Kalvig selected as next CFO of Central Rivers AEA

CEDAR FALLS — Central Rivers Area Education Agency has announced that Michael Kalvig, current business manager/board secretary with Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District, has been selected as the agency’s next chief financial officer. Kalvig will succeed David Nicholson, who will leave the position on June 30 to accept a similar role with the Cedar Rapids Community School District. The board will officially take action on the recommendation at their June 4 meeting.

In his new position, Kalvig will serve as the treasurer of the Central Rivers AEA Board of Directors as well as oversee all business office operations for the agency.

“Michael will be a tremendous asset to our agency,” said Sam Miller, Central Rivers AEA chief administrator. “He is highly knowledgeable in the field of school finance and well regarded by his peers.”

In addition to his role with Waverly-Shell Rock, Kalvig has also held school business manager positions in Nashua-Plainfield and Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock. Kalvig is a 2003 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Business Education.

With service delivery centers in Cedar Falls, Clear Lake and Marshalltown, Central Rivers AEA is the largest AEA in the state in terms of geography and the number of school districts served. The mission of the agency is to provide educational leadership, services and support to positively impact children, families and educators within the local school districts served. The agency serves more than 65,000 students and 5,000 educators throughout 18-counties of north central and northeastern Iowa.

For more information, visit www.centralriversaea.org

Lashier honored with Leadership for Iowa Award

Leadership Iowa has named Jack Lashier, of Des Moines, as the recipient of its annual Leadership for Iowa Award. The award honors a distinguished alumnus of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation’s Leadership Iowa program. Lashier was a member of the 1989-90 Leadership Iowa class.

Working with former Iowa High School Athletic Association Executive Director Bernie Saggau, Lashier devoted 21 years of his life to envision, fund and build the Iowa Hall of Pride. The Hall, which is inside the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, opened in 2005 and honors the accomplishments of noteworthy Iowans. Lashier took the lead as the face of the project and the key fundraiser, garnering $13 million toward the high-tech interactive exhibit.

Those who nominated Lashier for the award spoke highly of his strong commitment to both promoting Iowa and enhancing the state’s quality of life.

“Jack’s drive and personality set him apart to educate the youth of Iowa on what they can achieve right here in Iowa,” said nominator Alan Mores. “From the sports achievements of Harrison Barnes, to the scientific studies of astronaut Peggy Whitson, to the musical accolades of Simon Estes, he has created a vision of what Iowans can become.”

“Jack is one of the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable ambassadors for the state of Iowa that I have witnessed in my 42-plus years in this state,” said fellow nominator John F. McCarroll. “He takes his stories of Iowans and their successes, challenges, sorrows and joys to audiences all over the state. His infectious smile and enthusiasm captivate audiences.”

Lashier retired from the Iowa Hall of Pride in July 2017. He now serves as senior account executive salesperson with LRI Graphics in Grimes. He worked previously as a special projects coordinator with the Iowa High School Athletic Association, a sales manager at RACOM and acted as executive director of the Marshalltown United Way. He has also worked in education, retail and insurance. He has been an active volunteer in the communities where he’s lived, including in Boone, Des Moines and Marshalltown.

“Jack Lashier is a strong advocate and leader for the state,” said ABI President Mike Ralston. “ABI and its members are grateful for Jack’s commitment to helping develop Iowa’s next generation of leaders.”

Recipients of the Leadership for Iowa Award must show a demonstrated commitment to serve Iowa, have held a leadership role volunteering for civic or professional organizations, have demonstrated the ability to lead on difficult or controversial subjects and be involved in projects designed to enhance the quality of life in Iowa. Honorees also must have held a professional or volunteer leadership position that contributes to local or statewide leadership development.

Leadership Iowa, a program of the ABI Foundation, is one of the state’s most revered professional development opportunities. Through Leadership Iowa, participants travel to eight locations around the state to learn about the issues facing Iowa and its communities and to gain a better understanding of the role they can play in addressing those challenges.

Karjalahti earns Diamond Award

GRINNELL — Broker, Owner of RE/MAX Partners Realty Matthew Karjalahti, of the Mid-Iowa Regional, and the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors has earned the Diamond Individual Achievement Award from the Iowa Association of Realtors. This is the IAR’s highest achievement award and

the second award that Karjalahti has received from the Iowa Association of Realtors including the Platinum Individual Achievement in 2017. RE/MAX Partners Realty Realtors, Alyssa Beaderstadt and Cheri Garcia were also each awarded IAR’s Bronze Achievement Award.

The IAR Individual Achievement Awards were initiated in 1988 to recognize excellence in real estate activities. Any Realtor or Realtor Associate member of the Iowa Association of Realtors is eligible. Eligible members who participated in 1-2.49 million, 2.5-4.99 million, 5-7.49 million, 7.5-9.99 million and over 10 million dollars worth of sales, leases and/or listings closed and commissions earned during 2017 were able to win the prestigious Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond Individual Achievement Awards.

Karjalahti was pleased to have these three awards received within his office. “Being honored with the Iowa Association of Realtors highest award is an incredible compliment from my peers and even more exciting to see our agents recognized for their incredible service and hard work. We’re excited and

grateful that the communities we work in choose us for their real estate needs.” said Karjalahti.

Submit local business news

The Times-Republican invites businesses in its circulation area to submit brief items concerning their employees or businesses for the Names & Notes column, which is published on Sundays.

Potential subjects of these business briefs include announcements of new businesses, branch acquisitions, departures of longtime employees, employee recognitions or new hires. Submissions will be edited and run on a space-available basis. Items must be received by 5 p.m. Thursday for consideration in Sunday’s column.

Submit brief articles and JPEG headshots to: Names & Notes, Newsroom, Times-Republican, 135 W. Main St., Marshalltown 50158, or call Kathy Beane at 641-753-6611 or email news@timesrepublican.com