BUSINESS: Morrissey named ‘Up and Coming Banker’; Gandy joins Aeron

Morrissey named ‘Up and Coming Banker'

Dena Morrissey, vice president of Iowa State Bank & Trust Company in Fairfield, was recognized as the state's 'Up and Coming Banker of the Year” by the Community Bankers of Iowa.

The award was announced during the Community Bankers of Iowa's Management Conference and Annual Convention held in July in Okoboji.

The convention brings bankers from across the state together to provide educational opportunities and recognize achievement in the industry.

The Up and Coming Banker of the Year award honors exemplary individuals who best represent the future of independent, community banking.

'It is a humbling experience to be honored by my peers,” said Morrissey. 'I would not be who I am today without their support and that of the people I work with at ISB. I thank everyone who has helped me throughout my career and hope I can do the same for others.”

Morrissey began her career with Iowa State Bank in 1996 and has worked as personal banker and more recently as the bank's vice president of Customer Service and Retail Banking. In her free time, Morrissey enjoys long distance running, spending time with family and friends, and cheering for the Cyclones. She has served as a director and treasurer of the Education Foundation of Fairfield Schools and is an active member of Community Bankers of Iowa's Leaders of Tomorrow program. Morrissey's husband, Shawn, is director of the Jefferson County Conservation Board. The couple has a daughter, Shannon, and son, Shane, both attending Iowa State University.

Iowa State Bank & Trust Company opened its doors for the first time on May 19, 1934, in Fairfield, after a merger between Iowa State Savings Bank and the Iowa Loan and Trust Company. Over the last 85 years, the bank has been dedicated to serving southeast Iowans. The bank is known for leading projects focused on the arts, education, athletics, and a wide variety of charitable activities. Today, Iowa State Bank & Trust Company has grown to an institution with more than $140 million in assets.

Community Bankers of Iowa focuses on the issues confronting independent community banks. Their mission is to promote public endorsement of independent banking and to support and secure an environment that is favorable to independent ownership and local control of Iowa banks.

Aeron Lifestyle Technology names Gandy as general counsel

Patrick J. Kosar, chief executive officer and board chairman of Aeron Lifestyle Technology Inc. - a leader in manufacturing innovative fragrance-diffusing and air-care devices for home, office and auto - recently announced that Fairfield attorney Paul Gandy has joined Aeron as general counsel.

Previously, Gandy advised and represented Aeron as outside counsel on a variety of matters.

Company co-founder and Chief Financial Officer Monica Hadley welcomed Gandy as the newest member of Aeron's management team. The team includes Kosar, Hadley, President Nate Orme-Johnson, Associate Vice President Asian Operations Alex Leung, and Associate Vice President of Finance Carl Zimmerman. 'Paul's dynamism and contributions in this role will be instrumental in helping us execute the company's new product development and expansion plans for 2020 and beyond,” said Hadley.

Gandy serves as Aeron's in-house attorney and primary source of legal advice in all areas of the company, including corporate transactional work, intellectual property development and protection, and international trade compliance. Gandy also participates in product and brand development - and just returned from a relationship-building trip with potential suppliers in Mexico.

Raised in a military family, Gandy earned his undergraduate degree with honors from Harvard University, and his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He has maintained a private law practice in Fairfield for over 28 years. He is an Eagle Scout, a member of the United Methodist Church, and serves on the Fairfield City Council. He is also a member of the Magistrate Nominating Commission for Jefferson County, the Judicial Nominating Committee for District 8A, which includes Jefferson County, and a board member of the Iowa Justice Project.

'It's definitely one of the busiest, but most rewarding times in my life,” said Gandy. 'I'm excited to join a company that's committed to making good products for customers, creating good jobs for Iowans, and doing good things for our community,” referring to Aeron's company-wide goal of 100 percent employee participation in a recent Habitat for Humanity homebuilding project.

Hadley and inventor Jeffrey Smith founded the company in 1996 with the creation of the DriveTime Car Diffuser for essential oils. Today, Aeron not only develops products under its own brands, it also provides research and development, product design, technical engineering and turnkey manufacturing services for leading retail chains and distributors in North America. Aeron currently employs 39 people at its administrative headquarters in Fairfield, and, in support of its 'Made in America” initiative, has over 90 hires at its manufacturing subsidiary in Mason City. Aeron also maintains operations and staff in China and Mexico.

Hawthorne donates to Noah's Ark

Hawthorne through the Hawthorne Community Causes Committee recently contributed to the Noah's Ark Animal Foundation.

'We are very deeply appreciative of this support which enables us to continue to rescue and find homes for abandoned and stray dogs and cats, and to provide spay and neuter assistance to families in need,” said Dawn Hauck, executive director for the Noah's Ark Animal Foundation.

'We received a special thanks from Brutus and Nova for helping to keep them safe, warm, and cared for at Noah's Ark until they find their forever homes,” said Madison Swailes, media buying assistant from Hawthorne. 'Being able to deliver donations like this on behalf of Hawthorne is incredibly moving.”

Hawthorne, a creative, analytics and technology-driven advertising agency, specializes in strategic planning, creative development, production, media planning, buying and analytics, and campaign management for integrated marketing campaigns. Founded in 1986, Noah's Ark Animal Foundation is a no-kill shelter for homeless cats and dogs. Their mission is to rescue, protect, and find loving homes for stray and neglected dogs and cats.