Lauren Burgeson Named President of Iowa State Bank
Lauren takes helm long held by her late father, John Des Moines, Iowa (January 2022) - The Iowa State Bank Board of Directors had the distinct honor of installing Lauren Burgeson as the President of Iowa State Bank at their January 18th board meeting. Burgeson is the first woman to hold this position at Iowa State Bank. “I am honored to continue my dad’s legacy and lead Iowa State Bank into the future,“ said Burgeson. Burgeson is a Des Moines native and graduated from Roosevelt High School before
TWO CENTRAL IOWA COMPANIES JOIN FORCES IN SMALL BUSINESS MERGER
Triplett Office Solutions purchases Primary Source Urbandale, Iowa — January 17, 2022 — CEO Dick Triplett of Triplett Office Solutions announced a merger with another privately held central Iowa company, Primary Source, Inc., effective today. This partnership will allow the Primary Source work force to join the Triplett Office Solutions Team providing effective and efficient results in business to business promotions, marketing initiatives, printing, and office furniture and supplies. “With both
Family Law and Litigation Shareholder Tyler Coe Joins Dentons Davis Brown
Tyler L. Coe recently joined Dentons Davis Brown as a Litigation shareholder. Coe most recently practiced at Whitfield & Eddy Law. “We are thrilled to welcome Tyler, with his passion for family law and strong involvement in the community,” said Dentons Davis Brown Board of Directors member Elizabeth Meyer, “The firm strives to provide a full spectrum of legal services to its clients, and we know that Tyler will serve our clients well during trying personal times.” Coe represents high and medium net worth
WDM Chamber Welcomes 2022 Board of Directors Slate
WEST DES MONES, IA (Wednesday, January 19, 2022) – The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce (WDM Chamber) added seven new members and representatives to its Board of Directors (BOD) for 2022. The BOD is composed of 25 individuals, including 13 Board Members who are elected by WDM Chamber membership, eight representatives and four appointees. Elected Board Members beginning their two-year term in 2022 includes: Thomas Bosch, Vice President and Director of Des Moines Operations for Shive-Hattery Maria Davis,
IMT Insurance Gifts $52,000 to Local Organizations
IMT Insurance Gifts $52,000 to Local OrganizationsWEST DES MOINES, IOWA, January 14, 2022 —IMT Insurance, a leading provider of personal and commercial insurance products in the Midwest, recently announced its list of 2021 Giving Project recipients.In December of 2021, the IMT Giving Project gifted 32 monetary donations, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 and totaling $52,000, to programs and organizations located in the states IMT does business. The company’s Care Council, an employee-managed community
Wright Service Corp. Mourns the Loss of Sustainable Environmental Consultants (SEC) President John Harsch
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (January 18, 2022) – The Wright Service Corp. Board of Directors and executive leadership announce the unexpected loss of Sustainable Environmental Consultants (SEC) President John Harsch as a result of a vehicle accident. Chairman and CEO Scott Packard said, "With a profound sense of loss and sadness, we mourn the passing of a remarkable leader and advocate for sustainable practices and regenerative agriculture. His work transcended many fields, most notably through EcoPractices®,
Dentons Davis Brown Elects Four New Shareholders
Thursday, January 13, 2022Dentons Davis Brown Elects Four New Shareholders Dentons Davis Brown is excited to share that lawyers Joni Ploeger, Sean Raisch, Jonathon Schroeder, and Breanna Young were elected by their peers to become shareholders, effective January 1, 2022.Joni Ploeger guides and defends businesses in worker’s compensation defense, employment, and insurance defense matters.Sean Raisch is focused on real estate, finance, construction, and transactional business matters. He advises clients as
BUSINESS EDUCATION WEBINAR FOR VETERANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS FEBRUARY 15, 2022
The Iowa District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), invites all veterans and their family members to a one-day free virtual Reboot to Business Course. This Boots to Business: Reboot is a (virtual) half-day training program that provides participants an overview of business ownership as a career vocation, an outline, and knowledge of the components of a business plan, a practical exercise in opportunity recognition, and an introduction to available public and private resources. Please
Governor Reynolds Awards $36.6 million in Child Care Grants Projects Will Create 5,191 New Child Care Slots Across the State, Removing Obstacles to Work
DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds today awarded nearly $37 million in Child Care grants to projects that will create nearly 5,200 new child care slots across Iowa. The money will fund 108 innovative projects in 72 Iowa communities. It will be matched by another $9.7 million in private investment that has been generated through community-based partnerships to alleviate a local child care need. “I am thrilled to be able to make this substantial investment to expand access to child care for working
Iowa Launches First Statewide Program Recognizing Family-Friendly Employers
Best Place for Working Parents® designation is now available to qualifying employers January 12, 2022 (Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa is the first state to recognize employers with family-friendly policies, such as workplace flexibility and child care assistance, with a “Best Place for Working Parents” designation, the Iowa Economic Development Authority announced today. The designation is now available to employers of all sizes in Iowa who qualify through an online assessment. “Iowa faces an ongoing workforce
ATHENE GAME CHANGER SCHOLARS PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2022
Athene USA (“Athene”), a leading provider of retirement savings products, announced today that the application period is now open for the 2022 Game Changer Scholars Program. In its second year, the program has expanded and will award $80,000 in scholarships on an annual basis through 40 individual scholarships. The Game Changer Scholars program is designed to support students with financial need to reach their educational goals. The scholarships will be awarded based on multiple criteria. Applicants must
Wright Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation Opens Second Competitive Grant Cycle
Wright Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation Opens Second Competitive Grant CycleFoundation to fund Midwestern tree canopy improvement andbest regenerative agricultural management practice adoption efforts.West Des Moines, Iowa – Wright Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation (WFSI) announces the opening of their second competitive grant cycle for projects in the Midwest. The foundation has up to $100,000 that will go toward one or more competitive grants for tree canopy improvement. An
Carrier Access, Inc. and Entrepreneurial Technologies Announce Strategic Partnership
Carrier Access (CA) is pleased to announce its partial ownership and strategic partnership with Entrepreneurial Technologies (ET), combining CA’s connectivity and network expertise with ET’s deep skills in custom application and software solutions. “We are proud to partner with Entrepreneurial Technologies and offer custom solutions to fit the needs of the technology landscape. With technology playing an increasingly critical role in every aspect of business, this allows us to deliver customized digital
The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce will launch the Latino Trade Network with a Happy Hour
WEST DES MONES, IA (TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2022) – The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce (WDM Chamber) will launch the Latino Trade Network with a Happy Hour event at La Cuscatleca Southon Thursday, January 27. The event is presented by Turner Construction and supported by Granite Solutionsand Innov8 Home Solutions and will take place 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Programming will consist of complimentary food and beverage, networking, and addresses from key program stakeholders and community leaders.“We are
Spare Time Entertainment to open January 6th, 2022!
West Des Moines, Iowa - After several months of construction, Spare Time Entertainment is proud to bring Games, Lanes, Food and Fun to West Des Moines. The brand-new luxury entertainment venue will open at 340 Jordan Creek Parkway, marking Spare Time’s seventeenth location and first in Iowa. The new, 50,000 square-foot facility is the perfect place for friends and family to come together, relax, and celebrate. The venue features amenities and entertainment for groups of all sizes, ages, and abilities,
LWBJ Joins UHY
West Des Moines (January 6, 2022) – LWBJ joins UHY and expands UHY’s presence into Iowa for the first time. The combination of firms, effective January 4, 2022, adds 65 employees to UHY’s Midwest region. UHY is the 31st largest accounting firm in the U.S. with 25 offices and more than 1,200 team members. Regarding the combination, Paul Juffer, Managing Partner of LWBJ commented, “We are very excited to join UHY. Our firm has enjoyed significant growth over the past 30 years because of our talented
New Year Brings New Roles at Wright Service Corp.
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (January 5, 2022) – In alignment with Wright Service Corp.’s strategic vision, we are excited to announce new and expanded roles within the organization. Over the last several years, we have been working on identifying and seizing opportunities for strategic and operational improvement for our family of companies. “To ensure success for years to come, to better serve our clients and communities, we reexamined our talent, structure, and resources.” said Chairman and CEO Scott Packard.
Monte Wyatt Receives Brainz Global 500 Award
December 20, 2021 – The annual Brainz 500 Global Awards is a prestigious list of companies, entrepreneurs and influential leaders who are recognized for their success in the business world and commitment to helping others. Monte Wyatt joins an impressive list of influencers like Jay Shetty, Mel Robbins, Jessica Alba, Oprah Winfrey, and Gary Vaynerchuk. To add to the honor, Monte was featured on the cover of the December 23rd, 2021 edition of the Brainz Magazine. Read the interview here
Blake Crow Named to Faculty at Graduate School of Banking at Colorado
Blake Crow, Partner-in-Charge of the Des Moines office of regional CPA and business advisory firm Eide Bailly, has been named to the faculty at the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado. The Graduate School of Banking at Colorado is one of the premier graduate schools for those in the community banking industry. Hosted each July at the University of Colorado Boulder, this 25-month program delivers a relevant and challenging curriculum that deepens students' understanding of community banking and helps
LWBJ is excited to welcome Tyler Gerstandt, CPA and Kyle Woiwood, CPA as the newest partners and shareholders
WEST DES MOINES, December 28, 2021 – LWBJ is excited to welcome Tyler Gerstandt, CPA and Kyle Woiwood, CPA as the newest partners and shareholders. Gerstandt joined LWBJ in 2009 as part of the audit team and specializes in manufacturing, real estate, technology, and communications and he leads the employee benefit plan practice. Gerstandt also leads college recruitment at LWBJ and works with accounting students across the country. Gerstandt received his BA from the University of Iowa. He is a member of
The Samuels Group, a leading commercial construction company in Wisconsin and Iowa, is excited to announce the promotion of Jeff Curtis
Jeff Curtis has been promoted to General Superintendent of the Iowa market. With nearly 20 years of experience and a diverse portfolio of government, healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality projects, Curtis is well-versed in all aspects of construction and managing jobsites. He will use his experience in managing and supervising day-to-day activities at the construction site, and his talent for building team rapport, to mentor and oversee The Samuels Group’s superintendents to ensure professional field
THE SAMUELS GROUP ANNOUNCES EMPLOYEE PROMOTIONS
The Samuels Group, a leading commercial construction company in Wisconsin and Iowa, is excited to announce the promotion of Jeff Curtis.Jeff Curtis has been promoted to General Superintendent of the Iowa market. With nearly 20 years of experience and a diverse portfolio of government, healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality projects, Curtis is well-versed in all aspects of construction and managing jobsites. He will use his experience in managing and supervising day-to-day activities at the construction
West Bancorporation Foundation announces grants to local food pantries
The Board of Directors of the West Bancorporation Foundation, the charitable branch of West Bank, awarded $71,500 in grants to 18 community organizations for the 2021 fourth quarter. 6 of the 18 organizations that received grants were food pantries. The emphasis to donate to food pantries during the holidays demonstrates our commitment to the communities we serve in these difficult times. West Bancorporation grants are awarded to local community organizations in the areas of Human Services, Arts and
WDM Chamber and City of West Des Moines Announce 2021 Best of the West Award Winners Presented by Aureon
WEST DES MONES, IA (DECEMBER 13, 2021) – The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce (WDM Chamber) and City of West Des Moines are proud to announce the winners of the second annual Best of the West Awards (BOW) presented by Aureon. BOW is a West Des Moines (WDM) focused, community-voted contest featuring 50 categories showcasing the people, places and businesses within our community. “Aureon was proud to be the presenting sponsor for the 2nd Annual Best of the West Awards,” said Anthony Kottke, Account
PWB CPAs & Advisors to Join Eide Bailly
Union boosts top 25 firm’s expertise and presence in the Twin Cities Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area firm PWB CPAs & Advisors will become part of certified public accounting and business advisory firm Eide Bailly on December 6, 2021. The combination will add two offices to Eide Bailly’s downtown presence in the Twin Cities, one in Bloomington, Minn., and another in Plymouth, Minn. PWB’s strong reputation for client service and specific industry expertise will help Eide Bailly continue to offer
BANK OF AMERICA SIGNS ON AS PRESENTING SPONSOR OF BLACK & BROWN BUSINESS SUMMIT PITCH COMPETITION FOR
WEST DES MONES, IA (NOVEMBER 30, 2021) – Bank of America has signed on as the exclusive, three-year sponsor of the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce’s (WDM Chamber) annual Black & Brown Business Summit (BBBS) pitch competition. In its first year, BBBS amassed over 400 attendees from a hybrid audience. In total, the event donated $15,000 back to the community, $10,000 of which came from the pitch competition. “The pitch competition is a great opportunity for minority small businesses to learn from top
UScellular Pledges Up to $13 Million to Help Youth Connect, Close Homework Gap
Company Launches After School Access Project for Eligible Nonprofits to Receive Free Hotspots, Service DES MOINES, Iowa (Nov. 17, 2021) – Access to reliable connectivity causes a divide between youth who have access and those who do not. Currently, 35% of low-income households lack any access to broadband service at home.[1] This leads to an issue known as the “homework gap” among students who lack proper internet access. To close this gap, UScellular has launched the After School Access Project, a
DMOS Commits to Pro Iowa Initiative DMOS Orthopaedic Sponsors
(Des Moines, Iowa) November 16, 2021 – DMOS Orthopedic Centers is pleased to announced that it is partnering with The Iowa Soccer Development Foundation to support Professional Soccer in Iowa . Its $100,000 contribution will go towards the development of the Pro Iowa Stadium and Global Plaza in Downtown Des Moines. We value what Professional Soccer will brings to the Des Moines Community,” said Nick Honkamp, Board President of DMOS. The partnership will highlight positive community impact and bring a
Athene Earns 2022 Military Friendly® and Military Friendly® Spouse Employer Designations
West Des Moines, Iowa — November 11, 2021 — Athene Holding Ltd. through its U.S. insurance subsidiary, Athene USA, has earned both the 2022 Military Friendly® and Military Friendly® Spouse Employer designations, representing the top tier of institutions who provide the best opportunities for military service members and spouses. “At Athene, we believe that our service members have the leadership skills and values that are transferable to our business which can help drive our success. That’s why we are
Wright Tree Service Appoints Wade Myers as President
The Wright Service Corp. Board of Directors has appointed 34 -year industry leader Wade Myers as president of Wright Tree Service. Promoted from the position of senior vice president of operations, Wade will continue to focus on the company’s mission of safety and operational excellence while bringing a wealth of leadership experience and passion for the industry. He will continue to work from the corporate headquarters in West Des Moines, Iowa. Wade joined WTS as a groundworker in 1987. He advanced
National Million Women Mentors Summit Inspires
Million Women Mentors successfully hosted the National MWM Virtual Summit on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 for over 500 registered attendees. With a myriad of inspiring speakers, the attendees were able to hear about different initiatives currently going on locally, as well as success stories from many of the global partners. Million Women Mentors (MWM) is an initiative of STEMconnector to spark the interest and confidence in women and girls to pursue STEM careers and leadership opportunities through the
Eide Bailly 2021 Webinar Series
Evaluating Employee Ownership as an Exit Strategy or Growth StrategyIf you’re a business owner evaluating your options for growth, business succession or exit, employee ownership and ESOP can have notable benefits for you, your employees and your community. Read More How COVID-19 is Impacting the Potential Sale of Your BusinessMergers and acquisitions have always been part of the history of corporate America. Now, more than ever, the market stands poised to help organizations navigate through economic
VERNICE “FLYGIRL” ARMOUR ANNOUNCED FOR 2021 CENTRAL IOWA CONFERENCE
DES MOINES, Iowa - America’s first Black female combat pilot, former Marine, author and consultant, Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour will headline the 2021 Women Lead Change Central Iowa Conference on Oct. 27-28, 2021, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. Virtual registration is open until Oct. 22 at https://www.wlcglobal.org/events/2021-central-iowa-conference.Vernice “Flygirl” Armour replaces previously announced closing keynote speaker Luvvie Ajayi Jones.A gutsy trailblazer, her resume is an impressive
WDM CHAMBER PROMOTES MATHESON TO SENIOR DIRECTOR OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
WEST DES MONES, IA (TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021) – The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce (WDM Chamber) is excited to announce that Kara Matheson has been promoted to senior director of workforce development effective immediately. Prior to this promotion, Matheson served in two different roles with the WDM Chamber as the director of workforce development and as the events and marketing communications manager. Matheson will celebrate her third year with the WDM Chamber on September 25.“Kara is a highly
Export Finance: Solutions and Resources for Exporters
Registration can be found here.
Live-Work-Playbooks: West Des Moines
Vila-Nova Mitchell to lead DEI Impact at IMT Insurance
WEST DES MOINES, IOWA, September 7, 2021 —Gilmara Vila-Nova Mitchell has joined IMT Insurance as director of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The new position will be instrumental as IMT moves forward with its commitment to integrating DEI into every aspect of the company’s core and culture. For the past two decades, Vila-Nova Mitchell has helped organizations become more inclusive through her engaging DEI sessions, transformative executive coaching, and innovative systems redesign. Through her
AMERICA’S SBDC IOWA ANNOUNCES NEW SHOP SOONER INITIATIVE
AMES, Iowa – America’s SBDC Iowa is excited to announce their new Shop Sooner initiative that encourages consumers to “Shop Sooner” before the holidays to help alleviate some of the supply chain and other issues that businesses face during the holiday season and are still being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are extremely excited to launch this campaign and to try to help businesses alleviate some of the disruptions they experience during the holiday season. We understand that small businesses
Inspired Perspectives Tips and Tools for Continued Success
MAKE 2021 YOUR YEAR By getting your mind focused on growth and success through our informational and educational webinars designed to keep our clients, colleagues and friends informed on innovative business and tax strategies. The tools and resources presented will help businesses and individuals make informed decisions and remain successful and compliant in a competitive marketplace.Sept. 8 Data Analytics in Internal Audit: The information that can be found from analyzed data trends can help you
Glen Meadows Retirement Community to Host Groundbreaking Ceremony August 25
Ceremony to begin at 11:00 a.m. 1401 Glen Oaks Drive, West Des Moines, IA West Des Moines, IA – Resort Lifestyle Communities (RLC) invites the business community in West Des Moines and surrounding areas to celebrate the groundbreaking of its unique all-inclusive resort-style independent living retirement community at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 25 at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines. Glen Meadows representatives, chamber members, and local dignitaries will speak during a short program. Local
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New Chief Underwriting Officer at Merchants Bonding Company David Hewett moving from Marsh to Merchants
The managing director of largest surety broker in North America will become the new chief underwriting officer at Merchants Bonding Company. Merchants’ board of directors approved the addition of David Hewett as CUO and member of the executive committee at its meeting Tuesday. Hewett will officially join Merchants in mid-September. “David will assume leadership of our underwriting departments and bring new perspectives and energy to enhance our culture, serving associates and our agent partners,” said
Groundbreaking Glen Meadows Retirement Community
Des Moines-Based ServiceMaster by Rice Included in National Disaster Recovery Network Expansion
ServiceMaster by Rice was announced this week as part of a major expansion of the ServiceMaster Recovery Management (SRM) network. SRM is a national leader in large-loss commercial disaster remediation and restoration. The SRM expansion more than doubles the size of the network, from 9 to 21 approved providers nationwide. Applicants for the network had to meet stringent requirements involving experience in commercial loss recovery projects, equipment, staffing and capabilities. “Achieving the SRM brand
SBDC Iowa - Inclusivity Challenge Kick-Off Event - July 14
RETHINK IOWA PRESENTS...SHOP BLACK IOWA™ E-COMMERCE PLATFORM
While state and local officials are betting on brick-and-mortar retail to fuel small business recovery and revive mainstreet shopping in Iowa, local entrepreneurs and non-profit leaders have partnered with SHOP WHERE I LIVE (d/b/a Member Marketplace) to launch the SHOP BLACK IOWA™ platform for historically disenfranchised and economically disadvantaged small businesses to cooperate in selling products and services online. “We must band together as a community to accelerate business growth and help our
Prairie Meadows Announces 2021 Legacy Grant Recipients
June 23, 2021 – Altoona, IA. Prairie Meadows’ Board of Directors approved $2.5 million in grants at their monthly board meeting today. The 2021 Legacy Grant recipients include endeavors to improve historic sites, renovate educational facilities, enhance early childhood development, create all-inclusive recreation areas, and more. “We are so humbled by the support the community and our many patrons have given us these past 12 months,” said Prairie Meadows President/CEO Gary Palmer. “Their support has
THREE SCHOLARSHIP OPTIONS FOR WLC CENTRAL IOWA CONFERENCE
DES MOINES, Iowa - Scholarship applications for professionals, students, and non-profit organizations are available for the 2021 Women Lead Change Central Iowa Conference scheduled for Oct. 27-28, 2021, in Des Moines. The deadline for all scholarship applications is Sept. 15, 2021. Visit Scholarships at https://www.wlcglobal.org/events/2021-central-iowa-conference for applications.The Joining Voices Scholarships will be granted to individuals from non-profit organizations whose mission is to serve and
West Des Moines Library Friends Foundation Donates $350,000 for New Teen Center
West Des Moines, Iowa, June 22, 2021 –The West Des Moines Library Friends Foundation provided a $350,000 donation to assist with creating a dedicated Teen Center in the library. This space was created with teens in mind and was developed in-part with the Library’s Teen Advisory Board which helped make decisions on the layout and functionality of the space. This new space is where the library cafe’s space used to be. The West Des Moines Library Friends Foundation’s contribution covered half the cost of
JEWELS ACADEMY INAUGURAL FUNDRAISER FEATURES DMU PRESIDENT
Local Nonprofit Supports Underrepresented Young Women in STEM & Self-Enrichment DES MOINES, Iowa - (June 14, 2021) - Jewels Academy’s leadership is proud to host Keeping the Brilliance in Jewels, a dynamic virtual fundraising event taking place on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. CST. To RSVP or donate - click here. Des Moines University President, Angela L. Walker Franklin is confirmed as this year’s keynote presenter. Additionally, several other inspirational guest speakers will be participating.
Bubba - Southern Comforts Celebrates Economic Recovery with PRIDE
Pride is a common theme these days for Chris Diebel. The co-owner and managing partner of Bubba - Southern Comforts is proud of the restaurant industry’s resiliency and its ongoing support of the LGBTQ community despite a very challenging year. His positive outlook resonates as the nation celebrates the LGBTQ community during PRIDE Month. Although statistics on LGBTQ-owned businesses are scarce, there is no doubt of their economic impact. A 2015 National LGBT Chamber of Commerce survey of its 900
Inspired Perspectives 2021 Webinar Series
MAKE 2021 YOUR YEARBy getting your mind focused on growth and success through our informational and educational webinars designed to keep our clients, colleagues and friends informed on innovative business and tax strategies. The tools and resources presented will help businesses and individuals make informed decisions and remain successful and compliant in a competitive marketplace.Changing Tax Legislation in the Biden Budget: In late May, the president’s budget is scheduled to be released. At that time
Dentons Davis Brown Recognized as Leading Iowa Law Firm
Dentons Davis Brown has once again been recognized as a leading Iowa law firm by Chambers and Partners, a renowned researcher and publisher of global legal guides. In the 2021 Chambers USA guide, Dentons Davis Brown has the most rankings of any law firm in Iowa and is ranked Band 1 in all five available practice areas, the highest possible ranking. Sixteen Dentons Davis Brown attorneys are also honored as leading lawyers in their respective practice areas.Increased Real Estate Attorney RankingsKrystle
RESTAURATEUR TODD GRAVES AND CELEBRITY FRIENDS HELP SAVE FAMILY-OWNED RESTAURANTS ON NEW DISCOVERY+ SERIES RESTAURANT RECOVERY
New Series Available to Stream Exclusively on discovery+ Starting Thursday, April 15th NEW YORK – March 24, 2021 – Restaurateur and philanthropist Todd Graves is rolling up his sleeves to help struggling restaurant owners recover from the COVID-19 pandemic in the new series Restaurant Recovery, streaming exclusively on discovery+ beginning Thursday, April 15th with double-episodes available each week. As founder and CEO of the popular restaurant chain Raising Cane’s® Chicken Fingers, Todd brings his deep
Smash Park Announces First Franchise Location in Pella
Pella Venue Anticipated to Open Spring 2022,Locations Around the Country to Follow Pella, Iowa – April 22, 2021 – West Des Moines “eatertainment” venue Smash Park is announcing its first franchise location in Pella, Iowa. Thanks to a collaborative community effort, the Pella location will launch Smash Park’s national expansion plans, with additional locations opening in Omaha, Neb.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Phoenix, Ariz. in 2022 and 2023. Franchisees Dr. Luke
Mediacom Communications Recognized as a US Best Managed Company
Mediacom Park, NY – April 13, 2021 — Mediacom Communications Corporation is proud to announce it has been selected as a 2021 US Best Managed Company. Sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, the program recognizes outstanding U.S. private companies and the achievements of their management teams.The 2021 designees are U.S. private companies that have demonstrated excellence in strategic planning and execution, a commitment to their people and fostering a dynamic, resilient culture, as well
WEST DES MOINES CHAMBER LAUNCHES “THE INFLUENCER”
WEST DES MONES, IA (MARCH 8, 2021) – The West Des Moines Chamber (WDM Chamber) just launched a new e-newsletter called The Influencer. This monthly publication consists of leadership and business resources for the West Des Moines (WDM) community.The WDM Chamber knows how much there is to learn from local leaders, but research shows that everyone learns differently. The Influencer opens with a section that includes content from subject matter experts that people can read, listen to, or watch.With West Des
WDM Chamber to Host National Event for Minority Entrepreneurs
WEST DES MONES, IA (WED, MARCH 3, 2021) – The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce (WDM Chamber) is set to host the first annual Black and Brown Business Summit (the Summit) presented by Principal Financial Group®on April 22 and 23. This two-day conference was created by the WDM Chamber’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (DEI Committee) with the goal of elevating ethnic minorities and to bring BIPOC businesses together to assist with connection building, programming, promotion, training and to
City submits pre-app for a Reinvestment District for the Valley West Mall site
The City of West Des Moines has submitted a preapplication for a Reinvestment District under the Iowa Reinvestment District Act for the Valley West Mall site and surrounding area. This is the first step in applying for consideration for the Reinvestment District program managed by the Iowa Department of Economic Development. The Valley West Mall and surrounding area project would include approximately $262 million in private investment by Watson Properties, the owner of Valley West Mall, and
Greater Iowa offers Project Classroom, a grant program for local K-8 teachers
Greater Iowa Credit Union understands classroom funding has historically been very tight for our community’s teachers, even more so with budget cuts and new types of learning environments occurring within the past year. Because of the evergreen need for funding, GICU developed a special grant program back in 2013 to give local educators the opportunity to apply for a grant to purchase items they may not otherwise be able to afford. Greater Iowa offers Project Classroom, a grant program for local K-8
Governor Reynolds announces new Funds Available to Support Innovative Rural Projects and Housing
February 8, 2021 (DES MOINES, IA) – Today, Governor Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced two competitive funds available for rural communities with a population under 20,000. Specifically, funding of up to $400,000 has been allocated to the following two funds for current fiscal year (FY) 2021 through FY 2022: Rural Innovation Grant Program – Provides up to $300,000 in grants supporting creative, non-traditional ideas that focus on current issues and challenges faced by
ATHENE RECOGNIZED AS LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY EMPLOYER BY HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION
Athene rated on Corporate Equality Index for first time in 2021 HAMILTON, Bermuda – January 28, 2021 – Athene Holding Ltd. ("Athene") (NYSE: ATH), a leading provider of retirement savings products, announced today it has been recognized as part of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s annual Corporate Equality Index (CEI). CEI is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies, practices, and benefits pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer employees. Athene joins the ranks
Chris Lorenz Announced as the New Executive Vice President of Palmer Group View Larger Image
January 26, 2021, West Des Moines, IA – Palmer Group announces the promotion of Chris Lorenz to Executive Vice President, effective January 4, 2021. This newly created position is part of the overall succession planning strategy of the company. President David Leto states: “Chris has excelled in every role he has held in his seven-year career at Palmer Group, and I am extremely excited to move forward with this important position for our company. Chris has a great passion for the employment industry
Governor Reynolds Announces New Program for Iowa Restaurants and Bars
Iowa Restaurant and Bar Relief ProgramGovernor Reynolds allocated $40 million in federal CARES Act funds to provide financial relief for eligible restaurants and bars impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.The Iowa Restaurant and Bar Relief Program will assist many Iowa establishments that were among the most directly and hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated closures and mitigation efforts.The program may assist eligible businesses that experienced a decrease in gross sales of at least 15%
StoryStruck Marketing announces new name after rebranding from M Ryan Media
WEST DES MOINES, IOWA — Marketing agency owner Mackenzie Ryan Walters announced this week that the company’s name has changed to StoryStruck Marketing. Walters, who serves as the Chief Storytelling Officer, explained that the new name reflects both the company’s growth and the mission to discover and tell a business or nonprofit’s story to inspire results. The agency serves clients in Iowa and Minnesota.“I believe in the power of a story to inspire results,” said Walters, a former national award-winning
STOREY KENWORTHY REBRAND Des Moines Furniture & Office Supply company has a new identity for 2021
Des Moines, IA (January 18, 2021) - Today, Storey Kenworthy, the Des Moines based office products and furniture supplier, is launching a rebrand with an updated website, branding, logo, and video content are all part of this year-long passion project. John Kenworthy, the President since 2011, is following in his grandfather's footsteps in tackling a transformational project in uncertain times, just as Arthur Kenworthy started Storey Kenworthy right out of the Great Depression in 1936. "It was time. The
