Dougal Nelson, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of the Heartland, welcomes guests to the 2025 Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame ceremony Thursday night, June 12, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Dougal Nelson congratulated the four area business leaders and TV meteorologist who were honored during a Junior Achievement of the Heartland awards ceremony Thursday night, June 12. The area residents were inducted into the Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame and received two other awards during the ceremony at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention […]
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Dougal Nelson congratulated the four area business leaders and TV meteorologist who were honored during a Junior Achievement of the Heartland awards ceremony Thursday night, June 12.The area residents were inducted into the Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame and received two other awards during the ceremony at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf. Those being honored included James Sears, Scott Tinsman, Beth Tinsman, Austin Blunk and Andy McCray.While all the honored individuals have achieved great success in their fields, the main reason they were being honored is because of their work to help other people in the community, said Mr. Nelson, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of the Heartland, based in Moline.“We are celebrating impact tonight. … We are celebrating them helping the community,” he added during the awards ceremony.Mr. Nelson called the event a bittersweet time for him as it was the last Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame ceremony he will attend as leader of the local JA chapter. He recently announced that he will retire as president and CEO on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
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Scott and Beth Tinsman show the award plaque they received Thursday night, June 12, for being inducted into the Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
James I. Sears shows his award plaque for being inducted into the Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Austin Blunk displays his award Thursday night, June 12, for being named the 2025 Young Entrepreneur. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Andy McCray, a Quad Cities meteorologist, was formally presented the 2025 Outstanding JA Volunteer at the Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame on Thursday night, June 12. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
These are the awards at the 2025 Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame ceremony Thursday night, June 12, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Andy McCray, a Quad Cities meteorologist, gives a speech on Thursday night, June 12. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
This is one of the tables with a JA photo on display at the 2025 Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame ceremony Thursday night, June 12, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Here are the people honored at the 2025 Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame ceremony Thursday night, June 12, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
The audience listens to speeches at the 2025 Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame ceremony Thursday night, June 12, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
The Hall of Fame was sponsored by Group O, TAG Communications, dphilms, Quad Cities Regional Business Journal and Quad City Bank & Trust.About 250 guests helped celebrate the five area residents who have helped the community, helped promote JA efforts and have helped teach young people about business and financial literacy.“They are leaders who have helped shape our community. … They lead with purpose and show ways business can be a force for good,” Maria Ontiveros, co-founder of Mercado on Fifth, and a corporate leader at Group O, said during the ceremony.“Our goal is to recognize business leaders who demonstrate the highest standards of business ethics and serve as role models for our students and Junior Achievement volunteers,” according to information from JA.That work of helping students achieve success in their lives was on full display as videos of JA’s work were shown to the audience. Also, each of the 30 tables at the Waterfront had a centerpiece photo on display, most showing JA volunteers helping area children in a classroom setting.Mr. Nelson told the crowd that much of that work is done at JA’s new Michael Duffy JA BizTown in the JA Inspiration Center in Moline. (BizTown features a town-like setting to give students a small taste of what it takes to run businesses and a local government.)“Kids come home from school (and BizTown) and say to their parents ‘I know why you are tired now.’ … It’s a real job,” he said.While many of the audience members said they liked seeing the work of the JA display, the stars of the show were the three new Hall of Fame laureates and the other award winners who included:
James I. Sears, chairman and CEO of Sears Manufacturing Company, Davenport, was inducted into the Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame. During the ceremony, Mr. Sears praised his many employees for helping make Sears Manufacturing a success. (That business is celebrating its 170th anniversary this year.) He also praised J.A. for its work to help young people. “Junior Achievement is a beacon of opportunity,” he added.
Beth and Scott Tinsman. Ms. Tinsman is the founder and chairman of Twin State Technical Services. Mr. Tinsman is the chief operating officer of Twin State, Inc. and CEO of Twin State Technical Services, both in Davenport. They were inducted into the Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame. During their acceptance speech, the couple gave a few tips for business success. One of those tips was “Don’t wait until you know everything,” said Beth Tinsman, adding that people should take action and ask themselves “Why not me?” when it comes to starting a business.
Austin Blunk, president and CEO of Valley Outdoor, received the 2025 Young Entrepreneur. The award is presented to a business leader who exhibits the characteristics of the JA laureates and represents the future of the QC business community. During his emotional speech to the crowd, Mr. Blunk thanked his wife, employees and customers for making the business a success. “You helped this business get legs when it was still crawling,” he added.
Andy McCray, chief meteorologist with Our Quad Cities News – Local 4 WHBF TV and Fox 18, received the 2025 Outstanding JA Volunteer. The award recognizes a JA volunteer dedicated to advancing JA’s mission in the community by participating in a variety of its learning experiences and encouraging others to join JA. Mr. McCray has taught 29 JA classes and more than 500 students. During the ceremony, he encouraged the audience to get involved with JA and volunteer to teach students. “You will be able to make a difference in these kids’ lives,” he added.
Junior Achievement is dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship, according to information from Junior Achievement of the Heartland.Over the past three decades, more than 75 local business leaders have been inducted into the Business Hall of Fame hosted by JA of the Heartland. The previous laureates, listed by the year they were honored, are:
2023 – Jim Victor, Victor/Volrath group at Morgan Stanley; Doug Palmer and Dan Palmer, Tri-City Electric Co.; and Mark Kilmer, The Republic Companies.
2021 – Donald L. Ruggles, XPAC; Thomas and Jennifer Rowe, Serv-A-Lite Products.
2019 – James W. Koehler, Koehler Electric; and W. Gerard Huiskamp, Blackhawk Bank & Trust.
2017 – Kent Pilcher, Estes Construction; and Dr. V.R. Alla, Quad Cities Kidney Center.
2016 – Paul D. VanDuyne, KJWW Engineering Consultants; and R. Richard Bittner, The Bechtel Trusts.
2015 – C. Dana Waterman III, Lane & Waterman; and Caroline Ruhl, Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors.
2009 – Vernon M. Wegerer, KJWW Engineering; Boyd L. Keller, K & K Hardware; Arthur, James and William Hass, Valley Construction Co.; and Bernard "Bernie" Goldstein, Alter Company.
2007 – Bill and Carolyn Moon, Iowa 80 Group, Inc.; Manley Hoppe and Michael R. Steffenson,Parr Instrument Co.; Dr. Michael Giudici, Genesis Heart Institute/Cardiovascular Medicine, P.C.; and Oscar Ellis Sr., RiverStone Group, Inc.
2005 – Ira "I.B." McGladrey, RSM McGladrey/McGladrey & Pullen; Richard Litt, Genesis Systems Group; Michael Duffy, Per Mar Security Services; and Dr. Amir & Lisa Arbisser, Eye Surgeons Associates.
2003 – Robert V.P. Waterman Sr. and Larned A. Waterman, Lane & Waterman; James Russell, Russell Construction; James H. Kent, Kent Feeds/Grain Processing Corp.; R.C. "Rich" John,The Sedona Group; and Michael A. Bauer and Douglas M. Hultquist, Quad City Bank & Trust Co.
2001 – Michael L. Whalen, Heart of America; C.D. Waterman Jr., Lane & Waterman; Lloyd G. Schermer, Lee Enterprises; John "Hunt" Harris II, Star Forms/Isabel Bloom; William A. Getz and Thomas G. Getz, Williams White/Moline Forge.
1999- Gene M. Blanc, Midland Information Resources; Lewis B. Wilson, First National Bank of the Quad Cities; John L. Bush, McCarthy-Bush Corp.; Peter G. Pohlmann, Lujack’s Auto Plaza; and Linda Bowersand Rosemary A. Huisingh, LinguiSystems.
1997 – Robert T. Ontiveros, Group O Cos.; Mel L. Foster Jr., Mel Foster Cos.; Harold R. Bechtel, First Trust and Savings Bank; and Hans W. Becherer, Deere & Co.
1995 – Dr. John H. Sunderbruch, The Davenport Clinic; Louis H. Rich, Louis Rich Inc.; Stanley M. Howe, Hon Industries, Inc.; William A. Hewitt, Deere & Co.; and Herb and Arlene Elliott, Elliott Aviation.
1993 – Robert A. Tunberg, Whitey’s; Bernard J. Hank Jr., Montgomery Elevator; Alan M. Hallene, Deere & Co.; William P. Bettendorf, Bettendorf Wheel Co. and Bettendorf Axle Co.; V.O. Figge, Davenport Bank & Trust Co.; and Philip D. Adler, Lee Enterprises Inc.
1991 – C. Maxwell Stanley, Stanley Consultants; Isaac Weir Sears Jr., Sears Manufacturing; Dr. Daniel David Palmer, Palmer College of Chiropractic; Robert A. Hanson, Deere & Co.; and Anne Potter DeLong, Rock Island Argus.
1990 – Lawrence "Joe" Whitty, Happy Joe’s; Stuart Thoms, Thoms Proestler Co.; John Deere, Deere & Co.; Roy J. Carver, Bandag Inc; and E.P. Adler, Lee Newspaper Syndicate.
