MASON CITY, Iowa – The 2024 Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala celebrated North Iowa’s entrepreneurs on October 3, 2024 at a special recognition event at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City. Entrepreneurs and businesses across North Iowa were invited to apply for four awards categories: Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Student Entrepreneur of the Year, the Innovation Award, and Business of the Year. finalists were named, and the winners were announced at the gala. An additional recognition, the Entrepreneur of Purpose Award, was awarded to Cassii Calaway of Kutz by KZ, Mason City.
Stellar Industries was honored with the Legacy Award. The Legacy Award recognizes a business that has made significant contributions to North Iowa through their vision, passion, and leadership. Stellar Industries and the Zrostlik family embody entrepreneurship in North Iowa, constantly innovating and expanding their footprint both locally and beyond. Stellar designs and manufactures a diverse range of market-leading equipment that sets new industry standards. To ensure the long-term success of the company and the well-being of their workforce, Stellar took a forward-thinking step by establishing an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This initiative turned employees into shareholders, fostering a deeper sense of community, culture, and commitment within the company. The award was accepted by David Zrostlik, President of Stellar Industries.
Caleb Renner [Renner Ag Solutions; Klemme, IA] received Student Entrepreneur of the Year. The Student Entrepreneur of the Year award honors a student who embodies the entrepreneurial spirit through the successful pursuit of business ownership. To be eligible, the recipient must be a North Iowa high school or college student enrolled in college credit courses.
Caleb Renner is a fifth-generation farmer working alongside his father and grandfather on 1,800 acres in North Central Iowa. He is the founder of Renner Ag Solutions, who’s developing a patent-pending bin sweep replacement that automatically unloads bins, eliminating the need for farmers to enter during the load-out process, ultimately saving lives and limbs. Caleb is actively involved in the Collegiate Entrepreneur Organization, Pitch Competitions, and the Pappajohn Center.
Student Entrepreneur of the Year finalists also included Catherine Dow [Instatat; Clarksville, IA] and Casey Schlling [K2 Enterprise; Britt, IA].
Cody Purvis [Pampered Pets Resort & Spa; Kanawha, IA] received Young Entrepreneur of the Year. The Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award celebrates the achievements of a North Iowa entrepreneur under the age of 40. These young business leaders are shaping the future of our region, building businesses, creating jobs, and giving back to their communities in meaningful ways.
Cody Purvis founded Pampered Pets Retreat and Spa in Kanawha in 2014. Starting from home, she built the business part-time. By 2017 she constructed the first commercial building to be built in Kanawha in 25 years and has since expanded. Pampered Pets has revitalized Kanawha, attracting hundreds of monthly clients. They give back in a variety of ways including donating dog food to local shelters, holding charitable events for local shelters and humane societies and supporting community causes.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalists also included Jake Buss [Marathon Media; Charles City, IA] and Cort & Lanie Sanvig [Tellurian Brewing; Charles City, IA].
Luke Pickar and Jordan Oulman [Pikcar-Oulman Plumbing, Heating & Electrical; Riceville, IA] received Entrepreneur of the Year. The Entrepreneur of the Year Award honors the vision, commitment, innovation and impact of North Iowa Entrepreneurs and their significant contribution to the local community and economy.
Luke Pickar and Jordan Oulman are the owners of Pickar-Oulman Plumbing, Heating, & Electrical Services in Riceville. In 2011, at just 23 years old, Luke and Jordan purchased the business from Luke’s father. The community soon realized that these young entrepreneurs had a bold, forward-thinking business plan that went beyond delivering quality products and services. Their vision included a deep commitment to community support, highlighted by their volunteer efforts and financial contributions to a wide range of local events.
Entrepreneur of the Year finalists also included Tyler Johnson [Charlie Golf Co.; Mason City, IA] and Catarino Martinez [Avion Azul & The Surf Galley; Mason City, IA].
Zack Smith received the Innovation Award. The Innovation Award recognizes North Iowa entrepreneurs who are pioneers in their industry, setting new standards through groundbreaking technology or product innovations.
Zack Smith is the founder of The Stock Cropper located in Lake Mills. Beginning in 2020 The Stock Cropper team had an idea to create a system designed to re-intersect livestock and crops working together in a closed loop, low carbon intensive, synergistic field arrangement. The solution was designed and has become the world’s first autonomous, solar powered, self-steering multi-species grazing barn. In the spring of 2024 the Stock Cropper story was included in the release of the film, “Food Inc 2, Back for Seconds”.
Innovation Award finalistsalso included Billie Asmus [Repaint Studios; Hampton, IA] and David Kingland [Renovo Media Group; Clear Lake, IA].
Pritchard Companies received Business of the Year. The Business of the Year Award honors outstanding North Iowa businesses that have demonstrated exceptional practices in driving economic growth and creating value for our community improving the quality of life for all residents.
Pritchard Companies, originally founded as Pritchard Family Auto Stores in 1913 has a rich history rooted in family and community values. The company’s adherence to these core principles and its innovative spirit led to its expansion into various industries beyond automotive dealerships. Over five generations, they have continued to grow and innovate, building a legacy of trust and excellence and remaining committed to its core values of: relationships, integrity, work ethic, and a passion for serving its communities.
Business of the Year finalists also included Clear Lake Bank & Trust [Clear Lake, IA] and Popp Excavating, Inc. [Osage, IA].
The dinner was catered by Prime N Wine. Dessert was provided by Three on the Tree Coffee & Café. Entertainment was provided by Joan and Brent Estlund. The Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala is made possible with the support of our sponsors and community partners. With great thanks to our sponsors:
Visionary: First Citizens Bank; The John K. & Luise V. Hanson Foundation; MBT Bank; The NIACC Foundation; Pritchards Companies; Stellar Industries Inc.
Innovator: AgVentures Alliance; BrownWinick Law Firm; CL Tel; Farmers State Bank; Forest City Economic Development Corporation; Heartland Asphalt; Hoover’s Hatchery; Hovland Property Development, Inc.; Home Trust & Savings Bank; Huber Supply; Iowa Economic Development Authority; Motion + Brennan Industries; Murphy, Coe & Smith, PLLC; NIACC Business & Workforce Solutions; Sukup Manufacturing Co.
Ambassador: 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)
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.
