retire one day, and that’s never talked about.”
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Employers sprucing up benefits to retain vital older workers Bloomberg News
NEW YORK — Employers are sprucing up benefits such as flexible work schedules and retirement planning to retain older workers, according to Bank of America Corp. About 94 percent of employers said they think it’s important to keep older workers because the companies need their skills, said a study released June 14 by the Charlotte, N.C.-based bank. Employers are offering customized schedules, education on retirement and health care and the ability to work from home, according to the study, based on interviews with 650 company executives and benefit administrators from April 19 to April 23. The businesses surveyed had from $5 million to $2 billion in revenue last year and at least 100 employees. “They believe that older workers are essential to the company’s success,” said Andy Sieg, head of retirement services for Bank of America Merrill Lynch, which provides retirement services to companies and individuals, and is responsible for $545 billion
in assets as of March 31. “They understand the secular trend is one where there is likely to be some shortages in terms of skilled workers to fill key roles in companies.” The jobless rate among workers age 55 and over rose in May to 6.8 percent from 6.5 percent in April, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The national unemployment rate was 9.1 percent in May, Labor Department figures show. Older workers tend to remain out of work longer than younger employees when they lose their jobs, said Emy Sok, an economist at the bureau. Workers age 55 and above were out of work about 41 weeks on average last year, compared with 35 weeks for those age 25 to age 54. About half of employers surveyed are offering flexible or customized schedules to older employees, and 22 percent give them the opportunity to work remotely, according to the report. About a third of companies provide education about retirement income and health-care issues. “If programs and strategies aren’t in place you’re going to
let all that talent and knowledge out the door,” said Chasity Miller, managing director of compensation and benefits for AGL Resources Inc., a natural gas distribution company based in Atlanta. “We want to make sure that we retain talent and have time to transfer the knowledge to younger workers.” AGL, which has about 2,500 employees, is starting a “phasedretirement program” this month to give workers who retire the opportunity to return on a parttime or project basis, and still have access to the company’s benefit programs such as its 401(k) savings plan, said Miller. Workers have been remaining in the labor force longer before retiring since the 1990s, said Steven Sass, an associate director at Boston College’s Center for Retirement Research. The shift from traditional pensions
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to 401(k) savings plans means employees may not have enough income at age 62 or age 65 to replace their earnings during retirement, Sass said. The rate of people age 55 and older participating in the labor force, which means they are either working or looking for employment, was 40.3 percent in May, compared with 29.2 percent
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in 1993, said Sok of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Workers who are able delay their retirement past age 65 still may not have enough income to cover their basic expenses and any uninsured health-care costs once they stop working, according to a June report from the Washington-based Employee Benefit Research Institute.
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By DIANE STAFFORD McClatchy Newspapers
Employees are allowed to discuss the conditions of their employment with co-workers — in the break room, in the parking lot or on Facebook. That was the National Labor Relations Board’s basic position involving an unfair labor practices case the agency brought against an employer. The backstory: A worker — at home, on Facebook — had posted derogatory comments about a supervisor. Co-workers read the post, “liked it” and added barbs. The employer fired the original author for violating a company policy that barred employees from depicting the company “in any way” on social media. But the labor relations board said that the policy was too broad
and that it infringed on the rights of workers — union and nonunion — to engage in “protected concerted activities.” In settling the case, the employer agreed to narrow its policy so it did not restrict employees from discussing wages, hours and working conditions with coworkers and others while not at work. Employment law attorney Shelly Freeman warns that case law and regulatory opinions are building more slowly than the social media use they’re trying to control. In most workplaces, employees are “at will.” Texting or tweeting workers can be fired simply because the boss doesn’t think a post reflects well on the company or the individual. Lawyers and government agencies will successfully object if the
firings violate laws governing discrimination, harassment or other legal protections, such as the “concerted activities” cited in the above Facebook case. But if and until the law catches up with social media use, any worker concerned with job security and any employer concerned with protecting an image online should make sure they’re on the same page. Organizations need a social media policy that’s specific and updated. Employees should know exactly what it says. Diane Stafford is the workplace and careers columnist at The Kansas City Star. Her “Your Job” blog at economy.kansascity. com includes daily posts about job-related issues of wide interest. She can be emailed at dstafford@ kcstar.com.
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Independence tied to showcase home By KARYN SPORY karyn.spory@wcfcourier.com
WATERLOO — The words ‘home sweet home’ probably haven’t sounded as good to Angie Plager, 28, of Cambridge as they do now. Plager’s new “care cottage” was the centerpiece to the VGM Group’s annual Heartland Conference June 6-8 at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. Plager, a quadriplegic since a car accident in the summer of 2003, works for People for Quality Care and expressed interest in the cottage about six months, ago according to Jerry Keiderling of VGM Group. Living with her parents, Plager said, “I couldn’t be more independent, I didn’t have the space or the equipment and my quality of life wasn’t increasing, so I wanted to change that.” “Once she had the awareness that this could happen, we contacted Nationwide Homes,” Keiderling said. “This is the first care cottage we’ve built,” said Dan Goodin, vice president, builder/consumer sales & marketing of Nationwide Homes.
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This ‘care cottage,’ now the home of Angle Plager of Cambridge, was on display during the VGM Heartland Conference at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in Waterloo in June. The house is a one-bedroom, one-bathroom 642-square-foot home. After the conference it was transported and placed next to her family’s home in Cambridge, south of Ames in Story County.
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PAGE 45
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Waterloo’s Public Market planning to open this fall By JOHN MOLSEED john.molseed@wcfcourier.com
WATERLOO — A downtown food store is set to open this summer, and some of its hundreds of owners say they’re excited. “This will hopefully be a welcome addition to downtown,” said Julie Kiefer, board member of the RiverLoop Public Co-op. Although the city owns the facility, the approximately 300 people who have bought memberships will own the business. Membership is $100 and anyone can join. Members get a 2 percent discount at the register and a vote at co-op board meetings. Members also can put in volunteer hours at the co-op for an additional 3 percent discount. A combination of grants and city funding is being used to get the co-op off the ground, but Rick Kiefer, board member, said it will sustain itself once it’s open. “The co-op is designed to be self-sustaining,” he said. Much of the food will be provided by local growers, many of whom sell products at the Farmers Market in the plaza outside
BRANDON POLLOCK / Courier Staff Photographer
From left, Leisure Service workers Rick Wagner, Travis Nichols, Larry Bogel and Steve Schmitz unload kitchen equipment at the Public Market. With plans on paper for more the Public Market Thursdays and than a year, Julie Kiefer said she Saturdays. If the business turns a profit, understands some people may the members and producers will wait until joining. “There will be some people reap the reward, Rick Kiefer said. The key catalyst is getting members, co-op officials said. “The whole concept of the coop is it’s community-based,” said Mitch Biersner, co-op board member. “People need to get involved and support it to get it going.”
who won’t put a dime down until we open,” she said. More work needs to be done inside the 7,000-square-foot building before the co-op opens. InVision Architects designed the interior improvements. A $1 million Community Attractions and Tourism grant for the $5.7 million overall work at the RiverLoop Plaza and Public Market building came with a stipulation that a tenant had to be in the building by Sept. 30, said Paul Huting, director of Waterloo leisure services department. City officials say the market is targeted to open in September. The co-op also will hold classes for members, including cooking and canning demonstrations. The sauces and jams sold at the co-op will be produced at the kitchen in the co-op. “Our hope is to not see a tin can in this place,” he said.
HOUSE From page 45 “This is so much more adaptable for her. She will have her privacy again and only be 10 feet from the main house” said Becky Plager, Angie’s mom. Angie Plager “had final say in everything. All the power runs from her wheelchair — power curtains, lights, door, etc. — giving her the ability to do this on her own,” Keiderling said. Plager’s home also includes single-level sinks that work for any level of hand function, a power dryer in the bathroom, since she is unable to towel off, and roll-under counters in the kitchen. “I want to thank everyone involved. I’m extremely grateful,” Plager said. “I’m very excited to start my new life.”
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Rising input costs keeping farm profits down HUDSON — Grain farmers could be growing one of their most profitable crops ever, but that doesn’t mean they’re rolling in dough. Corn and soybean prices have about doubled since 2006, according to recently released government statistics. The cost of raising crops has risen almost as much. Producers and farm experts said the public sees grain as a cash cow. Officials say that’s true the last few years to some extent, but perception isn’t necessarily reality. Land costs, machinery, seed and fertilizer — basically anything associated with grain farming — has dramatically increased, as well. Farmers are afraid distorted views of widespread windfall profits because of record grain prices are artificially driving up the cost of doing business. And once prices retreat, which many experts believe will happen, production costs won’t follow suit — or at least not at the
same rate. “2011 will be our high-water mark, (but) it’s not all a bed of roses,” said Kelvin Leibold, Iowa State University Extension farm management specialist in Iowa Falls. “Record profits are usually destroyed by rising inputs.” In a report released in late May, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said corn sold for $6 per bushel, on average, in Iowa. In 2006, statistics show corn prices averaged $3.03. East Central Iowa Cooperative in Hudson paid $7.33 at that time. The report said soybeans statewide in May averaged $13 per bushel. Five years ago, the legume sold for $6.58, on average. Strong domestic and foreign demand for grain have farm incomes soaring. According to the USDA, net farm income nationwide is projected at $94.7 billion this year. It’s the secondhighest inflation-adjusted value recorded in the past 35 years. According to ISU, the estimated costs for producing an acre of corn and soybeans have risen more than 40 percent since 2006.
Seed, machinery, chemical and fertilizer expenses are all to blame. But the main culprit is land. “The pie is big and everyone else is looking to get a bigger share, too,” said William Edwards, an ISU Extension economist. Since 2004, ISU said land values are up 93 percent. Last year, the average cost of farmland was $5,064 per acre. Many sales exceeded $10,000 per acre. An ISU survey released in May said cash rental rates soared by 16 percent this year — the highest one-year increase since the survey started in 1994. The average rent for corn and bean ground is $214 per acre. In some areas, officials said some rents exceed $300 to more than $400 per acre. Soaring costs could hurt agriculture and Iowa’s economy if
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8 8
don’t take into consideration the huge risk and cost of growing a crop when they are negotiating leases. Plus, Muth said farmers marketed much of their 2010 crop before the meteoric rise in prices to lock in income to pay bills.
Congratulations
8
8
not kept in check, said Edwards, rental survey coordinator. “Inputs will squeeze margins and put a damper on how much people are willing to buy,” he said. That concerns Dave Muth of rural Dougherty. The grain and livestock farmer said landowners see only the historical prices and
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By MATTHEW WILDE matt.wilde@wcfcourier.com
8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
It’s not the number of years in your life that counts the most; it’s the Life in Your Years
8 8
JULY 2011
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MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor
Don Schulz of the East Central Iowa Cooperative sprays a field in June near Reinbeck.
“I’m delivering $5 corn now, thinking I got a tremendous price,” Muth said. “The public automatically assumes we’re all
getting $7 corn and it’s simply not true.” Producers say they either will have to curb spending — like putting construction projects on hold or buying less machinery if inputs costs aren’t kept in check — or get bigger to spread out
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INPUT COSTS From page 48
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costs, which deters new farmers. “The trend in agriculture is to get bigger or get out of the way,” said Jim Fettkether, Black Hawk County Corn and Soybean Association president. “We’re in historic times here — we don’t know what will happen.” Gene Mitchell, agronomy division manager at East Central Iowa Cooperative based in Hudson, said there’s no question customers will make money this year. Those fortunate enough to have
PAGE 49 their land and machinery paid off will be rewarded handsomely, if the weather cooperates. “The thing that scares me is if we lose $2 (per bushel) in corn, will rents go down? Other products will,” Mitchell wondered. He has noticed producer buying habits change as margins narrow. “Farmers are better off than they were, but it’s not a windfall,” Mitchell added. “That’s good for the community. When they make money, they spend it.”
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In weak economy, service businesses created out of necessity WICHITA, Kan. — You get laid off. Your job search goes nowhere. Your savings dry up. Now what? The answer for many is as old as capitalism: start a business. This isn’t the new Google, here. This is Bob’s Landscaping and Junk Hauling or Alicia’s Cake Baking and Daycare — whatever it takes to bring in a serious income. It may be a hobby or side business that morphed into a lifeline, but the key for most people is starting with relatively little capital — a lawn mower, computer repair tools, a sewing machine, all of which they may already own. Jodi Saldana of Wichita, Kan., has strung together several parttime businesses to generate income. She has a commercial janitorial business called Five Star Janitorial — it’s really just her, with some help from her daughter. She takes care of a boy at his home during the day and cleans after hours. She figures she cleans about 25 hours a week. As a one-person business with little publicity, she said, it is crucial to reassure potential clients. That’s why she is licensed and insured, she said. To build a client list, she has gone door to door. “It doesn’t do any good to call them,” she said. “You need to be right there. They need to see the person you’re selling. You’re selling yourself.” It’s hard to know how many have become entrepreneurs-bynecessity. They often fly below the radar with little advertising and little presence in the regular commercial economy. Their best friends are the free online classified, the poster on the telephone pole and word of mouth. If they are sole proprietors, they don’t incorporate or pay unemployment taxes. And if they are service businesses, the state typically doesn’t even require them to pay sales tax, according to the Kansas Department of Revenue. But there are indications that
the number of forced entrepre- includes her husband and 15month-old son — could use the neurs is up. The Kauffman Index of Entre- extra income. The experience, she said, has preneurial Activity from the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City, Mo., shows the number of startups is up significantly from 2008, but the number of startup businesses with more than one person is down. According to the report, Kansas was near the U.S. average in starting new businesses, at 3.5 new businesses per 1,000 people per month. High school dropouts had the highest growing rate of new business formation among educational categories. And among ethnic groups, the fastest growing rate was among Hispanics. This surge in businesses increases competition for established companies already reeling from the recession. Fred Brooks, co-owner of Top Dog Lawn Service, said the pros in the lawn-care industry call these competitors “no names.” “They don’t set up an LLC, they don’t have insurance, they don’t have a corporate structure, they don’t even have a name on their truck,” Brooks said. “In the summer, we’ll see 50 trucks with trailers on the back, and no name.” There’s no doubt it has hurt his business, Brooks said, forcing him to eat some fuel-cost increases. It’s also pushed him to add services such as grass fertilizing. “I don’t hold this against these guys who are trying to feed their family,” Brooks said. “If that was me, I’d be doing it, too. But there is a certain impact to it.” Amanda Thompson, a student at Wichita State University, started Amanda Thompson Photography in January. She shoots weddings, baby portraits and the like. It’s a part-time business she runs as she works on her degree in graphic arts. Her weekends are now booked with jobs as she has learned how to build clientele on little money, she said. She started the business because her family — which WO-062411120
McClatchy Newspapers
been positive. She’s having fun, strapped as she is. “It’s about putting yourself learning to run a business and interacting with customers in the same place they are,” she — many of whom are as cash- said.
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JULY 2011
Companies invest in corporate culture by adding fun to the workplace McCaltchy Newspapers
MINNEAPOLIS — Stroll into the Accredited Investors office at 4:45 p.m. on any afternoon, and you’ll get front-row seats to the daily foosball tournament. Twelve of the firm’s 36 financial advisers face off daily, as coworkers cheer and sip soda provided on the company dime. Some people call it costly play. Company principal Kathy Longo calls it “employee engagement.” The firm’s foosball smackdowns, cozy fireplace and Friday barbecues encourage staffers to work and play hard, Longo said. The culture makes it fun to come to work, executive assistant Suzie Ridenour said. “They never stop looking for ways that they can accommodate the staff and the clients’ needs,” she said. After a brutal recession, a host of firms are making similar
moves. In ways large and small, pizza, coffee, picnics, department drinks, parties and other outlets of fun are back on the menu of the American workplace. 3M, Graco, Target, UnitedHealth Group and Mosaic have scheduled big employee-picnics this year. And other companies also say they are bringing back the company picnic, hosting movie nights or making plans for office outings to baseball games. There’s a method to the merriment. “Salary budgets are back; 401(k) matches are coming back. And now this is that final component, with companies saying, ‘We are spending money on pay and benefits. Now let us invest in our culture again and make sure that morale is getting back to where it was. Let’s have fun again,’ “ said Eric Gonzaga, a Minneapolisbased managing director for the
compensation and benefits consulting giant Grant Thornton. After weathering the recession, benefits consulting firm Cleveland Co. decided it needed more employee bonding and levity in the workplace. So managers recently rounded up employees and spent several hours packing meals for the hungry before heading out for a night of drinks and dinner — all on the company. Office workers are thrilled. “For all of us, it was really nice, really fun. ... It was a first,” said employee Amy Ostergaard, who started three years ago in the depths of the downturn. Mary Younggren, owner of the Advent Group Inc. employment agency in Edina, Minn., said the Cleveland Co. is not alone. “A lot of our human resource (clients) say they are focused on employee engagement and are trying to make the workplace
fun. It’s a buzzword right now and a tool that prevents people from jumping ship,” Younggren said. “If workers are engaged and are happy, they will stay where they are.” The Company Picnic People in Golden Valley, Minn., plans massive “employee picnics” for corporate clients. After demand
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dipped during the recession, the company is enjoying a surge in scheduling. It’s one more sign the economy is on the mend. After all, the company’s mega-picnics can set clients back $15,000 to $45,000 for one fun-packed day of grilling, soda, popcorn, rides and games galore for hundreds of workers and their families.
JULY 2011
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Privacy part of the package at Covenant’s new rehab center By KARYN SPORY karyn.spory@wcfcourier.com
WATERLOO — Healing happens more quickly when patients feel confident in their recovery. Confidence, however, can be hard to come by when there’s an audience. That’s why, when Covenant Medical Center officials began designing a new rehab facility, private rooms were a top priority. “When we set out to do this, our primary focus was private rooms for all the patients and then we worked around that,” said Howard Perch, manager of rehabilitation services. The new center, which opened June 2, has 25 private rooms, compared to just four in the previous rehab facility. “I think it will allow us to do a lot more in-depth teaching with the patient,” said rehab nurse Laurie Walker. “I think it’s going to make them less self-conscious not having a roommate in there. Maybe it will even allow us to start the teaching sooner.” The area that houses the new rehab center had been vacant for
two years. Much planning went into the facility before conversations took root and blueprints were drawn. The revamped space has hardwood floors and a modern, family-friendly feel. But more importantly, it has an environment that fosters communications between therapists, patients and families. Housed there are occupational, speech, physical and recreational therapists, and the occupational and physical therapy gyms are combined. There also is a patient apart-
ment with a queen-sized bed, stove, refrigerator and tub. Facility manager Perch said that havTIFFANY RUSHING / Courier Staff Photographer ing patients in the apartment An apartment-style room with a full-sized bed at the new Covenant on their last couple of days will make the transition back home Rehabilitation Center in Waterloo. Rooms also come equipped with a kitchen area to ease rehab patients’ transition from hospital to home. and to reality a little easier.
Nazareth Lutheran Church joins the Cedar Valley in honoring Pastor Homer Larsen for his faithful witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ over the past 58 years
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CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
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JULY 2011
Standing desks gaining popularity as more workers get moving McClatchy Newspapers
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Last year, Kerri Campbell made a decision: She would no longer sit at her desk eight hours a day. Today, the retail broker for Daymon Worldwide in Pleasanton, Calif., stands on a couple of black pads, each about an inch think. Her keyboard is on a wooden stand and her monitor rests at eye level on a box, a hard drive dock and a ream of paper. It’s nothing fancy, she says, but this do-it-yourself workstation has changed the way she feels at the end of the day. She has more energy, she says, and feels more fit. “I think standing is a more healthful way to work,” she says from her quiet office. Like many people with desks that allow for standing, retail broker Campbell isn’t motionless while she works. She does little knee lifts, shifts her weight around and, well, fidgets more. Recent articles in the New York Times and other publications have been shedding light on the conclusion Mayo Clinic Dr. James Levine makes in his 2009
book “Move a Little, Lose a Lot” — sitting all day at work and all night in front of the television, not to mention your commute, can be harmful. Not only is it a likely contributor to the nation’s obesity problem, the doctor says, but it could be killing us. Physical inactivity, like sitting in one place for hours on end, cuts calorie-burning rates and puts the body into storage mode. While standing can also be static, just being on your feet promotes more movement throughout the day as you shift from foot to foot or easily transition to walk around the office. Standing for work is nothing new. Standing desks were used by the wealthy in the 18th and 19th centuries. Legal scholar and former Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. wrote many of his Supreme Court decisions while standing. Standing Desk Headquarters, an online clearinghouse for all things related to the desks, claims they were also used by Thomas Jefferson, Winston Churchill and Leonardo da Vinci. While we may never know why Leonardo da Vinci preferred to
“Sitting is actually hard on stand while working, modern-day workers have turned to your back,” says Steve Meagher, standing desks to alleviate pain a physical therapist, ergonomist and owner of Site Solutions of from long hours of sitting.
Orinda. “The idea is if you’re standing, you’re decreasing stress on your back because you are lining the spine up.”
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