DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Greater Des Moines Committee on Dec. 1 recognized Kyle J. Krause, president and CEO of Kum & Go LC, among its 2016 inductees to the Iowa Business Hall of Fame.
The Iowa Business Hall of Fame honors the achievements of Iowans who have made outstanding contributions to the Hawkeye State’s business climate. The individual leads or has led a business that has provided jobs and economic development to his or her community and the state, creating wealth and opportunity; has improved the economies of the community and the state through his or her leadership in local organizations; and has given of his or her time and financial resources for the betterment of the community, among other qualities.
West Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go has more than 400 convenience stores in 11 states. He was named president of Kum & Go in 1997 and became president and CEO in 2004.
Under Krause’s leadership, Kum & Go has transformed from a group of acquired gas stations that offered grocery staples to a modern convenience-store chain that focuses on delivering more than customers expect, the group said. Krause has leveraged his investments, reinvested for continued growth and taken the right risks to propel the business to success.
Krause is also the owner of Krause Holdings Inc., the parent company to Kum & Go, as well as other business ventures that include farming operations, real estate and the Des Moines Menace men’s and women’s soccer teams.
For four generations, the Krause family and Kum & Go have shared 10% of profits with charitable causes and organizations. Krause and his wife, Sharon, have built a reputation on philanthropic giving and community involvement locally and nationally.
The Greater Des Moines Committee selects inductees to the Iowa Business Hall of Fame on merit rather than endorsement.
A group of 30 local business leaders formed the Greater Des Moines Committee in 1907. It founded the Iowa Business Hall of Fame in 1975. The committee consists of 121 members. The group’s purpose is to encourage, promote, develop and protect commercial, manufacturing and other business interests of the Des Moines area and Iowa.
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