FRIDAY, FEB. 16, 2018  |  IN THIS ISSUE  

Julie Hein 
Julie Hein has been named president of Cedar Rapids-based broadcaster KZIA Inc. following the death of company co-founder Robert Norton Jr. in late January.

Ms. Hein has served as senior vice president, general manager and COO of KZIA since 2009. She joined the company as an account executive in 1996, and also served as local and national sales manager. During her tenure, she worked with Mr. Norton to guide the organization through a period of growth, including the addition of two FM signals and expanded local programming.

She serves on the board of directors of the Iowa Broadcasters Association and is a member of the International Broadcasters Idea Bank. She also volunteers for S.C.O.R.E and teaches classes through Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa. A Des Moines native, Ms. Hein holds a master's degree in business administration from the University of Iowa.

"The KZIA board of directors was unanimous in its decision to name Julie as president," board member and retired broadcaster John Phelan said in a statement. "The board is pleased to have Julie's expertise leading KZIA and we appreciate her commitment to our founders' vision of 24-7 live, local, community-dedicated radio."

Mr. Norton died on Jan. 29 following a wrong way crash on Interstate 380 that also took the life of 28-year-old Jennifer Rae Koenighain. He was the owner and CEO of KZIA, and also founded KRNA before it was sold.

KZIA Inc. owns KZIA Z102.9, a 100,000-watt radio station in Cedar Rapids, KGYM Sports Radio at 1600AM, 106.3 FM in Iowa City, 107.5 FM in Cedar Rapids, and Smart FM, a classic rock station broadcasting at 98.5 FM in Iowa City and 95.1 FM in Cedar Rapids.
 
Following a weather delay, the CBJ has rescheduled its annual Health Care Summit for 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. March 1 at the Cedar Rapids Marriott.
 
The event will begin with a keynote by Dr. J. Brooks Jackson, vice president of medical affairs and dean of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. Dr. Jackson leads UI Health Care, which is comprised of the Carver College of Medicine, UI Hospitals and Clinics and UI Physicians. As part of his keynote, Dr. Jackson will share his vision for the "Future of UI Health Care."
 
Following Dr. Jackson's address, experts and wellness leaders from across the state will share their perspective on the health care industry, financing and reform, as well as other trends they see impacting their organizations. Topics will include:
  • Benefits of Compliance in the Trump Era
  • Employee Financial Literacy & Productivity
  • Healthy Thinking & Resilience
  • Johnson County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training
  • Trends in Premium Rates and Plan Design
The program will close with a luncheon keynote by Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen, who will share insights on Iowa's insurance challenges.
 
This event is registered with the UI Center for Conferences; .53 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available.
 
Tickets are $50 per individual and $450 per table of 10. For more information or to register, visit www.corridorbusiness.com/events. Registration ends Feb. 22. Individuals who were registered for the event prior to Feb. 9 do not need to make a new reservation. Individuals who were registered prior to Feb. 9 and cannot attend, email ashley@corridorbusiness.com to transfer your reservation to a colleague or receive a refund.  
Story4DM cybersecurity firm opens Cedar Rapids office 
 
Cybersecurity firm Pratum has opened a new office in Cedar Rapids, the company announced this week.
 
The new office, located at 305 Second Ave. SE, is the company's second in Iowa and fourth in the United States. Pratum is headquartered in Des Moines.
 
Pratum President and CEO Dave Nelson said in a press release that the decision to expand was due in part to the growing threat of cybercrime and the likelihood of new and updated state regulations.
 
"The Iowa legislature is working to update existing legislation to address cybersecurity challenges," Mr. Nelson said. "Additionally, throughout the nation, business groups such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners are calling for state regulations to prevent cybercrime."

"As awareness builds, companies will act to mitigate the cybersecurity risks facing their businesses. Our new office helps position us for an efficient response to the increased demand for our services."
 
The company grew its employee headcount to 15 in 2017, up 50 percent from 2016, and expects to increase that number to more than 20 by the end of this year. The company is also building a new headquarters in Ankeny, which is expected to open by late summer.


In this week's CBJ Report on CBS2/FOX 28, Editor Adam Moore discusses a real estate sale in Coralville that's clearing the way for the Iowa Arena, a new townhome project in Cedar Rapids and a new technical training partnership between Kirkwood Community College and IowaWORKS. Watch the full report here.
Story5Holmes Murphy adds Dallas-based benefits group

Holmes Murphy & Associates announced it has added Employee Benefit Strategies Group (EBSG), a Dallas-based benefit consulting group, to its team of benefits experts, the Des Moines Business Record reports.
 
The EBSG team members joining the West Des Moines-based insurance and benefits brokerage have a combined experience of more than 80 years in the employee benefits industry, according to the company. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
 
"For years, EBSG has helped our clients maximize the value of their benefit programs," said Jim Steinkamp, former principal at EBSG and now a vice president at Holmes Murphy. "We have developed a relationship with Holmes Murphy over the years and determined that joining forces would benefit our clients and both of our teams."
 
The four new team members will be located in Dallas and Scottsdale, Arizona. Holmes Murphy & Associates has 12 offices around the country, including one in downtown Cedar Rapids.
EventHeadlinesShort-Term Event Planner

Feb. 20
Financial Management for the Closely Held Business , by Hills Bank & Trust, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Hills Bank, 590 W. Forevergreen Road, North Liberty. This seminar will explain what financial management is and why it can greatly improve a business' profitability. Walk away with tangible tools that you can put to use immediately in your own business. Register by Feb. 13. Cost: $100. For more information or to register, visit bit.ly/2mKCA3g.
 
Iowa City Roundtable, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., Estela's Fresh Mex, 184 E. Burlington St. Iowa City. 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.
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Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28  
 
Cedar Rapids school officials say they're investigating an incident at Wilson Middle School on Wednesday, after an instrument that looked like a weapon was discovered on campus. The discovery happened the same day 17 people were killed during a mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. Director of Communications Akwi Nji said this statement was issued to parents Thursday night: "We realize yesterday's incident and subsequent communication to you regarding an instrument which looked like a weapon may have been unsettling, and perhaps especially given the context of yesterday's national news. The incident at Wilson took place just after lunch and the communication was released to you in real time. We wanted you to be aware that all staff and students were safe, in case any communication from students to families suggested otherwise. What we discovered after the communication went out was that the incident occurred when two students were playfully roughhousing after lunch. The instrument fell out of a student's pocket and broke apart when it landed. Students proceeded to class and there was no interruption to the school day. The broken instrument was removed from the hallway and taken to a facilitator's office. CRPD determined that the instrument is one which can be purchased at a toy store and which shoots plastic pellets which were not in the instrument at the time or when it fell to the floor. We assure you that we take the matter of a look-alike and/or dangerous weapon seriously and are working with administration and authorities to address this situation and take appropriate disciplinary action aligned with board policy."
 
T hese news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28 
CBS2 Chief Meteorologist Terry Swails' Weather First Forecast

Colder air has briefly moved back in to end the week. There will be plenty of sunshine today and temperatures will just climb into the upper teens to low 20s. A strong northwest wind will make it feel even cooler through the afternoon. Clouds will move back in tonight and temperatures will just drop into the teens by Saturday morning. A warm front will move through the area Saturday and lead to some light snow in the early afternoon. Little to no accumulation is expected. Temperatures will be warmer, in the mid 30s. Winds will turn out of the south and even warmer air will move in Sunday and Monday. Temperatures will warm into the 40s and 50s across Eastern Iowa. A stronger storm system will move into the area Monday and ahead of it will send temperatures in the 40s and 50s once again. Showers and thunderstorms will be likely Monday.