WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- Ernst & Young LLP announced that Kyle Krause--president and CEO of Kum & Go LC--was among the winners of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Central Midwest.
An independent judging panel made up of previous winners of the award, leading CEOs, private-capital investors and other regional business leaders selected these entrepreneurs. Ernst & Young revealed the winners at a special gala event on June 5 in Kansas City, Kansas.
"Ernst & Young has honored outstanding entrepreneurs like this year's winners for the past 26 years," said Randolph Buseman, Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur of the Year Program Director for Central Midwest. "These business leaders have accomplished so much and contributed a tremendous amount to the community."
The Entrepreneur of the Year Program honors entrepreneurs regionally in June, leading up to the national awards in November. Additionally, venture-backed companies that win an Entrepreneur of the Year Award regionally are also eligible for the Venture Capital Award of Excellence at the national level. The US Entrepreneur of the Year Overall Award winner then moves on to compete for the World Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Now in its 26th year, the Entrepreneur of the Year Program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 140 cities in more than 50 countries throughout the world. Awards are given to entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards are nationally sponsored in the United States by SAP America and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
In the Central Midwest, sponsors include Smart Business, Faegre Baker Daniels, Stinson Morrison Hecker, Armstrong Teasdale, Enterprise Bank & Trust, Lockton Cos. and Common Ground.
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services.
West Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go has more than 400 convenience stores in 11 states (Iowa, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming). In addition to a wide selection of products, Kum & Go provides customers a proprietary mix of products under the Hiland brand. Other proprietary product offerings include Java Ridge Premium Coffee, Napa Creek and Sea Ridge wines, Go Fresh Market sandwiches and Nuclear energy drinks.
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