THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2019  |  IN THIS ISSUE  

Brice Lukasko and Josh Polanksy of BLX Expedited Carriers and Kaveh Mostafavi of Ecocare Supply at the CBJ's Fastest Growing Companies banquet held last night at the DoubleTree in downtown Cedar Rapids. 
Cedar Rapids-based BLX Expedited Carriers, which is breaking the mold when it comes to "hot shot" expedited logistics, was breaking records Wednesday night.

The five-year-old company, which began as a one-man operation in 2014, won this year's CBJ Fastest Growing Company, posting a record-busting 1263.7 percent growth. That was more than enough to make the company the fastest growing company in the award's history.

The previous high water mark for the CBJ's Fastest Growing award was hit 919 percent by TLC Associates in 2010.

"BLX is not the employer for the average employee," said CEO Brice Lukasko in accepting the award at a ceremony at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex. "We expect perfection and are never satisfied. We don't make excuses; we always find solutions. And we push each other individually and as a team day in and day out and I am truly thankful to be part of this culture we created together."

BLX is not widely known in the Corridor - yet. But the company, whose slogan is "We Do Expedited. Better. Faster. Everywhere" is hoping to disrupt the industry and gain a national reputation as the go-to expedited logistics company when it has to be there fast.

The company has more than doubled revenue each year since its founding in 2014 and grew nearly 600 percent between 2017 and 2018. In that time, it has grown to 35 employees, including 10 contractors, spread among offices in Cedar Rapids, Dallas and Chicago. From a single office, it has steadily taken over most of the fourth floor of the historic Higley building in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Also at Wednesday night's event, Kaveh Mostafavi, founder of Coralville-based Ecocare Supply, was awarded the Thomas L. Cardella Entrepreneur of the Year award. The wholesale company offers thousands of eco-friendly products, including dispensers that release only one napkin per pull, biodegradable cups and plates, and cleaning supplies for offices. The company has grown quickly, topping $1 million in 2017, its third year of business.

In all, 25 companies were recognized for their rapid growth. Rounding out the top 10 were: 2. SiteGen Solar; 3. Thomas L. Cardella & Associates; 4. Bazooka Farmstar; 5. Moxie Solar; 6. MediRevv; 7. Pear Deck; 8. IA Homes; 9. Otter Creek Country Stores; 10. Wold Class Graphics & Displays.
 
Lisa Bluder, shown during a recent UI women's basketball game. PHOTO BRIAN RAY/HAWKEYESPORTS.COM 
Lisa Bluder, the illustrious head coach of the University of Iowa women's basketball team, starts every practice by gathering her team in a circle at center court. Assistant coaches, support staff and players all join in.

"We start our practice in a circle because that emphasizes to me that everyone matters," she said during a recent conversation at her office in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. "We are toe to toe, because there's no head to the circle, no end. Everybody's the same. And so that's an everyday thing where we can talk about culture. It can take 30 seconds. What is one positive thing that happened in our program this week? It doesn't take long, but I think it has to be a conscious effort."

For more than 19 years, coach Bluder has been inculcating a winning culture amongst her teams, but perhaps none more successful than this past season, as the Hawks - led by NCAA National Player of the Year Megan Gustafson - made a thrilling run all the way to the Elite Eight.

Ms. Bluder sat down with former NFL star and CBJ contributor Nate Kaeding to discuss the year that was and her philosophy of coaching as part of the CBJ's new monthly podcast, "Real Success with Nate Kaeding," presented by MidWestOne Bank.
 
Listen to this week's episode here, and subscribe to the series wherever you listen to podcasts (now including Stitcher).

Sheri Jelinek, a former ICAD Group office manager, could be facing charges for embezzlement after a state audit report found more than a half-million dollars worth improper or unsupported disbursements on an ICAD credit card, some apparently used to pay for her family's personal entertainment, utility and insurance expenses.

Results of a special investigation into the economic development agency's finances from Dec. 12, 2003, through March 14, 2017, was released Wednesday by State Auditor Rob Sand's office. The audit found $466,874 of improper disbursements from ICAD Group that included credit card transactions "of a personal nature" and $46,903.26 in unsupported disbursements.

The report said some of the improper payments involve vendors with which Ms. Jelinek held an account in her husband's name or her own from their home address. They included accounts with Sirius XM, Hulu, Mediacom, Linn County REC, South Slope Cooperative Communications, Verizon and Allstate Insurance. In addition, some personal purchases from the Home Shopping Network and Walmart were made on the card.

ICAD Group discovered the misuse of the credit card in March 2017 and reported the issue to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, according to an ICAD Group press release. The agency also conducted an internal investigation and took steps to avoid a repeat of the problem.

"We were incredibly saddened to discover this violation of our trust but the organization is in solid financial shape and we hope our investors continue to recognize the work of the team as we engage everyday to keep this area vibrant and growing," ICAD Group President Mark Nolte said in a news release.

In  unauthorized payments included both credit card misuse and electronic fund transfers, according to ICAD Group, which said it has has fully cooperated with the investigation. The organization remains financially sound and has never run a deficit in spite of the losses, according to the press release, which added that federal charges are pending.

A past phone number listed for Ms. Jelinek's family in North Liberty was no longer in service and efforts to contact her were not immediately successful.

The state auditor has recommended steps to strengthen ICAD Group's internal controls, including segregation of duties and ensuring all disbursements are properly supported and approved. The audit report is available online at auditor.iowa.gov/reports/audit-reports.

CREDIT: ROHRBACH ASSOCIATES 
The investment group Hotel 901 will break ground at 4 p.m. today for a long-awaited Courtyard by Marriott that will bring a full slate of amenities and a select Marriott brand to University Heights.

The hotel at 901 Melrose Ave. will feature Graze restaurant, known for its downtown Iowa City location, on its sixth floor, and a rooftop patio with views of the University of Iowa's Kinnick Stadium and Stead Children's Hospital. Plans are being finalized for a first floor restaurant that will offer breakfast and potentially a buffet lunch. Event spaces will include 2 ,400 square feet on the top-level sixth-floor and a 2,300 square feet in the lower level.  Additional amenities will include a swimming pool, hot tub, workout facility and bar. An underground parking garage will provide 33 of the 176 total parking spaces.

The hotel is being developed by Hotel 901, led by Greg Stiltner and Jim Glasgow. The location just across Melrose Avenue from the University of Iowa will set it apart in an increasingly crowded Iowa City-Coralville area hotel market, Mr. Stiltner said.

Graduation guests, athletics guests, hospital guests, concert guests, and pharmaceutical college guests are expected to make up a large segment of the clientele. 

"We hope to greet everybody," Mr. Stiltner said of the property, expected to open in fall of 2020.

Hotel 901 is the same investment group behind the Spring Hill Suites that opened in 2017 near Coral Ridge Mall at 1001 25th Ave., Coralville. Efforts to launch the University Heights projects began almost three years ago, in August of 2016. Although the timing was not good, Mr. Stiltner said the investors had the rare opportunity to buy a single parcel of four acres across from the University of Iowa with only one small house requiring demolition. 

The need to address the desires of University Heights leaders and residents that the project not interfere with the community's residential quality of life extended the time frame for the project significantly, Mr. Stiltner said. But with the necessary approvals in hand, the Courtyard by Marriott  will be "amazing for the (city) budget," Mr. Stiltner said, because the developers did not ask for tax increment financing or other incentives.

Designed by Rohrbach Associates of Iowa City, the project will be built by SG Construction Co. of West Burlington.

The 2019 Corridor Business Hall of Fame, presented by U.S. Bank, marks the 20th anniversary of celebrating distinguished business leaders who have established a legacy of leadership within their industries and our community.

Three laureates and one young entrepreneur will be inducted into the Business Hall of Fame, joining the elite group of past honorees, on Sept. 19 at the Cedar Rapids Marriott. 

Through leadership, vision, and innovation, the laureates and young entrepreneur have influenced much of the community's economic development and social welfare.  The 2019 honorees are:

Laureates: 
Steven L. Caves, U.S. Bank
Les H. Garner, Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation
Ronald E. Stutsman, Eldon C. Stutsman, Inc.

Young Entrepreneur: 
Matthew Swift, restauranteur

These individuals epitomize five key standards of excellence: their impact on their industry or organization; their integrity as an ethical business leader; their commitment to bettering the community; their leadership qualities; and their entrepreneurial spirit.

For tickets or additional details, contact Junior Achievement at (319) 862-1100 or email Emma Disterhoft at   [email protected] 
 
June 6
Cybersecurity Workshop, by SCORE of East Central Iowa, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Hills Bank, 3204 Seventh Ave., Marion. Learn about the current threats to business systems and steps for defending your systems. Free. To register, visit conta.cc/2EHbgN4.
 
Ignite ICR: Summer Kick-off Party, by Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, ICR Iowa and Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, 3-5 p.m., NewBo City Market, 1100 Third St. SE. Ignite ICR is a summer event series that gives interns the opportunity to meet one another, explore the region's culture and connect with young professionals. Free. For more information, visit bit.ly/2V2Q0GV.
 
June 7
June First Friday Coffee Connections, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, 7:30-8:30 a.m., North Liberty Community Pantry, 89 N. Jones Blvd. Enjoy networking before heading off for the daily grind. Free. For more information, visit iowacityarea.com.
 
June 11
TechBrew AM, by Technology Association of Iowa, 8-9 a.m., Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 501 First St. SE. Brian Waller, TAI president, conducts casual interviews with CIOs who share their favorite music, discuss their career path and share what's most important for the Iowa technology community. Free. To register, visit technologyiowa.org/events.
 
Marketing Forum, by Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Economic Alliance, 501 First St. SE. Driven by group discussion, participants will receive advice and tips, learn from others and grow their professional network. This month's topic is social trends and transitions. Free. For more information, visit bit.ly/2LukdPH.
 
Monthly Lunch Roundtable, by SCORE of East Central Iowa, noon-1 p.m., Granite City, 4755 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Build relationships, share best practices and get help with challenges. Free. To register, visit conta.cc/2X9QVXX.
 
Startup Roundtable, by Technology Association of Iowa, 2 p.m., Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, 327 Second St., Ste. 300, Coralville. Hear from Alec Whitters, CEO/founder of Higher Learning Technologies, and Jim Sherlock, director of information security and technology operations at Pearson. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/2Jo2t6y.
See and Be Seen

in the CBJ Book of Lists - THE definitive resource guide for business leaders. Ranked information on Corridor companies by sector, regional market facts and profiles of the most influential people under one cover. Don't be left out - Be Seen! For advertising information, contact Andrea Rhoades at  [email protected] .
Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28  

The Cedar Rapids Fire Department released more details about an early morning fire at First Federal Credit Union at 3810 Westdale Parkway SW.  Firefighters saw smoke coming from the building when they first got on scene around 3:38 a.m.  They put out the fire and were on scene for a few hours.  CRFD confirmed no one was inside the building at the time and no one was hurt.  Fire officials say the building did suffer significant smoke damage and that smoke impacted all parts of the building.
 
Several people are injured after a head-on collision Wednesday evening in Linn County.  The Linn County Sheriff's Office says a pickup driven by Richard Jedlicka, 35, of West Branch, was headed north on Ely Road when he crossed over the center lane hitting a Southbound Kia Soul driven by Jesse Ozburn, 29, of Marion.  The pickup flipped and came to rest on its top in the roadway, the Kia Soul ended up in the west ditch and caught fire.  Two passengers were pulled from the Kia, Shawnee Lines, 26, and Hunter Ozburn, 4, both of Marion.  Lines was airlifted to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics with life-threatening injuries. Jesse and Hunter Ozburn were taken by ambulance to UIHC with serious injuries. Mr.  Jedlicka was taken into custody on suspicion of operating while intoxicated, additional charges are pending. The crash is still under investigation.


T hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28 
CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails' Weather First Forecast

High pressure will remain a factor through the end of the week. There will be a few passing clouds today with temperatures in the low 80s. It will be sunny Friday with temperatures near 80. Humidity will be noticeable, but it won't be terribly sticky. I t will be dry and warm Saturday with temperatures near 80 degrees. A cold front will move through the area Sunday and lead to a few scattered showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures will be a little cooler Sunday in the mid 70s.