New employees

Alison Manning (see photo) joined GreatAmerica Leasing in Cedar Rapids as a documentation specialist. Manning was previously with the Tom Riley Law Firm.

Kevin Eslick (see photo), financial adviser and registered representative, joined Eslick Financial Group, a member firm of M Financial Group. Eslick had been with Northwestern Mutual in Cedar Rapids.

Benefit Solutions Inc. in Cedar Rapids hired Tana Studt (see photo as new business manager in charge of group and individual medical sales. Studt has 15 years of experience in the industry.

Kristy Staker (see photo) was appointed community relations coordinator for the Cedar Rapids and Marion area Hy-Vee Stores. Staker was formerly with Coe College.

Islamic Services of America welcomes Timothy Hyatt (see photo) as managing director.

Judith Cobb (see photo) joined Geonetric in Cedar Rapids as business development specialist. Cobb was previously with Yellowbook.

Cindy Marsh (see photo) joined Wallace, Sandberg & Associates, an Ameriprise Platinum Financial Services Practice in Cedar Rapids, as business development manager. Marsh was previously with Bank of the West.

Promotions

Stamats in Cedar Rapids announced several promotions: Chelsea Odegard (see photo) to data base marketing manager, Heather Bernhard (see photo) to senior manager of audience development and analytics, Barb Schrafel (see photo) to senior manager of audience development and data base services, Brenda Harms (see photo) to vice president for client services in the ESG division, and Beatrice Szalas (see photo) to associate vice president in the ESG division.

Molly Champeau (see photo) was promoted to correctional supervisor 1 at the Anamosa State Penitentiary. Chapmeau had been a correctional officer. Rob Hartig (see photo) moved up to correctional supervisor. He was previously senior correctional officer.

The Cedar Rapids Fire Department promoted Vance McKinnon (see photo) to fire marshal. McKinnon was previously assistant fire marshal.

First row, from left: Tom Begley, Heather Bernhard, Molly Champeau, Judith Cobb. Second row: Kevin Eslick, Don Freytag, Grant Hagen, Brenda Harms. Third row: Rob Hartig, Donald Hillard, Blaize Hopkins, Timothy Hyatt. Fourth row: Ken Klinger, Alison Manning, Cindy Marsh, Vance McKinnon. Fifth row: Cindy Meyer, Chelsea Odegard, Barb Schrafel, Joe Skvor. Sixth row: Marvin Spragg, Kristy Staker, Tana Studt.

Board members

Residents named to the city of Marion’s Nuisance and Property Maintenance Advisory Board were Don Freytag (see photo), Tom Begley (see photo), Ken Klinger (see photo), Marvin Spragg (see photo), Grant Hagen (see photo), Joe Skvor (see photo) and Cindy Meyer (see photo).

Awards

Engineering News Record has ranked Seedorff Masonry Inc. in Strawberry Point as the nation’s second largest mason contractor for 2011.

HR Green Inc. was named to the Zweig Letter Hot Firm List for the second year in a row. It was ranked No. 12 on this year’s list, advancing from No. 17 in 2011.

Donald Hilliard (see photo), family physician with Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians.

Dick Garin of Cedar Rapids was named to the 2012 PepsiCo Chairman’s Circle of Champions from Frito-Lay, Quaker and Sabra.

Blaize Hopkins (see photo) was recognized with a national Innovation Award by his employer, Mediacom Communications, to acknowledge his work in re-designing warehouse systems in Cedar Rapids and replicating those improved processes in facilities throughout the country.

Kudos

Michael Gerdin, chief executive officer for Heartland Express Inc., based in North Liberty, and John P. Cosaert, chief financial officer, presented at the Baird 2012 Industrial Conference on Nov. 7.

Networking

The Iowa chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators will offer a free networking event 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, at Zeppelins Bar & Grill, 5300 Edgewood Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids. Register at www.cvent.com/d/ycq35d/1Q.

Seminars

SCORE will present “Marketing with Video Infographics” 6:30 to 8 p.m., Monday, at the Marion Public Library, 1095 Sixth Ave., Marion. To register, contact Dianne Martin at (319) 431-4574 or email workshops@scorecr.org.

Suku Radia, president and CEO of Bankers Trust, will speak during the annual Barbara Knapp Endowed Business Lecture Series at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, at Mount Mercy University’s University Center Commons. The lecture is free, though seating is limited.

More

One week remains for Linn and Johnson County worksites to be considered for the Corridor Worksite Wellness Award. The goal is to complete at least 50 free assessments that examine the work environment including vending machines, break rooms, access to physical activity and signs promoting healthy choices. For more information, visit www.bluezonesproject.com.