News

HBK was pleased to support the 2nd Annual Project SYNCERE Gala on October 10. Project SYNCERE's mission is to prepare the minds and create pathways for underrepresented and disadvantaged students to pursue careers in the STEM fields.

The PS ENpowered Games Competition is a middle school engineering design competition which includes middle school students from 20 Chicago-area elementary schools. The first phase consists of a 10-week in school program during which students are assisted in developing skills in three main areas: engineering, design thinking, problem solving and teamwork. The second phase is the competition, during which students showcase the valuable skills they have learned in the program in a real-world setting.

HBK Strive Employee Resource Group and Network of Exelon Women joined to present a panel discussion on Emotional Intelligence October 15 at the HBK Carroll Office. Kelly Tomblin, CEO of Intren, was the keynote speaker. Panelists were Susan Kutansky, ComEd Vice President of Human Resources, Dr. Reem Azhari PhD, RN Endowed Chair of Inter-Professional Education at Resurrection University, Rito Martinez, Vice President of Programs for Surge Institute, Nareman Taha, Co-Founder and Director of Arab American Social Services, Stephanie Hickman, Trice President & CEO, and Gabrielle Buckley, Director of the Gannon Center for Women and Leadership. HBK Division Manager Amanda Payonk was the moderator.

Tomblin said emotional Intelligence accounts for 80% of career success. While IQ involves balanced performance and decision making, EQ involves self awareness, motivation, self management, social skills and empathy. Women in particular exhibit EQ Power for success.

Panelists shared how as good leaders they take time to acknowledge team members and be good listeners. They relayed personal experiences of how emotional intelligence has influenced them.

HBK's Cedar Rapids Office participated in the Adopt A Road Clean Up Program on October 14. Through the program HBK picked up litter on 15th Avenue Southwest and 12th Avenue Southeast from 6th Street Southwest to 6th Street Southeast. This marked the second time the group has gone out this year.

HBK employees in Iowa City volunteered for Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity Saturday, October 12. The group worked on building projects within a new duplex to make the home ready for move-in. They spent time spackling, painting, and putting up trim. Their efforts will help to provide an Iowa City family with a new and affordable home.

Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity has constructed and renovated over 150 homes in Cedar, Iowa, Johnson and Washington counties since 1992. 

Casa Central celebrated its 65th Anniversary with an awards gala October 11 at the Chicago Hilton. HBK was pleased to sponsor the event. The evening reflected on the organization's leadership in serving the Latino community of Chicago. Award recipients were: Governor J.B. Pritzker, Changemaker Award; Allstate, Community Builder Award; Bank of America, Corporate Partner Award; and State Sen. Omar Aquino, Pastora San Juan Cafferty Legacy Award.

Casa Central provides bi-lingual and culturally responsive services to nearly 9,000 immigrant, Spanish-speaking and low-income participants each year.

HBK attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a Cedar Rapids floodgate October 8. Participating were public officials including Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart, City Manager Jeff Pomeranz, Senator Chuck Grassley, Senator Joni Ernst, Representative Abby Finkenaur, and Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite, Chief of Engineers and Commanding General, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The floodgate is a section of a $117 million project funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. With this floodgate at the 16 Avenue Bridge comes a retractable gate that rolls across the road and locks in 30 minutes. The gate will be 67 feet long and 14 feet high. This part of the project costs $2.4 million.

HBK competed in the 2019 Fit Company Challenge on September 28 at Cricket Hill Turf Field in Chicago's Lincoln Park. Employees participated in agility, strength and team building tasks. HBK reprised a first place finish in the medium sized company category.

HBK was pleased to sponsor the Chicago Commons 2019 Bud Blossom Golf Outing September 23 at Shoreacres in Lake Bluff, IL. The 125-year-old organization provides high-quality early education, family-centered adult education, and senior services to more than 3,000 individuals annually. Congratulations to HBKs own Matt Dunne who won the prize for closest to the pin - Men.

HBK was pleased to participate in the 1st Annual Warrior Built Golf Tournament September 20 at Riverwalk Golf Club in San Diego, CA. Warrior Built's mission is to provide combat veterans and wounded service people new motivation, camaraderie and to spark their imagination while most importantly offering a release to cope with similar difficulties in a positive and therapeutic way. This is done in a safe, fun and supportive environment all while providing much needed different forms of therapy. “Building Spirits, Souls and Machines.”

HBK was pleased to support the Chicago City Council Latino Caucus Foundation Gala September 20 at the Bridgeport Art Center. The foundation board is comprised of Chicago City Council members with the mission to support the education and upward mobility of Latino youth.