WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- Kyle Krause, president and CEO of Kum & Go LC, has been named one of the nation's top four finalists for the prestigious Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 Retail & Consumer Products Award.
Earlier this year, Krause was named the winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 retail and consumer products award in the Central Midwest region (see Related Content below for previous CSP Daily News coverage).
Krause was recognized for his achievement during the recent Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum in Palm Springs, Calif., where all 26 finalists were invited to the Black Tie Awards Gala hosted by Jay Leno. The Strategic Growth Forum is a national gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.
Ernst & Young recognized Krause, as a national finalist, for his innovation, leadership, financial success and personal commitment in growing Kum & Go to its current stature as the nation's 5th largest privately held convenience store chain. Kum & Go is a U.S.-based, family-owned company with more than 425 stores in 11 states.
Bryan Pearce, Americas director of the Entrepreneur of the Year for Ernst & Young LLP, said, "Entrepreneurs continue to be a driving force in leading the economic recovery. Their ability to see around corners and find new, better ways of doing things makes them an engine of growth."
Krause has identified and implemented many such innovations, including recently implementing a new store design that features a more customer-focused floor plan and a strong emphasis on sustainable construction.
Hee credited the company's core values--passion, integrity, teamwork, caring and excellence, as well as the commitment to give back to its communities--with driving Kum & Go's growth and financial success. "I am honored to have been a finalist for this prestigious award. I also know that it would not have been possible without the significant contributions of Kum & Go's associates and our loyal customers," he said.
In addition to Krause, Ernst & Young recognized Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya as Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 Retail & Consumer Products Award winner and overall award winner. Other national finalists included David Overton, chairman and CEO of The Cheesecake Factory and Andrew Thomas Mack, CEO and chairman of Teavana Holdings Inc.
West Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go's c-stores are located in Iowa, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming. Along with name-brand merchandise, it sells a proprietary mix of products under the Hiland brand name. 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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