The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is proud to announce the finalists for the 2024 Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala awards. The Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala will take place on Thursday October 3, 2024. The Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala will celebrate the remarkable journey of the Pappajohn Center, showcase the achievements of North Iowa’s outstanding entrepreneurs, and honor the recipient of the prestigious business Legacy Award, presented this year to Stellar Industries. The finalists for the 2024 Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala awards are:

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

• Cody Purvis, Pampered Pets Retreat & Spa – Kanawha, IA
• Cort & Lanie Sanvig, Tellurian Brewing – Charles City, IA
• Jake Buss, Marathon Media – Charles City, IA

Student Entrepreneur of the Year

• Catherine Dow, Instatat – Clarksville, IA
• Caleb Renner, Renner Ag Solutions – Klemme, IA
• Casey Schilling, K2 Enterprise – Britt, IA

Entrepreneur of the Year

• Catarino Martinez, Avion Azul & Surf Galley – Mason City, IA
• Luke Pickar, Pickar-Oulman Plumbing, Heating, & Electrical Services – Riceville, IA
• Tyler Johnson, Charlie Golf Co. – Mason City, IA

 Innovation Award

• Billie Asmus, Repaint Studios – Hampton, IA
• David Kingland, Renovo Studios – Clear Lake, IA
• Zack Smith, The Stock Cropper – Lake Mills, IA

Business of the Year

• Clear Lake Bank & Trust – Clear Lake, IA
• Popp Excavating, Inc. – Osage, IA
• Pritchard Companies – Clear Lake, IA

Additionally, a special entrepreneurship award will be announced at the Gala: The 2024 Entrepreneur of Purpose.

The Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala is made possible with the support of our sponsors and community partners. With great thanks to our sponsors:

Visionary Tier: First Citizens Bank; The John K. & Luise V. Hanson Foundation; MBT Bank; The NIACC Foundation; Pritchard Companies; Stellar Industries Inc.

Innovator Tier: AgVentures Alliance; BrownWinick Law Firm; CL Tel; Farmers State Bank; Forest City Economic Development Corporation; Heartland Asphalt; Hoover’s Hatchery; Hoveland Property Development, Inc.;  Huber Supply; Iowa Economic Development Authority; Motion + Brennan Industries; Murphy, Coe & Smith, PLLC; NIACC Business & Workforce Solutions; Sukup Manufacturing Co.

Ambassador Tier: Charles City Area Development Corporation; Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce; Clear Lake Bank & Trust; Dean Snyder Construction; FFC Advisors; Henkel Construction; Iowa Association of Business & Industry;  Jamie Zanios; L&J Industries; Mason City Chamber of Commerce; Mitchell County Economic Development Corporation; North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corporation; Plas-Tech Tooling; TechTalk North Iowa; WinnWorth BetCo

Community Partners: The City of Clear Lake; The City of Mason City; Cerro Gordo County; NIACC Continuing Education & Economic Development; The Iowa State Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS); University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC)

Tickets for the 2024 Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala can be purchased at www.pappajohncenter.com/gala

The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is the expert in rural business innovation and success. In partnership with North Iowa’s Small Business Development Center, together we provide tools, support, and resources to Iowa’s entrepreneurs. We counsel both new and existing local businesses, from Main Street to industry leaders. We’re growing Iowa’s entrepreneurial culture through grade school initiatives, college and community programs, and business training and development. Contact the NIACC Pappajohn Center at 641-422-4111 or pappajohn@niacc.edu.

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