Drivers to Visit Des Moines for Recognition

May 27, 2015 - After an extensive review process in search of Ruan Transportation Management Systems' National Driver of the Year, 16 out of 5,200 professional drivers were recently named Region Winners.

Four of the Region Winners are from Iowa:

• Dan Garrison, who operates out of Ankeny, IA, and serves customer Airgas
• Andy Studer, who operates out of Des Moines, IA, and serves dry bulk customers
• Tony Roper, who operates out of Muscatine, IA, and serves customer HNI
• Jason Grave, who operates out of Cedar Falls, IA, and serves customer Target Corporation

Ruan, a 83-year-old Dedicated Contract Carriage and Supply Chain Solutions company headquartered in Des Moines, IA, began the search for our Driver of the Year when 154 drivers from Ruan's 270 terminals were named Region Finalists based on length of service, safety and driving records and exceptional customer service.

Vice presidents of operations then narrowed the field further to 16 Region Winners, who will travel to Des Moines July 14 for a ceremony and other festivities. One of the 16 finalists, as selected by Ruan's executive committee, will be honored as the 2014 Driver of the Year.

Ruan drivers are dedicated to continually improving the service that valued customers receive and expect. Drivers are assigned to individual customers, so they handle the same type of equipment and cargo on every run, allowing them to become experts about their freight and their customers.

"Ruan's drivers are our most valuable assets," Chairman John Ruan III said. "These Region Winners are outstanding because they consistently exceed our safety and service standards to meet the needs of our customers. This recognition is our way of honoring their dedication and ongoing commitment to Ruan."

The Driver of the Year recognition coincides with Ruan's annual Founder's Days events, where the company celebrates the work ethic and philanthropic spirit our founder, John Ruan, throughout the month of July.

"There is no better time to celebrate our best, most distinguished professional drivers than during Founder's Days, when Ruan Transportation Management Systems was the promising business of one determined, hard-working driver," John Ruan III said of his father.

About Ruan

Founded in 1932, Ruan is a family owned transportation management company, providing Dedicated Contract Carriage and Supply Chain Solutions to customers across the country. With more than 83 years of transportation management experience, Ruan is one of the top 10 privately owned transportation service companies in the country. Ruan endows the World Food Prize, the foremost international award recognizing excellence and progress in overcoming global food production and distribution challenges. For more information about Ruan, visit www.ruan.com.

First, research what types of birds live in your region. Some species may summer in your area and then winter elsewhere. Some may arrive in spring to breed and raise young, only to move on as fall approaches. Online resources such as the Audubon Society's bird guide can help you identify the colorful species that may be found in your area this summer. Next, take action to make your backyard attractive to the birds you want to attract. Provide their preferred nesting habitat, plenty of fresh, clean water and a reliable supply of their favorite foods in a style feeder they favor.

The bird-feeding experts at Cole's Wild Bird Products offer some expert tips on common colorful birds found throughout North America and the types of bird feed they prefer:

* Cardinals - Among the best-known and most-loved backyard beauties, cardinals vary in hue from the brilliant red plumage of the males to the more subdued brownish red feathers of females. Both genders have black markings around the beak and darker feathers on the wings and back. Cardinals are seed eaters and are particularly fond of Safflower and Cole's patented blend, "Hot Meats," seed. They are attracted to the bitter taste of Safflower and go nuts for the spicy flavor of Hot Meats.  Hot Meats are nutritious sunflower meats infused with fiery hot habanero chilies. A great no-waste, no-mess feed, it delivers more feed per pound, and no need for under-the-feeder cleanup. The chili peppers taste hot to mammals like squirrels, but birds do not feel the heat at all. Cardinals also appreciate suet, so be sure to serve this high-energy food in different varieties throughout your back yard.

* Bluebirds - Don't mistake the sassy blue jay for a bluebird. These brightly colored birds sport brilliant blue feathers on their heads, backs and the tops of their wings, and warm russet fading to white on their bellies. Bluebirds stand out not only for their beauty, but also for their taste in feed. Bluebirds love spice and suet, so try a feed with some kick, like Blazing Hot Blend. All natural and chemical free, this blend combines a patented habanero chili oil formula (which appeals to birds but keeps squirrels at bay) with the most-preferred types of seeds. Bluebirds love every form of suet, so serve up Hot Meats Suet cakes, or a specialty suet like Suet Kibbles. They also favor mealworms, so to avoid the "ick factor" of serving live mealworms, try Cole's dried mealworm version.

* Goldfinches - When one of these bright yellow and black birds visits your yard, it's like a slice of sunshine has settled at your feeder. With vivid yellow bodies, black masks above their beaks and black and white striping on their wings, goldfinches are among the flashiest, most vivid visitors to backyards. Lure them with sunflower, and niger seeds, or try Finch Friends which combines their two favorite seeds in one mix.

Indigo bunting - Another beautiful blue bird, the indigo bunting is also known for its boisterous and lovely song. Indigo buntings favor seeds and berries, but will also eat insects. To beckon this bunting to your backyard, try serving White Millet, a favorite seed choice.

* Baltimore orioles - That blaze of brilliant orange, capped by black may herald the arrival of a Baltimore oriole in your backyard. Woo these flashy fellows by serving cut fruit and berries, as well as peanut butter and suet. Cole's Natural Peanut Suet Cake delivers the peanut butter base that orioles and other song birds prefer, paired with the energy benefits of nutrient-dense suet. An interesting fact is orioles will try and feed off of hummingbird feeders, they like the nectar!

To attract the maximum number and variety of colorful birds, be sure to provide a range of feed types served in a variety of feeder styles, including tubular feeders for seeds, bowl feeders for fruits, berries and nuts, and hummingbird feeders for nectar drinkers.

Who? Children ages 7 and up
Where? Wilson Middle School, Cedar Rapids
When? August 3 - 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Campers need to bring a sack lunch.
The final performance will be on August 7, 2015 at 7 pm.
Cost: $75 per child. Includes a show T-shirt.

Camp Creamery: Lights, Hollywood, Action! is a week-long workshop for children interested in exploring the exciting world of theatre! The camp is designed to give children ages 7 and up the unique opportunity to work and perform with three professional actors from The Old Creamery Theatre while they rehearse and present a play. Lights, Hollywood, Action! is a brand new musical with all the glitz and glam of old Hollywood! Registration is first come, first served (up to 60 actors) and everyone that signs up will be cast in the show. Camp Creamery is a great way for kids to get into the act this summer! Visit us online at www.olcreamery.com.

Registration deadline is July 24, 2015. Enrollment is limited.

Children must commit to attending all rehearsals and final performance in order to participate in Camp Creamery. Questions? Contact Jackie McCall at 319-622-6034 or jmccall@oldcreamery.com.

Quad Cities (May 2015) - The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend (CFGRB), a regional organization facilitating philanthropy in the Quad Cities, is pleased to announce the appointment of Marie Z. Ziegler to the Board of Directors. Ms. Ziegler previously served on the CFGRB Board from 2005 - 2010, and will provide important stability, experience, perspective, and leadership to the organization.

"I am excited to welcome Marie back to the CFGRB Board of Directors," said Pete Wessels, Board Chair. "We are fortunate to have her leadership as our Board works to develop a framework for the Community Foundation going forward."

In 2013, Ms. Ziegler retired as Vice President and Deputy Financial Officer of Deere & Company, a Fortune 100 company. In this role, she had responsibility for Deere's global treasury, pensions and investments, and investor relations. Prior to this, she was Deere's Vice President and Treasurer. She joined Deere & Company in 1978 as a consolidation accountant and held management positions in finance, treasury operations, strategic planning and investor and banking relations.

Ms. Ziegler is a 1978 graduate of St. Ambrose University, with a bachelor of arts in accounting. She received her Certified Public Accountant designation in 1979 and an MBA from the University of Iowa in 1985.

Since very early in her career, Ms. Ziegler has shown her passion for the Quad Cities community through various Board positions and activities. She remains on the Board of Trustees for the Two Rivers YMCA, and is also currently serving on the Board of QCR Holdings and Quad City Bank & Trust and is chair of their audit committee. Marie is also Chair of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois' $3 million capital campaign to update Camp Conestoga.

For more information on the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, visit our website at www.cfgrb.org.

The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend facilitates community philanthropy and serves as a bridge joining people with passion, commitment, and a collaborative spirit to challenge the status quo and create cool, creative, and prosperous opportunities for the benefit of our Regional Community. CFGRB meets the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations as established by the Council on Foundations.

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