The 2026 Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala celebrated North Iowa’s entrepreneurs on September 24, 2026 at a special recognition event at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City. Entrepreneurs and businesses across North Iowa were invited to apply for five awards categories: the Student Entrepreneur Award, Young Entrepreneur Award, Innovation Award, Distinguished Entrepreneur Award, and Outstanding Business Award. 15 finalists were named, and the winners were announced at the Gala. An additional recognition, the Entrepreneur of Purpose Award, was awarded this year.
Legacy Award
Dean Snyder Construction was honored with the Legacy Award. The Legacy Award recognizes a business that has made significant contributions to North Iowa through their vision, passion, and leadership. Dean Snyder Construction is a family-owned and operated company, now in its third and fourth generation, and embodies entrepreneurship in North Iowa, constantly innovating and expanding their footprint both locally and beyond.
Entrepreneur of Purpose Award
Matt Curtis [Wayne’s Ski & Cycle, Mason City, IA]. The Entrepreneur of Purpose Award honors an entrepreneur whose work is driven by a strong sense of mission and a commitment to making a positive impact on their community. This award recognizes individuals who align their entrepreneurial efforts with a greater purpose and exemplifies leadership, vision, and a dedication to mentoring others and serving their community.
Beyond building a successful business in downtown Mason City with Wayne’s Ski & Cycle, Matt has invested countless hours mentoring other entrepreneurs, leading small business roundtables, and strengthening North Iowa’s business community. His leadership extends well beyond business, including his leadership in the development of Prairie Rock Trails and his continued commitment to creating opportunities that make North Iowa a better place to live, work, and do business.
Student Entrepreneur of the Year
Kylie Johnson [Kylie’s Lemonade, Osage, IA] received Student Entrepreneur Award. The Student Entrepreneur Award honors a student who embodies the entrepreneurial spirit through the successful pursuit of business ownership while balancing the demands of education and entrepreneurship. Honorees demonstrate initiative, creativity, determination, and resourcefulness in turning an idea into action, building and growing their business, overcoming challenges, and creating meaningful economic or community impact.
In June of 2025, at just 15 years old, Kylie launched Kylie’s Lemonade. She started with a pop-up tent and a kitchen knife. Through hard work and community support, she has grown her business and reinvested her earnings in equipment to make operations more efficient. Rain or shine, Kylie has become a familiar face on social media and at events across North Iowa.
Student Entrepreneur of the Year finalists also included Jordan Klooster [Klooster Flaps, Garner, IA].
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Lance Studer [Lance Studer Custom Automotive, Hampton, IA] received Young Entrepreneur Award. The Young Entrepreneur Award recognizes an entrepreneur under the age of 40 who demonstrates initiative, determination, and resourcefulness in developing, launching, or growing a business. Honorees demonstrate meaningful business progress and growth potential while making a positive economic and community impact through job creation, investment, local purchasing, partnerships, leadership, and engagement in the region.
Lance discovered his passion for cars in high school and developed his skills in auto painting, restoration, and repair while working at Butch Gruelke Auto Body. He later turned that passion into Lance Studer Customs, a business built on quality craftsmanship and customer care. In 2026 he expanded by purchasing Butch’s business. Lance has proven that anything is possible with hard work, grit, and perseverance.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalists also included Megumi Abbot [Churasan; Charles City, IA] and Dr. Holly Neuberger [Lake Animal Clinic, Clear Lake, IA].
Innovation Award
Bridget Herrick & Sherri Stensrude [Beach Buddies & Sensory Cove, Mason City, IA] received the Innovation Award. The Innovation Award recognizes a business or entrepreneur that demonstrates creativity and forward thinking through new or significantly improved products, services, technologies, processes, or business practices. Honorees use innovation to solve problems, modernize or transform industries, improve efficiency and productivity, create new market opportunities, and deliver measurable business results while strengthening customers, industries, and the regional economy.
Beach Buddies turned a familiar North Iowa challenge into an innovative business model. Co-owners Bridget Herrick and Sherri Stensrude created a staff-free indoor play space using online reservations, controlled door access, security technology, and parent supervision. By rethinking the traditional staffing model, they created a business that can operate profitably in a smaller market while giving families a much-needed place to play year-round.
Innovation Award finalists also included Lake Pin & Play [Nick and Debbie Plagge and Tyler & Debbie Kerr, Clear Lake, IA] and L&J Industries [Chris & Lisa Garden, Brady Garden and Jacie Peichel, Charles City, IA].
Distinguished Entrepreneur Award
Dean & Marcia Sonquist [Plas-Tech Tooling, Inc, Garner, IA] received the Distinguished Entrepreneur Award. The Distinguished Entrepreneur Award recognizes individuals who exemplify entrepreneurial vision, innovation, resilience, and sustained business success while making a meaningful contribution to the regional economy. Honorees demonstrate exceptional leadership in identifying opportunities, building and growing successful businesses, creating jobs and investment, adapting to change, and giving back through mentorship, community leadership, partnerships, and service.
Dean and Marcia Sonquist started Plas-Tech Tooling in their garage more than 30 years ago and have grown it into a 40,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing company in Garner. Their commitment to community also runs deep, with Dean serving 25 years as a volunteer firefighter and the family supporting local childcare initiatives, youth sports, and other community efforts.
Entrepreneur of the Year finalists also included Alicia Johnson [A. Johnson Trucking, Northwood, IA] and Jeff & Lori Otto [Otto’s Oasis, Charles City, IA].
Outstanding Business Award
Huber Supply Co. [Mason City, IA] received the Outstanding Business Award. The Outstanding Business Award recognizes a business that demonstrates sustained success, growth, innovation, and excellence within its industry while making a meaningful contribution to the regional economy. Honorees exemplify strong leadership, adaptability, workforce and business investment, and a commitment to strengthening their business partners by helping them innovate, grow, remain competitive, and achieve long-term success, ultimately strengthening the broader region.
Founded in Mason City in 1939 with a single truck, Huber Supply has grown into a fourth-generation, family-owned business with locations across Iowa and Minnesota. For more than 86 years, the company has continued to evolve, invest in technology, expand its services, and help manufacturers across the region succeed through training and technical support. Their commitment to the community includes revitalizing a downtown Mason City property and supporting schools, skilled trades education, and workforce development. Four generations of family leadership, a commitment to excellence, and a lasting investment in North Iowa have built a strong legacy of business and community success.
Business of the Year finalists also included IMT Transport [Garner, IA] and Mike Molstead Motors, Inc. [Charles City, IA].
The Gala dinner was catered by Prime N Wine. Dessert was provided by Three on the Tree Coffee & Café. The Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala is made possible with the support of our sponsors and community partners. With great thanks to our sponsors:
Visionary Sponsors:
First Citizens Bank, Hanson Family Foundation, MBT Bank, NIACC Business & Workforce Solutions, NIACC Foundation, Stellar Manufacturing
Innovator Sponsors:
Ag Ventures Alliance, Cambrex, Clear Lake Bank & Trust, CUSB Bank, Dean Snyder Construction, Farmers State Bank, Forest City EDC, Hoover’s Hatchery, Huber Supply, Plas-Tech Tooling, Sukup Manufacturing Co.
Ambassador Sponsors:
Altus CXO, Bank Iowa, Charles City ADC, Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, First Security Bank, Heartland Asphalt, Henkel Construction, Home Trust Savings Bank, Iowa ABI, Mason City Chamber of Commerce, Mitchell County EDC, Murphy Coe & Smith, NSB Bank, North Iowa Corridor EDC, Pritchard Family Companies, Winn-Worth BetCo, Jamie Zanios
Community Partners:
Cerro Gordo County, University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, USDA Rural Development