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SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 Helping businesses do business better. Price: $1.75
FUTURE OF TRANSIT
DART considers alternative transit models as it
looks to better meet community’s changing needs
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CONTENTS
VOLUME 39 // NUMBER 38 // SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 FEATURE STORY
LEADERSHIP
PUBLISHER & EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Chris Conetzkey
15
(515) 661-6081 | chrisconetzkey@bpcdm.com
ANSWERS
EDITORIAL TO DRIVER
EDITOR
Emily Barske
SHORTAGES
(515) 661-6085 | emilybarske@bpcdm.com FOUND IN
SENIOR STAFF WRITERS
Kathy A. Bolten
EXPANDED
(515) 661-6083 | kathybolten@bpcdm.com RECRUITMENT,
Beats: Real Estate & Development
Law & Government REGULATORY
Michael Crumb CHANGE
(515) 661-6086 | michaelcrumb@bpcdm.com
Beats: Economic Development | Transportation | Trucking companies
Energy & Environment | Culture | Sales & Marketing focus on better
Joe Gardyasz
(515) 661-6084 | joegardyasz@bpcdm.com
work-life balance as
Beats: Insurance & Investments | Health & Wellness they struggle with
Manufacturing & Logistics | HR & Education
Banking & Finance
driver shortage
OPERATIONS MANAGER
John Retzlaff
(515) 661-6082 | johnretzlaff@bpcdm.com
Calendar | On the Moves
NOTEBOOK FEATURES COLUMNISTS
FEARLESS EDITOR
Emily Blobaum
emilyblobaum@bpcdm.com
COPY EDITOR 4 6 22
Kurt Helland
5 TAKEAWAYS FROM INNOVATION Q&A ON LEADERSHIP
ART & PRODUCTION
OUR POWER BREAKFAST TODD KRONE THE SUCCESS OF IOWA’S
DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE OPERATIONS
Lauren Burt ON THE FUTURE OF PowerPollen CEO ECONOMY TIED TO THE
CREATIVE ASSOCIATES
CORPORATE CULTURE LATINO COMMUNITY
10
Patrick Herteen
Kate Meyer By Suzanna de Baca
PHOTOGRAPHER
Duane Tinkey
COVER STORY
SALES FUTURE OF TRANSIT 35
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS RECORD DART considers alternative transit
SALES & BPC EVENTS IOWA’S BAD WATER
Sara Brown models as it looks to better meet
The Elbert Files: By Dave Elbert
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING community’s changing needs
Laura Stapes
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Lori Bratrud
Dawn Donegan
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Chrissy Smith
30 36
EVENT & PROJECT COORDINATOR
DON’T BUILD ON
Stacey Thompson KEY LEADERSHIP CHANGES
RENTED LAND
ADMINISTRATION Marketing: By Drew McLellan
33
BPC CHAIRMAN
Connie Wimer
BPC PRESIDENT
Suzanna de Baca
BPC VICE PRESIDENT CALENDAR PICKS
Jason Swanson
Your first look at upcoming events
BUSINESS AND HUMAN RESOURCES
DIRECTOR
Eileen Jackson
Business Record | September 17, 2021
ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST
Becky Hotchkiss
OFFICE MANAGER
Laura Stegemann
Business Record® (USPS 154-740, ISSN 1068-6681)
is published by Business Publications Corporation
Inc., The Depot at Fourth, 100-4th Street, Des
WHO’S IN THIS ISSUE?
Moines, Iowa 50309, (515) 288-3336. Contents A list of local people and the page number of the article in which they are mentioned.
© 2021 Business Record. Published weekly.
Annual subscriptions $69.95. Single copy price is Marta Codina, 22 Joe Gonzales, 22 Tar Macias, 22 Claudia Schabel, 4 Gilmara Vila
$1.75. Copies of past issues, as available, may be
purchased for $4.50 each. Periodicals Postage Paid Jason Cope, 6 Katie Graham, 4 Luis Montoya, 10 Manny Toribio, 22 Nova-Mitchell, 4
at Des Moines, Iowa. POSTMASTER: Send address
changes to Business Publications, The Depot at Emily Forrester, 4 Erin Hockman, 10 Brenda Neville, 15 Dan Van Alstine, 15 Troy Vincent, 4
Fourth, 100-4th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309.
Sharon Gaddy-Hanna, 4 Todd Krone, 6 Sonia Parras Konrad, 22
33
notebook
THE INSIDER
CHRIS CONETZKEY EMILY BARSKE JOE GARDYASZ KATHY BOLTEN MICHAEL CRUMB EMILY BLOBAUM
Bits and bites of the finer side of Iowa business publisher & editor senior staff writer senior staff writer senior staff writer Fearless editor
executive editor
5 takeaways from our Power Breakfast on the future of corporate culture
BY BUSINESS RECORD STAFF
The ongoing need for more talent and strategies to Here’s what our reporters took away. Michael Crumb:
welcome, include and retain a diverse workforce have A theme that was carried over through the
been top concerns for business leaders in recent years. Emily Blobaum: conversation was making workplace culture part of an
Then a pandemic, remote working and a national racial An overarching theme that all of the panelists organization’s overall strategy.
reckoning disrupted workplace culture even more. touched on was the need to know who you’re Vincent of Navigate Wellbeing Solutions said the
At the Sept. 9 Power Breakfast, we talked about working with – not just what they do at work, but No. 1 thing he’s seeing is that employees want to be
the future of corporate culture as it relates to all these who they are after they shut down the computer valued by their organization.
challenges and opportunities. for the day. Doing this will foster empathy, “They want that sense of belonging, and they want
understanding and a sense of belonging. folks to understand that work-life balance is going on,”
Panelists included: Gilmara Vila Nova-Mitchell noted that throughout he said. “They want to align their purpose with the
the era of remote work and Zoom meetings, we’ve purpose of the company.”
been invited into people’s homes and can see how they Forrester said at Workiva they prefer to call it
KATIE GRAHAM decorate their rooms, and what their kids or pets look “work-life blend” and offer amenities and flexibility
attorney and shareholder, like. “Elevate those moments so we can get to know suited to that.
Nyemaster Goode, PC each other better as human beings,” she said. Vincent said an organization’s value system should
On the other hand, though, recognize that some be evident in all that it does, from well-being programs,
people may not want you to see their personal lives, to communication, inclusion and equity.
said Claudia Schabel of Schabel Solutions. “All those things build on a strategy of engagement
Know how your employees prefer to be recognized. and letting people know that we’re building a culture
CLAUDIA SCHABEL Know what they need to be successful, happy and of care for you,” he said. “We’re making it personal.
president and CEO, Schabel healthy. “It’s important that leaders take the initiative to We’re helping push your purpose with our purpose as a
Solutions get to know the people you work with,” she said. company, and we’re letting people know what we exist
as an organization. It’s fantastic to see organizations
Joe Gardyasz: embracing this and making it a full business strategy
As the panelists discussed ways in which remote along with the bottom line of their organization.
and hybrid work have affected company culture,
EMILY FORRESTER IMT’s Vila Nova-Mitchell said that she makes a point Kathy A. Bolten:
vice president of human to think about ways to continue employee recognition Most employers these days are having a difficult
resources, Workiva programs. time attracting and retaining workers. In addition, Iowa
“It’s easy to forget when we’re not present,” she workers often are being lured to larger markets with
said. “That is something that I have been trying to be amenities such as mountains and oceans.
intentional about.” Katie Graham of Nyemaster Goode said she advises
Asked if employers have raised expectations over employers to focus on “talent not location.”
SHARON GADDY-HANNA time to discourage occasional family interruptions, Vila “We all have a role to actually expand our hiring
vice president of human Nova-Mitchell said that she hopes that’s not the case. pool,” she said. “More and more, employers from the
resources, employee relations “From my perspective, I hope that [grace] doesn’t go bigger markets ... are going to start hiring the best
officer, Bankers Trust Co. away. … And if we all go back to the office — which I talent from Iowa.”
don’t think we will — I hope we will still find ways to Many Iowa employers don’t need employees at the
recognize this.” workplace every day which allows regional searches for
Sharon Gaddy-Hanna from Bankers Trust noted talent to be conducted rather than citywide searches,
that managers should clearly communicate their Graham said. “By expanding hiring pools [employers]
GILMARA VILA expectations for remote or hybrid workers. For can focus on diversity efforts. ... There’s no more one
NOVA-MITCHELL instance, is it clear to employees when it’s acceptable size fits all approach.”
to have their cameras off during a meeting, or when Graham cautioned that if employers hire workers
Business Record | September 17, 2021
director of DEI, IMT Insurance |
leadership consultant, Sarah Noll they need to be in a private setting without family? living in other states, the employer needs to be
Wilson Inc. “We can set these expectations within ourselves cognizant of the state’s employment, pay and tax laws.
and never tell people what they are,” ’ she said. “That
will not allow people to be successful.”
TROY VINCENT
founder and CEO, Navigate
Wellbeing Solutions
4
INSIDER NOTEBOOK
“ We all have a role to
Sarah Bogaards:
Several panelists noted that they are seeing companies lean toward hybrid
models, changing the opportunities available to employees who want more
actually expand our flexibility, but also employees with disabilities.
Graham said before the pandemic companies she consulted with were
apprehensive when they received requests from employees asking to work
hiring pool. More and from home as an accommodation for a disability.
“At that time, employers were looking at that request to work from
more, employers from home 100% and saying ‘there’s no way we can do this.’ … That’s gone. Most
employers now have had people working from home in a hybrid situation,
the bigger markets so it’s going to be really hard now to say it’s an undue burden for us to
accommodate your disability,” Graham said.
... are going to start And as the panelists discussed, it’s important for employees working from
home for any reason to feel engaged in the workplace culture and valued by
hiring the best talent “ their leadership and colleagues. n
from Iowa.
Katie Graham, attorney and shareholder,
Nyemaster Goode, PC
Watch the event:
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5
TECH & INNOVATION
INNOVATION Q&A
TODD KRONE
PowerPollen CEO
BY KATE HAYDEN
What would agriculture look like if producers had direct
control over the pollination timing of their crops? In 2015, agtech
startup PowerPollen co-founders Todd Krone and Jason Cope be-
gan experimenting in Krone’s garage with corn pollen preserva-
tion and application methods. Six years later, Ankeny-based Pow-
erPollen has patented its preservation and application technology
and markets directly to seed producers in the agricultural industry.
Krone, now CEO of PowerPollen, shared his observations on
growth, opportunities and challenges while leading the compa-
ny with Cope, chief intellectual property officer.
“PowerPollen’s mission is to make agriculture more sustain-
able. We’re starting with the seed industry and will soon be com-
ing to the corn grain industry and to farmers,” Krone said. “We’re
continuing to meet the challenge that’s before us.”
HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE POWERPOLLEN
TO OTHERS?
PowerPollen is a biotech company that has a technology for
pollen preservation, corn in particular. When you can preserve
corn pollen, which really hasn’t been done in the history of ag-
riculture, you can control reproduction. When you can control
reproduction, you can improve the seed production process and
make it much more efficient. You can make hybrids or products
that seed companies couldn’t make before, so it enables not only
a more efficient process but an innovative process that creates
Business Record | September 17, 2021
products that didn’t exist.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE INNOVATION FOR
YOURSELF?
I would define it as translating new information into some-
PHOTO BY DUANE TINKEY
thing that has value and never existed before. There’s a book called
“Zero to One” [by Peter Thiel]. The concept is not just improving
something, it is making something that didn’t exist before.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
6
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Virtual Experience & Networking Event
Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 4:00 PM
Johnston City Hall & Town Center
Video Premiere Check Out the Progress at
Watch Party + Networking Johnston Town Center
Be the first to view exclusive videos from • Check out the beautiful new Johnston
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• Video premiere will last approximately
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• Network with development progress and preview future plans for
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Business Record | September 17, 2021
Please RSVP for this event at: business.grimesiowa.com/events
7
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6
The concept is going into a truly new space, where you’re changing WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES
the paradigm. Paypal is an example of this, where all of a sudden people FACING THE BIOSCIENCE AND AGTECH
could control getting their money to each other not going through the INDUSTRIES IN IOWA?
old channels. In our case, our zero-to-one invention is being able to make The key to growth and advancements in agtech and biotech is re-
products for a seed company that they couldn’t make before. The current lated to startups, and the innovation that comes with those startups. The
system of making hybrids is about 100 years old and it has limitations. challenge for Iowa is a better startup ecosystem and environment. That
There’s certain products it can’t make, and those it does are fairly expen- could go for really any state, outside of the coasts.
sive to make. We can make them less expensive and enable new products. Developing a better startup ecosystem with better availability to
capital in Iowa will be important for the future of this startup ecosystem,
WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH and the success of agtech and biotech. There are many programs we’ve
THAT YOU SEE IN THE BIOSCIENCE AND taken advantage of in the state of Iowa, and there is a great network here
AGTECH INDUSTRIES RIGHT NOW? and availability to investors that we’ve taken advantage of. We feel that
Farmers have always had to be sustainable – or they couldn’t stay in we’ve had a lot of success here. But that ecosystem can improve.
business. They had to conserve their slope. They were sustainable and
controlled erosion in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. There’s a lot of good stories WHAT ARE SOME INITIATIVES POWERPOLLEN
there, but there’s an opportunity now to become even more sustainable, IS LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW THAT YOU’RE
to be even more carbon neutral and to get even better about that. The EXCITED ABOUT?
example I use is land use, to get more per acre for the same inputs than We’re excited about that next market. We’re currently commercial-
we’ve gotten in the past. Our value proposition and opportunity with the ized in the seed market, meaning that the seed company is the customer.
seed industry is to have a better sustainability picture per acre for land The next market is the farmer as the customer. We’re really starting to
use, for seed production. translate the current technology into how it would work for the farmer.
Here are a few ways Hy-Vee helped fight food
insecurity this summer:
3,800 boxes of cereal donated to local students following a school-wide event
The dish 6,000 boxes of Kraft macaroni and cheese donated to local food banks
on ending
SUMMER 6,500 individuals benefited when Hy-Vee made 13,000 pancakes to break the Guinness
HUNGER. World Records title for the largest serving of pancakes
10,000 hams donated to local food banks
50,000 breakfast bundles distributed to those in need
1 million meals provided to local food banks in partnership with Kellogg’s, Keurig Dr Pepper & Chobani
Business Record | September 17, 2021
This summer, Hy-Vee had a full plate of
partnerships and programs that focused
on fighting food insecurity. We made it our Provide meals to your local community when
mission to support local communities and you buy eligible One Step cereals at Hy-Vee.
we’ll continue to do so, one step at a time. For every box you purchase, Hy-Vee will
donate a meal to a child in need.
8
We’re excited to see that come to fruition. We’ve got an important dem- WHAT PRESSING GLOBAL CHALLENGE COULD
onstration this summer to show how that would work, how we could IOWA TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES PLAY A KEY
bring both higher yield and higher-value grain to the farmer, by adding ROLE IN?
a higher-value trait to the system. … This initiative that we’re just start- The most pressing global challenge that Iowa companies can play a
ing to demonstrate would likely be commercial in 2024, and then to re- role in, particularly biotech and agtech, is the dual need to produce more
ally get to the ideal vision and continue to improve it, it would likely be food and do it in environmentally sound ways. It can be done. The other
within the course of the next five years after that. piece of that is to do it in an economically feasible way, and there are
ways to do that. It’s probably the most pressing issue for the globe right
HOW DOES YOUR LEADERSHIP TEAM AT now -- not only how to feed 10 billion people by 2050, but how to do it
POWERPOLLEN MAKE THOUGHTFUL COMPANY in a sustainable way. I think Iowa’s in a great place to do that with the
DECISIONS IN TIMES OF GREAT UNCERTAINTY? companies that are building here. n
It’s not just the pandemic that brought uncertainty: It’s the pace of
technology that brings uncertainty. You cannot make decisions with
certainty in this environment, and you have to always be ready to pivot
and adjust when you get more information. That’s what our leadership See more stories like this and coverage
team does. from our 2021 innovationIOWA Magazine at
If it doesn’t cost you anything, delaying a decision is fine. Make deci- innovationia.com
sions when you have more information. If you have to make a decision,
be ready to pivot and be able to reverse direction -- know exactly how
you’ll do that.
Business Record | September 17, 2021
9
TRANSPORTATION
Business Record | September 17, 2021
A passenger departs the Route 60 bus at the DART Central Station. Photo by Emily Blobaum
10FUTURE OF TRANSIT
DART considers alternative transit 27%of DART riders
models as it looks to better meet are Black
community’s changing needs indicating a disproportionate
number of Black residents
ride DART compared to their
population in the state
(4.1% in 2021)
BY MICHAEL CRUMB
The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority is seeking public input on proposals for
its future as the agency considers how it can best serve the community and its evolving needs.
The Business Record sat down recently with Luis Montoya, the chief planning officer for
the agency that serves 11 member communities and Polk County, and Chief External Affairs
Officer Erin Hockman to learn more about the proposals and what DART has planned as it
37%of DART riders
reaches out to engage with the community about the proposals.
What’s important to consider is who rides DART, the reasons they ride DART, where the
are 34 years old
busiest routes are, where more service may be needed and areas where the agency can possibly or under
42%
transition to alternative, more cost-effective methods of providing service.
THE NUMBERS
DART had a daily ridership before the pandemic of nearly 15,000, with annual ridership of
about 4.4 million. While the numbers dropped off in the early months of the pandemic, they
have begun to recover.
Thirty-seven percent of DART riders are 34 years old or under; 42% don’t own a working of DART riders
vehicle; 58% have an annual household income of less than $25,000; 61% of DART riders
are white while 27% are Black, indicating a disproportionate number of Black residents ride
don’t own a car
DART compared to their population in the state (4.1% in 2021). Forty-three percent of DART
58%
riders use the bus to go to work, while 16% use it for health and medical reasons, and 13% ride
DART to shop.
According to data provided by DART, two-thirds of its riders are on its nine most frequent
and productive routes, and shuttle and express routes have lost ridership in the past decade.
Work to develop the proposals began in early 2020, but was put on hold in the early days of
the coronavirus pandemic. It resumed earlier this year and an early round of public input was
conducted last spring. Now, recommendations have been developed and will be shared with of DART riders
the public. A final report is expected to be finalized in November, with it going to the DART have an annual
commission for approval in December.
household income of
less than $25,000
Business Record | September 17, 2021
CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
11CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11
ADAPTING TO CHANGE One example is a pilot project in Ankeny, which takes the Ankeny
As part of the analysis, DART officials are evaluating which routes On-Call service, which operates limited hours five days a week and re-
are the most productive and which routes are the least productive. quires a rider to schedule it a day ahead of time. Under the proposal, its
“When we think about where we want to make adjustments, we ac- hours would be expanded and it would operate it like Uber or Lyft, where
tually look at the performance of each individual route and do we need someone would call and a DART driver in a smaller DART vehicle would
to provide more or less service because it’s not being efficient at the cur- be dispatched to pick up that rider.
rent level of service,” Montoya said. “We see that as really being a game-changer in making it more con-
A big challenge is the continued trend of development away from venient for people to ride in that they don’t have to book it a day ahead of
the city’s center and toward the suburbs. time, but then also be able to expand those hours that people can rely on
Montoya said areas that are developed outside of existing bus routes to get to work,” Montoya said.
are more difficult and expensive to serve. Expanding the hours would also open opportunities for riders to con-
“The growth is expected to continue in our region, and it’s hard not nect with other routes to get elsewhere in the metro, he said.
only for DART to have really long bus lines that go out and serve the edge A similar model is proposed in West Des Moines, along University
of a growing community, but as we look at the travel patterns, people Avenue and 60th Street to Jordan Creek Parkway.
don’t just travel in straight lines. Increasingly, they are dispersed all over “The whole other area where we have much less ridership … we
the place.” think could be better served by that microtransit so where people have
Hockman said DART’s model has evolved since the agency was first the flexibility, they don’t have to come out on a set time and set schedule,
MONTOYA
developed. It was initially developed to bring commuters to downtown, they could schedule those trips ... ahead of time if they wanted to, but
where a lot of the area’s biggest employers are, but it has evolved as the they could also schedule in real time and have a bus take them anywhere
community has grown, she said. within the zone,” Montoya said.
“While we have continued to adjust and tweak the service, it was re- Another alternative service model builds off a pilot that was done in
ally developed as a hub-and-spoke system so there was a lot of service 2019, called Flex Connect. It is a partnership with Uber and Yellow Cab
coming in and out of downtown,” Hockman said. to get people to a bus stop. It would replace Route 74 in West Des Moines,
That change is really at the hub of the agency’s pursuit of changes to which currently operates as a shuttle from Valley West Mall to business
better and more efficiently serve the region, which is continually evolv- parks and employers in Urbandale. Ridership on that route has waned in
ing and as people’s work patterns and lifestyles change. recent years, and Montoya said an alternative service model could allow
Some of the changes contained in the proposal include using small DART to serve those riders more cost effectively.
microtransit vehicles more frequently to better meet the needs of riders “When you think about that growth that’s happening in the Urban
in a certain area. In some cases, DART may contract with a ride service, Loop around Interstate 80/35, we really saw an opportunity as much to
such as Uber or Lyft, to pick up a rider and deliver them to a hub where address the underperforming bus route as to expand service up there,”
HOCKMAN he said.
they can get on a bus to take them to their destination. Things like bike
share and scooter programs could also be considered to improve access to That route currently operates a set schedule in the peak morning
transit, Montoya said. and evening hours, “but for the same cost, we can offer them an Uber
The recommendations include “Near-Term Service Proposals,” that or Yellow Cab throughout the day, so now they have flexibility,” he said.
would address underperforming bus routes and repurpose resources to During an earlier pilot, those rides were offered at no cost, but mov-
improve service to customers within a cost-neutral framework. ing forward the cost would be similar to a bus fare, Montoya said.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
TRANSIT ISN’T WHAT PEOPLE MAY HAVE THOUGHT OF IT
ANYMORE BECAUSE OF TECHNOLOGY AND THE WAY IT’S
CHANGING. THERE’S A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO MEET
Business Record | September 17, 2021
MOBILITY NEEDS THAT FIT THAT DEMAND. THERE’S A LOT OF
INNOVATIVE WAYS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE REGION.
ERIN HOCKMAN
chief external affairs officer for DART
12EVENT
OCT. 6 | HILTON GARDEN INN WDM | 4 - 6 PM
ENVISION IOWA: THE FUTURE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN IOWA
What are the challenges your business and community are currently facing?
Grappling with staffing shortages, diversity or child care issues? Looking to spur
LIMITED TABLES AVAILABLE
innovation and expand business growth? Iowa’s economic future depends on a Reserve by Sept. 22
healthy, growing business climate, and on creating vibrant places and spaces that
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Oct. 6, which will provide opportunities for strategic connections with industry supporter, your business can both
and community leaders across the state as we explore the economic future of secure a table at the event to
Iowa and what it means for you. Keynote speaker Debi Durham, director of the ensure your team can network with
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statewide products to highlight your
off a fast-paced program featuring a slate of statewide business and economic
community or business with continuity
development leaders who will discuss key themes including people and culture, throughout the upcoming year.
business opportunities, and infrastructure. We’ll highlight innovative solutions
and ideas that can be leveraged to position your community, Packages must be reserved by Sept. 22.
your business and the state for continued economic growth. If you have questions or want
additional information, please fill out
the online form on the registration
page (bit.ly/38N6cFt) and a member of
Register by hovering over the QR code with
our team will be in contact with you.
your smartphone camera or visit at
Business Record | September 17, 2021
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SPONSORED BY
13CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
“We do need to work out details but … it would be subsidized by
DART, recognizing it would be more cost-effective than to run a full-size
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
All details of the proposals will be included in an interactive website,
bus with a driver because you’re only running it when people need it, not
which went live recently (www.ridedart.com/future). There will also
throughout the day,” he said.
be public meetings, open houses, community events, ride-alongs and fo-
That model, like the others, would be a cost-neutral operation, Mon-
cus groups over the next couple of months to get public input.
toya said.
Hockman said the overall goal is to ensure that everyone in the re-
Hockman said the proposals show DART’s commitment to serve rid-
gion has access to transit services.
ers in the best, most efficient way possible.
“As we think about all the issues the region is tackling as we grow,
“This is a good example of where we are demonstrating when there’s
growth in jobs, getting people to work, equity, it’s important to make sure
high-ridership, it makes sense to operate and invest in those fixed routes
our region is accessible and a place where people want to live and they
services, where there is a need for travel, but it’s not as great or the overall
can get around,” she said. “Transit isn’t what people may have thought of
demand, there’s other more flexible services that can meet those needs at
it anymore because of technology and the way it’s changing. There’s a lot
a different cost,” she said.
of different ways to meet mobility needs that fit that demand. There’s a
The last Near-Term Proposal addresses routes to Altoona and Bon-
lot of innovative ways to meet the needs of the region.”
durant. Route 17 was expanded last year to the new Amazon facility in
Bondurant, but only goes along Adventureland Drive to Bondurant four
times a day. That would increase under the proposal. MICHAEL CRUMB is a senior staff writer at Business Record. He covers
“We have Route 99 that was declining before the pandemic … so we economic development, transportation, energy & environment, culture,
would use resources from Route 99 and extend more trips on Route 17 to sales & marketing.
have it run every hour on that piece from Altoona to Bondurant,” Mon-
E: michaelcrumb@bpcdm.com | P: (515) 661-6086
toya said. “We would be repurposing it from an area that is underutilized
to an area we think has a lot of promise.”
Long-term goals would be continuing and expanding mobile-on-
demand and microtransit services, improving weekend services, and
identifying cross-town routes that connect high-activity areas and don’t
come downtown. Reducing travel times and wait times are also on the
long-term list of proposed improvements.
Business Record | September 17, 2021
DECREASING DELAYS, INCREASING SAFETY
CITY OF WAUKEE | WARRIOR LANE ROUNDABOUT
14Left: Driver Kelly Hall of Ruan’s Ankeny operation checks the oil
during a pre-trip inspection.
Above: Driver Dean Key of Ruan’s operation in Holstein, Iowa,
performs a pre-trip inspection in Des Moines.
Submitted photos
ANSWERS TO DRIVER SHORTAGES
FOUND IN EXPANDED RECRUITMENT,
REGULATORY CHANGE
Trucking companies focus on better work-life balance
as they struggle with driver shortage
BY MICHAEL CRUMB
The trucking industry is facing driver shortages that are expected to “We have frankly played Chicken Little with a driver shortage and
grow to being more than one million drivers short in the next decade if it for several years there were ebbs and flows, and geographic hotspots that had
Business Record | September 17, 2021
doesn’t do more to improve recruiting and working conditions, industry difficulty finding people,” said Dan Van Alstine, president and chief operat-
leaders say. ing officer at Des Moines-based Ruan Transportation Management Systems.
According to the American Trucking Association, the industry is An undercurrent to the issue is the increasing age of drivers, said Van
currently facing a shortage of more than 60,000 drivers, a problem exac- Alstine, who also serves as vice-chair of the national industry group.
erbated by the coronavirus pandemic and an increased number of early “We face as an industry a very aging driver population; the average
retirements of drivers looking to make a change. age of a truck driver is 57 years old,” Van Alstine said. “The driver short-
But the challenge is nothing new for the industry, which carries age has been with us for some time and I think both the demographic
more than 72% of the country’s freight, according to the American influence and the significant impact of the pandemic has truly elevated
Trucking Association. this to a critical issue.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
15TRANSPORTATION
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
The industry is also facing shortages in maintenance and ware-
house employees, but the driving shortage is most critical, Van Als-
tine said.
“Technicians are a challenge, warehouse workers are a challenge,
but those, while difficult, they’re just not the number in the needs
that we have in the truck driving fleet,” he said.
Van Alstine declined to discuss how many openings Ruan has for
drivers, but said the company has about 4,600 drivers nationwide.
Brenda Neville, president and CEO of the Iowa Motor Truck As-
sociation, said the escalation in early retirements in the past couple
of years caught the industry by surprise.
“We saw a much larger number of drivers over the age of 60 during
COVID that retired than we anticipated,” she said. “Some of the drivers
said, ‘I put it in my 20 years or 30 years, I’m just going to tap out.’ ”
And they can leave the long-haul trucking jobs and find another
driving job fairly easily, Neville said.
“They can leave these big truckload, long haul jobs and with the
agricultural base we have in Iowa, they can still do seasonal work
hauling grain, doing any number of things and not have that fear
factor that some of them had when they were traveling across the
country,” she said.
How does the trucking industry turn around the trend of in-
creased openings for drivers, which in some sectors of the industry
has led to supply chain disruptions as products sit in warehouses
waiting to be delivered?
Driver Ron Riley of Ruan’s Ankeny operation hauls and makes One is to bring new people into the industry. Second is to push
a delivery for Ruan customer Iowa Alcoholic Beverages through regulatory change that can open the doors to more drivers
Division. Submitted photos at a younger age, experts said.
“The challenge we have is getting people interested in coming in to
be a truck driver,” Van Alstine said. “Unfortunately, it’s the reality as a
parent, it wasn’t probably a conversation you had with a child, saying it
would be a great profession to get into is to be a truck driver. A lot of folks
don’t see truck driving as what they want to do for their profession.”
Neville said the industry needs to step up its recruiting efforts,
but needs to make changes to retain the drivers it has. Companies
also are targeting spouses and families in those efforts, she said.
“They’re really sensitive to what the driver’s need, their quality of
life,” Neville said. “Companies are hiring counselors to talk to drivers
more, to talk to their spouses more. There’s a whole lot of things being
tested and implemented. Obviously, everywhere you look you’re see-
ing sign-on bonuses of $15,000 to $20,000 over a six-to-eight-month
period; it’s amazing what we’re seeing in the industry.”
The shortages, which traditionally affected primarily the inter-
state carriers, have expanded to smaller carriers, she said.
“In the last six months, I’m hearing from every imaginable kind
of delivery operation,” Neville said. “Beer haulers, they can’t find
drivers, the local delivery trucks that were typically the first jobs to
be filled, they too are now reporting some real struggles getting driv-
Is Where The Health Is
ers. It’s really become across the board.”
But at the end of the day, companies end up just swapping driv-
ers, she said.
Business Record | September 17, 2021
“It’s one company stealing a driver from another company,” Nev-
Better health begins with the meals we eat. ille said. “We still need to look at getting newer and younger drivers
into the industry.”
Join us in supporting Iowa Stops Hunger.
Federal law currently prohibits anyone 21 and under from driving
Together, we can make a remarkable impact. a truck across state lines, which Van Alstine says limits the ability of
the industry to bring in people right out of high school to be trained.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
momsmeals.com 1-866-796-3257
16UNFORTUNATELY, IT’S THE REALITY AS A PARENT, IT
WASN’T PROBABLY A CONVERSATION YOU HAD WITH A
CHILD, SAYING IT WOULD BE A GREAT PROFESSION TO
GET INTO TO BE A TRUCK DRIVER. A LOT OF FOLKS
DON’T SEE TRUCK DRIVING AS WHAT THEY
WANT TO DO FOR THEIR PROFESSION.
DAN VAN ALSTINE
president and chief operating officer,
Ruan Transportation Management Systems
Meeting New
Mobility Needs
Greater Des Moines continues to
grow and we’re innovating to better
connect our region.
From on-demand services to
mobile app updates to zero-
Business Record | September 17, 2021
emission electric buses, see what’s
new at DART and help us plan
the future of public transit at
Ridedart.com/future
17TRANSPORTATION
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16
A bill in Congress, called the Drive Safe Act, would create an in- Depending on the job, the type of truck driven and the route, a
ternship program for drivers between 18 and 21 years old, which Van starting driver can make $45,000 or more a year. With experience
Alstine said may attract high school graduates who don’t want to go and long-haul routes, a driver can make up to $100,000 or more, Nev-
on to college. ille said.
“What we want as an industry is to tap into that high school se- The industry also needs to attract more applicants of color and
nior or that high school junior and create a path where they can have more women applicants to help fill that growing gap in drivers, Nev-
a very proud and profitable career in trucking,” he said. “But today’s ille and Van Alstine said.
laws prohibit 21-year-olds from driving on an interstate basis.” “We as an industry do not source well in urban areas,” Van Als-
In the current infrastructure bill in Congress, a pilot would be tine said. “That’s a market that we have to learn how to get better at
created for the Drive Safe Act that contains provisions, such as com- and get into those urban environments.That is a pretty sizable part
panies would be required to have a full suite of safety technologies of our society that we traditionally have not been able to attract. Our
in the truck, a training program, a co-driver program and more. sourcing behaviors and tactics are going to have to change. We’re go-
“We are focused on getting the right people in the industry but ing to have to go to different markets, go to different areas than we
preparing them in a very safe way,” Van Alstine said. have historically sourced people from.”
Neville said the law is needed to get more young people into the He said big sign-on bonuses offered by some companies haven’t
driver’s seat. attracted new workers who are more interested in other factors, such
“We’re missing that pipeline of young drivers that are very inter- as fair treatment, a schedule that better fits their lifestyle and com-
ested in the industry, but they aren’t interested in driving just in the petitive pay.
state of Iowa,” she said. “That work-life balance, having predictability in their work life
The bill gained momentum under the Trump administration and is critically important,” Van Alstine said. “The pay is almost second-
continues to move forward under the Biden administration, Neville said. ary to ‘can I get home to see my son’s baseball game, can I tell my wife
“It’s really a model that is patterned after the steamfitters or the I will be home for our anniversary, can I tell my wife I can pick the
electricians where you are an apprentice for so many years, you drive kids up at this time.’ Those are the kinds of scheduling components
so many miles with a coach with you,” she said. as an industry that we’re just going to have to find a better way.”
Not all companies support the bill, though. And that could come at a cost, he said.
“There are some trucking companies here in Iowa that say even “We have such great productivity in our logistics channels across
if that law passes they’re not going to put an 18-year-old behind the the country … but we now face a time when we may have to give up
wheel of a truck,” Neville said. productivity to ensure we have people to do the work,” Van Alstine
Another path to tapping into younger drivers is promoting train- said. “It may not be suitable to say we have to have everything right
ing programs where after six or eight months they can begin driving, now, so that’s going to be a challenge in our society on the horizon.”
and begin making good money, she said. The shortage of drivers means more drivers putting in extra
Some companies already have agreements with community col- hours, which can create frustrations and result in more people leav-
leges where they pay for the training of a new employee, Neville said, ing the industry, he said.
and she expects those opportunities to grow as companies look to “If your workweek is 50 hours and your boss comes to you and
increase hiring and attract new people to the industry. says you need to work 60 hours this week, you’d say OK, I get it, but if
WE’RE MISSING THAT PIPELINE OF YOUNG
DRIVERS THAT ARE VERY INTERESTED IN THE
INDUSTRY, BUT THEY AREN’T INTERESTED IN
Business Record | September 17, 2021
DRIVING JUST IN THE STATE OF IOWA.
BRENDA NEVILLE
president and CEO of the Iowa Motor Truck Association
18that becomes every single week … at some point that’s going to cross different things that will impact the industry as well as the quality of
a line and folks are going to get frustrated, and I do believe it leads to life of truck drivers, and I think these are all really valuable conver-
people saying, if this is their work environment, ‘I don’t want to do sations.”
this anymore and I’ll find somewhere else to work,’” Van Alstine said. Van Alstine agreed, saying he’s confident the industry will find a
During the pandemic, Ruan didn’t have to lay off drivers, instead path forward.
diverting them from customers who may have shut down or reduced “I have a strong belief that we’re going to be creative and innova-
operations to those with increased demand, such as grocery stores, tive in how and where we source people,” he said. “I can’t think that
hospitals and retail, he said. we’re not going to do something. I can’t think we’re going to do the
The company did do some short-term furloughs in some non- same things, so I’m confident we’re going to find some creative ways
driving positions, Van Alstine said. and innovative ways to make the changes we need to make.” n
One of the reasons the company has fared better than maybe
some others is because of its diverse customer portfolio, he said. MICHAEL CRUMB is a senior staff writer at Business Record. He covers
Companies with a more narrow focus, such as hauling fuel or economic development, transportation, energy & environment, culture,
steel, struggled more, Van Alstine said. sales & marketing.
Van Alstine and Neville both say they are optimistic about the E: michaelcrumb@bpcdm.com
future, despite the current challenges the industry is facing. P: (515) 661-6086
“The awareness is there, the conversations are there, and the
ideas are emerging,” Neville said. “I think when all of that stuff is
happening ... good things will follow. That level of awareness is
much higher than it’s ever been and we’re actually having conversa-
tions about what we can do to improve, and they’re looking at a lot of
Andrew Kral
to our Team.
Andrew is ready to serve you
from our Jordan Creek branch
location in West Des Moines.
40 Years of Building
Relationships
At Graham, our Core Purpose, or why we exist in the world, is to
Business Record | September 17, 2021
Build Relationships. We just happen to do it with construction
and what we call The Graham Way.
Give Andrew a call at 515-330-4725 or email
AndrewKral@GreenStateWM.org to schedule a meeting.
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19A C U S T O M P U B L I C AT I O N F O R T H E C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E A N D C I T Y O F U R B A N D A L E
Urbandale Business Connection September 2021
IN THE KNOW
Investment along Urbandale’s Northpark Drive has continued through the pandemic. Interstate
interchanges at 86th and 100th Streets and an improved 54th Street on the north side of the
business park create additional access to support business opportunities. Northpark Drive
is the home of Rain & Hail and Delta Dental of Iowa and has seen over 200,000 square feet
of construction in less than four years. The corridor recently welcomed major investments
by John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group and Iowa Bankers Association. A wide range of
medical, restaurant, hospitality and other services for employees is also expanding in the area.
Pictured: View of Northpark Drive looking west from 86th Street
www.uniquelyurbandale.org | www.urbandale.orgA C U S T O M P U B L I C AT I O N F O R T H E C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E A N D C I T Y O F U R B A N D A L E
URBANDALE
YOUNG
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LOGISTICS HELP CREATE
SUCCESS STORIES
From the food you eat to the An assignment to start a business Everything you need to create
packages in your mailbox, there’s a grew into an auto detailing company a relaxing home
good chance a truck driver helped by the time Annett was 16. “I learned 10215 Douglas Avenue • Urbandale, IA
515-276-2772 • 1-888-818-7283 • Homemakers.com
deliver them. While it’s easy to about the financials, marketing,
overlook the trucking industry’s role hiring employees and making
in everyday life, it’s top of mind for money,” he said.
Mitch Annett. Today, Annett works with
“Jeff Bezos of Amazon said, ‘You WorldWide Logistics’ carrier base of SAVE THE DATE
don’t choose your passions, your more than 40,000 truckers. While
SEPTEMBER 28 AM Exchange 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. | Vision Park Family Eye Care
passions choose you,” said Annett, the company isn’t immune from the
and Virtual | Registration required | Free to attend
26, logistics director at WorldWide nationwide truck driver shortage,
Logistics in Urbandale. “Logistics Urbandale remains a great home OCTOBER 4 Connect | 4-5 p.m | Clear Mortgage and Virtual | Registration
and trucking are passions for me.” base for the company, which is required | Free to attend
Annett’s grandfather Harrold growing by 30% to 35% a year.
Annett established TMC trucking in “Ease of access in Urbandale OCTOBER 7 Leveling Up Within Your Organization Workshop 8-9:30
Des Moines in 1972. “I grew up playing is fantastic,” Annett said. “We also a.m. | Urbandale Chamber and Virtual | Registration required | Cost: 10 genYP
with the trucks on my dad’s desk,” appreciate the great restaurants members/$20 non members.
said Annett, a West Des Moines and beautiful trails throughout the
OCTOBER 14 genYPM | 4-5 p.m. | Walnut Lake Apartments and Virtual.
native and third generation of his community.” Registration required | Free to attend
family to work in the transportation/ A walk on the trail is often just
logistics industry. “Trucking runs in what Annett needs to refresh his OCTOBER 15 Candidate Forum | 11:15 – 1 p.m. | EJ Giovannetti Shelter and Virtual
my blood, so it was an easy decision thinking. “Critical thinking skills, Registration required | Free to attend | Lunch may be ordered for a small fee.
to work with WorldWide Logistics.” learning from mistakes and the
Annett’s first-hand knowledge, golden rule of treating others the OCTOBER 20 Machine Learning & Muffins, Technology Trends Webinar
12-1 p.m. | Registration required | $10 to attend.
along with his degrees in business way you want to be treated are our
management and supply chain keys to success,” he said. OCTOBER 21 Regional Breakfast | 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. | Iowa Wild and Virtual.
management from Iowa State Giving back to the community is Join all affiliate chambers with a chance to connect and network at the Wild.
University, are helping him grow the also essential, added Annett, who Registration required | Free to attend
family business. He wants WorldWide is proud that WorldWide Logistics
Logistics to feel like family to the supports UCAN (Urbandale
company’s employees, as well. “This Community Action Network)/Adopt WELCOME NEW URBANDALE CHAMBER MEMBERS
business is about helping people a Family, Meals for the Heartland,
Sivid – Des Moines Signarama Urbandale – Urbandale
succeed. We go through life together Adopt a Highway and Break the
and create success stories together.” Cycle 200, which fights human Mary’s Cleaning Care – Urbandale Ram Roofing - Urbandale
trafficking. Lyndsey Lamb – Platinum Realty LLC Shelter Insurance – Dillon Kimberly –
- Urbandale Urbandale
LIVING BY THE GOLDEN RULE “We want to get even more
A born entrepreneur, Annett involved in the community,” Annett Floor & Décor – West Des Moines Gershman Mortgage – Urbandale
began honing his business skills in a said. “We’re excited to keep growing PRIA Logistics – Ankeny Flix Brewhouse – Des Moines
high school entrepreneurship class. with Urbandale.” Connectify HR – Des MoinesSUZANNA
DE BACA
President and Group Publisher, BPC
ON LEADERSHIP
The success of Iowa’s economy tied
to the Latino community
When my New Mexican father came to Iowa in the early 1960s to join the faculty Manny Toribio, business development lead, McClure:
at Iowa State University, the Latino population in our state was sparse and often mis- Iowa’s future depends on having diverse decision makers in leader-
understood. My father was also often misunderstood. Many Iowans did not even know ship roles. Having these individuals in place will provide a wide va-
New Mexico was part of the United States, and few had any understanding or apprecia- riety of perspectives and critical thinking to solve future problems.
tion of Hispanic culture beyond movie stereotypes.
Today Latinos (which refers to a person’s culture or origin regardless of race, and is alter-
natively called Hispanic or the more recent term Latinx) are Iowa’s largest racial or ethnic
minority group and one of the fastest growing populations. Just as my father moved here
for his academic career, Latinos have come to Iowa for a variety of reasons and many have The Latino community in Iowa has expanded significantly since my father arrived,
stayed for generations. Latinos have lived and worked in Iowa since the19th century, play- and hopefully understanding and appreciation of this rapidly growing and important
ing an important role in shaping the state’s economy, culture and communities. community will continue to advance. As Parras Konrad says, “The world is getting
With a declining population overall and need for a vibrant workforce in smaller but we can grow bigger and have a stronger presence because of the commit-
Iowa, Hispanics will increasingly have a large part in our state’s economy. ment of Hispanic leaders to Iowa.”
As a report from the recent White House Hispanic Community Action Summit stated:
“Given the role that Hispanics will increasingly play in our labor force, in our economy,
and in our public education system, it is undeniable that the success of our nation is Ways to advance Latino leadership in
inextricably tied to the success of the Hispanic community.”
The same is true here in Iowa, but despite our long history here, Latinos have not your organization:
been particularly visible.That’s why Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed from
Sept. 15 - Oct. 15, is vital to recognizing and celebrating the culture and traditions of Commit to DEI: Toribio points out that inclusion does not happen without con-
U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations centrated efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and having “those
of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. uncomfortable conversations about why we are different.” Gonzales echoes this,
In observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, I asked local Latino leaders,“Why is it saying, “One size fits all does not work, even in a majority white workplace. You
so important to the future of Iowa to support and advance leaders from have to create a genuinely personal and welcoming work environment.”
diverse cultures, and from Hispanic cultures in particular?”
Uplift your Latino employees. “Be intentional,” says Macias, pointing out
Marta Codina, region bank president, Midwest Central that the average age of Latinos in the state of Iowa is 24 compared to 39 for the rest
Region, Wells Fargo Bank: We are the fastest growing segment of the population in Iowa, a 15-year gap that deserves attention. He advises leaders
of the population in the country. We bring a mix of cultures that only to promote Latinos in positions of visibility and to include them in the decision
enriches our communities. It’s important to have representation in making process. Says Parras, “Hire, develop, empower and prepare to be amazed!”
leadership so this growing population sees their potential. If you can
see it – you can dream it! Create connections: “We are a community minded group – we like to con-
nect and share our various diverse cultures,” says Codina, sharing that Employee
Resource Networks are a successful way for Latinos to connect as well as empow-
Joe Gonzales, executive director, Latino Resources, Inc.: er growth and development.
Latinos are a fast growing segment of the population. We offer tal-
ent and another voice, a voice that is growing but lacking when it
comes to representation in leadership positions. When Latinos see
Latinos in power, they envision something more for themselves. We
don’t want Latinos to settle for less. We want to nurture and mentor Celebrate Latino culture at the
standouts in our community.
Iowa Latino Heritage Festival
Tar Macias, president, Hola Iowa: The latest census numbers
tell us that there are now over 215,000 Latinos living in the state of This year’s Iowa Latino Heritage Festival, “Living la Fiesta,” will be held
Business Record | September 17, 2021
Iowa. We are the largest minority in the state yet we are not seen by from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 25 and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 26 in
the mainstream media and corporate America. We are the “invisible Western Gateway Park, 1330 Grand Ave. in downtown Des Moines.
minority.” That is why we need to uplift our young Latino talent.
Attendees can taste Latino American foods and experience a variety
of entertainment from martial arts performers to folkloric dancers,
and displays about the history of Latin American cultures. There will
Sonia Parras Konrad, attorney at law, Law Offices of Sonia be musical entertainment both days, as well as cooking demonstra-
Parras PLLC: Research shows a positive link between diversity and an tions of Latino meals.
organization’s performance. Supporting diverse perspectives, including
those of Hispanic cultures, especially in the leadership ranks, helps at- Free parking is available in the Nationwide ramp at 1100 Walnut St.
tract talent and promote job satisfaction. As a result, organizations gain Cost to attend the festival is $5 for adults; children 12 and younger
the powerful perspective of leaders whose culture and values are deeply are free. For more information, visit www.latinoheritagefestival.org
and powerfully connected to the American Dream.
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