John Koester will be the featured speaker at Jefferson Matters: After Hours on Tuesday, June 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Jefferson. The event is presented by the Business Improvement Committee of Jefferson Matters: Main Street and sponsored by MacDonald Insurance.
The social time will begin at 5 p.m. with beverages and snacks. The presentation is at 5:30, followed by questions and answers with the speaker and continued socializing.
Koester has been involved with preservation of historic business buildings as a contractor with Koester Construction of Grimes. Koester Construction was the contractor for the restoration of the Lincoln Theatre Building at 101 North Chestnut Street in downtown Jefferson, the location of All Ability Cycles on the first level and offices on the second level.
In 2012, Koester formed an historic development consultancy business. He works closely with Main Street Iowa and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Iowa chapter on historic preservation projects and events.
Jefferson Matters: After Hours is presented quarterly in the downtown district. The first event was held in March at the Elks Lodge. Each After Hours presentation features a social time, cash bar, free appetizers and a speaker.