Names & News in North Iowa business for April 1

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Adam Brinkman and Deanna Schutz recently joined Forest City-based Lichtsinn RV as RV sales consultants.

Brinkman is a graduate of Clear Lake and Buena Vista. He previously worked at North Iowa Golf in Mason City.

Schutz grew up in Northwood and graduated from the Minnesota School of Business. She previously worked at Doherty Staffing Solutions as a project manager.

Mason City's NIVC Services, Inc. recently received accreditation for six services related to employment, integration, development, and supported and transition living from CARF International. The designation runs through Dec. 31, 2020. According to a release, CARF is an independent nonprofit that uses a review process "that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served."

Nick Plagge has joined McQuaid Agency Real Estate firm in Clear Lake as a Realtor. Plagge is from North Iowa and has had his real estate license for over three years. He previously specialized in farm and acreage sales. Plagge and his wife have three children.

Eleven North Iowa projects received grants from the Paint Iowa Beautiful program through Diamond Vogel Paint and Keep Iowa Beautiful. The program provides free paint to public service projects. Among the recipients and projects: 

City of Algona, State Street alley; Belmond Community Apartments, exteriors; Clarion Pride Committee, home paint and clean up; Heartland Museum gift shop and schoolhouse in Clarion; Winnebago Historical Society in Forest City, school belfrey/railroad work shed and blacksmith shop/general store; City of Garner Visioning Committee, retail building; Franklin County Fair, Pleasant Hill Village buildings in Hampton; Lake Mills Community Preschool/Daycare Center; Riceville Community Foundation, farmers market shed; and Grow Rockford Together, city street trail "sharrows."

Kristine Woltzen of Olson Insurance was recently recognized by KHI Solutions with the 2017 Partners in Excellence Grow Your Business Award. The award is presented to the top 10 percent of KHI agents based on 2017 sales production. They were recognized at a reception in early March.

Owner DeAnne Gillard announced The Curiosity Shop Antiques & More moved to a new location within Willowbrook Mall next to Emerson’s. The new space is more than double the size of the previous location.

Mason City's Good Shepherd, Inc. partnered with West Des Moines-based Blue Stone Therapy Solutions "to provide expanded rehabilitation and therapy programs," according to a release. The move will allow Good Shepherd "to offer expanded physical, occupational, and speech therapy hours and specialized rehabilitation programs" at its 210-bed nursing facility.

The North Iowa Job and Career Fair, hosted by North Iowa Area Community College and IowaWORKS, is 11 a.m.-2 p.m., April 4 in the NIACC Gymnasium. Officials expect more than 60 area employers in attendance. 

Funding is available through the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health for plugging abandoned wells on private property through June 30. Up to $500 per well is available. For more information, call at 641-421-9301.