Tag Archives: KWWL

TEAMING UP FOR 2018 ECONOMIC INCLUSION CONFERENCE

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa, the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber and several area agencies will present “Engage, Empower, Act: A Cedar Valley Conference on Economic Inclusion” from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, October 12, 2018, at the Diamond Event Center in Cedar Falls.

“Engage, Empower, Act” will foster a day of crucial conversations on creating an inclusive community in the Cedar Valley. The conference will focus on best inclusion practices in business, community, and K-12 and higher education. Featured are a keynote speaker and several breakout sessions. For the past several years, the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber has hosted an annual Economic Inclusion Summit. Last year, UNI hosted its first Engage, Empower, Act Diversity Conference. However, this year, the two organizations are partnering to host one conference focused on economic inclusion both in education and industry.

“Economic Inclusion includes everyone. That’s why we are leading a collaborative to host a Cedar Valley Conference on Economic Inclusion that welcomes attendees from education, business and the community. Everyone is welcome,” explains Jean Trainor, chair of the Alliance & Chamber’s Economic Inclusion Council.

“Last year, we saw people coming in with a thirst for more information about putting diversity and inclusion’s best practices into play within their organizations. It was so gratifying for all of us to be able to share knowledge and work on real-time workplace situations,” said Gwenne Berry of UNI’s 2017 conference. Berry is assistant to the president and chief diversity officer at UNI. “We are truly looking forward to bringing together our efforts with GCVA and serving our community in this crucially important area.”

The conference keynote is Dr. Nika White, author of “The Intentional Inclusionist,” a book inspired by philosophies of leadership and inclusion, containing principles to help individuals become more intentional in how diversity and inclusion is understood and practiced at the individual level.

Dr. White serves as the senior advisor to the Greenville, South Carolina, Chamber’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives and is responsible for creating and collaboratively implementing an overarching diversity strategy for the Greenville Chamber as an extension of the executive team. Since taking on the position, Dr. White has helped the Greenville Chamber gain the recognition of the Organization of the Year from the Minority of Economic Development Institute, 2014 Excellence in Diversity Award Recipient presented by Greenville Society of Human Resources Management (GSHRM) and a national platform as a leader in the space of diversity inclusion recognized by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. Dr. White is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Institute of Organization Management (IOM), is a certified trainer with National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) and is a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE) through the Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC).

The conference is open to community leaders, human resources professionals, recruiters, educators and those interested in developing inclusion strategies for the Cedar Valley. This event will foster the exchange of new ideas and approaches for meaningful and impactful diversity and inclusion.

Companies sponsoring the conference include University of Iowa Community Credit Union as the Premier Sponsor; Diamond Event Center, Table 1912, and Veridian Credit Union as Platinum Sponsors; Cedar Valley Nonprofit Association, Courier Communications, Covenant Medical Center, CUNA Mutual and KWWL as Gold Sponsors; and the Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission, Community Bank & Trust, SHRM and Viking Pump as Inclusion Partners. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

The following organizations are collaborating to plan the conference: the Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission, Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber, IowaWORKS of Waterloo, Infiniti Enterprises, Legacy Branding and Events, University of Northern Iowa, UNI Center for Violence Prevention and the Waterloo Commission on Human Rights.

Registration for the conference opens mid-August via the UNI Diversity Matters website at diversity.uni.edu/diversity-conference and is free to the public. Organizations and individuals that cannot attend are encouraged to download information from the conference tool kit, available October 10, 2018. For more information, call 319-883-0219 or visit diversity.uni.edu/diversity-conference.

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GREATER CEDAR VALLEY ALLIANCE & CHAMBER ELECTS NEW LEADERSHIP

CEDAR FALLS, IOWA – Eric Johnson, Partner at Beecher, Field, Walker, Morris, Hoffman & Johnson, P.C., was elected to lead the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber Board of Directors during its annual meeting held July 17 at Courier Communications. Johnson will chair the regional economic and community development organization through its 2019 fiscal year.

Other officers elected to lead the organization with Johnson are: Vice Chair Bryan Earnest, AMPERAGE Marketing & Fundraising; Treasurer Jim McKernan, KWWL; and Past Chair Bob Smith Jr., Lockard Companies. The officers are joined by TechWorks Campus Chair Tim Hurley; Chamber Council Chair Pete Meehan, Financial Decisions Group; Sue Armbrecht, MidWestOne Bank; and Dave DeVault, John Deere Waterloo Works to form the Alliance & Chamber’s Executive Committee.

The newly elected at-large members of the board include: Pam Delagardelle, CEO UnityPoint Health – Allen Hospital; Jim Walsh, JSA Development; Ty Kimble, Community Main Street Board chair; Mike Mallaro, VGM Group, Inc.; and Leslie Prideaux University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitor’s Center Board member.

Retiring from the board are Steve Brewer, U.S. Bank; Dave Bowling, Hy-Vee Food Stores; Brent Johnson, Bike Tech; Mike Butler, retired; Jack Dusenbery, Covenant Medical Center; and Dharmendra Patel, Days Inn.

Work is already in process for the new organization leaders through extensive strategic planning, research and branding efforts, including a community perception survey.

“The Alliance is energized and excited for the immediate future, telling the story of our great community and the people that live and work here,” said acting CEO Cary Darrah, “As part of our strategic planning process, we are taking a deep look into our messaging and branding, continuing to create ways for the whole Cedar Valley to be part of something greater.”

The complete Alliance & Chamber Board of Directors as well as details about the many programs and initiatives of the Alliance & Chamber can be found on their website at www.cedarvalleyalliance.com or by calling Cary Darrah, Acting CEO at (319) 232-1156.

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Alliance & Chamber Announces 2018 Annual Award Winners

Individual and Business Award Winners Honored March 27

WATERLOO, IOWA (March 27, 2018) – Individuals and businesses were honored for their ongoing commitment to making the Cedar Valley a better place to work, do business, and live on March 27 at the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber Annual Celebration.

More than 500 registered for the night of celebration and recognition held at the Waterloo Convention Center, downtown Waterloo.

The 2018 award winners are as follows:

Legacy Award: Tom Penaluna, Chairman of CBE Companies, Inc.

Tom Penaluna

This ward honors an individual for their continued leadership and noteworthy contributions to the Cedar Valley through philanthropy and volunteerism; working to create a positive environment for business expansion; and community growth and enhancing the quality of life for talent recruitment and retention.

Fulfilling the Vision of One Award: Sue Armbrecht, North Iowa Regional President, MidWestOne Bank

Sue Armbrecht

This award recognizes tan outstanding contribution by an individual in the private sector for leadership in creating and strengthening regional collaboration and cooperation for economic and community development.

Business of the Year (full-time equivalent employees 1-50): Bloom Manufacturing, Inc.

Business of the Year (full-time equivalent employees 51 or greater): Omega Cabinetry/MasterBrand Cabinets

These awards recognize the efforts of Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber investors in promoting the quality of life and offering leadership within the Cedar Valley, achieving a major business accomplishment, or making an outstanding contribution to the Cedar Valley community, economy, and residents.

John Deere Treating Capital Well Award: KWWL Television, Inc.

To recognize the efforts of a private sector firm for a significant investment in the Cedar Valley that most emphasize the attributes of the Cedar Valley.

Harold Brock Innovation Award: Talk to Me Technologies, LLC

This award recognizes the efforts of a private sector firm for innovation in technology, advanced manufacturing, or talent development.

Cedar Valley Partner Award: University of Northern Iowa Business & Community Services

This award recognizes the efforts of an educational institution, non-profit organization, service club or human service agency – must be a Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber investor – in promoting economic growth, employment, and quality of life and offering leadership or making an outstanding contribution to the Cedar Valley and its residents on a continuing basis or with a specific project.

Economic Inclusion Award: UnityPoint Health – Allen Hospital

This award honors employers in the Cedar Valley that have made significant achievements in championing economic inclusion and diversity in their businesses and organizations.

For more detail about and videos of the award winners, visit the Alliance & Chamber website at https://www.cedarvalleyalliance.com/cms/390/2018-Annual-Award-Winners

Nominations for 2019 awards will be accepted in early 2019. For a listing of past award winners, visit https://www.cedarvalleyalliance.com/cms/381/Annual-Awards

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R.J. McElroy Trust Receives 2016 Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber Cedar Valley Partner Award

Accepting the award was Mike Young.

The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber presented their Annual Awards on Thursday, March 31, 2016. The R.J. McElroy Trust received the Cedar Valley Partner Award.

The R.J. McElroy Trust was founded in Waterloo in 1965 through the generosity of R.J. McElroy, KWWL-TV broadcasting pioneer. Upon his death a trust fund was established to be used “for the education and benefit of deserving young people.”

Since then, the Trust has funded a broad range of educational programs – including scholarships, fellowships, internships, student loan funds and numerous other projects to benefit youth of all ages. The lives of literally thousands of young people in Northeastern Iowa have been influenced. The trust has funded capital projects that many consider regional “landmarks” as well as smaller neighborhood and community ballparks.

In the 15-county region, more than $60.4 million has been awarded since the trust started making grants in 1980. In 2015, the Trust granted nearly $2 million. Recent projects include: Schindler Education Center renovation project at the University of Northern Iowa; Cedar Valley Makerspace, and EMBARC for Burma-origin teen programs and leadership.

View the video here

Jim McKernan Vice President and General Manager KWWL Television Inc. in Support of Hawkeye Community College

HI, I’M KWWL GENERAL MANAGER JIM McKERNAN.

TOMORROW, VOTERS IN TEN COUNTIES WILL VOTE ON A 25 MILLION DOLLAR BOND ISSUE TO UPGRADE SERVICES AND FACILITIES AT HAWKEYE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

HAWKEYE NEEDS THESE UPGRADES TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN OUR GLOBAL ECONOMY, PREPARING IOWANS FOR THE WORKFORCE OF THE 21ST CENTURY.

UNDER STATE LAW, GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS ARE THE PRIMARY FUNDING MECHANISM FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

HAWKEYE SERVES MORE THAN 18-THOUSAND PEOPLE ANNUALLY, HAS 50 CAREER PROGRAMS AND HAS BEEN NAMED A “MILITARY FRIENDLY SCHOOL” SIX YEARS RUNNING.

THE COLLEGE IS A RESPECTED COMMUNITY PARTNER – IT HELPS ITS GRADUATES OBTAIN JOBS IN THEIR FIELD OF STUDY.. AND MOST IMPORTANT – 94% OF HAWKEYE GRADUATES STAY IN IOWA.

WE BELIEVE HAWKEYE COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO BE A VITAL ASSET TO OUR REGION.

AN EXISTING LEVY IS ENDING AND THIS MEASURE DOESN’T INCREASE THE OVERALL TAX RATE OF THE COLLEGE.

SO I HOPE VOTERS IN BLACK HAWK, BENTON, BREMER, BUCHANAN, BUTLER, CHICKASAW, FAYETTE, FLOYD, GRUNDY AND TAMA COUNTIES GIVE IT THEIR FULL CONSIDERATION. VOTE YES.

Jim McKernan

Vice President and General Manager

KWWL Television Inc.

KWWL to Broadcast Three Iowa Debates Governor, Senate and 1st Congressional District Debates Scheduled

As a critical election day approaches for the state, KWWL stays on top of the important races. The station will be broadcasting debates for the Governor’s, Senate and 1^st Congressional district races in October.

“Iowans take their politics very seriously,” said Jim McKernan, Vice-President and General Manager of KWWL. “Broadcasting these debates provides viewers the opportunity to hear the candidates without the spin and make an informed decision.”

The Senate debate will be broadcast on Saturday, October 11^th at 7pm. KWWL’s Ron Steele will be present as one of the debate moderators.

The governor’s debate will be broadcast on Tuesday, October 14^th at 7pm. Ron Steele will be present as one moderator.

KWWL will host the 1^st Congressional debate in their studio on Saturday, October 18th at 7pm. Ron Steele and Amanda Goodman will act as moderators along with reporters from the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier and Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, KWWL’s coverage partner.

“Covering state politics is critically important,” said Shane Moreland, KWWL News Director. “As journalists, it’s our obligation to provide this important service to voters. Having local anchors and reporters involved as moderators ensures that the concerns and questions of Iowans will be addressed.”

KWWL also plans to solicit questions from voters via social media. Those interested in submitting questions for consideration during the debates should closely monitor the station’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.

Complete rules and guidelines for the KWWL hosted debate can be found on the station’s website, www.kwwl.com.

QNI is a privately held family owned company with roots in the newspaper business dating back to 1835. Quincy Newspapers, Inc. was formed in 1926 with the merger of The Quincy Herald and The Quincy Whig-Journal.

The company owns and operates NBC affiliates in Quincy and Rockford Illinois, Waterloo and Sioux City, Iowa, Rochester, Minnesota and Bluefield, West Virginia. QNI also operates ABC affiliates in Madison, La Crosse, Eau Claire, Wausau and Eagle River, Wisconsin and a FOX affiliate in South Bend, Indiana. QNI operates another FOX affiliate in Rochester, Minnesota under a shared services agreement. QNI also owns and operates an AM-FM radio combination in Quincy and daily/Sunday newspapers in Quincy, Illinois and Newton, New Jersey.

KWWL Building to Undergo Major Renovation

Remodeling project points facility toward the future with a nod to the past

6 June 2013 – KWWL today announced plans to renovate the historic KWWL building in downtown Waterloo. The building, located at 500 East 4^th Street, has been the home of KWWL since 1958. The announcement stems from an exhaustive review conducted by the company over the past year to assess the facilities and the feasibility of renovation or relocation to another site. It was determined that the present and future needs of the company could be satisfied in the current location.

The station and building are owned by Quincy Newspapers, Inc., a private, family-owned company that operates 12 television stations, two radio stations and two newspapers. Quincy acquired KWWL in 2006.

This decision will launch an extensive, multi-million dollar two-phased rehabilitation and modernization program. The building is a four-story structure comprising 55,000 square feet and is considered an historic landmark of downtown Waterloo.

Phase One plans will include restoration of the building’s exterior, including the first-floor glass façade. Concurrently, the existing facilities of the television station will be brought up to contemporary broadcasting requirements. These plans call for first- and second-floor interior renovation. Phase Two of the project will involve renovation of the building’s third and fourth floor. The exact details of the Phase Two renovation are still in the planning stage.

The building, originally called the Overland Hanson Building, was built in 1914 and was a car dealership noted for its four floors of automobiles and service. The building still contains the oversized freight elevator used for transporting automobiles from floor to floor. Later, the building was known as the Insurance Building before becoming the KWWL Building in 1958.

Quincy is seeking federal and state historic designation for the property along with local support from the city of Waterloo. The company will begin the project upon successful completion of the historic tax credit application.

“KWWL is a Waterloo institution and the decision to remain in our building and in the city of Waterloo is important for the city and for us,” said KWWL Vice President and General Manager Jim McKernan. “KWWL covers a 21-county area encompassing

Contact: Jim McKernan , V.P. General Manager, Phone: 319-291-1200.

Amanda Goodman Joins KWWL Family

Amanda Goodman will join Ron Steele next month as co-anchor of the KWWL News at Five, Six and Ten.

A native of Pennsylvania, Goodman has worked as a reporter and anchor for more than 10 years at stations in Texas and North Carolina. She also served as a journalism instructor at West Texas A&M University.

As an anchor and mother, Amanda is very much in tune with issues facing both parents and children. Her AnchorMOM blog, along with numerous stories she has produced over the past few years, focused on important matters for both groups. Goodman’s most significant effort has been “The Bully Project,” a social media- fueled initiative that gave voice to the victims, and held accountable those responsible. “Giving kids who are bullied a voice is the number one priority for me. No child should ever be afraid to ride a school bus, go to school or go out on the playground.”

Goodman looks forward to bringing her passion for news to the Midwest. “I’m incredibly excited to come to Eastern Iowa and be a part of a station and region with such rich history,” said Goodman. “I have been nothing but impressed by the quality and caliber of the people in this organization.”

“It’s not an easy position to fill,” said Dan Schillinger, KWWL News Director. “But Amanda has the skills and the qualities we look for in a lead anchor. Her style and stories fit well with what we do here.”

A mother of two, Amanda and her husband enjoy spending their free time playing sports in the backyard and coming together on Sunday for special family meals. An avid football fan, Goodman closely follows Notre Dame and the Philadelphia Eagles. “Both of my children were baptized wearing Fighting Irish booties. I look forward to having debates with Mark Schnackenberg about his Steelers.”

“Amanda is an excellent fit for our viewers.” Said Jim McKernan, V.P. and General Manager at KWWL. “She has a solid journalistic background and a level of dedication to causes that matter to so many in our viewing area.”

“As a mom, I have a “vision” of the ideal place my children would grow up in.” Goodman added. “I never truly thought it existed until coming to Eastern Iowa. The moment I stepped off the plane, it felt like home.”

Goodman begins at KWWL on July 8, and will take her place on the anchor desk on July 31.

Individual and Business Award Winners Honored March 27

Grow Cedar Valley