The threat of snow and ice didn’t deter Johnson county’s best and brightest from attending the second annual Better Together 2030 Excellence in Action Awards, held at the Courtyard Marriott Height’s Rooftop on Jan. 18.
The Bravo, Sizzle and Catalyst awards highlighted the community development efforts of those who are making positive impacts, change, and beneficial efforts on behalf of Johnson County.
“The community development work happening across our region truly is a community wide public-private partnership. While BT2030 is responsible for stewarding and activating the regional All in Vision Plan – it is a collective of incredible work done by partners across our region toward a shared future,” said Cady Gerlach, executive director of BT2030 and senior director of Community Development for Greater Iowa City Inc., during opening remarks.
Bravo, sizzle, catalyst
The ceremony began with distributing the Bravo awards, which reflect a pillar, or focus
area, of the BT2030 All In Vision Plan. According to a press release from BT2030, Pillar I highlights the region’s commitment to being champions of the natural environment, Pillar II focuses on the region’s commitment to developing authentic vibrant neighborhoods and districts, Pillar III on developing a well connected, mobile region, Pillar IV on the region’s commitment to a thriving inclusive economic ecosystem, and Pillar V focuses on re-imagined human and social services.
Bravo awardees included:
- Rod Sullivan, Pillar I, for for his time on the Johnson County Board of
Supervisors, during which he has helped pass the Sensitive Area Ordinance, Stormwater Ordinance, Wind and Solar Ordinance, and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan. - Tim Crosby was recognized in memoriam with a Pillar II. Mr. Crosby was
instrumental in the formation of the South of 6 Business District (So.6) and South District Neighborhood Association. He was an active leader and spearheaded the strategic planning and marketing committees, eventually joining the So.6 Board of Directors. - Iowa City Fare Free Transit Pilot Program, Pillar III, for its 47% increase in transit ridership. In this time period, passenger trips have increased by over 200,000, which equates to a reduction in emissions from personal vehicles of 151 metric tons of tailpipe CO2 to date.
- Kellee Forkenbrock, Pillar IV. Ms. Forkenbrock the Public Services Librarian for
the North Liberty Library and Greater Iowa City, Inc. Ambassador, plays a critical role in community engagement for the library, specifically relating to business partnerships. She recently organized the North Liberty event – Business Beyond Borders Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit, providing a platform for immigrant entrepreneurs in our community and fostering connections between all local professionals, featuring a guest panel and business mixer. - Lynette Jacoby received a Pillar V award, for her work as the Social Services
director for Johnson County for many years. She works to improve well-being for those most vulnerable in our community– from supporting affordable housing and childcare services to shepherding the funding for social service agencies.
The Tom Cilek Sizzle Awards are awarded by Tom Cilek, senior vice president at West
Bank, to highlight community members who are igniting a spark in their work. Each award highlights a guiding principle of the BT2030 All In Vision Plan.
Sizzle awardees included:
- Coralville 150 – Planning Committee, for the guiding principle of collaboration.
The entire committee was instrumental in leading the community-wide celebration of Coralville’s rich history and bright future. This project included many large events and projects including a larger-than-life wheat pasting mural. - Tyesha Perry, for the guiding principle of representative leadership. Ms. Perry, a
licensed practicing Realtor with Skogman Realty, leads the Iowa City Association of Realtors. She is also an Ambassador with Greater Iowa City, Inc. and the Head Success Coach at Resilient Sustainable Future for Iowa City. - North Liberty’s Next Stage, for the guiding principle of having a growth mindset.
The team has raised over $2.1 million dollars to date to match the City’s commitment of $6.5 million. These funds will transform a 40-acre grass lawn and 83-stall parking strip into a community event space with accessible amenities and entertainment.
The final award, the BT2030 Catalyst Award, honors a group or individual activating a project that has made or will make a significant impact in the community. This was awarded to the Iowa City Downtown Alley Project, comprised of more than 25 collaborative partners, business owners and operators, aligned to repave the Clinton St., Washington St., Dubuque St. and Iowa Avenue alleys. These efforts will support the preservation of historic building foundations and will have environmental benefit,
utility enhancement, and proper drainage and snow servicing ability for years to come.
Referencing the awardees, a webpage on Greater Iowa City Inc.’s site said “Their work and leadership focus on making our region the place where people and their families continue to want to live, work and play ensures we have a community where everyone can thrive.”
The Better Together 2030 Excellence in Action Awards was sponsored by West Bank and the Iowa Heartlanders, and was emceed by the Heartlander’s Announcer, David Fine.
Better Together 2030 is a community development organization, bringing together city, county, social services, local businesses, and economic development organizations to implement the shared All In Vision Plan for Johnson County’s collective future, and is a community partner with Greater Iowa City, Inc.
