Kirkland “Bubba” Davidson credits DBE certification with helping him better compete for subcontracting work. Kirkland “Bubba” Davidson, owner of the Des Moines-based Dirty 30 Trucking & Excavating, built his company from the ground up, relying mostly on his own skills and research. He was successful in securing independent contracts as well as subcontracting jobs, both … Continue reading Becoming Even More Competitive
Bob Recker has a complicated business challenge and Iowa State capstone students are helping him solve it, bit by bit. Recker owns Cedar Valley Innovation (CVI) in Waterloo, which works with farmers to create planting configurations for maximum profitability and optimal soil and water quality. He travels to fields in a specially outfitted trailer, which … Continue reading Capstone Projects Help with Innovation
Q: Tell me about your job and how it contributes to the overall goals of CIRAS to help companies prosper. A: As a member of the Strategic Advisor team, we are the sales force of CIRAS. We are calling on and developing relationships with the leaders at our Iowa manufacturing companies so that we can … Continue reading Q&A with Strategic Advisor, Derek Thompson
The spark ignited at a recent workforce conference still burns for four CIRAS employees who attended the event. “We’re excited to take some of the information and best practices presented there and fit them into our program,” said Mary McGraw, project manager. McGraw, Brenda Martin, workforce program director, Pam Lane, project manager, and Mayra Ramirez, … Continue reading CIRAS Attends Conference Focused on Workforce Solutions
Members of the Iowa Lean Consortium (ILC) waited four years for the ILC Kentucky Lean Tour but by all accounts, the trip was worth the wait. “I’ve read the books and studied the practices but the presentations and tours gave me insights on how to apply lean principles that I couldn’t have gotten any other … Continue reading Reflecting on the ILC Kentucky Lean Tour
Mica Paul has joined CIRAS as a full-time event manager. Mica holds a bachelor’s degree in Event Management from Iowa State University and a Master’s in Strategic Communication from the University of Iowa. Prior to joining CIRAS, Mica served as the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of ISU Extension and Outreach and the Vice … Continue reading CIRAS Staff News: Meet Mica Paul
Hory Chikez has joined CIRAS as a Supply Chain Project Manager. Hory will act as the CIRAS lead for national supplier scouting and optimization services in this role. Hory will build and maintain a supply chain optimization and intelligence network, lead the execution of projects to map and understand supply chains and lead the execution of … Continue reading CIRAS Staff News: Meet Hory Chikez
We are often asked to help a company understand what their contract compliance requirements are regarding cybersecurity in federal contracting. One way to understand those requirements is to look at your contract or solicitation and identify what cyber clauses are included. Below is a quick guide to identifying those clauses and understanding what obligations they … Continue reading Cybersecurity Contract Clauses Explained
Q. Tell me about your role at CIRAS and the type of clients you work with? A. I lead the CIRAS Business Team, which offers services in the areas of marketing, supply chain, and other non-technical business functions. As part of that team, I serve as a project manager focused on marketing strategy, and … Continue reading Q & A with Marketing and Growth Project Manager, CJ Osborn
AMES, IA— The Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) at Iowa State University has announced the appointment of Mike O’Donnell as its director, effective June 16. With a distinguished background in manufacturing and engineering, O’Donnell brings a wealth of knowledge and exemplary leadership experience to this position. O’Donnell’s professional journey encompasses over two decades in … Continue reading New Director Named for the Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa State University