BEST RADIO STATION FOR BUSINESS NEWS

WHO 1040

Business news is very important to WHO radio, said Van Harden, the station’s program director.

“There are just so many things that are affected by business; of course we pay a lot of attention to it,” he said. “What happens in the business community has a ripple effect, and our commitment to covering business has never been stronger.”

A key to WHO’s news coverage is constant updates, with most of the news heard on the station being less than an hour old, Harden said.

“We’re the information station in Des Moines,” he said. “Most stations play music as the majority of their content, but we focus on the news, and we want to do it right.”

Every member of the 10-person news team performs several functions, Harden said, working as reporters in the field as well as taking spots behind the anchor desk. That leads to a staff that is both talented as well as informed on the topics they must report on every day.

“We have a lot of pride in the product we produce,” he said.

Runner-up: WOI

BEST PLACE TO BE A CEO

Holmes Murphy & Associates Inc.

Having “some really, really talented people” is one reason Holmes Murphy & Associates Inc. is a great place to be chief executive officer, according to CEO Doug Reichardt.

The West Des Moines-based insurance brokerage and financial services company has grown to 450 employees in 11 offices extending from Wisconsin to Texas.

“I’m always looking for and have found people who are better than I am,” Reichardt said. “It challenges you and motivates you. It tells you, ‘I’ve got to get my game on a very high level.’ You’ve also got to get out of the way. My job is to knock down the barriers for our talent, so they can do their best for our customers, our company.”

The company’s roots extend to the Great Depression, when Max L. Holmes established an insurance agency in 1932. He was joined seven years later by J. Raymond Murphy Jr., a former member of the University of Iowa’s famous Ironmen football team. By 1951, Murphy had become a partner in the firm, which then operated under the Holmes Murphy name.

Reichardt said he works to keep the workplace fun and his employees motivated, particularly by recognizing their contributions.

“Good deeds continue to support and motivate other good deeds,” he said. “Inside this company, we make a major effort to thank people for what they do, and it just generates more good deeds, and you see that in how people are involved leading charitable organizations.”

Runners-up: Principal Financial Group Inc., The Weitz Co.

BEST PLACE TO BE A CEO

Holmes Murphy & Associates Inc.

Having “some really, really talented people” is one reason Holmes Murphy & Associates Inc. is a great place to be chief executive officer, according to CEO Doug Reichardt.

The West Des Moines-based insurance brokerage and financial services company has grown to 450 employees in 11 offices extending from Wisconsin to Texas.

“I’m always looking for and have found people who are better than I am,” Reichardt said. “It challenges you and motivates you. It tells you, ‘I’ve got to get my game on a very high level.’ You’ve also got to get out of the way. My job is to knock down the barriers for our talent, so they can do their best for our customers, our company.”

The company’s roots extend to the Great Depression, when Max L. Holmes established an insurance agency in 1932. He was joined seven years later by J. Raymond Murphy Jr., a former member of the University of Iowa’s famous Ironmen football team. By 1951, Murphy had become a partner in the firm, which then operated under the Holmes Murphy name.

Reichardt said he works to keep the workplace fun and his employees motivated, particularly by recognizing their contributions.

“Good deeds continue to support and motivate other good deeds,” he said. “Inside this company, we make a major effort to thank people for what they do, and it just generates more good deeds, and you see that in how people are involved leading charitable organizations.”

Runners-up: Principal Financial Group Inc., The Weitz Co.

BEST LAW FIRM

Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts P.C.

A strong Des Moines economy has kept the Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts P.C. law firm especially busy with business clients this year, said attorney Scott Brennan. As a result, the firm is adding three lawyers to the 65 currently associated with the firm.

The law firm also is getting ready to move its offices from The Financial Center to a new building where Hotel Fort Des Moines’ parking garage is now located. Brennan expects the new office to be completed by late 2007 and will be a “real opportunity to showcase the firm in new surroundings.” The new building is near the Des Moines library, which the firm donated $250,000 to help build.

Being in business for 75 years, said Brennan, “is a reflection on the culture of the firm. We’ve got a very loyal, hard-working and outstanding staff and outstanding attorneys that are recognized in their area of expertise.” Brennan also attributes the firm’s success to its loyal and diverse client base, including individuals, private and public businesses, multinational corporations, non-profit groups and the state.



Runners-up: Belin Lamson McCormick Zumbach Flynn; Nyemaster, Goode, West, Hansell & O’Brien P.C.

BEST LARGE COMPANY WITH THE MOST PROMISING FUTURE

Principal Financial Group Inc.

It is probably no surprise the Principal Financial Group Inc. was voted best large company with the most promising future. Principal is the perennial winner in this category, and even with more than 125 years of business under its belt, it is a company that doesn’t rest on its laurels.

Principal is a leading global financial company offering businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services. Its range of products and services includes retirement plans, life and health insurance, wellness programs, and investment and banking products for its more than 15 million customers worldwide.

Based in Des Moines, Principal has a presence all over the world, with operations in Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Great Britain and all over Europe.

Principal is the seventh-largest life insurer, the fifth-largest investment manager by net assets and is ranked among the 100 largest mutual fund managers.

Runners-up: Wells Fargo & Co., Iowa Health – Des Moines

BEST CORPORATE FINANCIAL SERVICES

Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

As a national company, Wells Fargo & Co. brings financial strength and a broad product line to its corporate customers. Yet it operates as a local company – the Wells Fargo team builds close relationships with customers to meet their financial needs.

“Our goal is to out-local the nationals and out-national the locals,” said Scott Johnson, regional president for Wells Fargo in Iowa and western Illinois. “Our Iowa team connects our many corporate customers with Wells Fargo products and services to help them succeed financially.”

The company offers a broad range of corporate financial services, including retirement plans, 401(k) plan administration, asset-based lending and global trust and custody services. It also serves Iowa companies as a corporate bank, offering credit, deposits and treasury management.

Wells Fargo is the highest credit-rated bank in the United States, receiving an “Aaa” from Moody’s Investors Service – its top credit rating – and “AA+” from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services.

Runners-up: Bankers Trust Co., LWBJ

BEST COMPANY WORKFORCE

Iowa Health – Des Moines

Greater Des Moines’ fourth-largest private employer has been recognized this year as having the best workforce. Iowa Health – Des Moines, which operates Blank Children’s Hospital, Iowa Lutheran Hospital and Iowa Methodist Medical Center, employs 5,749 people, along with 878 physicians on staff and 1,856 volunteers.

“Each day when the people of Iowa Health come to work, they come to make a difference in the lives of patients and families,” said Sue Allyn, Iowa Health’s vice president of human resources. “It doesn’t matter if they are a nurse, clinical partner, housekeeper, translator or physician; they truly care about people and want to help them through what is often a difficult time in their life. Truly living our mission is what makes us different and makes our workforce so great.”

Iowa Health employees also participate in a wide variety of programs, partnerships and activities throughout Greater Des Moines that benefit community health and improve the quality of life for Central Iowans.

Runners-up: Allied/Nationwide Insurance; Principal Financial Group Inc.

BEST AUTOMOBILE DEALER

Betts Auto Campus

Betts Auto Campus’ winning streak in this category has now reached 11 consecutive years. The dealership sells and services high-end automobile makes, including Cadillac, Lexus, Hummer, Volvo and Jaguar.

“As a business owner, you can’t imagine how proud that makes me of our people,” said Rich Willis, the dealer principal. “Lots and lots of folks have been here for a long time, and we have a wonderful culture of people who work just the way they live their life.”

Earlier this year, Willis was named as one of five finalists for the 2006 Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award. In addition to being among the nation’s most successful auto dealers, recipients must also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to effective community service.

Runners-up: Jordan Motors; Holmes Automotive Group.

BEST ADVERTISING AGENCY

Flynn Wright Inc.

For the fifth year in a row, Flynn Wright Inc. was chosen as the best advertising agency in Greater Des Moines. “What we’re doing better than anybody else is technology,” said Aaron Kennedy, the executive vice president. “Tony Rose is the director of the technology department, and he does things I didn’t think were possible with Web sites and Flash presentations. For any pitch, we build it around technology.”

Founded in 1984, Flynn Wright works in various ways with local clients. “We do most of the national work for Mediacom, regional work for MidAmerican Energy, and then there are the great local brands we’ve been working with forever, like Josephs,” Kennedy said.

In addition to advertising, Flynn Wright also offers marketing, public relations and research services.

“We have evolved our technology and our processes,” Kennedy said, “and we try to stay out front in terms of research. And we have a really young staff with lots of energy.”

Runner-ups: Strategic America; The Integer Group – Midwest

BEST ACCOUNTING FIRM

McGladrey & Pullen LLP

As the Des Moines office of McGladrey & Pullen LLP turns 60 this year, the certified public accounting firm continues to hire new employees to meet the growing demand for its services. According to Kevin Prust, a partner with the firm, the Des Moines office has increased its staff by about 10 to 15 percent in each of the past several years and now employs about 170 people. He expects that growth to continue as the firm benefits from a strong local economy.

“As the economy has improved, the number of entities that need our assistance has grown,” Prust said. He said McGladrey & Pullen’s business grows as new companies locate here or existing ones grow through acquisitions.

McGladrey & Pullen specializes in serving mid-sized companies, with an emphasis in Des Moines on manufacturing and distribution, construction and real estate, health care, financial services and the public sector.

“Our focus on serving mid-market companies as opposed to Fortune 500 companies is important from the standpoint of knowing how those organizations work and what they need for their assistance in their continued growth,” Prust said.

RUNNERS-UP: McGowen, Hurst, Clark & Smith P.C.; Denman & Co. LLP

BEST PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM

Hanser & Associates

More business leaders are recognizing that public relations can be valuable to their company, said Ron and Bonnie Hanser, founders of Hanser & Associates, and that trend is helping fuel their company’s success.

“There’s growing recognition among sophisticated CEOs and marketing executives that public relations delivers very high return on investments and is an effective way to reach potential customers, recruit employees, and develop relationships with government entities,” said Ron Hanser. “We help forge and strengthen those relationships.”

The company’s revenues will top $1 million this year, said Bonnie Hanser, and its client base continues to increase. The Hansers attribute this to “continued specialization in what we’re doing.” During the last year, the company has been developing a new category of expertise, word-of-mouth advertising, which focuses on helping clients reach customers through one-on-one conversations. The company also continues to offer more ways to measure the effectiveness of the services it provides, said the Hansers.

Ron Hanser also sees his role as president and chairman of Pinnacle Worldwide as a benefit to his agency because it “helps us serve international needs of Des Moines-based customers,” in addition to bringing international resources to the city.

Runners-up: Strategic America; Flynn Wright Inc.

BEST SMALL COMPANY WITH A PROMISING FUTURE

Flynn Wright Inc.

It’s still a small company, but getting bigger all the time. Flynn Wright Inc. has reached the 50-employee milestone, and when asked if more growth is expected, Executive Vice President Aaron Kennedy said, “Oh gosh, yeah.”

The company’s success not only demands more employees, but also helps draw them from other, bigger cities. “In the last couple of years, we’ve brought in people from Minneapolis, Denver, Chicago, Kansas City. … It’s sort of the reverse of what usually happens,” Kennedy said.

The trend in the financial books has been upward as well. According to Kennedy, Flynn Wright’s total billings increased from $29.6 million in 2003 to $34.6 million in 2004 to $38.3 million last year.

Good community relations can only help a company’s future, and Kennedy noted “we encourage everybody who works here to get involved and serve on boards, and we’re always doing some pro bono work.”

Runners-up: Storey-Kenworthy Inc.; McGowen, Hurst, Clark & Smith P.C.

BEST IOWA BUSINESS SCHOOL

AIB College of Business

A new era begins this fall at AIB College of Business when the venerable school begins offering a baccalaureate degree completion program. AIB received approval last winter to offer bachelor of science degrees in accounting and business administration. AIB graduates and community college graduates with an associate’s degree will be able to return to the college to earn a bachelor’s degree.

In August, the school opened a Service Learning Center to support a program that began last fall. The center assists students in completing their required 30 hours of service to non-profit organizations while attending AIB. A grant from Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino helped in the establishment of the office, and a grant from the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation will be used to train faculty and service learning staff on how to incorporate service learning in their classrooms.

AIB was founded in Des Moines in 1921 and has nearly 8,000 alumni living in Iowa.

Runners-up: University of Iowa M.B.A. program; University of Northern Iowa

BEST VIDEO PRODUCTION COMPANY

Screenscape Studios

Des Moines native Brad Morford, along with partners Todd Hyde and Tony Dock, established what would become Screenscape Studios in 1987 in Urbandale. The company built and moved into its current West Des Moines facility in 1992, and has grown from the original three-man operation to one that employs more than 20 people and a host of freelancers.

“We’ve been at this for some time now, longer than most companies doing this in the Midwest,” Morford, Screenscape’s president, said. “And we continue to expand. It seems like our staff and the number of projects we take on grow every year. We now have clients all over the Midwest, in Omaha, Kansas City and Chicago.”

The company’s state-of-the-art production complex houses two sound stages, each fully equipped with video, lighting and sound equipment. It also houses a complete set design and construction department.

Morford said Screenscape has recently established a multimedia department, allowing the company to take on new types of projects. The company also has begun to do a lot more work in high definition, a fairly recent need for many of its clients, he said.

Runners-up: Pratt Audio-Visual & Video Corp., Markey’s Audio Visual

BEST TV STATION FOR BUSINESS NEWS

WHO-TV

Local news is the top priority for WHO-TV, and business news factors into that in a big way.

“There are a lot of great small and large businesses in our community with great stories to tell,” said Rod Peterson, news director for WHO-TV. “Local business has really been the driving force behind a lot of things in the area. They are making news.”

Peterson said Central Iowa is fortunate to have high-caliber journalists working at WHO-TV and its competitors.

“They are talented and have an understanding of the stories they cover,” he said. “And they all try to make a real connection in the community. Business stories aren’t always the easiest to cover, but they are important. So you need talented people to make them work and can relate it to the viewers.”

Peterson said he is amazed during the station’s morning story meetings when he hears just how many business related stories the reporters are working on everyday.   “They all pitch a lot of business stories,” he said. “It’s really an exceptional time to live and work in Des Moines. The local business community has an amazing drive to succeed, and it is affecting the entire city.”

Runners-up: KCCI, WOI-TV