Annual Awards

Congratulations to our 2019 Annual Award Winners!

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Business Person of the Year: Natalie Merrill, Renewable Energy Group, Inc.

Community Involvement: Gary Botine, Mary Greeley Medical Center

Entrepreneur of the Year: Mindy Bergstrom, Cooks' Emporium and Nook & Nest

Diversity & Inclusion: Joel Hochstein, Iowa State University

Ames Chamber Ambassador of the Year: David Tucker, Great Western Bank

Economic Impact: Accurate Development

Economic Impact: Alliant Energy

Economic Impact: City of Collins, Iowa

Economic Impact: Deere & Company

Economic Impact: Gross-Wen Technologies

Economic Impact: Landus Cooperative

Economic Impact: Performance Livestock Analytics

Economic Impact: Verbio North America

Economic Impact: Vertex Software

The Ames Foundation Contributor of the Year: Ben Hershey, Country Landscapes

Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market Contributor of the Year: VisionBank

Ames Main Street Volunteer of the Year: Eric Abrams, Duck Worth Wearing & The Loft

Campustown Action Association Volunteer of the Year: Letitia Kenemer, Iowa State University Memorial Union

FUEL Story County 4 Under 40: Brianne Anderson, Ames Public Library

FUEL Story County 4 Under 40: Lawrence Cunningham, Iowa State Daily Media Group

FUEL Story County 4 Under 40: Christian Hempen, GVL

FUEL Story County 4 Under 40: Taylor Hopper, FOX Engineering

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Awards

• Business Person of the Year
  • Recognizes an individual for his/her long-term commitment to their own business as well as the business climate and quality of life in the community.
• Community Involvement
  • Recognizes an individual for his/her personal involvement and enthusiasm in a variety of civic and/or service organizations and has shown effort in improving the quality of life in the community.
• Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Recognizes an individual for his/her creativity, imagination and personal initiative in operating a successful business venture.
• Diversity & Inclusion
  • Recognizes an individual for his/her leadership in developing inclusive organizations and being a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Chamber Ambassador of the Year
  • Recognizes an individual for his/her outstanding dedication to the Chamber and its members as an Ames Chamber Ambassador
• Economic Impact
  • The Ames Economic Development Commission presents Economic Impact Awards to area companies that have made significant contributions to the greater Ames and Story County area through business growth and job creation.
• Ames Main Street: Volunteer of the Year
  • Recognizes an individual who has performed above and beyond for Downtown Ames by volunteering their time and efforts to support Ames Main Street and their work.
• Campustown Action Association: Volunteer of the Year
  • Recognizes an individual for their time and effort representing Campustown and CAA at events throughout the Ames community.
• Ames Main Street Farmers' Market: Contributor of the Year
  • Recognizes an individual or business who has supported the market and helped it continue to prosper and grow.
• The Ames Foundation: Contributor of the Year
  • Recognizes an individual who has gone above and beyond in their volunteerism and support of the Ames Foundation.
• FUEL Story County: 4 Under 40
  • The '4 Under 40' Awards capture the spirit of extraordinary young professionals in our community by recognizing those individuals who take the mission of FUEL Story County to heart, which is to be leaders committed to improving the quality of life in Ames, and to establish a community of young professionals dedicated to building and fostering relationships through leadership development, professional development, philanthropic involvement, and cultural and social opportunities. These young professionals have demonstrated outstanding leadership, professionalism, and community involvement in Ames, Iowa.