TUESDAY, AUG. 27, 2019  |  IN THIS ISSUE  
Heartland Express announced Monday that it has acquired Millis Transfer Inc., a Wisconsin-based dry van truckload carrier that also operates a driver training institute. 

The $150 million mostly-cash acquisition will bring members of the founding Millis family's management team into the Heartland business, along with a diversified list of about 500 customers. 

Millis Transfer operates in the Midwest, eastern U.S. and in Texas.

"We are impressed with the high quality of the driving professionals and the organization's safety profile," Heartland Express chairman president and CEO Michael Gerdin stated in a news release. "In addition, the regional coverage, equipment, conservative and disciplined management style, and culture are all very compatible with our approach."

Heartland officials noted that Millis Transfer is recognized as a top-paying carrier, has proven Compliance Safety and Accountability Scores and a Electronic Logging Device-compliant tractor fleet. Its driver turnover rate is below industry norms.

Founded in 1936, Millis Transfer is headquartered in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, with additional terminal locations in Georgia, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, and Wisconsin. It is managed by the third generation of the founding Millis family, which brings over 113 years of combined operating experience and will remain in their current roles.

In a statement, Millis Transfer President Dave Millis, COO Steve Millis and Vice President of Compliance and Safety Dan Millis said they believe the culture started by their father, Bill Millis, 35 years earlier, still exists and will complement Heartland.

"We look forward to contributing and growing their business through our combined networks and customer relationships," the statement said.

Millis Transfer operates Millis Training Institute (MTI) an elite driver training program with five locations Ohio, Georgia, Wisconsin, Texas, and North Carolina. Heartland Express shares were up about 2 percent in early trading today.
Story3Dan Royer named One Iowa executive director

Dan Royer
Dan Royer has been named the new executive director of One Iowa. He will begin his new duties on Sept. 1. 

"The board is delighted that Dan is taking the helm at One Iowa," said Jenny Smith, chair of the One Iowa board of directors. "His extensive nonprofit and business leadership, managerial experience and deep knowledge of our state's healthcare landscape are the right combination to take One Iowa to the next level in our mission to advance, empower and improve the lives of LGBTQ Iowans statewide."

Mr. Royer has more than 14 years of experience leading nonprofit organizations, most recently as executive director of the Iowa Alliance in Home Care. Prior to that, he held several leadership roles at the Iowa Hospital Association.  He also has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ equality, including serving on the Capital City Pride board and One Iowa Action board.

"One Iowa is an incredibly important organization to me personally and has made incredible progress for Iowa's LGBTQ community," said Mr. Royer in a release. "There is more work to be done, and I'm looking forward to leading the organization and it's dedicated team to further promote diversity, inclusion and empowerment across the state of Iowa."  

One Iowa also is expanding its leadership team with a newly created assistant executive director role.  Courtney Reyes, who currently serves as interim executive director, will be promoted to this new position.  Ms. Reyes has the experience, passion and leadership skills to complement Mr. Royer's strengths. The division of leadership duties will allow One Iowa to better serve more LGBTQ individuals statewide. 

Mr. Royer replaces Daniel Hoffman-Zinnel, who resigned Aug. 7 to pursue another career opportunity.
Link2Taste of Iowa City returns for 12th year on Wednesday

Taste of Iowa City, presented by MidWestOne Bank,  returns to downtown Iowa City from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday. 

The 12th annual Taste of Iowa City celebrates the culinary diversity of downtown and Northside restaurants by introducing attendees to smaller sample-sized portions available from 50 different restaurants. This event is supported by the  University of Iowa  Welcome Back Week programming. 

"The event each year grows in attendance, menus, and entertainment. This is one of the most fun and easy events to attend. It is completely open to anyone and everyone, all you need to do is purchase tickets at one of seven ticket booths and wander around finding where you want to spend your tickets," said Christopher Hunter, director of events, in a news release. 

Tickets are $1/piece and will be sold in strips of five. Tickets will be available during the event at seven ticket booths located in downtown and the Northside Marketplace or at the  MidWestOne Bank  location downtown. To pre-purchase tickets using a card, go here.

AARP Iowa released new data highlighting the impact of high prescription drug prices on Iowans, specifically people living with cancer, prediabetes or diabetes, and heart disease. AARP unveiled the information nationally at the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) annual conference as part of AARP's nationwide 
Stop Rx Greed  campaign to lower drug prices.

"Iowans shouldn't have to make a choice between paying for groceries and life-saving medications," said Brad Anderson, AARP Iowa state director, in a press release. "AARP Iowa strongly urges Iowa lawmakers to continue taking meaningful action on this crisis now."

In 2016, 23 percent of Iowans stopped taking a prescription drug as prescribed due to cost, according to the State Health Access Data Assistance Center. Between 2012 and 2017, the retail price of:
  • Revlimid, used to treat cancer, increased 68 percent per year. In Iowa; 305,799 people are living with cancer, according to an AARP Public Policy Institute (PPI) analysis using 2017 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
  • Lantus, a form of insulin used to treat diabetes, increased 62 percent per year. There are 260,959 people with diabetes or pre-diabetes in the Iowa. (PPI).
  • Aggrenox, a heart disease medication, increased 96 percent per year. In Iowa, 97,517 people have heart disease (PPI).

The Corridor Business Journal (CBJ) is seeking nominations for its 2019 Workforce Awards. These annual awards, presented in partnership with Kirkwood Community College, recognize companies that are ahead of the curve in creating and maintaining their workforce talent edge.

Nominations are open to all companies in Kirkwood's seven-county region. An independent panel of industry experts will select honorees in the following categories:
  • Training for existing employment needs
  • Employment opportunities for diverse populations
  • Internship program
  • Marketing and recruitment campaign
  • Hiring strategies of Iowa graduates
  • Retention strategy
  • Employer and education workforce collaboration
To download the nomination form, visit  corridorbusiness.com/workforce-awards/ . Nominations must include a signed (minimum) one-page explanation of why the company or organization should receive an award  for each category they're applying . A company cannot win in the same category two years in a row. Nominations are due Aug. 29.

Honorees will be recognized at a Dec. 3 awards breakfast the and featured in a Workforce Leaders special publication distributed in the Dec. 16 issue of the Corridor Business Journal. For more information, contact Ashley Moore at   [email protected]  or (319) 665-6397.

Aug. 28
1 Million Cups, by 1MC Cedar Rapids, 8:15-9:15 a.m., Geonetric, 415 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Join for community connections, free coffee and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more. Free. For more information, visit facebook.com/1MCICR.
 
1 Million Cups, by 1MC Iowa City, 9-10 a.m., MERGE, 136 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. Join for community connections, free coffee and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more . Free. For more information, visit facebook.com/1MillionCupsIC/ .
 
Aug. 29
Search Engine Optimization, by SCORE of East Central Iowa, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., HyVee, 5050 Edgewood Road NE, Cedar Rapids. Learn how to optimize your business listing and other local search strategies. Cost: $10. To register, visit conta.cc/31kSaoH.
 
Sept. 3
Iowa City Roundtable, by Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 328 S. Clinton St., Iowa City. Members are invited to network and keep up to date with chamber and community events. Free. To register, visit bit.ly/2HdiZn1.
 
Sept. 4
1 Million Cups, by 1MC Cedar Rapids, 8:15-9:15 a.m., Geonetric, 415 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Join for community connections, free coffee and presentations by entrepreneurs, established companies, experts and more. Free. For more information, visit facebook.com/1MCICR.
See and Be Seen


in the CBJ Book of Lists - THE definitive resource guide for business leaders. Ranked information on Corridor companies by sector, regional market facts and profiles of the most influential people under one cover. Don't be left out - Be Seen! For advertising information, contact Andrea Rhoades at  [email protected] .

Note: The CBJ is now observing summer hours through Aug. 30. The CBJ offices will be open Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Fridays, 8 a.m.-noon. 
Headlines from CBS2/FOX 28
These news items are provided by CBS2/FOX 28  
 
The fight between a Cedar Rapids neighborhood and a pillar of the local industrial community will go before the City Council today. Cargill needs a railyard, and neighbors nearby say they understand that need. "They should probably get a railyard," says Rick Stanek. "But this railyard they're proposing right now, right at the entrance to Prairie Park Fishery, there's people that fish there, there's trails and bicycles there, there's marathons. This is the worst possible location to do this."  The site along Otis Road SE is actually the second location selected by Cargill. Last year, the company proposed a site to the north and west of the current location. Neighbors there appeared to be on board with that location, but others in the neighborhood were not, and convinced city leaders to delay a final decision until more consideration could take place. Cargill has held public meetings, and even presented environmental studies and experts to show the impacts to the surrounding area would be limited. But many remain unconvinced. Read the story  here.

The Linn County Sheriff's Office has identified the drivers involved in a deadly two-vehicle crash on Sunday on Williams Boulevard.  Larry Luther, 81, of Amana, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash and his wife, Donna Luther, 78, was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.  A 17-year-old from Cedar Rapids was the driver of the second vehicle. She was also hurt, but is expected to survive. Deputies say the 17-year-old female driver was making a left turn off Williams Boulevard onto Prairie Avenue when she drove into the path o f Mr. Luther's vehicle.  The crash is now under investigation.

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

Today will be mostly sunny, comfortable, and breezy. Temperatures will be in the mid-70s with low humidity. There may be enough instability to spark a few stray showers, especially in the far north. Winds will back off tonight and it will be mostly clear. Temperatures will drop into the low to mid-50s.  Wednesday will be another pleasant, fall day with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the low to mid-70s. Temperatures will be warmer Thursday ahead of a weak cold front. Temperatures will be in the low 80s with a bit of mugginess. The front will be rather weak, so little to no rain is expected as it moves through. The front will stall to our south, in northern Missouri. In turn, it will be nice and dry to end the week Friday with temperatures back in the 70s.