THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2018  |  IN THIS ISSUE  

Cecilia Rokusek
The Board of Trustees of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) has selected Dr. Cecilia Rokusek to be the museum's next president and CEO. Currently the provost and CEO at Larkin University in Miami, Dr. Rokusek will begin at the NCSML on Sept. 1. She will succeed Gail Naughton, who has served in the role since 2002.

Dr. Rokusek, a native Midwesterner who is fluent in the Czech and Slovak languages, has held top academic and administrative positions at several colleges and universities since 1976. For the past 10 years she has been the Slovak Honorary Consul for Florida, and during her career, she has established many academic affiliations with institutions in the Czech and Slovak Republics, in several other European countries and in South Korea.

"We are fortunate and gratified that someone of Dr. Rokusek's professional stature, and with her breadth and depth of experience, was available for this extraordinary opportunity at the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library," George Drost, chair of the NCSML board of trustees, stated in a press release. "She will be able to build on a very solid foundation of leadership here, and she has the vision to take this national organization into its next exciting stages."

Before her current post at Larkin University, she was at Nova Southeastern University's College of Osteopathic Medicine for 10 years, serving as Assistant Dean for Research and Innovation. Before that, she was a dean and professor at Winona State University in Minnesota, Florida Gulf Coast University and Governors State University in Illinois. She served as Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine and Director of Dietetics at Mount Marty College in South Dakota. She holds a doctor of education degree from the University of South Dakota, a master of science degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a bachelor of arts degree from Mount Marty College.

"I am both honored and pleased to serve as the president and CEO of the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, a true cultural gem for our region, nation and international communities," Dr. Rokusek said. "Cedar Rapids is a cultural epicenter, and I am especially looking forward to becoming an active member of the community. I am delighted to be joining the dedicated team of professionals, volunteers and board members of the NCSML as we work together to promote, develop and expand the museum and library.
 
"As a fourth- generation Czechoslovak, I am especially proud of my ancestral heritage. Growing up in Tabor, South Dakota, graduating from the University of Nebraska and working in both Minnesota and Illinois, I am delighted to be coming home to the Midwest," she added.

Truckload carrier Heartland Express of North Liberty reported higher net income, operating revenue and earnings per share for the second quarter ended June 30, as the company's integration of recently acquired Interstate Distributor Co. yielded improved results.

Net income rose to $17.8 million from $14.6 million in the year earlier quarter, an improvement of 22 percent. Basic earnings per share were 22 cents for the quarter, up from 18 cents per share in the second quarter of 2017. Operating revenues rose 20.2 percent, to $155.8 million.

Fuel surcharge revenues were up sharply to $22.4 million from $14.7 million. Excluding the impact of fuel surcharges, operating revenues rose 16.1 percent, primarily due to higher miles driven through the addition of Interstate Distributor Co.'s fleet.

"I am extremely pleased with our ability to acquire, integrate and overhaul the operations of our recent acquisitions and return to a quarterly operating ratio which we expect will be at or near the best across our industry," CEO Michael Gerdin said in a release. "This is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our drivers and the financial diligence of our entire team over the last several years as they have and will continue to focus on operating our company effectively and efficiently."

Mr. Gerdin said Heartland recently announced its second driver pay increase in the last 10 months. The combined increases accounted for a total annual increase of $12 million in driver pay, Mr. Gerdin said, and have enabled Heartland to attract and retain more good drivers.

Okpara Rice


Kirkwood Community College will offer a Business Professional Certificate with a free 16-week training intended to help students build technical and interpersonal skills for business careers. The program was designed in partnership with area employers needing qualified candidates. It is targeted to persons who are low-skill, low-income, unemployed, underemployed or dislocated and require additional education to help qualify them for available jobs in business.

According to program Pathway Navigator Kelly Foresman, the training prepares graduates with the certification and related experience they need to compete for business professional positions with employers in the community.

"This high-quality training is comprehensive and helps individuals develop the technical and personal skills to build a career as a business professional," Ms. Foresman stated in a press release. "Students who successfully earn this certificate are capable of pursuing careers in a wide variety of businesses. Employer partnerships built into the design of this training also provide students a jump-start to obtaining employment."

Kirkwood, in partnership with 11 local businesses, is offering this training program through Kirkwood Pathways for Academic Career Education and Employment (KPACE). Initial classes begin in August to help individuals prepare for and secure a job as a customer service representative, earning on average $15.60 an hour. Partnering businesses will provide students an overview of their company and help students practice interview skills during training.

According to Economic Modeling Specialists International, the finance and insurance industry is projected to grow 3.3 percent from 2018-2020. Customer service representatives make up nine percent of the industry and require customer service skills across a range of roles. Demand is increasing regionally for candidates with this training and is expected to total 3,332 jobs in Linn and Johnson counties alone in 2020.

For more information, visit www.kirkwood.edu/kpace  or contact Kelly Foresman at (319) 784-1518 or kelly.foresman@kirkwood.edu.

Sister organizations Mercy Medical Center, Mount Mercy University and the Catherine McAuley Center are embarking on a new tradition to continue spreading mercy in the community. Circle the City with Mercy is a one-day community service project with volunteers from each organization coming together on July 20, near the anniversary date marking when the Sisters of Mercy arrived in Cedar Rapids in July 1875.

With this new tradition, Circle the City with Mercy partners will look for a unique community service project each year to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to the community. This year, the three organizations will be working with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization that builds, delivers and dresses out beds for children ages 3-17 who do not have one in their current living situation.

"We feel blessed to be the first recipients of this community service project," said Gretchen Holley with Sleep in Heavenly Peace: Cedar Rapids-Marion chapter.  "Thanks to this volunteer effort, we will be forty beds closer to ensuring that, 'No kid sleeps on the floor in our town,' which is our organization's mission statement."

Sixty Circle the City with Mercy volunteers will build 40 beds starting at 8:30 a.m. Friday. The service work takes place at a warehouse located at 999 35th St., Marion.

Leaders from the three Mercy organizations will speak about the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy during a brief program at 11:30 a.m.
 
July 19
EPIC Summer Semi-Annual Bash , by Empowered Professionals of the Iowa City Area, 5-7 p.m., MidWestOne Bank, 500 S. Clinton St., Iowa City. Join EPIC on the rooftop of MidWestOne Bank for a summer social event with live music, drinks and networking. Free. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/2lmLYti.
 
BizMix: Fiesta Block Party , by Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and Marion Chamber of Commerce, 5-7 p.m., 700 11th St., Marion. BizMix brings together area professionals for an evening of casual networking over complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cocktails and is hosted by a different member business each month. Free.
 
June 20
Ribbon Cutting: Z's Catering, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, 9 a.m., 760 Nathan Ave., Unit 9, North Liberty. Help welcome Z's Catering and BBQ to the North Liberty business community. Free. For more information, visit bit.ly/2NE0v0X.
 
July 23
Coralville Roundtable. by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., Gus' Food and Spirits, 2421 Coral Court, Coralville. Roundtables are social lunches over the noon hour. All are invited to network and keep up-to-date with chamber and community events. Free for members. Call the chamber at (319) 337-9637 if interested and not a member.
 
Food and Beverage Forum , by Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 3-5 p.m., The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, 7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids. Take a tour of Kirkwood's facility and culinary program, and then meet with other hospitality professionals to discuss products, challenges, events, and ideas that drive innovation. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/2yrUxN3.
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Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28  
 
NextGen America, a national group advocating for equal rights, immigration reform, health care and a number of other issues at the center of political turmoil, opened an office in Cedar Rapids yesterday to get out the vote. NextGen member Lexa Krug says opening the new office downtown is the next step to staying vocal and getting people to the polls, " We're saying we don't tolerate these hateful policies. I've never seen an election with people so angry and happy at the same time to go out and express their civic duty." A recent Tufts University study shows the race for governor in Iowa and for the First District Congressional seat are among the top contests in the country which could be decided by young voters.

Johnson County authorities have identified the man pulled from the Iowa River on Monday. The Johnson County Sheriff's Office says Mohammad Albaghdad, 42, of Iowa City, was recovered from the Iowa River near the Burlington Street Bridge. Pedestrians initially called in that they saw a body on the bank of the river. The cause and manner of death is still being determined pending additional testing.

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

A strong storm system will move through Eastern Iowa today and bring showers and thunderstorms. There will be multiple rounds of storms along with the chance for strong storms. Due to the rain and clouds, temperatures will be held down in the 70s in the northeast and 80s to the southwest. There is sufficient wind shear (spin) in the atmosphere that will lead to the potential for strong storms. This threat will come as the cold front approaches from the west. After a break, storms will redevelop after 3 p.m. and some storms could be strong. Strong winds, heavy rain and isolated tornadoes will be possible with these storms.