his issue of the Pearl City Progress is the first of spring. It is the time of year when the world gets a new beginning (I am so grateful). It is a bit like that this time of year for Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Our annual meeting was held last week signaling the resetting of our organization for the coming year. It is the time of year when we say our thanks to retiring board members and welcome those beginning their service. We are a board driven customer orientated organization that relies heavily on the support and guidance of our board members to help us strive to do our part to make this a greater community.

We want to extend our thanks to the following board members for having provided years of leadership, support and guidance to GMCCI.

• Pam Collins of Musser Public Library

• Doug Krieger of Krieger Auto Group

• Ann Meeker of Muscatine Downtown Investors

• Jim Reynolds of Reynolds Engineering

Please join us in welcoming incoming board members:

• Donna Meade of HNI

• Krista Regennitter of ISU Extension

• Millie Morris of Prairie Radio Communications

Our thanks to Bob Allbee as he wraps up his year as our Board Chair. His service as Board Chair has meant a great deal to me personally and to the continued success of GMCCI.

We welcome Jim Hayes, President of Unity Point Trinity Muscatine as our new Chair. I look forward to working with Jim as we take on new challenges and opportunities.

Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & IndustryPROGRESS

Volume 25 Number 4 April 2016

Pearl City

Greg JenkinsGMCCI President & CEO

TABC Mini Storage 36 years

Advanced Business Systems 29 years

Allsteel, Inc. 15 years

Anytime Fitness 8 years

Appraisal Group 32 years

Arctic Dental, PLC 1 year

Arthur J Gallagher Risk Management Services 69 years

Bosch Pest Control 52 years

Butterworth Clocks, Inc. 21 years

Carver Construction Company 25 years

CBI Bank & Trust 72 years

Colorado Park Apartments 4 years

Credit Bureau of Muscatine 72 years

Culligan of Quad Cities 4 years

Culver’s of Muscatine 11 years

Deloitte &Touche 18 years

Eastern Iowa Light & Power Coop 18 years

Exit Realty Group 1 year

Family Resources Inc. 29 years

Fareway Stores - Muscatine 16 years

First National Bank of Muscatine 72 years

Frye Builders & Associates, Inc. 33 years

Geneva Golf & Country Club 34 years

Geo M Wittich-Lewis Funeral Home 72 years

Group Services, Inc. 1 year

Hammond Henry Medical-Surgical 11 years

Harper’s Cycling & Fitness 40 years

New Members:

Twitter:GMCCI_Muscatinewww.muscatine.com

Facebook:Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Dominos

Merrill Hotel & Conference Center

Midwest Water Associates

Morgan Trucking Company

continued on page 3

Renewed Members:

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GMCCI Staff:

Greg JenkinsPresident & CEO gjenkins@muscatine.com

Susan FultonOffice Coordinatorsfulton@muscatine.com

Janet MorrowDirector of Membership & Marketingjmorrow@muscatine.com

Jodi HansenBlue Zones Project Muscatine Community Leadjhansen@muscatine.com

Interview With a Board Member

Naomi DeWinterTitle: PresidentMuscatine Community College

Shelley SidesCommunications & Event Coordinatorssides@muscatine.com

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Q. How many years has Muscatine Community College been a GMCCI member?

A. 39 years.

Q. How many years have you been a GMCCI Board Member? A. This is my first year on the Board but I believe the Presidents of

MCC have been strong supporters of the GMCCI Board.

Q. What is the greatest benefit of being a GMCCI member?A. Having just moved to Muscatine, it is a great way to connect

with the “movers and shakers” in the community. I feel like I walked into a great network of people willing and able to assist.

Q. What is your favorite GMCCI event/activity?A. My reception?? Just kidding!

I haven’t experienced a full cycle of events yet but I do enjoy the business after hours events and try to make as many of them as possible. GMCCI and MCC co-sponsor the legislative sessions on the first Saturday of February, March and April and it’s been a great synergy between business and education. I’ve also been able to attend some events for the Blue Zone project and have appreciated the focus on wellness.

Q. What is the best aspect of our business community?A. The variety of businesses and employment opportunities; the

push for revitalizing the downtown community; the investments the businesses have made in the community and the college. I believe the businesses care about Muscatine and care about the college’s important role in Muscatine. The culture of entrepreneurs who have remained loyal to Muscatine is fantastic.

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Awards

HNI Corporation 66 years

Home Inspection Plus, LLC 10 years

HON Company 66 years

Hy-Brand Industrial Contractors 33 years

Iowa First Bancshares Corp. 32 years

Krieger Auto Group 72 years

Martin & Whitacre Surveyors & Eng, Inc. 42 years

Mercy Family Medicine of Muscatine 6 years

Mercy Hospital 19 years

Midtown Towing & Repair 25 years

Muscatine History & Industry Center 20 years

Muscatine Newcomers Club 4 years

Muscatine Power and Water 72 years

Muscatine Travel 59 years

Muscatine Veterinary Hospital, PC 61 years

Nelson Brothers Agency 67 years

New Hope Foundation 31 years

New Ventures Cooperative 21 years

Orscheln Farm & Home 18 years

Phoenix Products 34 years

Pierce Furniture Company 24 years

Potters Industries 32 years

Premier Estates of Muscatine 9 years

Pro Hair Designs Salon & Spa 33 years

Quality Cobbler 29 years

Reif Oil Co/Muscatine

Conoco Fast Break 21 years

Rose Bowl 44 years

Sherwin-Williams Co. 3 years

Sprouse Distributing, Inc. 41 years

State Farm Insurance –Amanda Buenemann 8 years

The Tread Shop 21 years

TOTBAW, Inc. 17 years

UnityPoint Health-Trinity Muscatine 61 years

V H Willis Company, LLC 63 years

Vision Center, PC 42 years

Wendling Quarries, Inc. 58 years

WTC Communications 12 years

Renewed Members continued from front page

Volunteer of the Year AwardSince 1992 GMCCI has recognized outstanding volunteers who have contributed to the success of the Greater Muscatine area. Each volunteer makes a difference in his or her own unique way.

This year’s Volunteer of the Year is Laura Liegois who is consistently involved in doing something to help our community to be a better place in which to live and work. One of the unique volunteer activities she engages in is the annual “Recycle the Dress” event. This program helps high school students who may not otherwise be able to attain a prom dress get not only a prom dress, but accessories, including shoes, for free. This program has successfully operated now for five years.

Among the myriad of other events Laura is involved in, she also volunteers with JDRF, Pearl City Players, Muscatine Community School District, Vineyard Church, United Way, Muscatine Art Center and the Muscatine Boxing Club. Laura was also recognized as one of the Governor’s 50 Faces of Volunteering in 2014.

Laura Liegois

“Volunteers do not have more time –

they just have more heart.”

-anonymous

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Awards

Young Professional of the Year Award

YPN, or the Young Professionals Network is a key organization in our community that strives to create a great place for young professionals to grow and network professionally while building confidence in their personal selves. YPN’s goal is to provide a welcoming, supporting network which continues to promote Muscatine as a great place to live and work,which is vital to the community’s success.

Now in its tenth year, YPN annually recognizes an individual who has proven to be a great role model as well as someone who relentlessly gives back to the Muscatine community. This year the award is given to Trista Sotelo.

Trista’s professional career with CBI Bank & Trust (formerly Central State Bank) began in June of 2003. Within a year she accepted a promotion to the Hy-Vee Branch Manager position. In 2006, Trista was named an Officer, followed by a promotion to the Muscatine Downtown Branch Manager in 2008, which is also the year Trista joined YPN. In 2013, Trista was named an Assistant Vice President. That is quite a path of achievement in just 10 years!

Outside of her many and varied duties with CBI Bank & Trust (AND YPN), Trista also serves on the Board of the Flickinger Learning Center, is a Junior Achievement volunteer, and serves on the Board of Happy Time Preschool.

Trista Sotelo

2016 Ambassador of the Year

Completing its third year, the Chamber Ambassador Network plays a vital role in GMCCI by helping to retain existing members, recruit new members and strengthen the GMCCI exposure.

Easily recognizable at GMCCI events

due to their purple blazers and polo shirts, there are currently 17 Ambassadors promoting GMCCI.

Ambassadors earn points for attending GMCCI events such as Business After Hours, Ribbon Cuttings and Open Houses, for bringing a guest, making retention calls and for bringing in new chamber members. Every Ambassador is expected to get at least 180 points in a year.

The Ambassador with the most points for the second year in a row, is Chris Steinbach, MCSA, earning him the title of 2016 Ambassador of the Year. We appreciate Chris’ efforts to attending GMCCI events and bringing in new members resulting in earning a total of 390 points.

2014 Ambassador of the Year Paige Bales

2015 Ambassador of the Year Chris Steinbach

If you would like to join the Chamber Ambassador Network, contact Janet at jmorrow@muscatine.com.

Chris Steinbach

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader”

-John Quincy Adams

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Quality of Life Initiatives

CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL ACHIEVES DESIGNATION AS A

BLUE ZONES SCHOOLCentral Middle School in Muscatine has become the first middle school in the city to earn Blue Zones School®designation and celebrated its achievement during a special ribbon-cutting ceremony held March 4, 2016. Blue Zones Project® is a community-by-community well-being improvement initiative designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to environment, policy and social networks.

Blue Zones Project Schools achieve the designation by optimizing nutrition programs, changing the building environment, and creating health and well-being improvement programming. All actions are designed for long-term, positive impact on the health and well-being of students and staff.

Central Middle School staff completed a number of policy improvements to earn the designation, such as establishing a health and wellness council and launching “Fitness Fridays” to integrate nutrition education and physical activity into daily lesson plans outside of health class. Central Middle School also implemented a program to teach mindfulness skills, established a healthy snack-cart program, and designed the cafeteria to make the healthy choice the easy choice.

“We are ecstatic to have reached this goal,” said Alicia Worner, Central Middle School teacher and wellness council member. “Implementing new programs guided by Blue Zones principles has been a fun and enlightening experience for everyone, thanks to the hard work by Central staff and students. We are excited to continue promoting Blue Zones Project practices that will improve the

mental, physical, and emotional well-being of our students.”

“School staff and the health and wellness council worked hard and were thoughtful on their chosen pledge items,” said Jodi Hansen, Blue Zones Project community lead. “We anticipate great outcomes and look forward to see how the new programing and policies will impact well-being at Central Middle School.”

Central Middle School joins Grant, Madison, and McKinley elementary schools as Blue Zones Schools.

Left to Right Back Row: Chanda Cassett, Alicia Worner, Shauna Dennison, Andrea Woerly, Shawn Larson-Walgren

Front Row: Angie Banko, Caylie McConnaha, Christian Castillo, Jamie Martinez, Brady McDaniel, Terry Hogenson

Ready. Set. Grow. Join Muscatine Blue Zones Project, Muscatine County Master Gardeners, Muscatine Community Garden Association and Musser Public Library for our second annual, “Ready. Set. Grow!” workshop on Tuesday, April 5th, 6 - 7:30 pm at the library. Come and learn more about community gardens, gardening basics and view a display of good and bad garden bugs. Light Appetizers provided.

Plant-Based Cooking Class

April 19Hy-Vee Muscatine Club Room

Noon - 1 pm

Upcoming Events

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Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry 102 Walnut StreetMuscatine, Iowa 52761-4027563-263-8895 Fax: 563-263-7662

Address Service Requested

The Pearl City Progress (USPS391-430) is published monthly by the:

Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry102 Walnut StreetMuscatine, Iowa 52761-4027Email: chamber@muscatine.com

Periodical Postage Paid at Muscatine, IA.

POSTMASTER: Send address change to Pearl City Progress102 Walnut StreetMuscatine, IA 52761-4027

April

USPS 391-430PERIODICALS

POSTAGE PAID AT MUSCATINE, IOWA

April 7IWD Laborshed AnalysisRiverview Center11:30 am to 1:00pm RSVP Requested

SCORE1:30pm to 3:30 pm

April 14SCORE1:30pm to 3:30 pm

Business After HoursPierce Furniture141 Colorado Street5:00pm to 7:00pm

April 21SCORE1:30pm to 3:30 pm

YPN’s Third ThursdayPearl Plaza Patio208 W. 2nd Street5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

April 28SCORE1:30pm to 3:30 pm

DirectorsAllbee, Bob Retired ExecutiveDeWinter, Naomi Muscatine Community CollegeEversmeyer, Aaron River Rehabilitation, Inc.Gregory, Jason Grain Processing CorporationHarle, Kevin SSAB SteelHarper, Bill Stanley ConsultantsHarris, Greg Bridgestone BandagHayes, Jim UnityPoint Health-Trinity MuscatineHoward, Bob CBI Bank & TrustHowe, Stan Member EmeritusIngstad, Scott First National BankJensen, Kyle Temp AssociatesLoBianco, Sal Muscatine Power & WaterLorenger, Jeff Allsteel Mandsager, Gregg City of MuscatineMeade, Donna HNI CorporationMohr, Dave Eastern Iowa Light & PowerMorris, Millie Prairie Radio CommunicationsNelson, Brett Musco Sports LightingOrr, Shane Unity Way of MuscatinePinner, Karla Muscatine JournalPost, Mark Carver Pump CompanyRegennitter, Krista ISU Extension & Outreach Muscatine CountyRiibe, Jerry Muscatine Community School DistrictSchrader, Shawn Monsanto CompanySimmons, Jim Hy-Vee Food StoreSlight, Gary Community BankSnaadt, Nancy Alliant EnergySorensen, Jeff Muscatine County Board of SupervisorsSotela, Trista CBI Bank & Trust - YPNSweere, Tiarr Stanley, Lande, Hunter, P.C.Thulen, Dorothy Kent Corporation

OfficersCHAIR of the BoardJim HayesUnityPoint Health-Trinity Muscatine

PAST CHAIRBob Allbee

CHAIR ELECTShawn SchraderMonsanto Company

TREASURER & CHAIR of FINANCEBob HowardCBI Bank & Trust

CHAIR - MEMBERSHIPJim SimmonsHy-Vee Food Store

CHAIR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTTiarrSweereStanley, Lande, Hunter, P.C.

CHAIR of PUBLIC POLICYMark PostCarver Pump Company