Beth Tinsman waves to the crowd Wednesday morning, March 5, during a brief ceremony introducing the newest members of the Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame and other Junior Achievement awards. Ms. Tinsman is one of the Business Hall of Fame inductees. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Andy McCray has been a volunteer with the Junior Achievement of the Heartland for years. A few years ago, he was talking to a group of Rock Island High School seniors about financial education and realized why his efforts are important. Some of those Rocky students – who would soon be high school graduates – […]
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Andy McCray has been a volunteer with the Junior Achievement of the Heartland for years. A few years ago, he was talking to a group of Rock Island High School seniors about financial education and realized why his efforts are important. Some of those Rocky students – who would soon be high school graduates – didn’t know the basic facts about finances for everyday living. “They didn’t know anything about checking accounts or credit cards. … That’s something that can get you in trouble,” Mr. McCray said Wednesday morning, March 5, after a ceremony to introduce and honor several local JA volunteers and business leaders.
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(From left) Andy McCray, Jim Sears and Beth Tinsman listen to Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms Wednesday, March 5, during a brief ceremony announcing the newest members of the Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
(From left) Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms talks with Jim Sears and Andy McCray.
Grant Jacques, a Pleasant Valley High School student and JA young entrepreneur, introduces and praises the business and community leaders receiving the awards.
About 30 people from the Quad Cities business community - along with Junior Achievement leaders – attend a brief ceremony on Wednesday, March 5, to introduce the newest inductees of the Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame and other JA Achievement awards. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Scott and Beth Tinsman
Andy McCray
Austin Blunk
Jim Sears
The ceremony featured a public announcement of the newest Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame recipients and other JA award recipients, including Mr. McCray, a meteorologist at a local television station. JA officials announced the new class of laureates Wednesday morning at the JA Inspiration Center, located in Vibrant Credit Union’s headquarters at 6600 44th Ave., Moline. About 30 people from the business and JA communities attended the event.This year’s class being inducted into the Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame include:
Scott and Beth Tinsman. Ms. Tinsman is the founder and chairman of Twin State Technical Services, Davenport. Mr. Tinsman is the COO of Twin States, Inc., and CEO of Twin State Technical Services.
In addition to the Hall of Fame members, JA of the Heartland is also honoring:
Austin Blunk, president and CEO of Valley Outdoor, as the 2025 Young Entrepreneur.
Andy McCray, chief meteorologist at Our Quad Cities News - Local 4 WHBF TV and Fox 18, as the 2025 Outstanding Junior Achievement Volunteer.
“They couldn’t be more deserving of this honor. … Thank you for stepping up and being leaders,” Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms said at the ceremony, which was held in the JA BizTown section of the center. (BizTown is a simulated community that allows young students to manage businesses, operate banks and other business world jobs to help with their financial education. The ceremony was held near the intersection of Economy Street and Potential Avenue within BizTown.)The mayor added that the five people being honored by JA “serve as inspirational role models” for young people and the community.At the event, Grant Jacques, a Pleasant Valley High School student and JA young entrepreneur, also introduced and praised the business and community leaders receiving the awards. Three of those honorees – Mr. McCray, Ms. Tinsman and Mr. Sears – were able to attend the ceremony.“Clearly, it’s an honor and humbling,” Mr. Sears said about being named to the Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame.He also praised the many employees who work for Sears Manufacturing Company for their help in making his company a success. “Running a business is not a solitary endeavor. … None of this would have been possible without their efforts,” he said.Mr. McCray added that he was also honored for being the 2025 Outstanding Junior Achievement Volunteer. “This is pretty cool. … I enjoy making a difference,” he said.The Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of the Quad Cities by sharing true success stories of business leaders in our community. The 2025 laureates were selected for their entrepreneurial achievements, their adherence to the highest moral and ethical principles, and their demonstrated community involvement. They join 74 other laureates previously inducted, according to information from JA. “They serve as role models to our youth, inspiring them and giving them vivid illustrations of the enduring opportunities presented by our free enterprise system,” according to a JA news release.Junior Achievement of the Heartland will formally recognize all honorees during the Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame ceremony on Thursday, June 12, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes a reception, dinner, and induction ceremony.Proceeds from the event will help further JA’s mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit https://heartland.ja.org/events/2025-quad-cities-area-business-hall-of-fame.
