CBE Companies’ Tom Penaluna Recognized for Community Leadership

CBE Companies Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tom Penaluna earned the Fulfilling the Vision of One award from the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance Thursday for his continued leadership in the Cedar Valley.

Penaluna committed to growing leaders

Penaluna has led CBE for 35 years, growing the company from 25 employees to more than 1,600 today. Along the way, Penaluna has been instrumental in growing leaders both inside CBE and in the greater community.

The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance award recognizes an “outstanding contribution by an individual in the private sector for leadership in creating and strengthening regional collaboration and cooperation for economic and community development.”

“Tom is one of those special people who doesn’t just want to give back to his community, he wants to do something significant enough to leave our people better off because of his efforts,” said Steve Dust, CEO of the Greater Cedar  Valley Alliance.

Penaluna’s influence runs deep in both the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area and Iowa as a whole. Penaluna served eight years on the Waterloo City Council, as well as on the Alliance and Chamber of Commerce Board since 2005. He is also a board member on the Iowa Partnership on Economic Progress. The Alliance noted, “Tom is a visionary who works tirelessly for the good of his company and the community.”

Of particular note, the Alliance cited his passion for bettering the community as he helped form Leader Valley. That program’s Leader in Me component brings the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to students in Cedar Valley Schools.

Dust noted that Penaluna not only built a successful and growing company, but sought out an opportunity to make a powerful change in the community.

“Tom Penaluna is a business leader who is contributing to the success of every student in our schools – and the future of the Cedar Valley – through the Leader Valley initiative,” Dust said.

About CBE Companies

Founded in 1933, CBE Companies is a global provider of outsourced call center services. The company specializes in receivables management and customer care services. This narrow focus has enabled the company to be an expert in every aspect of the business. From a one-of-a-kind approach to onboarding to a proven ramp process, CBE’s focused expertise saves its partners money and enables them to focus on their core business.

CBE approaches every business relationship as a strategic partnership. The company shares in its partners’ successes and failures and strives to create more of the former and less of the latter. CBE firmly believes transparency and communication are the cornerstones in the foundation for success. The company’s approach to a strategic partnership begins with open communication; this assures CBE partners that the team handling their business is committed to delivering customer insights, ideas and new ways to accomplish goals.

With more than 1,500 people in seven locations globally, CBE Companies can deliver the right solution in the right location for your business. For more information about CBE Companies, please visit www.cbecompanies.com or call 319-833-1397.