Siouxland Business Journal - February 2015

Vol. 24 No. 2 PO Box 118, Sioux City, Iowa 51102

February 2015

TRANSPORTATION ISSUE

Preparing for takeoff Aviation Charter Expert Solutions Travis Stein and Jimmy Sponder

INSIDE THIS MONTH’S ISSUE: Chamber sets legislative agenda PAGE 4

I-29 work passes halfway point PAGE 13

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Siouxland Business Journal, February 2015

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35 years as a Varco Pruden Metal Building Dealer

Celebrating

ÂŞ It has been a privilege to be affiliated with Varco Pruden pre-engineered metal buildings for 35 years.

VP is the industry leader and our partnership has truly made L&L Builders the metal building expert in Siouxland.�

- Dana Rand,Vice President

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Siouxland Business Journal, February 2015

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BusinessJournal Ron Peterson, publisher Dave Dreeszen, editor Siouxland Business Journal is published monthly by Sioux City Newspapers Inc., in cooperation with the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.

Requests for a free subscription or address changes should be sent to: Kevin McGarry Siouxland Business Journal Box 118 Sioux City, Iowa 51102

Editorial copy should be sent to: Dave Dreeszen Siouxland Business Journal editor Box 118 Sioux City, Iowa 51102 dave.dreeszen@lee.net For more information: Editorial: (712) 293-4211 or 800-397-9820, ext. 4211 Advertising: (712) 224-6279 or 800-728-8588 Circulation: (712) 293-4257 or 800-397-2213, ext. 4257 On the web: www.SiouxlandBusinessJournal.com

Index Business Know How .........................................page 10 Home & Office .....................................................page 9 Chamber anniversaries .....................................page 7

On the move .................................................... page 22

Chamber investors.............................................page 7

Ribbon cuttings ............................................... page 20

ON THE COVER

Dawn J. Sagert, Sioux City Journal

Aviation Charter Expert Solutions Chief Operating Officer Jim Sponder, left, and Chief Executive Officer Travis Stein are shown Jan. 20 in the ACES hanger at Sioux Gateway Airport. The company, which maintains and repairs aircraft, is now preparing to expand into charter services.

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Siouxland Chamber sets annual Des Moines Day Agenda includes tax reform, highway funding, workforce expansion DAVE DREESZEN

Business Journal editor

DES MOINES | The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce will hold its 39th annual Chamber Des Moines Legislative Day on Feb. 3.

The annual lobbying trip will gives delegates a c h a n ce to h ea r f ro m Gov. Terry B r a n s tad and Lt. G o v. K i m Reynolds, l e g i s l a t ive Branstad leaders and other key decision makers in the state capitol.

The day will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a meeting with Iowa Department of Management Director David Roederer, followed by a session with Branstad and Reynolds at 11 a.m.

Iowa Chamber Alliance executive director John Stineman will be the keynote speaker during lunch at the Court Avenue Brewing Company.

In the afternoon, sessions have been scheduled at the

for individual income taxpayers. Noting that many business owners file individual returns, the Chamber said that “flattening and streamlining the personal income tax will help demonstrate that Iowa is working to attract talented people, businesses and new jobs.”

Statehouse with House Speaker Kraig Paulsen and House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer, House Minority Leader Mark Smith, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal and Senate President Pam Jochum and Senate Minority Leader Bill Dix. For full details and online registration, log on to: siouxlandchamber.com. To register by phone, call Mary Koster at 712-255-7903 Here’s a look at some of the Chamber’s priority issues for the 2015 legislative session:

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

INCOME TAX REFORM

Branstad and Republican and Democratic leaders in the House and Senate all expect to debate the issue, but differ largely along party lines on what should be done.

The Chamber supports flattening and reducing the state’s six corporate income tax brackets, which rise to a top rate of 12 percent.

Economic development recruiters are required to go into a “cumbersome

Jim Lee, Sioux City Journal

Sioux City School Superintendent Paul Gausman speaks during a school board work session on Jan. 16, 2014. The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce’s agenda for the 2015 Legislative session includes revising the state’s funding formula that the organization says penalizes “property-poor” districts like Sioux City.

explanation” of the complex tax system, making Iowa less competitive with neighboring states, Siouxland Chamber President Chris McGowan said.

“In economic development, if you are explaining,

Kohler Kitchens

you are losi n g ,” Mc Gowan said.

To h e l p p ay fo r a reduction in the corporate tax McGowan

brackets, the Chamber would support eliminating the ability of businesses to deduct federal income taxes paid on their state returns.

But the Chamber wants to keep federal deductibility

With unemployment at historic lows, many new or expanding businesses in Siouxland are struggling to hire sufficient numbers of qualified candidates, Chamber Vice President Barbara Sloniker said.

The problem is especially acute in high-paying jobs that require advanced skills, such as advanced manufacturing, life services and professional services.

Recognizing the role that the state’s community colleges play in training future workforces, the Chamber in its agenda encourages the Legislature to provide adequate funding for the schools, which include Western Iowa Community College in Sioux City.

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Siouxland Business Journal, February 2015

UI program to match tech students with small businesses DAVE DREESZEN

Business Journal editor

SIOUX CITY | A University of Iowa program that connects small businesses experiencing technology problems with college students who know how to solve them has arrived in Sioux City.

UI Partners has opened a satellite location on the campus of Western Iowa Tech Community College.

The program will offer internships to technologically savvy WITCC students.

Working under the guidance of a UI Partners consultant, the students will assist companies with 50 or fewer employees that don’t have a budget or expertise to address various IT issues, from virus removal to network security to Web design.

“This is all about students helping small businesses,” David Conrad, an assistant vice president in the UI Office of Research and Economic Development, said at a news conference at WITCC on Wednesday.

“What we envision is that students get real-world experience outside the classroom.”

The students, he said, will have a chance to hone not only their technical skills, but also their interpersonal skills, he said.

“It’s different when you’re actually working with customers and clients; you have to be accountable and you have to learn how to present yourself,” Conrad told the audience, which included a number of WITCC administrators, faculty members and students gathered at the college’s Security Institute.

If all goes well, many of the interns will stay on with the employer after they complete their degrees, he said.

“The end goal would be to

Dave Dreeszen, Sioux City Journal

David Conrad, an assistant vice president in the University of Iowa Office of Research and Economic Development, speaks about the new UI Partners program housed on the Western Iowa Tech Community College campus in Sioux City. The program pairs tech-savvy students with small businesses that need IT help.

have those students stay in Iowa, find jobs and help that community,” Conrad said.

The UI Partners office is led by senior IT consultant Craig Engelke. A native of MinneEngelke apolis who has lived in Siouxland the last 20 years, Engelke most recently worked at Rebnord Technologies, a Storm Lake, Iowa-based technology consulting firm.

Engelke said it’s not the goal of UI Partners to compete with private businesses.

“We’re looking to find ways to partner with these companies,” he said in an interview. “We’re not looking to take business away from them.”

Engelke said the Sioux City program will start out with two WITCC interns and add more based on demand for the services.

Some local officials “seem to think we’ll be busier than we expect,” he said. “There’s

UI Partners UI Partners, a University of Iowa program that connects small businesses experiencing technology problems with college students who know how to solve them, has opened an office on Western Iowa Tech Community College campus in Sioux City.

Northwest Iowa businesses with fewer than 50 employees that are interested in the program’s services can learn more at: uipartners. uiowa.edu or by emailing senior IT consultant Craig Engelke at craig-engelke@ uiowa.edu

a need in some of the smaller communities where there aren’t IT providers.”

UI Partners staff offer a free initial assessment.

UI Partners, which began in Iowa City in May, has worked with about 70 small businesses in the past eight months. The program also announced the opening of a location at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs.

Frank thought he’d never walk again.

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The point of unity is you.

Based on a true story.

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See more at unitypoint.org/truestories.

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SIOUXLAND BUSINESS

AGP to build vegetable oil refinery $90M project will create 20 new jobs at rural Woodbury County site DAVE DREESZEN AND BRET HAYWORTH

Business Journal staff writers

SERGEANT BLUFF | The Woodbury County Board and a state agency on Friday approved a package of incentives to help Ag Processing Inc. is moving ahead with a $90 million vegetable oil refinery near Sergeant Bluff that will create 20 new jobs.

The expansion will begin in 2015 and be completed by spring 2017, company officials recently announced.

The project will adding to the existing 100 employed at AGP’s complex at 2754 Port Neal Road, where the co-op already operates a soybeanprocessing plant and a biodiesel plant.

The vegetable oil refinery will be built on the same 85acre site in rural Woodbury County.

“We like the idea of being able to expand here and not going somewhere else,” AGP Group Vice President Cal Meyer said.

AGP CEO Keith Spackler noted the operation currently includes converting soybeans into high-performance soy protein for the dairy industry, as well as clean-burning diesel fuel.

“Adding the capability to refine crude soybean oil

Provided

An undated aerial photo shows the Ag Processing Inc. complex near Sergeant Bluff. On Friday, state and Woodbury County boards approved more than $3 million in incentives for a $90 million expansion of the site.

is a natural progression,” Spackler said in a statement.

The new facility would add crude oil filtration, degumming, refining, bleaching and deodorizing

processes. In addition, the refinery would be supplied by a new water cooling tower and a new well system.

Most of the estimated project costs will be $71.5

million for new machinery and equipment. Other bigticket items are $2.5 million for site preparation and $14.5 million for construction.

The state of Iowa and Woodbury County have agreed to contribute more than $3 million in tax incentives for the project.

The agreement with the county will exempt AGP from $2.1 million in county property taxes over nine years, through 2024.

The state Economic Development Authority will kick in nearly $1 million in incentives under the state’s High Quality Jobs Program, including $152,000 for forgivable or interest-free loans, and about $800,000 in various tax state credits.

Of the new jobs, 19 qualify for incentives, with wages of $20.66 per hour.

“AGP’s expansion in Siouxland speaks to the business climate that we have in Iowa,” said state Economic Development Director Debi Durham, a former Siouxland Chamber of Commerce president. “This project is not only advantageous for AGP’s cooperative members but will also have a positive impact on the region and state alike.”

Omaha-based AGP , the largest farmer-owned soybean processor in the world, is owned by 174 local and regional cooperatives representing over 250,000 farmers from 12 states throughout the United States and Canada.

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Siouxland Business Journal, February 2015

ChamberAnniversaries The following are observing anniversaries as Siouxland Chamber of Commerce investors.

115 Years

Chesterman CompanY Cy W Chesterman Sr. Sioux City, IA sioux CitY Journal Ronald C Peterson Sioux City, IA

90 Years

JollY time pop Corn – ameriCan pop Corn Co. Garrett Smith Sioux City, IA

45 Years

averY Brothers sign Co. Steve and Noel Avery Sioux City, IA averY outdoor Milt Avery Sioux City, IA Burke engineering sales Co. GR Gardiner Sioux City, IA Cannon moss BrYgger arChiteCts Brian Crichton Sioux City, IA ConCrete produCts Co. G Robert Batcheller Jr. Sioux City, IA Consolidated eleCtriCal distriBution Eric Zeman Sioux City, IA dennis supplY Co. Carter Dennis Jr. Sioux City, IA goodwill of the great plains John Hantla Sioux City, IA i-go van & storage Co. Brian Nogg Sioux City, IA

dr. John kiernan John Kiernan Sioux City, IA missouri valleY steel CompanY Robert Jacobsen Sioux City, IA nCs inC. dBa noll ColleCtion Tom Noll Sioux City, IA niChols rise & CompanY llp Rick Grenko Sioux City, IA rawlings nieland law firm Jeff Mohrhauser Sioux City, IA rBC wealth management Tom Redmond Sioux City, IA CitY of sioux CitY Bob Padmore Sioux City, IA unitYpoint health – st. luke’s Lynn Wold Sioux City, IA woodBurY mediCal soCietY inC. Sara Severson-Price Sioux City, IA

John Pritchard Sioux City, IA June e nYlen CanCer Center Karen Van De Steeg Sioux City, IA siouxland CommunitY foundation Rebecca Krohn Sioux City, IA

30 Years

5 Years

heartland paper CompanY Sandra Christenson Sioux City, IA sioux ruBBer & urethane Joe Wren Sioux City, IA

25 Years

Comfort inn – southern hills Nick Krull Sioux City, IA

20 Years

CatalYst solutions

ChamberInvestors AirMedCare Network/ Mercy Air Care Marie Schmitt www.airmedcarenetwork.com DOXX Warehouse Bar Paulie Anderson 1219 5th Street Sioux City, IA 51101 Firehouse Bar Paulie Anderson 1211 5th Street

Sioux City, IA 51101 Make-A-Wish Iowa Chris Voggesser 3024 104th Street Urbandale, IA 50322 Melissa Gomez Insurance, LLC Melissa Gomez 600 Fourth Street Suite 318 Sioux City, IA 51101 Pickled Palette

15 Years

disaBilitY resourCe Center of siouxland Don Dew Sioux City, IA

10 Years

imko Keith Hawkins Sioux City, IA plains meChaniCal / plains Boiler Jeffrey Reinders Sioux City, IA siouxland Coin & JewelrY Brian Moon Sioux City, IA united vending & food serviCes Joe Richter Sioux City, IA Care initiatives hospiCe – sioux CitY Deb Schillinger Sioux City, IA JimmY John’s - northside Mary Beth McCabe Sioux City, IA midwestern meChaniCal Mike Kane Sioux City, IA time management sYstems Carol Rademacher Sioux City, IA

Ashley Prince 4014 Morningside Ave. Sioux City, IA 51106 QPS Employment Group Laura Rasmussen 4700 Gordon Dr Sioux City, IA 51106 Therapy Station PC Keith and Tabitha Reuter 1301 W. 1st Street Sioux City, IA 51103

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SCGO sets Innovation Market contests High school division added for Feb. 24 event DAVE DREESZEN

Jim Lee, Sioux City Journal

In an undated photo, a vehicle travels on the new four-lane Highway 20, beneath an overpass bridge, near Early, Iowa. The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce’s 2015 Legislative agenda includes increasing transportation funding to complete the widening of Highway 20 in western Iowa.

Chamber Agenda: Hwy 20 work remains FROM PAGE 4

TRANSPORTATION FUNDING

Commercial, Industrial Refrigeration

In its agenda, the Chamber supports increased funding for Access Iowa Highways, a Department of Transportation prioritization program that ranks U.S. Highway 20 highly.

The Chamber said it

would consider new or alternative transportation funding sources. Unlike some other groups, however, the organization does not support an increase in the state gas tax, Sloniker said.

Of the 300-mile span of Highway 20 across Iowa, 44 miles from Moville to

Early in western Iowa are still two lanes. The estimated cost to widen that section to four lanes is $375 million. “ T h e DOT has made a huge Sloniker

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investment in our Northwest corner of the state in the past several years, and we’re thankful for that,” Sloniker said. “As far as Highway 20 is concern, until we finally pave that last mile, the investment won’t see its greatest return.”

EDUCATION FUNDING REFORMS

The state’s funding for K-12 school districts remains “broken” and “outdated.” It penalizes students and taxpayers in “property poor” districts like Sioux City, which must levy higher rates to generate the same revenue as property-rich districts.

Of the 3337 Iowa school districts, Sioux City ranks last in property tax value per students.

The Chamber supports moving to a funding system that equalizes property tax receipts on a statewide, per-pupil basis.

ddreeszen@siouxcityjournal. com

SIOUX CITY | Have an idea for a new business, no matter how big or small?

If so, the Sioux City Growth Organization would like to hear from you.

The organization is accepting applications through Feb. 1 for its fifth annual Innovation Market competition. The event will take place Feb. 24 at the Ho-Chunk Centre in downtown Sioux City.

This year, SCGO will partner with Briar Cliff University, Northeast Community College in South Sioux City and Vision Dakota County to host the first annual Innovation Grow competition for high school students.

High school students will have the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges who will provide feedback and guidance. The winning student/team will receive $200 cash and other prizes from local businesses.

The Innovation Grow competition will begin at 4 p.m. on Feb. 24th, followed by the Innovation Market contest at 5 p.m.

Top prize winners in the

Innovation Market WHAT: Innovation Market and Innovation Grow competitions WHEN: Starts 4 p.m. on Feb. 24 WHERE: Ho-Chunk Centre in downtown Sioux City HOW TO APPLY: The Sioux City Growth Organization will accept applications through Feb. 1 at: www. siouxcitygo.com/ innovatesc

Innovation Market contest will be awarded investment funds to help jumpstart their business ideas.

The event will also include guest speakers from the entrepreneurial world.

The public is invited to attend. The evening will include networking opportunities with light hors d’oeuvres, beverages and a cash bar.

Innovation Market, a social, think-tank designed to grow local ideas while forming connections between like-minded leaders of every age, started as a way to showcase vacant office spaces in Sioux City.

Now, the annual event promotes the qualities of up-and-coming entrepreneurs while also cultivating positive action in the community.

Formed in 2002, SCGO seeks to attract and retain young professionals.

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Siouxland Business Journal, February 2015

Take steps to improve your heart health February is heart month and is a good time to think about what you are doing to improve your heart health. Have you had your cholesterol checked lately? Are you getting physical exercise? Are you eating healthy?

While some dieticians extol the virtues of red wine, dark chocolate, and salmon for heart health, Dr. Katie Eliot, assistant professor of nutrition and dietetics of Saint Louis University, has a different plan.

Keep it simple. Look to heart-shaped foods to protect your heart.

“Being red and heart shaped can be a tip off that some foods are good for your heart,” Dr. Eliot said. “Many heart-shaped fruits and vegetables are great sources of antioxidants. These compounds act like shields, taking the hit from free radicals that otherwise damage the body and cause heart disease and cancer.”

For instance, strawberries and raspberries are loaded with vitamin C and an antioxidant that prevents plaque from forming in arteries. Cherries contain an antioxidant that is thought to protect the blood vessels and is high in potassium, which lowers blood pressure.

Tomatoes and red peppers are rich in the antioxidant lycopene , which is in many red fruits and vegetables and works magic by neutralizing free radicals. And acorn squash and apples contain loads of fiber, which reduces bad cholesterol that can clog up your arteries to cause heart attacks and stroke.

plants. They help reduce low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is a main source of heart disease.

Cocoa flavanols: Can help maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, which contributes to normal blood flow.

Quite simply: chocolate.

Omega-3 fatty acids: Primarily found in fish. Have been shown to decrease triglyceride levels, potentially lowering blood pressure.

KIRA OREGON Hydroxytyrosol: An antioxidant found in olive oil, protects blood lipids (fats) from oxidative damage.

Blueberries: May reduce high blood pressure.

Oat beta-glucan: Daily consumption of at least 3 grams (your morning cereal) effectively lowers cholesterol.

Grape seed extract: Shown to support blood pressure within a normal range. This is ground up seeds from red wine grapes.

Vitamin K: Helps to keep excess calcium out of blood vessels walls and improve cardiovascular health. Found in green leafy vegetables.

Dairy: Daily consumption of low-fat milk products decreases the risk of high blood pressure.

Almonds: Improves serum fatty acid profiles and decreases the overall risk of heart disease (a handful a day).

Walnuts: Like almonds, walnuts are good for reducing the risk of heart disease due to their alpha linolenic acid (ALA), content.

Source: Food Technology magazine published by the Institute of Food Technologists 11 WAYS TO IMPROVE HEART HEALTH Source: health-ePoor diet increases the risk of high blood headlines January pressure, high cholesterol, and poor circu2015 lation—3 major factors that affect Ta ke go o d care of your overall heart health.

Know which nutriheart and enjoy ents and foods in life to the fullest. Even small your diet may healthy changes decrease risk in your lifestyle for heart discan add up to better ease—the number one cause of health.

Deb Twyford is a death in the U.S. Registered Nurse for Worksite Phytosterols: ComWellness at Mercy Business Health pounds similar to Services. Contact her at twyfordd@ cholesterol that are mercyhealth.com or 712-274-4334. found in all edible

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Siouxland Business Journal, February 2015

We Care for the Employees You Care for

UnityPoint Clinic Occupational Medicine Drug and Alcohol Testing Now Offered at Riverside and Sunnybrook An Industry Leader In: •

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Functional circuit training offers heart healthy benefits Why is your well-being, and the health of your heart important to you? On a scale of 0 to 10 (with 0 being not able to perform and 10 being able to perform very easily and without problem) how well and efficient are you able to perform your daily tasks at work, and at home? How is your current energy level and well-being at work, home and play?

How are your relationships with your spouse, children, family, coworkers and friends?

This article details “an action step” to help you and your family, or coworkers move one step closer to reaching your answers to the questions above to be the best you that you can be for LIFE!!

To support American Heart Month in February, this article will highlight one of the best benefits for your Whole Heart: Functional Circuit Training. Your heart is a muscle so the combination of cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, balance, and flexibility activities with an always changing intensity allows for a fun, efficient, never boring, challenging, and highly effective method for improving your overall wellbeing, while reducing your risks for heart disease (heart attack, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and stroke). The great news is that up to 82% of heart disease is preventable by you deciding to take small action steps daily to improve your well-being daily!

Functional Circuit Training combines cardiovascular conditioning (heart and lung endurance), functional strength training, balance activities, and flexibility and stretching exercises in an intense and encouraging atmosphere. This training incorporates a full spectrum for your whole body that is designed to elicit the optimum adaptive response appropriate for the work, activity, or the sport being trained for. Functional circuits use movement patterns that have multiple planes of motion, such as; • Sagittal plane—front to back movement patterns • Frontal plane—side to side • Transverse plane— rotational movement patterns that use multiple joints and simulate whole body functional activities and patterns that we perform daily at work, home and play All of these movement patterns go through the core which is the crossroads of function for your entire body, including hips, lower back and abdominal muscles. A strong,

stable core, with controlled flexibility is essential for a fully functioning core for quality, and injury-free movement. By changing intensity, tools and equipment used, varied planes and ranges of motion and time to safe and continually changing your body’s environment to help you reach your well-being goals, prevent heart disease, while staying injury free.

Benefits of Functional Circuit Training for ERIK NIEUWENHUIS Your Whole Heart are; 1) Improve your energy level without the caffeine or added calories.

2) Best method to lose weight and maintain weight loss.

3) Lose inches of fat at your waist, hips, thighs, chest, arms, face and whole body.

The waist is the most important area to lose inches of fat to prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, diabetes, and cancers.

4) Improve your Self-Esteem, your daily attitude and your relationships with your family and co-workers.

5) Reduce fracture risks as you age and prevent osteoporosis by building stronger bones.

6) Reduce MSD injury risks at work, home, or play.

7) Improve your quality of sleep. It is important to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep a day so your muscles can repair and build.

8) For every pound of muscle you gain, your body’s internal engine or metabolism increases to burn extra calories per day. Eating a good source of lean protein at breakfast and at each meal is important to help you build muscle, as protein is a building block for your muscles.

9) Improve and lower your blood pressure, cholesterol levels (LDL, triglycerides) and raise your HDL good cholesterol. This may help you return to normal levels and thereby reduce your risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancers.

10) Significantly improve your well-being and vitality to your whole body.

Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life!

Erik Nieuwenhuis is the WorkSmart Ergonomics Injury Prevention Specialist and Wellness Consultant for UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s. Contact him at: 712279-1842, office, 712-574-5604, mobile, or erik.nieuwenhuis@unitypoint.org

Business Know How

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Siouxland Business Journal, February 2015

At the Palmer Candy Company we’ve been “Making Life Sweeter Since 1878.” Believe it or not, the Siouxland Chamber has been around even longer than we have! For over 140 years, the Chamber has been working to help businesses grow and thrive.

Provided

Omega Industries’ plant, shown above at the Roth Industrial Park in a file photo, was among the industries in South Sioux City that expanded in 2014. The city has earned recertification from the Nebraska Economic Development Certified Community Program.

State development program certifies South Sioux City DAVE DREESZEN

Business Journal editor

SOUTH SIOUX CITY | For the third time, a state economic development program has certified South Sioux City, positioning the northeast Nebraska city for additional commercial and industrial growth.

The city of 13,424 was originally certified by the Nebraska Economic Development Certified Community Program in May 2006, and recertified in May 2009 and again in December. The designation show the city is prepared for business growth and ready to meet the needs of companies seeking new business and industrial locations.

“South Sioux City is definitely a community on the move as it relates to a stellar record of economic and community development projects,” said Annette Wiles, president of Nebraska Diplomats, which sponsors the program.

Dacia Kruse, acting Nebraska Economic Development Director, which administers the certification program, recognized city leaders at the Dec. 12 council meeting.

“South Sioux City is a progressive community and we will do everything in our power to help with Koch

“South Sioux City is a progressive community and we will do everything in our power to help with our existing businesses, as well as help any future businesses that want to call our community home.”

ROD KOCH, SOUTH SIOUX CITY MAYOR our existing businesses, as well as help any future businesses that want to call our community home,” South Sioux City Mayor Rod Koch said. “Being recognized as a Certified Community will augment our position to attract major industries.”

Throughout the past five years, city economic development initiatives have helped bring 12 new companies to South Sioux City and Dakota County, resulting in 140 new jobs. The most recent this past year include Cardinal Farms Aquaculture, Flatwater Metals, Big Ox Energy and Caliber Inc. In addition, 12 existing businesses expanded, creating 390 additional jobs over the last five years. The expanding businesses and industries include Tyson Foods, Beef Products Inc., CHS Inc., Richardson Milling, K&B Trucking, and Omega Industries.

All Siouxland businesses should join the Chamber to help ensure their own growth and longevity.

I’m Marty Palmer, President of the Palmer Candy Company, and the Siouxland Chamber is making a positive difference in our community each and every day.

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Siouxland Business Journal, February 2015

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Aviation Charter Expert Solutions Chief Executive Officer Travis Stein, left, and Chief Operating Officer Jim Sponder are shown Jan. 20 in ACES hanger at Sioux Gateway Airport. The company, which maintains and repairs aircraft, is now preparing to expand into charter services.

Flying ACES

BY DAVE DREESZEN

Business Journal editor

SIOUX CITY | Jim Sponder remembers the days, back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, when travelers at Sioux Gateway Airport had a half dozen airlines and destinations to choose from.

The Sioux City airport today has a single carrier, American Airlines, which flies twice daily to Chicago.

“Sioux City is definitely underserved by airline service,” Sponder said.

Sponder and his business partner, Travis Stein, are starting up a charter service with the goal of giving tri-state residents

greater options for flying to cities within 1,000 miles of Sioux City for business or pleasure.

“I think we could support service going to some of these local destinations that are currently not being served, whether that’s Minneapolis or Denver or Dallas,” said Stein, CEO of Aviation Charter Expert Solutions, or ACES, for short.

A sister business also known as ACES, Aviation Consult Expert Solutions, maintains and repairs the type of aircraft that Stein and Sponder are now preparing to deploy in their fledgling charter service.

Three years ago, the maintenance

Dawn J. Sagert, Sioux City Journal

Aircraft repair business at Sioux Gateway Airport prepares to launch charter service

business got up and running after leasing a hangar on the grounds of the city-owned airport. Certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, ACES performs a variety of services from routine checks to major overhauls for aircraft owned by airlines, businesses and private individuals.

A charter service is a natural extension of that business, Stein said.

The charter business recruited local investors to raise $2 million to help buy its first aircraft, a Saab 340 that seats up to 19 passengers.

Pilots and other staff have been going through in-house training. The company

is waiting for FAA approval to start up the service, a process that is expected to take several more months.

The charters initially will focus on corporate travel. If all goes well, it could be expanded to chartered flights for all travelers, as well as the cargo business, Stein said.

Chartering a plane would cost about $3,500 an hour, he said. The service could be more cost effective for flying a larger group to a destination, versus using a commercial flight with all the hassles involved, he said.

ACES, PAGE 17

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Siouxland Business Journal, February 2015

13

SIOUXLAND ROADS

HALFWAY THERE

Interstate 29 construction passes halfway point NICK HYTREK

Business Journal editor

SIOUX CITY | The $400 million project to widen Interstate 29 to three lanes from north of Sergeant Bluff to the South Dakota border passed the halfway point in 2014.

That leaves five more years of motorists navigating orange construction cones and barrels.

In mid-December, contractors finished the reconstruction of Gordon Drive, returning the busy downtown thoroughfare to two-way traffic.

Businesses and their customers stuck it out all summer while Gordon Drive was limited to westbound traffic only and eastbound traffic was detoured onto Third Street. As workers rebuilt Gordon Drive and replaced several utility lines, businesses dealt with temporary driveways cutting through construction zones.

“People still made it to us. We’re kind of a destination for them,” said Naomi Anderson, showroom manager at Central Kitchen & Bath, 844 Gordon Drive. “Many people who did stop in were unhappy with the construction and we always got an earful.”

Anderson said walk-in business was probably down, but the company still had a good year.

The 2014 construction season hit a snag when the IDOT had to modify one of its projects. Initially, plans called for the expansion of southbound I-29 from the Floyd Boulevard on-ramp to the Floyd Monument and the replacement of bridges over Bacon Creek and the Floyd River.

But contractors voiced concerns about a lack of room for equipment along the Missouri River, making it hard to replace both bridges at once. After only one bid was received, the IDOT scaled back plans to replace just the Bacon Creek bridge. The Floyd River bridge, along with widening of those southbound lanes, will be done in 2015.

Those changes have added an extra year to the whole I-29 project, now set for completion in 2019.

“Because of issues with the bridge, we had to re-evaluate our staging,” Iowa

Tim Hynds, Sioux City Journal

Construction is shown on Gordon Drive in downtown Sioux City on Dec. 1. The street reopened to two-way traffic by year’s end as the Interstate 29 widening project passed the halfway point.

Department of Transportation District 3 traffic planner Dakin Schultz said. “With the completion of that Bacon Creek bridge, our staging still makes sense and we feel we’ve still got a good schedule for completion, even with that additional year.”

Construction of the bridge began a couple months behind schedule, but it was finished and the normal traffic flow was restored on Nov. 21.

Also finished was a two-mile stretch of northbound I-29 from south of Singing Hills Boulevard to south of Sergeant Bluff.

That work included replacement of two bridges and new pavement. It was finished and reopened in late November.

Contractors also completed the reconstruction of a quarter-mile of Singing Hills Boulevard running beneath an I-29 overpass.

Construction on downtown portions of I-29 will take place the next five years, an inconvenience businesses are prepared for. Central Kitchen & Bath moved to Gordon Drive two years ago. Owners knew the construction was looming, but the move

I-29 construction in 2015 ■ Finish Gordon Drive medians.

■ Southbound I-29 – Two miles from south of Singing Hills to south of Sergeant Bluff, replace two bridges and pavement.

■ Southbound I-29 – Expand to four lanes from Floyd Boulevard on-ramp to Floyd Monument. Replace Floyd River bridge. Floyd Boulevard on-ramp will be closed and reconstructed.

■ Relocation and realignment of Floyd Boulevard from Dace Avenue to the south side of I-29.

■ Begin construction of southbound collector road on south side of I-29 through downtown Sioux City.

■ Ramp work on northbound I-29 between Wesley Way and Hamilton Boulevard.

to a higher-traffic area has given them increased exposure.

“We’ve said it from the beginning,” Anderson said, “we’re keeping our eye on the future.”

Jim Lee, Sioux City Journal file

Sales manager Naomi Anderson is shown at Central Kitchen & Bath Supply in Sioux City in a file photo. The location is one of numerous downtown businesses that were impacted by construction on Gordon Drive in 2014.

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Siouxland Business Journal, February 2015

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E15 ethanol blend arrives in Sioux City Ethanol-blended gas arrives in Sioux City

BY DAVE DREESZEN

Business Journal editor

SIOUX CITY | Metro Sioux City motorists now have another choice of ethanolblended gasoline.

The Murphy USA station next to the Walmart Supercenter at 3400 Singing Hills Blvd. recently became the first metro area retailer to sell E15, a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent regular gas.

Advocates for corn-based ethanol have pushed to broaden the availability of E15, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved for use in all cars, trucks, vans and SUVs built since 2001.

That accounts for more than 85 percent of U.S. vehicles currently on the road.

In Iowa, 31 stations now offer E15, said Lucy Norton, managing director for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. Most have been in rural communities, such as stations owned by farmers cooperatives.

Murphy expanded E15’s reach to more urban areas this summer and fall with the conversion of pumps in Sioux City and six other cities – Clinton, Davenport, Fort Dodge, Indianola, Mason City and Newton.

Dave Dreeszen photos, Sioux City Journal The only other Murphy station cur- Motorists fill up at the Murphy USA station next to the Walmart Supercenter at 3400 Singing Hills Blvd. in December. The station is the first rently selling E15 is in El Dorado, Ark., the metro retailer to offer E15, a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent regular gasoline. headquarters for the chain of 1,257 stations in 23 Midwest and southern states, most adjacent to Walmart stores.

By the Numbers Consumer demand drove the company’s E15 rollout in Iowa, Murphy spokeswoman Jennifer Forbess said.

Percentage of ethanol in E15 “We felt that E15 would be accepted and appreciated in Iowa,” Forbess said.

Iowa, the nation’s largest corn producPercentage of regular gasoline in E15 ing state, is home to 43 ethanol plants, with the largest cluster in the northwest corner of counties.

No. of Iowa retailers selling E15 Forbess said initial E15 sales volume at the Singing Hills Boulevard station have been low, but the company expects the No. of Northwest Iowa retailers offering the volume to grow as motorists become more blend familiar with the ethanol blend.

“Our current challenge is to educate the consumers about what E15 is and what veOldest model year of vehicle the EPA has aphicles can use it” she said. proved for E15 use The blue-and white E15 pump caught Crystal Lammers’ attention when she stopped to buy fuel at the Singing Hills Percentage of U.S. vehicles on the road built Murphy store earlier this month. So did A pump at the Murphy USA station next to the Walmart Supercenter on Singing Hills

15

85 31 7

2001 85

Boulevard shows the choices of ethanol-blended gasoline. The retailer recently became the

ETHAONOL, PAGE 23 first in Sioux City to offer E15, a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent regular gas.

since 2001

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Siouxland Business Journal, February 2015

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CMBA announces leadership change DAVE DREESZEN

Business Journal editor

SIOUX CITY | The Cannon Moss Brygger Architects Board of Directors has appointed Brian Crichton as chief executive officer.

Crichton, a principal and board secretary with the Sioux City-based firm, will succeed Todd Moss, who held the title of president and CEO. M o s s said the t ra n s i t i o n has been planned for Moss some time.

“Like my predecessors, I plan to step back and support the new leadership team. Our transition planning has been key to our success since 1912,” he said.

Moss, who joined CMBA as an architect in 1983, said he will remain with the

firm, working nearly full-time, while also dedicating a little more time to his fam- Crichton ily’s travel business.

Moss described Crichton as a “proven leader with profound architectural skills, business vision and has the ability to bring people together” “His vision for the future and his knowledge of technology is exactly what CMBA needs as the firm enters its next chapter of expanded innovation and growth,” Moss said.

Since joining the company in 2001, Crichton has spearheaded major strategy and technological shifts that have advanced the firm’s service offerings.

“CMBA is a strong firm, a community partner, with an amazing team culture.

I couldn’t be more honored to have been chosen to lead the firm.”

BRIAN CRICHTON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER He also has led many of the firms’ most significant projects.

“CMBA is a strong firm, a community partner, with an amazing team culture. I couldn’t be more honored to have been chosen to lead the firm,” Crichton said.

In addition to Sioux City, CMBA has locations in Spencer, Iowa; and Grand Island, Neb. The firm employs about 50, including around 30 at its United Center offices in downtown Sioux City.

Though it cites 1912 as its official beginning, CMBA has historic ties to earlier

architects who practiced in Sioux City, including the famed William Steele, a disciple of Louis Sullivan.

Today, the firm is known for its work on corporate offices and schools and health care facilities throughout the tri-state region.

CMBA was recognized in 2014 by ZweigWhite as one of the Best Firms to Work For in North America. In 2013, the Sioux City Growth Organization, or SCGO, honored the Sioux City office with the Ripple award for making a difference in Siouxland.

Dream Big Grow Here contest set BUSINESS JOURNAL STAFF SIOUX CITY | Economic development organizations in northwest Iowa are teaming up to bring the statewide Dream Big Grow Here business grant contest to the region for the first time.

The contest allows entrepreneurs the chance to submit their dreams to start or expand a business, then encourage friends, family, and customers to vote for them online. The finalists will present their idea to an audience and judges in a pitch-off event for a chance to win thousands in cash prizes.

Through Jan. 31, entrepreneurs in Cherokee, Lyon, Monona, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux and Woodbury counties can submit their business or startup ideas to www.

DreamBigGrowHere.com.

Voting on the submitted ideas will take place Feb. 16 to March 1. During the voting period, the entrepreneur will recruit others to vote for their entry at www.DreamBigGrowHere.com.

Five entries will be selected from each industry category and will advance to the statewide contest at the statewide entrepreneurial conference, EntreFest, in Iowa City on May 21.

Each entrepreneur that advances in their industry category will participate in a pitch-off event against the other industry finalists for a chance to win $5,000. The winners of each industry category will then advance to the finals the evening of May 21 for a chance to win the grand prize of $10,000.

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Siouxland Business Journal, February 2015

17

ACES: Service prepares to launch FROM PAGE 12 For instance, many tristate travelers drive 1 1/2 to 2 hours to larger airports in Omaha or Sioux Falls, wait an hour or more to board the flight.

“By the time you do all that, you could hop on a flight in Sioux City and be there in an hour and a half,” Stein said.

With the charter service, businesses or groups also would have the option of investing in an aircraft, which would essentially give them access to their own plane.

There are various advantages to going that route, he said. Aircraft owners, for example, face a number of fixed costs, such as insurance, maintenance and accelerated depreciation, no matter how often they use a plane.

Both Stein and Sponder, ACES chief executive officer, have extensive experience in the aviation industry.

Sponder, a graduate of Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School, previously managed two airline maintenance facilities housed in the same hangar as ACES. The second, operated by commuter carrier Mesaba Airlines, closed in 2008.

A mechanic with more than two decades of experience, Sponder is trained to work on not only smaller

Aviation Charter Expert Solutions, or ACES, hangar at Sioux Gateway Airport is shown Jan. 20.

aircraft, but also larger body jets, including 737s, 757s and 767s.

Stein, a pilot for more than 20 years, is a former Mesaba captain, flying connecting routes for the former Northwest Airlines into such small airports as Thief River Falls, Minn. and Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Later on, he moved into the maintenance and management side of the industry. Along the way, he performed nearly every job, from checking in passengers to working as a flight attendant. In 2003, he received his mechanics license.

Earlier this decade, while working in the Bahamas, Sponder and Stein, who had known each other for several years, started talking about forming their own maintenance and repair business.

They began by traveling to hangers around the

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country to work on aircraft.

They eventually tired of being constantly on the road.

“We wanted to go to one location and have our clients come to us,” Stein said in a 2011 interview.

After considering sites in other states, they settled on the 24,000-square-foot hangar at Sioux Gateway.

Sponder’s strong family ties in Siouxland contributed to the decision.

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Dawn J. Sagert photos, Sioux City Journal

Aviation Charter Expert Solutions CEO Travis Stein, front, talks about the company’s Saab 340, while COO Jimmy Sponder looks on Jan. 20. The turboprop jet is the first aircraft for the charter service ACES is preparing to launch. The company also maintains and repairs aircraft in its hangar at Sioux Gateway Airport.

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Thoreen to retire as UnityPoint St. Luke’s CEO DAVE DREESZEN

In this file photo, UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s President and CEO Peter Thoreen is shown in the Sioux City hospital’s emergency room.

Thoreen recently announced he will step down as president and CEO at the end of 2015.

Business Journal editor

SIOUX CITY | UnityPoint Health and UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s recently announced that Peter Thoreen will step down as CEO at the end of 2015.

Thoreen has been working in a dual capacity as CEO of St. Luke’s and interim CEO of Meriter – UnityPoint Health in Madison, Wis. With the appointment of a new CEO at Meriter, Thoreen will be returning to Sioux City until his retirement.

A search committee for St. Luke’s next president and CEO has been organized, with the selection process expected to take about four to six months.

Since taking the helm of St. Luke’s 12 years ago, Thoreen has led the Sioux City health system through a number of major projects and initiatives. St. Luke’s opened its Same Day Surgery and Physician Center buildings on the hospital’s campus and completed multi-million dollar projects in St. Luke’s Birth Center and surgical services areas.

In 2013, St. Luke’s also opened Sunnybrook Medical Plaza, a $26.7 million outpatient facility that offers coordinated specialty services in one of the city’s

Jim Lee, Sioux City Journal

fastest-growing neighborhoods.

With his vision for improved coordinated care, Thoreen also embraced Siouxland PACE, a program of all-inclusive care for the elderly. Because of his original commitment to the program, developed by Hospice of Siouxland, and his continued support once the program was acquired by

St. Luke’s, hundreds of at-risk, vulnerable citizens receive coordinated care and an enhanced quality of life with reduced cost to their government-sponsored insurance programs.

“Peter is an exceptional leader who has won the respect of the Siouxland community, the employees of St. Luke’s and

UnityPoint Health. His honesty, genuineness, humility and never-ending passion for improving the lives of the people and the communities we serve is inspiring,” Bill Leaver, president and CEO of UnityPoint Health, said in a statement.

Skip Perley, board chair of UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s, said Thoreen “pushed the organization, our hospital and Sioux City leaders for innovative ways that we can make Siouxland a better place to live for the people who call our community home.”

Because of his forethought, life in Siouxland has been greatly enhanced,” Perley said.

Thoreen first joined St. Luke’s in 2002 as chief operating officer before assuming the duties of CEO in 2003. Overall, he has more than 30 years of experience leading hospitals and health care organizations throughout the Midwest.

In addition to leading St. Luke’s growth and expansion, Thoreen has been a proponent committed to collaborative efforts to enhance health care services in Siouxland, serving as a long-term board member and supporter for the June E. Nylen Cancer Center, Hospice of Siouxland and the Family Practice Medical Center.

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RibbonCuttings

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Photos courtesy of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce

Officials with the Game Repair Shop cut the ceremonial ribbon on Jan. 9 for the new Sioux City store, which buys, sells and trades video games, as well as offer inexpensive video game console repairs. The business has a store located in Omaha.

Melissa Gomez cuts the ceremonial ribbon on Jan. 13 for her business, Melissa Gomez Insurance, LLC, located in Suite 318 of the Ho-Chunk Centre in downtown Sioux City. Gomez is licensed in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.

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Siouxland Business Journal, February 2015

RibbonCuttings

Photos courtesy of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce

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BusinessAfterHours

Manager Tiffani Smith, with Siouxland Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, cut the ribbon on Nov. 25 for the Yards Shooting Range. It’s the only public indoor shooting range in Sioux City.

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City hosted the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours on Dec. 18. Guests enjoyed drinks and appetizers before a private show from blues artist Sena Ehrhardt at the Anthem entertainment venue.

The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce’s January Business After Hours was hosted by Wells Enterprises at the company’s Sioux City location. The office at the Southern Square Shopping Center is used as an employment recruiting center for Wells’ Le Mars, Iowa, operations.

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OnTheMove D2 names global project manager NORTH SIOUX CITY | Documents & De s i g n , or D2, has announced the addition of Marlene Jacobson to its global commun i c a t i o n s Jacobson team.

As project manager, Jacobson will support communications projects for customers in the U.S., Mexico and China.

Jacobson has nearly 20 years of experience in communications. She has held instructional and administrative positions in both corporate and academic fields. Most recently, she was an educational technologist with Morningside College. Before that, she was at The University of South Dakota, where she held the titles of professor, acting dean and instructional design specialist.

Jacobson is a published author and editor with B.A., M.A. and Ed.D. degrees in English, speech-communication, and adult and higher education from the University of Minnesota, South Dakota State University and The University of South Dakota, respectively.

Mercy names health manager SIOUX CITY | Mercy Medical Center – Sioux City announces the appointment o f Wa d e Kuehl as the new manager of Behavioral Health Social Services.

Wade has Kuehl been employed at Siouxland Mental Health Center for the

past 14 years, the last six of which he has served as their clinical director. In his new role, he will oversee the outpatient Pathways program, as well as programming on the inpatient behavioral unit. He will conduct all inpatient psychiatric consults for unassigned patients and Siouxland Mental Health patients.

Kuehl received his bachelor of science in psychology and criminal justice from the University of South Dakota in 1993 and his master of social work at the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 2000.

Law firm names two associates SIOUX CITY | The Berenstein, Moore, Heffernan, Moeller & Johnson, L.L.P. law firm has hired Nikki K. Blazey and Dean A. Fankhauser as associates.

Blazey g ra d u a te d Blazey in 2014 from The University of Nebraska College of Law. She grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota and Fankhauser received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities.

While attending law school, she worked as a law clerk at the Lancaster County Attorney’s office.

She also participated in the law college’s client counseling competition and was a finalist in the Allen Moot Court Competition.

Blazey is a member of the Iowa Bar Association, Woodbury County Bar Association and Sioux City Growth Organization. Her

general practice includes, but is not limited to, family law, litigation, estate planning and employment law.

Fankhauser, who was raised in Chadron, Neb., graduated from Chadron State College in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in justice studies and an emphasis in legal studies. He earned his juris doctorate from The University of South Dakota last May. His professional memberships include The Iowa State Bar Association, Woodbury County Bar Association, and the Sioux City Growth Organization.

He participates in a number of community organizations.

USD names faculty coordinators VERMILLION, S.D. | The University of South Dakota Beacom School of Business announced new faculty coordinators for the Master of Professional Accountancy and Master of Business Administration programs.

Kathryn Birkeland will take over as faculty coordinator for the school’s M PA p ro gram, while Mandie Weinandt will oversee t h e M BA program as Birkeland faculty coordinator.

B o t h Birkeland and Weinandt started at USD in the fall of Weinandt 2011. Their new roles involve responsibilities with the on-campus and online programs, focusing on the operation and growth of the programs, curricular innovation and student success. The coordinators will work with faculty, business leaders

and alumni to ensure the success of the programs in the rapidly changing environment of business.

Venky Venkatachalam, dean of the Beacom School of Business, announced the new positions earlier this month after a long decision-making process.

KTIV names news director SIOUX CITY | KTIV News 4 has named Deana Day as news director for the NBC affiliate in Sioux City.

With Day taking over as news director, Bridget Breen will now focus on her role as KTIV station m a n a g e r.

Breen, who Day has been with KTIV since 1994, was named news director in 2000 and station manager in Breen 2012.

Day previously was at W TO K-T V i n Me r i d ian, Miss., where she coanchored the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts. In her career, Day has worked in nearly every position in newsrooms in Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas.

Prior to returning to WTOK, Day worked for several years in public relations, marketing and development.

A native of Beebee, Ark., Day earned her degree in Journalism/Communications from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark. She is the mother of 24-year-old Maggie, 22-year-old Will, and 17-year-old Savannah Day. Deana Day is engaged to Greg Sumrall of Baton Rouge, La., who will relocate to Sioux City for a

position in connection with the expansion of CF Industries at Port Neal.

KTIV is owned by Quincy Newspapers, Inc. of Quincy, Ill.

Northwest AEA announces new staff S I O U X CITY | Eight people were recently added to the No r t hwe s t Area Education Agency Ahrenholtz staff.

T h o s e hired included: • Mic h e l l e Ahrenholtz, ECSE T e a c h e r / Davis Consultant • C ra i g D a v i s , media van driver • Sa ra Fra n c o i s , speech lanFrancois guage pathologist • Stephanie Hamm a n , speech language pathologist • Dav i d Hamman Krommenhoek, media van driver • Bradey Malloy, network systems administrator • D e b Krommenhoek Shultz, team secretary • Malory Va n d e n berg, graphic design technician T h e Shultz No r t hwe s t AEA is one of nine regional

agencies across the state, which provides special education and school improvement Malloy services in a 10-county a re a t h a t includes 35 community school districts and 35 private s c h o o l s Vandenberg with more than 43,000 students.

USD med school names assistant dean VERMILLION, S.D. – The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine has announced the appointment of John Wempe as the new Assistant Dean of Medical Student Affairs.

Wempe, a native of Parkston, S.D., comes to the medical school from Colorado Springs, Colo., where he served as CEO of the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board at the United States Air Force Academy.

Col. Wempe served in numerous administrative and leadership positions during more than 30 years in the military.

He received his undergraduate degree from South Dakota State University; a doctor of veterinary medicine from Kansas State University; a master of preventive veterinary medicine and master of Science degrees from the University of California – Davis; a Ph.D. in pathobiology from the University of Illinois; a doctor of medicine from the University of South Dakota School of Medicine; and a master of public health degree from Johns Hopkins University.

www.siouxlandbusinessjournal.com

Siouxland Business Journal, February 2015

23

Ethanol: Rock Rapids station first in Iowa to offer E15 FROM PAGE 15 the lower price, compared to the standard 10 percent ethanol blend, or E10, commonly known as Super Unleaded.

The Granville, Iowa, woman, though, opted to fill up with E10 as usual.

“I said, I better stick with what I know,” Lammers said.

The Murphy station now offers three different ethanol blends – E10, E15 and E85. E85 is as much as 85 percent ethanol.

Unlike E15, the EPA has approved E85 only for vehicles with flexible-fuel engines.

A growing number of retailers in Siouxland offer E85, but just six – in the Northwest Iowa towns of Mapleton, Manning, Rock Rapids, Sioux City, Spencer and Storm Lake – also sell E15.

Norton said she expects the list to continue to expand.

“People are gravitating toward that fuel because of the economic value, and also because it’s a cleaner fuel and it helps the economy,” she said.

At the Murphy USA station, E15 has been priced 10 cents less than Super Unleaded E10.

The 89 octane, E15 also is a higher performance fuel, compared to the 87-octane

in most of the 10-percent ethanol blended gas, said Greg Popke, who operates a service station in Rock Rapids.

“It costs less money and you get better mileage. That’s the best thing about it,” Popke said.

Popke, the first Iowa retailer to start selling E15, said the blend now accounts for about 25 percent of his gas sales.

E15 would be an even better seller if not for an EPA rule that requires different labeling of the fuel in the summer months, he said.

From June 1 to Sept. 15, in most regions of the U.S., the EPA regulates the vapor pressure of gasoline sold at gas stations in an effort to reduce evaporative emissions from gas during the summer ozone season.

A waiver from the federal agency allows E10 to be sold in Iowa as a registered fuel in the summer. But the waiver does not extend to E15.

That requires Popkes and other station owners to switch the stickers on the E15 pumps in the summer, warning motorists to use the blend only in flex-fuel vehicles.

Popkes said the switch back and forth confuses many motorists.

“It’s a detriment to retailers,” Norton

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added of the rule. “It’s a major barrier to getting E15 into the market place.”

The only way to change the situation, she said, would be for a refiner to start shipping the low-vapor gas into the state.

In recent years, state leaders have done yeoman’s work to promote the sale and use of E15. In 2011, Iowa became the first state to incentivize the fuel, approving a 3-cents-per-gallon tax credit for every gallon sold. In addition, the state offers grants to offset the cost of installing new pumps or other equipment.

Despite the incentives, it’s unclear if more E15 pumps will be showing up in Sioux City any time soon.

Forbess said Murphy USA has no plans to add E15 at its other Sioux City station, next to the Walmart Supercenter at 3101 Floyd Blvd.

The Singing Hills location was an easier transition, she said, because it has four underground tanks, one each for E85, 87-octane, 93-octane, and biodiesel. A blending dispenser allows the station to mix E10 with E85 to make E15, she said.

The Floyd store, in comparison, does not have an E85 tank and it would be costly to now install one, she said.

Journal photo by Dave Dreeszen

Popke Car Care owner Greg Popke, shown in an Aug. 7, 2011 photo, was the first Iowa retailer to offer E15 at the pump. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved E15 for use in all vehicles manufactured in 2001 or later.

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24

Siouxland Business Journal, February 2015

www.siouxlandbusinessjournal.com

13

nEW

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CongRaTS 5101 Sergeant Road

MBA, CCIM

Congratulations to old Chicago Pizza and Taproom on its first Siouxland location. This transaction was brokered

by Chris Bogenrief.

President

Vice President

CCIM

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1800 Pierce Street

820 Hamilton Blvd

Property is for lease furnished as a restaurant or will build to suit and lease. or will build to suit on 150’ x 300’ ± 45,000 sf (18th-19th St, Pierce St to alley) & lease back.

Best retail site on Hamilton w/over 23,000 VPD. 150’ front Hamilton & 316’ fronting Wesley Pkwy. Land lease inc demolition of buildings.

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Colonel Krage

712-251-1451

nathan Connelly

2540 Glenn Avenue

711 Cook Street

2,244 sf office/retail for lease in Hillcrest Center. great location, signage & parking. attractive lease rate & available now.

Entire block for sale with income from new 5-yr. lease of repair shop on corner. 11,179 sf mfg/whse bldg is vacant & avail for lease.

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712-203-1620

Tune into KSCJ 1360 Talk Radio Saturday mornings from 8:10 to 8:30 a.m. to hear interviews with the “movers & shakers” of Siouxland or go to www.kscj.com for streaming live broadcast.

712-716 Market Street 21,726 sf central city warehouse w/ docks & 700 sf a/C office (can be sub-divided). 12’-16’ ceiling height. great access to I-29 & all parts of city.

3104 Northbrook Drive

17,697 sf immaculate high-bay warehouse w/docks & drive-in door. nicely finished showroom, private office & restroom.

3-Phase power. Some excess land for expansion.

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3900 Dakota Avenue, Suite 11

609 14th Street

2401 & 2501 Expedition

2101 Hamilton Boulevard

great storefront office in Windsor Plaza at Dakota ave. & I-129. 1,000 sf 1st floor office plus 2,000 sf lower level office w/lg conf/meet room.

Parking at door.

500sf office/retail in near downtown office strip center. good signage & off-street parking at door. newly upgraded. only $400/ month.

444,706 sf of flex space sitting on nearly 23 acres of land, located in Sioux City’s Bridgeport area.

Currently Master Leased through January 31, 2018

4,000 sf retail storefront. over 20,000 cars per day, good signage, high visibility & off-street “at the door” parking all at a great lease rate.

302 Jones, suIte 100, sIoux CIty

712-224-2727