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TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2019 | IN THIS ISSUE
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Mount Mercy announces new nursing dean, leadership team
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Chandice Covington
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Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids has named Chandice Covington dean of the Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health's new leadership team.
Ms. Covington, who will lead the nursing and health team,
is a board-certified primary care pediatric nurse practitioner. Her research interests include improving the health of women, children and families in domestic and global settings.
With 45 years of professional experience, she most recently was a professor of nursing at Linfield College School of Nursing in Portland, Oregon.
Ms. Covington has two prior dean appointments, serving as dean and vice president of Kaplan University School of Nursing, and dean and professor at the University of North Dakota College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines.
"I am honored to be joining the dedicated and experienced nursing and health faculty and staff at the Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health," Ms. Covington said in a release. "My goals are to build upon the illustrious reputation of the college, started and nurtured by the leadership of founding dean Dr. Mary Tarbox and her predecessor Sister James Marie Donahue. The Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health is destined to continue to grow and lead the state and region in providing a well-trained and educated health professional workforce to serve our nation's health care needs."
A fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, Ms. Covington earned her
Ph.D.
in clinical nursing research from the University of Michigan, and her bachelor's and master's, both in nursing, from the University of Texas.
Ms. Covington began July 1, replacing Mary Tarbox, who retired and was awarded professor emeritus status after 42 years with Mount Mercy's
nursing faculty
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The full nursing and health leadership team includes:
- Ms. Covington, dean, Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health
- Kim Bro, chair, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Candace Chihak, director, RNؘ-BSN
- Sharon Guthrie, director, Graduate Nursing Programs
- Mary Ann Hindman Grobstich, chair, Health Programs
"Our leadership team will continue Mount Mercy's legacy of educating nurses and health care professionals," said Tim Laurent, provost and vice president for academic affairs. "We look forward to the exceptional work of this skilled group."
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Ernie Goss, speaking at the CBJ's Mid-Year Economic Review on June 26.
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As growth slows, the U.S. economy is approaching a turning point, the outcome of which could depend on the handling of federal trade and monetary policies, according to Creighton University professor and economist Ernie Goss.
Speaking to the CBJ's Mid-Year Economic Review audience last week, Mr. Goss didn't sugarcoat what he sees as a fragile time for the economy, particularly in heavy agricultural states such as Iowa and Nebraska.
"We're at the precipice of a turning point," Mr. Goss told attendees at the June 26 luncheon at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Center. "We're in a risky time of either going into a slowdown or into improving economic conditions."
Topping Mr. Goss' list of economic concerns are rising interest rates and export headwinds, particularly trade skirmishes that have resulted in high tariffs on U.S. food exports in retaliation for U.S. tariffs on imported goods. Others include the weakening financial condition of ag producers amid low commodity prices and severe flooding, and the potential for a big infrastructure spending bill that could spur a rate hike from the Fed.
Mr. Goss also tracks the economic pulse of the nine-state Midwest region through Creighton's closely watched Mid-America Business Conditions Index and Rural Mainstreet Index, which survey purchasing managers and rural bank CEOs, respectively.
The biggest challenges noted in Mid-America's most recent survey of bankers, out in mid-June, are the risk of farm loan defaults and flooding impacts.
"Loan repayment rates have come down," Mr. Goss said. "Bankers tell us they're restructuring loans to assist the farmers. My question to you and the bankers is, 'how much longer can this go on, restructuring loans?'"
Read the full members-only story in this week's print or digital editions of the CBJ.
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Jeff Plagge |
Gov. Kim Reynolds announced yesterday that she has appointed Jeff Plagge, president and CEO of Northwest Financial Corp., to serve as superintendent of the Iowa Division of Banking.
"Jeff is a proven leader with deep insights into the banking industry, especially when it comes to balancing consumer protection with regulatory oversight," Ms. Reynolds said in a release. "He believes in building trust, exchanging ideas, and staying on the forefront of industry changes. Jeff will do an outstanding job in his new position."
Mr. Hansen, who has served as superintendent of banking since November 2015, will play a significant role in the transition to a new superintendent, Ms. Reynolds said. "We've been fortunate to have him at the helm for so many years," she said. "I wish him all the best as he returns to the private sector this fall."
Mr. Plagge has been president and CEO of Northwest Financial Corp. since 2009. Based in Arnolds Park, the financial services holding company includes Northwest Bank, First National Bank of Creston and Northwest Wealth Management.
He has served as the chairman of the Iowa Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association, as a board member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and as the chairman of the Community Depository Institution Advisory Council for the Chicago Federal Reserve.
Mr. Plagge's appointment is subject to confirmation by the Iowa Senate.
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In an effort to become the "Most Welcoming Region in America," ICR IOWA has relaunched its Wingman community onboarding program with a
new website and additional enhancements.
"Moving is hard," said Tim Carty, director of talent attraction with ICR IOWA, in a release. "We want people to have an amazing experience when they get to ICR. We know a great job isn't enough. People need to develop friendships and connect with networks that allow them to pursue their hobbies and interests. We want to create programs that will make ICR the Most Welcoming Region in America. Then, not only will people have a great experience moving here, they will be more likely to stay and encourage their friends to join them."
As part of the Wingman 2.0 relaunch, newcomers take a brief survey and are connected to a Wingman that shares similar interests. This "first friend" can answer questions, invite them to social gatherings, and help them develop a wider network of friendships.
Employers can add the Wingman program to their onboarding process for new employees who are relocating to the region. They can also use the program to provide a
community tour or meeting with a professional candidate considering a relocation to ICR.
"We love the community tours," said Sandy Moenk with the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. "The community tours allow our faculty candidates to get a good feel for the Iowa City/Coralville area. We get a lot of prospective faculty candidates that have never been to the Midwest. We want to show them that we are more than just cornfields. They leave with a newfound appreciation for what Iowa has to offer."
The Wingman program currently has 52 individuals dedicated to providing a good first impression to the region.
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Forty Iowans, including six Corridians, graduated from the distinguished Leadership Iowa program during the 2019 Taking Care of Business Conference in Ames last month. A program of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) Foundation, Leadership Iowa is the one of the state's most respected professional development opportunities.
"Leadership Iowa identifies some of the
state's best leaders and emerging leaders, and gives them the knowledge, tools and connections to make an even bigger impact," said Mike Ralston, ABI president and 1991 graduate of Leadership Iowa, in a release
.
Local participants included: Stephanie Bredman of Kirkwood Community College; Adriana Johnson of Collins Aerospace; Dennis Jordan of Mortenson Construction; Anthony Reynolds of CoreTegic Capital, LLC; Charity Tyler of the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation; and Aaron Warner of ProCircular.
Leadership Iowa gives participants a wide range of experiences that focus on the unique challenges and opportunities facing the state. From October 2018 through June 2019, participants traveled to numerous locations throughout Iowa to learn about those issues and to gain a better understanding of the role they can play in addressing them.
The class visited Moravia and Centerville, Shenandoah and Clarinda, Oskaloosa, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls/Waterloo, Carroll and Ames. There they learned from experts about agriculture and renewable energy, business/industry, workforce, government, public safety/security, community preparedness and response, education and economic development/community vitality.
"The program equips leaders to better appreciate and understand the condition of the state," said Mr. Ralston. "It also builds a network with fellow participants that often lasts a lifetime."
Since its inception in 1982, Leadership Iowa has graduated nearly 1,200 individuals from both the private and public sector, representing each geographical region of Iowa. Each year, 40 talented participants are selected from a large applicant pool.
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July 3
1 Million Cups, by 1MC Iowa City, 9-10 a.m., MERGE, 136 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. Join for community connections, free coffee, and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more. Free. For more information, visit
facebook.com/1MillionCupsIC/.
July 8
Coralville Roundtable, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., Iowa River Power Restaurant, 501 First Ave., Coralville. Use this social hour to network and keep up-to-date with chamber and community events. Free. For more information, visit
bit.ly/2Xx6wnE.
July 9
TechBrew AM, by Technology Association of Iowa, 8-9 a.m., Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 501 First St. SE. TAI President Brian Waller 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 market research, surveys and customer feedback. Free. For information, visit
cedarrapids.org.
July 10
Secrets to Sales Success, by Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 8-9:15 a.m., Economic Alliance, 501 First St. SE. Learn how to structure your day, reduce the sales cycle and win more deals. Led by Lee Roberts, director of sales at BerganKDV. Free. For information, visit
shorturl.at/abuKT.
1 Million Cups, by 1MC Cedar Rapids, 8:15-9:15 a.m., Geonetric, 415 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Join for community connections, free coffee, and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more. Free. For more information, visit
facebook.com/1MCICR.
1 Million Cups, by 1MC Iowa City, 9-10 a.m., MERGE, 136 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. Join for community connections, free coffee, and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more. Free. For more information, visit
facebook.com/1MillionCupsIC/.
Ribbon Cutting: TownePlace Suites by Marriott, by Marion Chamber of Commerce, 4:45 p.m., TownePlace Suites, 2823 Seventh Ave., Marion. Celebrate the grand opening of Marion's newest hotel with a ribbon cutting, following by an open house from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Free. For more information, visit
bit.ly/2IsHu0S.
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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]
.
Note: The CBJ is now observing summer hours through Aug. 30. The CBJ offices will be open
Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Fridays, 8 a.m.-noon.
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Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28
President Donald Trump says his administration will begin large-scale deportations as soon as Thursday, but l
aw enforcement in Iowa City says it's not only against their job description to enforce immigration, but it's never been their priority.
Iowa City officials say they're proud of their historically inviting and accommodating stance to people in the immigrant community.
"Our primary role is to protect everybody in our city - no matter who you are, where you're from," said Chief Jody Matherly, from the Iowa City Police Department. "We're not going to put our resources into immigration enforcement."
In 2017, the Iowa City Council created a resolution, putting those sentiments in writing. It was a formal step in once again reaffirming the city's stance on being an inviting community to all people, regardless of their citizenship.
"But [the resolution] also said we'll comply with state and federal laws," said Ms. Matherly. "That's why were not deemed a sanctuary city."
That means that if Immigration and Customs Enforcement asks for the assistance of local law enforcement in a situation deemed "reasonable and necessary" - local enforcement is required to assist.
Iowa legislators passed a law in 2018 reiterating that. Read the rest of the story here.
Washington County authorities have found the body of a kayaker reported missing over the weekend.
David Woodson, 52, of Brighton, was found dead Monday just after 4:30 p.m. Mr. Woodson disappeared June 29 after his kayak overturned in the Skunk River in the 3100 block of Highway 1 on Saturday.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office expressed their condolences to the family.
T
hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28
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CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails' Weather First Forecast
The summery weather continues this week with warm, muggy conditions and periodic showers and thunderstorms.
A cold front will slowly slide south across the state today. This morning it may lead to some scattered showers and storms in northern Iowa. Then it will be partly cloudy, warm and muggy with temperatures in the mid to upper 80s. Heat index values will be near 100 degrees at times. There will be the chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. today. Some storms could be strong with gusty winds and heavy rain. Storms will wind down later tonight.
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