Ankeny, Iowa (Oct. 8 2018) – There are many new businesses in the area, yet the focus of the 2018 Salute to Industry was on existing businesses and their leaders. Consistent with national trends the majority of job growth in Ankeny comes from existing businesses. At the October 2 Salute to Industry event hosted by Baker Group, five of those growing businesses were honored along with the 100 Women Who Care Ankeny charitable organization.
Roger Hargens was recognized as the 2018 Person of Vision. As one of the original investors and directors of Accumold, Hargens has helped shape every aspect of the company. It started in a garage in 1985. It now occupies an expansive 130,000+ square foot fortified facility on SE Oralabor Road. Hargens became CEO in 2000 when there were only 30 employees. Under Hargens leadership Accumold has grown to a staff of well over 300 and continues to hire. Long-time employees credit Hargens’ vision of what can be, his optimistic personality and loyalty to staff for the company’s success.
Four firms were recognized for expansions:
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Long-term care prescription provider Right Dose A Guardian Pharmacy for renovating and repurposing the old police station on SW Walnut.
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Agbioscience startup and John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition winner PowerPollen for doubling its facility on SE Creekview Drive.
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Information security firm Pratum for its new headquarters on SW Prairie Trail Parkway.
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Accounts receivable financing firm CJM Financial for expanding its office space at their existing SE Lorenz Drive location.
Right Dose A Guardian Pharmacy
PowerPollen
CJM Financial
Keen Project Solutions was recognized for its new investment in Ankeny. Keen will be moving into their new headquarters on SE Convenience Blvd in November. Keen employs over 90 today with plans to hire additional salaried positions with their move.
Keen Project Solutions
Described as a charitable shark tank, 100 Women Who Care Ankeny founders Kerry Walter-Ashby, Stacey Koeppen, Bobbi Bentz, Julie Mangels and Renee Murphy took home the Public/Private Partnership Award. The group they established has raised over $63,000 in 18 months for local charities.
Founders of 100 Women Who Care Ankeny
Unique to this year’s event were the Ankeny Orbis students and teachers who worked with Ankeny Economic Development Corporation on a video project to connect students to area businesses and answering the question, Why Ankeny?
