How Businesses in Rural Iowa Are Tackling Workforce Challenges
Faye Brand, Co-Owner
Co-Line Welding, Inc.
fbrand@colinemfg.com
colinemfg.com
Faye Brand is a second generation co-owner of Co-Line Welding, Inc., a metal fabrication company located in rural central Iowa. Since graduating from Lynnville-Sully High School and AIB College of Business, Faye has held numerous different roles in the family-owned business over her 25-year career in manufacturing.
Currently, Faye is the company’s HR Manager, overseeing the employee relations of their staff of 240 team members. She also is the owner and publisher of their community’s newspaper, Hometown Press, a weekly publication dedicated to keeping their small towns on the Iowa map. She and her husband enjoy following their son and daughter in all of their activities. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering with her church as Children’s Ministry Director, local school as Education Foundation President, and numerous roles within community betterment groups.
Jeff Heuton, Human Resources Manager
Pella Corporation, Carroll Operation
jdheuton@pella.com
www.pella.com
Jeff Heuton is a Human Resources Manager for Pella Corporation. Pella Corporation has 19 manufacturing facilities and he works at the Carroll, Iowa plant. Jeff has worked for Pella Corporation for 37 years and has held numerous roles throughout his career.
Rhonda Griffin, Director of Human Resources
Centro Incorporated
RGriffin@centroinc.com
www.centroinc.com
Rhonda Griffin is a member of the Senior Leadership Team for Centro Incorporated, where she has worked for 29 years. She oversees the implementation of policies and procedures to ensure the execution of Centro’s strategic initiatives. Serving as Director of Human Resources for 20 years, Griffin directs recruitment, selection, training, benefits, engagement, leadership development, compensation, wellness, and performance management programs for 1,300 Associates in 11 facilities in 6 states and Brazil. She promotes the Centro Way cultural initiatives, ensures Centro policies are properly documented and communicated, and serves as a link between Leaders and Associates by handling questions, interpreting policies, and facilitating solutions. Griffin holds a Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management from Mt. Mercy, Cedar Rapids.
Kathy Anderson, Division Administrator, Business Engagement
Iowa Workforce Development
Kathy.Anderson@iwd.iowa.gov
workforce.iowa.gov/employers
Kathy Anderson serves as Division Administrator for Business Engagement at Iowa Workforce Development. The newly launched Business Engagement Division seeks to inform employers about resources available to them and to simplify how those resources may be accessed. The Business Engagement Division also works with employers on Work Based Learning, Apprenticeships, Internship programs and more. Kathy is also an obnoxiously proud mom of two children, Erin, a senior at the University of Iowa and Nathan, a sophomore rugby player at the University of Nebraska.