Q & A with John Roberts Role: Industry Extension Specialist IV Q: Tell me about your job and how it contributes to the overall goals of CIRAS to help companies prosper. My CIRAS job has evolved over the past 27 years. Working initially as a student doing AutoCAD to my current position of providing direct … Continue reading Q & A with John Roberts
Author: eknudsen
Partnership with CIRAS, Career Services Pays Off
Student interest in internships at Stellar Industries is rising thanks to the company’s work with CIRAS and Iowa State University’s Engineering Career Services (ECS). The three entities have been collaborating on strategies to enhance awareness of internship opportunities, and their efforts are paying off. Stellar Industries, headquartered in Garner, manufactures service trucks, cranes, hook lifts, … Continue reading Partnership with CIRAS, Career Services Pays Off
Virtual Reality Eases Nursing Staffing Challenges
Iowa is facing a critical nursing shortage, with 70% of its medical facilities struggling to find qualified staff and nursing institutions turning away students due to lack of space and instructor availability. In response, VRSim, a company with operations in Waterloo, aims to address this issue through innovative virtual reality (VR) technology. VRSim’s VR training … Continue reading Virtual Reality Eases Nursing Staffing Challenges
CIRAS Partner Provides Industry Access to Premier Packaging Expertise
When a food industry client of Multi Packaging and Printing was having trouble with bags of cheese bursting, the Newton-based company turned to CIRAS, which had the perfect resource to address the problem: the Polymer and Food Protection Consortium (PFPC). Some Multi Packaging and Printing bags burst after being filled with cheese, sealed, and dropped … Continue reading CIRAS Partner Provides Industry Access to Premier Packaging Expertise
Predictive Maintenance Saves Big in Lost Production Costs
For Leo Avila, maintenance manager at Prairie Farms Dairy in Dubuque, it is not a matter of if, but when, critical equipment stops functioning and how many dollars are lost. Avila is responsible for running the multimilliondollar dairy coop facility that operates 24 hours per day. Inevitably, one of the hundreds of machines at the … Continue reading Predictive Maintenance Saves Big in Lost Production Costs
CIRAS: A Strategic Asset in Workforce Management
While language classes are not among the range of services CIRAS offers, its guidance on workforce strategies inspired Jake Oakland, president of Percival Scientific in Perry, to learn Spanish. It is part of an effort to connect with Percival employees and the larger Perry community, where individuals of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin account for … Continue reading CIRAS: A Strategic Asset in Workforce Management
CIRAS Staff News: Meet John Michel
John Michel joined CIRAS as a Government Contracting Specialist with the APEX Accelerators, serving clients in Western Iowa. John brings over seven years of expertise in public procurement and contracting, specializing in various commodity areas, including scientific, medical (veterinary), construction, and MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations). In his past duties as a Senior Procurement Agent, … Continue reading CIRAS Staff News: Meet John Michel
Unlocking Business Potential Through Secondary Market Research
In business development, the strategic use of secondary market research is a pivotal tool for companies aiming to optimize their decision-making and enhance their competitive edge. This type of research involves analyzing existing data collected from various sources, such as government reports, industry statistics, and market analysis studies. Understanding how to leverage this data can … Continue reading Unlocking Business Potential Through Secondary Market Research
CIRAS Staff News: Meet Drew Forster
Drew Forster joined CIRAS as the Construction Industry Strategic Advisor. He brings extensive experience from his service in the U.S. Air Force’s Civil Engineering Squadron on foreign and domestic soil, owning a new home general contracting company, and as a project manager at a commercial construction company. With a PMP certification, an MBA, and a … Continue reading CIRAS Staff News: Meet Drew Forster
CIRAS Staff News: Meet Ally Kuehl
CIRAS welcomed Ally Kuehl as a Business Administrator. With over a decade of experience in fiscal management and operations, including roles at Iowa State University Recreation Services and as an office manager at a dermatology clinic, Ally brought valuable expertise. She is skilled in third-party process management, financial management, and regulatory reporting. Ally has demonstrated … Continue reading CIRAS Staff News: Meet Ally Kuehl