Some helped young people by teaching them lessons in business. Some showed students how to start a company. Some had a passion for helping others learn about finances.
Several area business leaders may have played different roles and offered different lessons, but they will soon have at least one thing in common – they will be part of the Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame.
Junior Achievement of the Heartland leaders announced the 2023 honorees for that hall on Tuesday, April 11.
The 2023 class of laureates into the Hall of Fame include:
-
Dan Palmer 
Doug Palmer 
Jim Victor 
Maria Ontiveros 
Alvaro Macias - Mark Kilmer, president, Republic Companies.
- Dan Palmer, CEO, and Doug Palmer, president, Tri-City Electric Co.
- Jim Victor, financial advisor, Morgan Stanley (posthumously).
Other awards winners include:
- Maria Ontiveros, president and co-founder, Mercado of Fifth, as the 2023 Young Entrepreneur.
- Alvaro Macias, vice president of business development, Ascentra Credit Union, as the 2023 Outstanding Junior Achievement Volunteer.
“This is a pretty amazing group of people. … They have been leaders of change,” said Dougal Nelson, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of the Heartland, during a brief news conference about the event at the JA World, 116 W. Second St., Davenport.
According to additional information from JA: “All of the honorees have inspired us with their dedication to hard work and achievement. More importantly, 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.”
The Tuesday event, which attracted about 20 people from the business community, also included Mr. Macias, Doug Palmer and Sheila Volrath with Morgan Stanley.
Ms. Volrath was a business partner of the late Jim Victor, who died in 2018. When she was asked what she thought Mr. Victor’s reaction would be to being awarded the Hall of Fame honor, she said: “Jim had a real passion (for JA). I think he would be so happy with this. … He taught kids that it’s OK to make a profit. And that’s what business is all about.”
Mr. Macias said he is humbled by the hall of fame honor. His goal with JA has been to reach young people and give them lessons on starting a job, a career or even a company.
“It was really unexpected. … I have been trying to encourage kids who look like me that they are capable of so much,” he added.
Doug Palmer said he also is humbled by the honor, and thanked the many employees with Tri-City Electric Co. for their work.
Junior Achievement of the Heartland will formally recognize all honorees during the Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame on Thursday, June 8, at Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes a reception, dinner and induction ceremony.
It’s sponsored by TAG Communications/dphilms, Bush Construction, Green Buick GMC, and Legat Architects.
The Quad Cities Area Business Hall of Fame celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of the Quad Cities by sharing the success stories of business leaders in our community. The 2023 Laureates were selected for their entrepreneurial achievements, their adherence to the highest moral and ethical principles, and their demonstrated community involvement. They join 73 other laureates previously inducted, according to information from JA.
For more information on the event, go to this website. Proceeds from the event will help further JA’s mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.
