The North Iowa Area Community College Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center recognized seven entrepreneurs and businesses during the 2024 Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala on Oct. 3.
This year’s award winners are:
- Legacy Award – Stellar Industries: The Legacy Award recognizes a business that has made significant contributions to north Iowa through its vision, passion and leadership. Stellar Industries designs and manufactures equipment including mechanics trucks, service cranes and hooklifts. To ensure the long-term success of the company and the well-being of its workforce, Stellar established an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).
- Student Entrepreneur of the Year – Caleb Renner of Renner Ag Solutions: 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, which is developing a patent-pending bin sweep replacement that automatically unloads bins, eliminating the need for farmers to enter during the load-out process.
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Cody Purvis of Pampered Pets Resort & Spa: Purvis founded Pampered Pets Retreat and Spa in Kanawha in 2014. Starting from home, she built the business part time, and by 2017, she constructed the first commercial building to be built in Kanawha in 25 years and has since expanded. This award honors an entrepreneur under the age of 40.
- Entrepreneur of the Year – Luke Pickar and Jordan Oulman of Pickar-Oulman Plumbing, Heating & Electrical: Pickar and Oulman are the owners of Pickar-Oulman Plumbing, Heating, & Electrical Services in Riceville. In 2011, they purchased the business from Luke’s father. Their vision included a deep commitment to community support, including volunteer efforts and financial contributions to local events.
- Innovation Award – Zach Smith: Smith is the founder of the Stock Cropper located in Lake Mills. Beginning in 2020, the Stock Cropper team has created 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 multispecies grazing barn.
- Business of the Year – Pritchard Cos.: Pritchard Cos. was originally founded in 1913 as Pritchard Family Auto Stores. Over five generations, the auto dealership has practiced its core values of relationships, integrity, work ethic and a passion for serving communities.
- Entrepreneur of Purpose Award – Cassii Calaway of Kutz by KZ.