Q3: Hiawatha Business Summit- Future-Proofing Your Business
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Pinnacle Realty
1110 Dina Court, Suite A
Hiawatha, IA 52233
Every business leader knows change is coming. The ones who thrive are those who prepare before it arrives.
The Hiawatha Business Summit brings together executives and decision-makers from across Hiawatha and the Cedar Rapids metro to explore what it really means to future-proof a business—from workforce and supply chain, to technology, regulation, and risk.
Future-proofing is not about making predictions. It's a conversation about preparation. You'll hear how leaders in (education, utilities, insurance and health care) are making decisions today designed to hold up tomorrow. You'll leave with frameworks, connections, and ideas you can put to work immediately. Hear from the following panelists:
Tyler McCarville- Senior Manager, Job Training Programs · Kirkwood Community College
Tyler McCarville is the Senior Manager of Job Training Programs at Kirkwood Community College, where he oversees workforce development initiatives serving businesses across seven counties in eastern Iowa. He works directly with employers to design training solutions through state programs like Iowa's 260E and 260F, helping companies invest in new hires and upskill existing workers.
Dennis Jordan- Director, Customer, Community & Economic Development · Alliant Energy
Dennis Jordan brings more than 30 years of experience in economic development and business growth, and currently serves as Director of Customer, Community & Economic Development at Alliant Energy, leading strategy across 83 of Iowa's 99 counties. A former Vice President of Economic Development for the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, Dennis holds an MBA from the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business.
The Hiawatha Economic Development Corporation and the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance collaborate to bring you this event.
Noah Junge- VP, COO & CFO · World Class Industries
Noah Junge serves as Vice President, COO & CFO at World Class Industries, a Hiawatha-based contract manufacturer serving global OEMs across several industries. Alongside leading finance and operations, Noah has been a key driver in WCI's AI and digital transformation strategy, championing the adoption of AI and data-driven tools across the organization to reduce transaction time and increase focus on value-add work.