Meeker’s firm leads Ironclad cycle

A Portland native’s investment firm is part of a $100 million financing cycle for a lifecycle management firm.

Mary Meeker’s BOND led the financing series that brought investment in Ironclad to a total of $183 million. The company digitizes contracts and related processes, transforming contracts from static documents into the operational data layer of the modern business.

Meeker a Portland native and graduate of Jay County High School, and fellow BOND general partner Mood Rowghani will join Ironclad as board observers.

"Not only is Ironclad's vision well-honed; they have the talent and expertise to execute it," said Rowghani in a press release. "We believe the company will continue to innovate and lead in digital business contracting."

"Our goal isn't just to build incrementally better workflows or better management, but to build the digital contracting standard that will usher in the businesses of tomorrow," said Ironclad CEO and co-founder Jason Boehmig.



Haggenjos joins

Dr. Lee Haggenjos, a Jay County native, has joined the staff of Willmar Lakeland Clinic in Willmar, Minnesota.

Haggenjos, a 2008 graduate of Jay County High School, joined the practice after completing his family medicine residency with the University of Minnesota at North Memorial Hospital. He earned his bachelor’s degree in music performance and pre-professional studies from the University of Notre Dame and went on to earn his doctor of medicine degree from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

Ardagh earns A-minus

Ardagh Group has earned a “leadership class” rating from Carbon Disclosure Project, getting an A-minus for both climate change and water management.

Carbon Disclosure Group is a not-for-profit that runs a global disclosure system to manage environmental impacts.

“Ardagh’s teams are focussed on driving our sustainability strategy across all its dimensions,” said Ardagh chief sustainability officer John Sadlier in a press release. “The ratings from CDP evidence our constant focus on minimizing our environmental footprint. While doing so, we actively support our customers in their own sustainability activities.”



Reinhard promoted

Jessica Reinhard has been promoted to volunteer coordinator at Swiss Village Retirement Community in Berne.

Reinhard will become a part of the Swiss Village management team and serve as executive assistant and volunteer coordinator. She has been its executive assistant since 2017.

A South Adams High School graduate, she earned a bachelor’s degree in business from International Business College.

“Jessica has become one of the biggest cheerleaders for Swiss Village,” said Swiss Village president and CEO Rod Mason in a press release. “She always works with a big smile on her face and passionately talks up Swiss Village. … We thank Jessica for her willingness to take this new challenge … and are excited about the energy and positivity she will add to this program.”



New PAs added

Mercer Health Medical Group recently announced that Marisa Spoltman is accepting new patients and Courtney Albers has joined its long-term care team.

Spoltman, a physician assistant, is now providing primary care for Mercer Health at Celina Pro. Albers, also a physician assistant, will be based in long-term care facilities and work with Dr. Philip Masser.

Mercer Health Medical Group medical care in Mercer and Auglaize counties, including an office in Fort Recovery.



DG to pay for vaccine

Dollar General announced this week that it will pay its workers to get the coronavirus vaccine.

The company said employees will receive four hours of pay for receiving the vaccine. The goal is to curb the spread of the virus and alleviate customer safety concerns about shopping in stores.

“We do not want our employees to have to choose between receiving a vaccine or coming to work, so we are working to remove barriers,” Dollar General said in a press release. “We understand the decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccination is a personal choice, and although we are encouraging employees to take it, we are not requiring them to do so.”



Shutting down

The Courier Journal of Louisville, Kentucky, will be stopping its presses.

The newspaper's printing and packaging facility will close permanently in March, according to officials with Gannett, which owns the Courier Journal. Printing and other production operations will be split between Gannett-owned newspapers in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Indianapolis, the Courier Journal reported.

The move will result in the loss of 102 jobs, Gannett officials said.

The Courier Journal’s advertising and news teams will remain in Louisville. The March 9 edition of the paper will be the last to be printed in the city.



Lilly commits

Eli Lilly has pledged additional money as part of an effort to support minority-owned business.

Lilly announced this week that it will add $30 million to the Unseen Capital Health Fund, a venture fund that invests in early-stage minority-owned healthcare companies.

“The pandemic has reinforced our understanding that there is unequal treatment and unequal access to healthcare in underserved communities, made worse by a lack of financial investment for the promising ideas that rise up from within these communities,” said Lilly CFO Joshua Smiley in a release.



IU launches

Indiana University has launched its Academic Accelerator program.

The program is designed to promote the development of new high-tech ventures. It was launched in partnership with the National Security Innovation Network, a U.S. Department of Defense program, and Eccalon, a research and technology firm.

"In February, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb set a goal to triple federal defense investment in the state," IU vice president for government relations and economic engagement Bill Stephan said. "By partnering with NSIN and Eccalon to launch the Academic Accelerator program, Indiana University is growing the state's innovation economy, strengthening its connection to defense partners and ensuring that it continues to produce a strong pipeline of technology startups.”



Walmart delivering

Walmart announced this week that it will begin a pilot project to deliver groceries to temperature-controlled boxes.

The company will launch the program in Arkansas with customers able to get food delivered to the HomeValet-powered smart boxes placed at their home. The goal is to provide “secure, contactless deliveries with the peace of mind knowing their grocery items will stay fresh.”



CVS partnering

CVS Health announced Tuesday that it is partnering with Cancer Treatment Centers of America to increase access to chemotherapy at home.

The companies are working on the project in part to minimize patient exposure to COVID-19 during hospital visits.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges for immunocompromised patients with cancer looking for ways to safely continue their care, while minimizing their exposure to the virus,” said CVS chief medical officer Dr. Sree Chaguturu. “This collaborative arrangement with Cancer Treatment Centers of America allows us to combine our unique expertise in home infusion and clinical oncology to help more patients access treatment from the safety of their home.”