Annual Report 2011

table of contents

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community accolades

economic development

community development

business support

connecting through events

synergy through collaboration

20 moving forward together

22 boards of directors

To compete in today’s global economy, it is imperative that our economic and community development efforts are coordinated and strong. The Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, the Cedar Rapids Downtown District and Priority One have each built successful programs around cultivating economic vitality within our region. As you’ll see in this first-ever combined Annual Report, a lot was accomplished in 2011. In the face of difficult challenges, the Cedar Rapids area economy has shown a resiliency lacking in many other economic centers of America.

We continue to work to make this region the choice for new and expandingbusinesses – by providing tireless and focused business expansion and support services; by creating the kind of quality of life amenities that will help attract and keep a quality workforce; by fostering leadership, training, networking and other business support services; and by promoting a strong, vibrant downtown as the core of our economic region.

These organizations – that includes staff, board and especially you, the customer and investor – have a lot for which to be proud of in 2011.But amid our successes there has been a growing sense that to achieve the lofty goal of being one of the top economic growth regions in the country, these valiant but largely uncoordinated efforts would need to be stronger… and that they could be Stronger Together. And so we want to provide you a glimpse, too, of what we can become as we progress into 2012.

Let’s get moving,

Doug Neumann President of Cedar Rapids Downtown District

Dee Baird President of Priority One Interim President of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce

• Cedar Rapids ranked #9 among Best Value Cities in 2011 by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. (Source: Kiplingers, July 2011)

• Cedar Rapids is one of the Best Places for Business & Careers according to Forbes Magazine. (Source: Forbes.com, June 29, 2011 and April 14, 2010)

• This region’s consumers have the 4th highest credit score in the nation, according to Experian’s State of Credit List. (2011)

• Cedar Rapids is one of the Names You Need to Know in 2011, according to Forbes Magazine. (Source: Forbes.com, June 29, 2011)

• Cedar Rapids is one of Milken Institute’s 2010 Best Performing Cities. We are ranked 28th nationally. (Source: Milken Institute, October 14, 2010)

• Cedar Rapids ranked #5 of Top 20 Recession-Proof Cities, according to The Daily Beast. (Source: The Daily Beast, 2010)

• Cedar Rapids is one of the Best Places for Affordable Homes, according to CNN and Money Magazine. Ranked #11 of 25 for home sales, job and population growth. (Source: CNNMoney.com, July 2010)

• Cedar Rapids is one of the Top 5 Metro Areas Best at Meeting Basic Needs, according to the Gallup-Health ways Basic Access Index. We top the nation in healthcare affordability. Cedar Rapids ranked #4 out of 187 metro areas. (Source: Gallup, May 20, 2010)

community accoladesCedar Rapids and the broader metro area have been honored with awards and rankings from acclaimed national listings from the likes of Forbes Magazine, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Milken Institute and others. We’re proud of what Cedar Rapids has accomplished already, are encouraged by the progress shown in this report, and look forward to what our community’s bright, bright future will hold.

proud & poised for the future

business recruitment & expansionIn a year of a challenging national economy, our region has more than held its own with new businesses, business expansions and other positive economic indicators. Among the successes were two significant new company announcements: AgSugar/Vertecra Inc. and mCube. AgSugar/Vertecra is an industrial biotechnology company specializing in the manufacture of equipment for bio-based materials. The facility will develop Cellulose Conversion Modules – equipment that can convert cellulose to soluble sugars pure enough for fermentation at a much lower cost than currently available. mCube develops, designs and engineers computer programs and firmware for monitoring and controlling electronic sensors, transducers and microelectronic mechanical systems.

The recruitment of these two quality companies resulted in 30 new jobs paying an average wage of more than $36/hr and created total capital investment of $1.6 million.

Growing and retaining the region’s diverse business community has proven a top priority for leaders in across our region. More than 250 investors confirmed their support for economic growth and retention by donating more than $6 million to Priority One’s funding campaign. This money will support its mission of guiding economic development across the Corridor.

generating results that endureeconomic development

This year, 15 companies announced expansions accounting for 680 new jobs paying an average wage of more than $32/hr and creating a total capital investment of more than $216 million. By focusing on high-level, hands-on project management, our staff of experts have assisted businesses from nearly every industry with their growth and expansion needs.

The region’s diversified economy grew substantially through existing expansions. Mobile Demand, American Profol, Raining Rose and Genencor are examples of four distinct companies announcing expansions in our community this year. Genencor, a division of Danisco announced plans for a second phase expansion at its Cedar Rapids plant providing increased production capacity, new machinery and equipment, and new job creation.

Downtown Cedar Rapids continued its post-flood resurgence with a string of new business announcements and three big wins with existing businesses. Rockwell Collins chose to relocate 400 jobs downtown, while Intermec Technologies and Physicians Clinic of Iowa both decided to make major, multi-million dollar private investments in new facilities. Intermec announced plans to construct a $10.5 million, 78,000 square-foot facility at 601 Third St. SE, retaining its 240 employees in downtown. Physicians Clinic of Iowa also announced their expansion, investing $44 million to build a 220,000 square foot medical pavilion.

outbound connectionsDeveloping long-standing relationships with headquarter companies located throughout the globe has been a key ingredient to the region’s economic success. This year, 26 headquarter companies were visited, and 49 site location consultants were met with. Reaching out to the headquarter companies provides essential feedback on key issues for business growth and expansion and often leads to new business ventures for the Cedar Rapids area.

Conferences and industry events allow us to connect with potential clients, maintain relationships and stay up-to-date on industry trends. This past year, the region was promoted at eight conferences around the world including:

• World Congress on Industrial Bioprocessing and Biotechnology• International Food Technology Expo• AUSVI Unmanned Systems Conference• Community Venture Network• Roundtable in the Rockies• Hannover Messe• European Wind Energy Association Annual Event• Wind Power 2011

entrepreneurial success storiesEmbracing and promoting an entrepreneurial ecosystem is essential for continued success within our region. In 2011, a number of expansion announcements were made by companies that only a few years ago were entrepreneurial start-ups, including Mobile Demand, RuffaloCODY and Security Coverage. The Entrepreneurial Development Center’s services have been critical to the success of many of these businesses. The expansions of these companies remind us how important it is to embrace entrepreneurs and creatives through supporting a culture of innovation.

A growing network of innovators calling themselves “community builders” and “social entrepreneurs” have sprung into action, creating programs like SeedHere and NewBoCo for like-minded people to come together to develop their ideas. Their mantra to “do what you love, without waiting for someone else’s permission” has accelerated progress.

the bigger picture During a year of national economic struggle, our region has experienced growth, and strength in economy. With development projects stretching across the Amanas to Hiawatha, it’s important that we celebrate the resilience of our great metropolis.

new downtown businesses in 2011:• La Cantina• Salsa del Rio• Red’s Public House• The HUB Pizza• Toocan’s Tiki Bar• Midwest Communications• Business Exchange Center• St. Lukes Med Labs

en . tre . pre . neur >>

building momentum in local businessesDisaster recovery experts warned us in 2008 that 55% of flood affected businesses might never return, and some of those that did would later fail. Although we still have a ways to go, we’re well ahead of those dire predictions in 2011 with the return of 82% of our flooded businesses. So far, businesses received more than $68 million in assistance from Jumpstart1, JumpStart2 and Steam Funding recovery programs. As businesses continue to move back downtown and into surrounding neighborhoods, new establishments and businesses are popping up, too.

business support

members, partners, investors We’re proud of the extensive programs that are offered by our three organizations. More than ever, we’ve focused our attention on day-to-day interaction with our local businesses community through communication. One-on-one attention, resource sharing and assistance through our membership, partner and investor programs have allowed each of our organizations to reach out to more than 1,600 community stakeholders. Through these programs, business leaders are speaking a common language of community pride. We’ve set our sights high for economic development and job growth, and we intend to expand these outreach and service programs even further in 2012.

our programs Together, our organizations hosted over 40 events this year that provided networking opportunities, more than 100 occasions for professional growth and learning, four events focused on international visitors, 15 sustainability programs, and 20 opportunities to connect with state officials. These business-oriented events are meant to motivate, encourage and provide resources to business professionals and future entrepreneurs in our region.

migrated downtown:• Balloon’s Etc. • M. Hanson & Company• Penguins Comedy Club• Braise Catering • Basket Bowtique

new businesses, coming soon!• The Early Bird• Jambayz• White Star Alehouse

packets and a new college edition of the presentations, engaging more patrons than ever.

• LeadershipforFiveSeasonsprovides a dynamic curriculum for chosen business leaders to understand the strengths, weaknesses and greater opportunities within our community. There are now more than 1,000 alumni. A new LeadershipforFiveSeasons CollegeEditionhas been introduced to companies to engage summer interns/co-ops at a broader community level. This new initative supports the Skills 2014 recommendation to encourage employers to provide internships, job shadowing opportunities and support workforce retention initiatives. More then 240 employers were surveyed, projecting that at least 11,000 employees will be needed in coming years, and many of these positions require specific educational backgrounds and skills.

• MyTernNow received a Silver Addy this year due to its nearly 10,000 site visits since it launched last year, and more than 120 employer profiles being added. This program was featured at 20 career fairs, reaching thousands of students. More than 50 internship opportunities have been listed on the site, offering hundreds of students and new graduates representing 19 schools a chance to experience our community while participating in the special summer program,MyLifeNow.

workforce & retention programmingConnecting with the next generation workforce is a priority that has been integrated into our strategic planning and daily activities. You’ll find ourstaff traveling to campus career fairs, providing workforce recruitment packets to local businesses, offering quality internship programs and presentations focused on experiencing the highest quality of life in our community. Here’s a closer look at a few of our most popular programs:

• ImpactCR, a community action group devoted to connecting “now” and “next gen” talent in the area to leadership, civic, charitable and social opportunities, has been voted the BestNetworkingGroup for three years in a row by the Corridor Business Journal. This organization hopes to introduce its members to the community, so that Cedar Rapids becomes more than a place to work - a place to live life fully.

• ConquertheCorridor, a touring presentation that promotes quality of life resources in the Corridor, has delivered more than 50 presentations this year to over 2,000 individuals including nine community driving tours for potential new-hire candidates. ConquertheCorridor (photo above) has emerged as an important communication tool in attracting and retaining talent in our community. It has introduced a new web site (www.conquerthecorridor.com), along with fresh informational

risk taker; adventurist; forward-thinker; business owner; instigator; leader.

infrastructure improvementscommunity developmentimpacting economic developmentIn Cedar Rapids, parking doesn’t just “matter” – it is one of the top economic development issues facing our downtown. Over the next two to three years, almost three quarters of a billion dollars will be invested in downtown Cedar Rapids by both the public and private sectors. The availability of clean, safe and accessible parking is a deciding factor in where someone chooses to buy property, open a business, live or take their family out for the evening. Parking is a critical piece of downtown infrastructure, and means much more than the two lines between which you park your car. It is about starting a conversation with each and every visitor to downtown Cedar Rapids with “Welcome, we’re glad you’re here.”

pedestrian level improvements

After transitioning the parking system management from the City to the Downtown District earlier this year, 40 new solar powered multi-space meters were purchased with parking revenues and installed in downtown. Clean and safe initiatives began with a comprehensive spring cleaning of downtown parking structures, upgrading the Access & Revenue Control Systems in every ramp, and LED lighting was installed in the Five Seasons Parking Ramp saving our system more than 50% per month in utility costs. Every upgrade made this year will provide a healthier budget for years to come. And now that occupancy rates are at an all time high, we’ve introduced a 24-hour team to assist parkers at any time of the day or night. These improvements highlight our level of dedication to creating a clean, safe and modern place to work and visit.

your first & last impressionA comprehensive public education campaign has been launched, showcasing the new meters and a fresh brand, in an effort to seamlessly transition to the new parking system. Park Cedar Rapids staff are utilizing newly branded uniforms and vehicles, offering a fresh web site (www.parkcedarrapids.com) to patrons with interactive maps, help and instructional videos, and a new Downtown Ambassadors program. Ambassadors can help visitors navigate downtown, provide event assistance

to those in need, and answer any of your parking inquiries. These additions to our parking system were made to ensure a high-quality experience for every guest in downtown.

Our committees have also been hard at work to develop programs for a cleaner and more pedestrian friendly atmosphere. We’ve installed 12 new public bike racks with a grant from Rockwell Collins, and placed eight new cigarette receptacles in high traffic areas provided by a Keep America Beautiful grant and Armstrong Development. Thanks to local volunteer programs including United Way’s Day of Caring, more than 50 high school students volunteering through Coe’s Upward Bound Program and funding provided by the Cedar Rapids Jaycees, 2011 has been an excitingyear of street level improvements and maintenance. Downtown sidewalks are clean and in the process of repair, more than 3,200 flowers wereplanted this spring, 150 benches have fresh coats of paint, and Greene Square Park has a new irrigation system. Thanks to a sponsorship by ITC Midwest, 20 new trees were planted along 3rd Avenue to replace those that were dead and dying after the flood, and 14 more will be planted this fall. And lastly, the Park Cedar Rapids maintenance team repainted 340 meter poles to install parking space signage designed specifically for our community. This is just a small list of the projects completed in 2011. We look forward to continuing the streetscape beautification program in 2012.

road infrastructureTo advance other infrastructure intiatives around the region, community leaders work closely with the Iowa Department of Transportation on the completion of Highway 100, a project of significant importance to transportation and economic development. The biggest hurdle is that while the need for funding grows for this project and many basic infrastructure upgrades, transportation dollars become more and more scarce. The reality that we need to maintain and improve basic transportation infrastructure has brought together leaders from all communities in this region to work together on public policy and project priorities. This has sparked discussions about the evolving nature of transit, complete street design and other transportation-related issues.

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Special Note: There are countless leaders and patrons working tirelessly to ensure the projects developing around our community actually come to fruition. The images and details shown on these pages are just a few exciting examples of more than 35 public and privately funded projects happening around our region. With more than three quarters of a billiondollars worth of investment in our community, we’re inspired by the progress and look forward to tremendous opportunities that will come from completion of these projects over the next few years.

Cedar Rapids Amphitheatre

Cedar Rapids Public Library

United States Courthouse

400 Block Fourth Avenue SE $45.5 million / Completion in 2013

The new public library will be a centrally located venue that is inviting, vibrant and accessible for all citizens to learn, play and discover the world through state-of-the-art library resources and programs. The library is poised to be on the cutting edge of technology, keeping up with the ever-changing industry.

First Street SW $7.55 Million / Completion in 2013

The riverfront amphitheatre creates a unique opportunity to provide an outdoor entertainment venue out of the first piece of flood protection in Cedar Rapids. Built into a levee, this naturalized amphitheatre will seat 3,000-5,000 patrons, and is anticipated to host 52 events and serve 60,000 patrons annually.

Seventh Avenue SE $120 million / Completion in 2012

The new United States Courthouse will be a powerful civic building located at the terminus of First Street. A line of slender columns frame views through a seven story, highly transparent glass wall to an interior wall made of Iowa limestone. The rhythm of the columns, transparency of the glass and solidity of the stone walls work in concert to create an architecture that speaks both to the openess and approachability of democratic institutions, and stability and order promised by law.

Hall-Perrine Cancer Center &Fountain Healing Garden

Central Fire Station

Cedar Rapids Convention Complex370 First Avenue NE$75 Million / Completion in 2013

The City of Cedar Rapids is building a new convention and events center in downtown, which includes the renovation of the attached hotel. When this project is complete in 2013, it will be the second largest convention and events center in the state of Iowa.

700 Block of First Avenue SE $7.55 Million / Completion in 2013

The Cedar Rapids Fire Department’s Central Fire Station facility was completely destroyed by the June 2008 flood and will be constructed in this new location. Designed to be an emergency operations/command center, it will house several units and services, plus training facilities. This location providesready access to I-380 and First Avenue, allowing efficient response routes for all areas of the community.

Lincolnview Square RenovationSeventh Avenue, Marion $22 Million / Completion in 2013

The Lincolnview Square redevelopment project will create a major commercial and retail hub in Marion’s Central Corridor District.

Seventh Avenue $24 Million / Completion in 2012

Mercy’s new Hall-Perrine Cancer Center will be the largest, most comprehensive cancer healing environment in Cedar Rapids, connecting to existing radiation oncology services, private inpatient rooms and advanced surgical suites.

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An important aspect of our community outreach initiatives is to create opportunities to come together. This year, our organizations helped foster your sense of passion and positive community-speak through the Pacific Institute trainings. We ignited innovation with an informative and interactive luncheon with Sarah Caldicott, great-grand niece of inventor and entrepreneur Thomas Edison. The International Business Symposium, Good Morning Cedar Rapids, the Gala, Chamber Academies, Synchronist Interviews, PM Exchanges, Breakfast of Champions, Golf Outings and countless professional roundtables have created opportunities to learn and make connections that spark professional growth and unique ideas.

As a part of the Business Success Initiative, a Case Management Team worked with 534 businesses to offer educational workshops, resources for funding assistance, business efficiency services and more. This program has been critical to the success of flooded businesses, who have surpassed the national survival average.

The programs we provide to our region offer a range of topics from the healthcare industry, legal analysis and ethical training – to sales, marketingand community outreach programs. Driving productivity with innovative speakers and roundtables like those mentioned above, provide you with an opportunity to join in discussions and broaden your scope of knowledge.

pleasure...Throughout the year, our organizations have created well-rounded events for nearly every facet of life – family-friendly fun, celebrations, networking, etc. Whether it’s a time to rejoice in a holiday season with our upcoming Fire & Ice Festival, a starry night for the Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust Drive-in Movie Series, or the perfect summer morning to shop from a local vendor at our Downtown Farmers’ Markets – we want to celebrate with you. People of any age and interest can enjoy events that our organizations provide throughout the entire year.

Our biggest event to date happened on July 2, 2011 when our Downtown Farmers’ Market (photo above) reached our highest attendance ever – 18,958 shoppers. This season, we expanded our venue to the largest it’s ever been. We filled the streets with 220 vendors, more on-street and main stage entertainers than ever, and interactive programs on nearly every corner.

Events like these don’t just magically appear, though. Throughout the year, more than 200 volunteers donate almost 1,300 hours of their own tal-ent, ideas and hard work to create refreshingly cool experiences for people throughout our region. With great ideas stewing, we’re on the edge of our seats waiting to see what’s to come in 2012.

regional collaborationTournaments, festivals, conferences and other large scale events bring patrons to our community from far and wide. We’re proud to collaborate with organizations focused on quality of life like the Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. We join them in celebrating successes like welcoming the new indoor professional football team Cedar Rapids Titans, who are kicking off their first season at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena in 2012, and plan to move into our renovated downtown arena the following year.

In other collaborative efforts, we focus resources on communicating various events happening within our region. We partner with the Cedar RapidsJaycees to promote events like Uptown Friday Nights, the Freedom Festival on their annual calendar, and Legion Arts on the Landfall Festival of World Music (photo above). We shed light on fundraisers like Run the Flood, the Amphitheatre Music Festival, BBQ Roundup and more. By offering our communication vehicles and marketing services to organizations throughout the region, we’re building strong relationships and a stronger community.

We also work with organizations to focus on economic development in the region. We partner with the Corridor Business Alliance, Hiawatha Economic Development Corp., Iowa City Area Development and Seven County Regional Alliance and others to create a dynamic business community.

mixing business with pleasureconnecting through events

reaching the masses >> synergy through collaboration

The Chamber’s Regional Sustainability Alliance was created in February of 2011, with approximately 40 members in a wide range of industries. This group focuses on initiating sustainable practices for organizations, sharing reduction-based best practices, resources and networking opportunities. The goal is for the community to reduce the landfill waste to zero. This program received a grant from the Iowa Energy Office for more than $28,000 to continue working on this important endeavor. This particular program of the Chamber is in the process of hosting 14 events this fall, free and open to all who are interested in sustainbility practices in businesses.

In an effort to connect our region with the state legislature, ImpactCR (a program of the Chamber) launched “Political Parley,“ an online forum (www.coveritlive.com) where you can chat with local and state officials aboutissues most important to you. We host legislative lunches and Corridor Day at the Capitol for patrons to participate in. The Chamber also participates in “Chamber Alliance,” a task force that features the 16 largest Chambers within the state and helps shape public policy critical to business growth.

Through these committees, task forces and alliances, our organizations are able to continue to serve our businesses - large and small; focused on local and interstate commerce - while impacting the health and quality of life of our greater Cedar Rapids community.

task forces & committeesIt’s important to note that much of what our organizations accomplish throughout the year is done through the hard work of volunteers. We work with dedicated people on various task forces and sub-committees to provide further assistance on our action plans. These volunteers provide a voice from nearly every community within our region: Lisbon, North Liberty, Iowa City, Mount Vernon, Hiawatha, Marion, Center Point, Jones County, Belle Plaine - the list goes on.

This year, the Downtown District Development Committee focused on tracking downtown housing trends while communicating with residents more than ever. With downtown housing at 90% capacity, focusing on the needs of our residents directly correlates to the success of our businesses in surrounding neighborhoods. By introducing amenities to those living here, we’re impacting foot traffic and success of businesses in the area. We’ve also provided information to developers on housing opportunities in our community, along with collaborating with Historic Preservation Commission on the historic building tax credit workshop for property owners. It’s important to continue resource sharing to ensure prosperity and continued development in our community.

social media; press conferences; advertisements; speeches; meetings.

spreading the wordCollaboration is key. Our relationships with the media, with our community focused cohorts and those we serve in the business sector create an even greater relationship with the rest of the public. It’s important to us that members of our community trust in our organizations, in our services and in our purpose of working for the betterment of our community. We’re determined to reach every stakeholder, in an effort to communicate our goals for the region while offering resources to those in need.

In an effort to create dialogue with our stakeholders and members of the community, each organization has utilized the web, e-connections and social media more than ever. Our pages on Facebook, quick-buzz communication through Twitter and connections on Linkedin provide outlets for dialogue to thousands of patrons throughout our region. We’re more accessible now, and we utilize these vehicles to share local and national news, upcoming events, programs and more. We’re also able to communicate with future stakeholders - those who want to plant roots in the greater Cedar Rapids area and are looking for help.

Our community outreach programs have created even greater impact by teaming up with local establishments and organizations. Each month, the

Chamber hosts PM Exchanges, where an average of 200 patrons visit local establishments and businesses to mingle and network. We’ve worked with Theatre Cedar Rapids to create the “Flip Your Ticket” program where patrons receive a discount at locally owned business for attending a show. We are collaborating with the Convention & Visitors Bureau and NewBo Mainstreets leaders on a new Arts, Culture & Entertainment District on 3rd Street SE to provide connectivity from the new Convention Complex to the New Bohemia neighborhood. We’re also collaborating with the Healthiest State Initiative by supporting their effort of turning our metropolis into a Blue Zone community according to nation-wide health regulations and standards. Other organizations that are integral to our work are Trees Forever, City of Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Marion Chamber, Iowa City Chamber, Corridor for Kids and more.

To advance our viewership and communication portals, we’ve created interactive maps, business guide portals and placed QR codes on our ads, posters and handouts to provide quick access to our new mobile sites. If you’d rather read from a printed newsletter or collateral page, we also distribute those around the community.

moving forward stronger togetherGrowing the regional economy – especially to the degree of our lofty goal of being one of the top economic growth regions in the country – isn’t getting any easier. Private sector investment is hindered by a variety of national and international economic headwinds. Public sector budgets are tight and other sources of traditional job incentive funding are evaporating. Earmarks from federal government for community development projects and infrastructure seem to be a thing of a bygone era. The circumstances make it more critical than ever that we be at the very top of our game.

A big part of that is moving forward together in a stronger, more unified, more coordinated way.

Stronger Together means with you, the 1,600 employers that collectively make up the investors, members, partners of the Chamber, Downtown District and Priority One. We want to ensure that you have a voice in the activities of these organizations and in promoting what you need to make your business grow. When we can coordinate those voices and turn them into a unified regional voice, it becomes a powerful influence.

Stronger Together means with a broad alliance of development partners. The focus in this report has been on three core development organizations. But there are many more partners in this game. Stronger Together efforts that might be as minimal as better coordination of efforts or as monumental as merged services all bring value to our regional economic and community development initiatives.

Stronger Together means with the public sector, as well. It takes bold, courageous elected officials to be a strong partner in economic development. Supporting “The Chamber” or “those downtown special interests” can sometimes be politically controversial, and we thank the strong leaders who have been excellent partners. Working together on our economic goals makes us all more effective.

It’s a simple message: let’s move forward together. So, let’s get moving.

1,600 members, partners &

investors total

250 Priority One

Investors

130 Cedar Rapids

Downtown District Partners

1,300 Cedar Rapids Area

Chamber of Commerce Members

making progress While so many changes and improvements are underway, we’re dedicated to communicating progress and important news to stakeholders. Please consider following our organizations through these media outlets to stay updated on our progress:

Find us on facebook.com /CRDowntownDistrict /CRChamber /ImpactCR /ConquertheCorridor /Leadershipfor FiveSeasonsAlumni

Find us on twitter.com @CRDowntownDist @CRChamber @ImpactCR

Find us on linkedin.com

Priority One StaffDee Baird, PresidentNakia Durham, Administrative Manager Dennis Jordan, VP Economic DevelopmentAllen Merta, VP Finance & Administrative ProgramsJeff Rossate, VP Business Development

Cedar Rapids Downtown District StaffJoan Benda, Administrative CoordinatorDennis Hotka, Maintenance CoordinatorWayne McVey, Maintenance AssistantMallory Mohwinkle, Marketing & Research AssociateDoug Neumann, President & CEOQuinn Pettifer, Director of Community Outreach & MarketingVanessa Rogers, Vice PresidentJill Wilkins, Director of Events

Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce StaffDee Baird, Interim PresidentLisa Guge, Executive Assistant to the President & Board of DirectorsDeMaris McKee, Office Manager & Project CoordinatorSara Mentzer, VP Public AffairsJeff Schamberger, Director of MembershipKelly Slaughter, Director of Leadership DevelopmentTyanna Stephenson, Accounting AssistantKari Stillman, VP Marketing & CommunicationsJulie Stow, VP Special Events & Member Services

staff >> team members

building momentum across our community

boards of directorsRed – Priority One BoardPurple - Cedar Rapids Downtown District BoardBlue -SSMID BoardGreen – Downtown Development Corp BoardOrange – Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Board HD – Honorary Director

Jill Ackerman, Marion Chamber of Commerce (HD)Dawn Ainger, Genova Techonologies Tom Aller, Alliant Energy (P1, SSMID)Tom Anderson, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (CRDD Chair, Chamber) Todd Barker, NAI Iowa Realty CommercialLu Barron, Linn County Board of SupervisorsRobert Becker, Guaranty BankLee Belfield, Zins Restaurant/Kirkwood Community College David Benson, Cedar Rapids Community School DistrictJohn Bickel, IDED Board Member/Shuttleworth IngersollBarry Boyer, Van Meter, Inc. (P1 Chair, Chamber HD)Brian Brandt, Principal Financial Scott Byers, NAI Iowa Realty CommercialSteve Caves, US Bank (P1 & SSMID)Lijun Chadima, Thorland CompanyConnie Chapman, Ryan Companies (HD)Tim Charles, Mercy Medical CenterJim Choate, Kirkwood Community CollegeLee Clancey, Community VolunteerJordan Cohen, University of IowaRon Corbett, City of Cedar Rapids (P1, Chamber HD)Scott Drzycimski, Alliant EnergySteve Dummermuth Jr., IGD IndustriesSteve Dummermuth Sr., IGD IndustriesJon Dusek, Armstrong Development (DD Corp, SSMID)Wayne Flory, Rockwell Collins Tiffany Earl, Skogman CommercialRandy Easton, U.S. Water CompanyJeff Elgin, J & T ElginSteve Emerson, Aspect ArchitectureJames Ernst, Four Oaks Inc. of IowaJack Evans, The Hall-Perrine FoundationGary Ficken, Bimm Ridder SportswearRon Fielder, Grant Wood Area Education (retired)Kristie Fisher, Kirkwood Community College

Wayne Flory, Rockwell CollinsMike Frantz, River Cedar PropertiesRob Frederick, TransamericaDon Garland, Nesper Signs (Chair Marion Chamber HD)Scott Gasway, J.P. Gasway Company, Inc. Vern Gebhard, Alliant Energy – Interstate Power & Light Co. Bernard Gill, Ascott Transcription ServicesTim Hankewich, Orchestra IowaShannon Hanson, TrueNorth Companies (ImpactCR HD)Brad Hart, Bradley & Riley (P1 & Chamber)Tom Hayden, Shive-Hattery GroupLarry Helling, Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust (SSMID Chair)Josie Heskje, GreatAmerica LeasingTom Hobson, Rockwell CollinsJim Hoffman, Alliant Energy Resources (retired)Jack Ilten, Ilten’s Clay Jones, Rockwell CollinsNancy Kasparek, U.S. Bank Tim Kitner, Bankers Trust (DD Corp & Chamber)Barbara Knapp, SCI Financial Group (retired)Doug Laird, Skogman CommercialChristine Landa, Junior Achievement of Eastern IowaChris Lindell, Guaranty BankAnn Lipsky, Smulekoff’sRob Loftsgard, Wells Fargo BankMark Long, Wells Fargo Bank Cedar Rapids (P1, SSMID)Anne Loomis, Marion Economic Development Neil Madsen, TransamericaTom Metelmann, Quaker Food & SnacksEmily Meyer, Ryan Companies (HD)Curt Nelson, Entrepreneurial Development Center (HD) Dana Nichols, Cedar Rapids Bank & TrustStephanie Neighbor, Farmers State Bank (Chair Marion Chamber HD)Jackie Nickolaus, Sherman & AssociatesJim Nikrant, Corridor Management Co. Lon Olejniczak, TransamericaRon Olson, Paulson Electric Scott Olson, Skogman CommercialHazel Pegues, Diversity Focus (HD)Chuck Peters, Source Media Group (Chamber, P1, SSMID)Tom Petersen, ITC MidwestLon Pluckhahn, City of MarionJeff Pomeranz, City of Cedar Rapids (P1, Chamber, SSMID HD)Randy Ramlo, United Fire Group (P1, SSMID)

Randy Rings, TrueNorth Companies (DD Corp, SSMID)Carroll Reasoner, University of Iowa (Eastern Iowa Airport, HD)Tom Reed, Penford Products (retired)John Riccolo, Riccolo & SemelrothBen Rogers, Linn County Board of SupervisorsGary Rogers, City of HiawathaMarcia Rogers, IDED Board MemberCharlie Rohde, King’s Material Inc./Dakota Red CorporationRalph Russell, Howard R. Green CompanyJeff Scherrman, Acme GraphicsJohn Schnipkoweit, Ovation NetworksJohn Sheehan, St. Luke’s Hospital Kyle Skogman, Skogman Companies of IowaTom Slattery, Heritage AssociatesDJ Smith, AttorneyJohn Smith, CRST Inc.Dave Sorg, OPN Architects (Leadership for Five Seasons, HD)Tim Spain, United Fire GroupVernon Squires, Bradley & Riley (Leadership for Five Seasons, HD)Mick Starcevich, Kirkwood Community CollegeAndy Stoll, Social EntrepreneurRoger Stone, Simmons Perrine Moyer BergmanGary Streit, Shuttleworth & Ingersoll Michael Sundall, Physicians Clinic of IowaTed Townsend, St. Luke’s HospitalMonica Vernon, Cedar Rapids City Council (HD)William Vernon, Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman William Vincent, Clifton Gunderson Leslie Wright, United Way of East Central IowaBrandt Worley, Worley Warehousing (P1, Chamber)

Just as a kaleidoscope depends on a variety of pieces harmonizing together to create one spectacular result - it’s the same for a successful local economy.

To establish a diversified and sustainable economy that generates quality jobs, we must have strong collaborations and coordinate our efforts in order

to find true economic success.