Best of Des Moines 2014

2014 List of Winners 

Best CEO
Winner: Larry Zimpleman (Principal Financial Group Inc.)
Runner-up: Suku Radia (Bankers Trust Co.)
Runner-up: Norene Mostkoff (HCI Care Services & VNS of Iowa) 

Best Politician on Business Issues
Winner: Terry Branstad
Runner-up: Jack Hatch
Runner-up: Brad Zaun 

Best Metro Business Leader
Winner: Suku Radia (Bankers Trust Co.)
Runner-up: Larry Zimpleman (Principal Financial Group Inc.)
Runner-up: Jon Troen (Mittera Group) 

Best Business Supporting Local Charity
Winner: Principal Financial Group Inc.
Runner-up: Wells Fargo & Co.
Runner-up: Hy-Vee Inc. 

Best Up & Coming Business Leader
Winner: Dan Houston (Principal Financial Group Inc.)
Runner-up: Tony Dickinson (Well Fargo & Co.)
Runner-up: Katie Stocking (Happy Medium LLC) 

Best Minority Business Leader
Winner: Suku Radia (Bankers Trust Co.)
Runner up: Michael Sadler (CenturyLink Inc.)
Runner up: Fred Buie (Keystone Electrical Manufacturing Co.) 

Best City Government Conducive to Doing Business
Winner: West Des Moines
Runner-up: Des Moines
Runner-up: Urbandale 

Best Nonprofit
Winner: Animal Rescue League of Iowa
Runner-up: United Way of Central Iowa
Runner-up: AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport

Best Commercial Real Estate Company
Winner: Iowa Realty Commercial
Runner-up: CB Richard Ellis|Hubbell Commercial
Runner-up: Knapp Properties Inc.

Best Residential Real Estate Company
Winner: Iowa Realty Co. Inc.
Runner-up: Re/Max
Runner-up: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices 

Best Property Management Company
Winner: Hubbell Property Management
Runner-up: Knapp Properties Inc.
Runner-up: Iowa Realty Commercial 

Best Architectural Firm
Winner: RDG Planning & Design
Runner-up: Shive-Hattery Inc.
Runner-up: SVPA Architects Inc.

Best Engineering Firm
Winner: Shive-Hattery Inc.
Runner-up: Terracon 
Runner-up: Snyder & Associates Inc. 

Best General Contractor
Winner: The Weitz Co.
Runner-up: Hubbell Realty Co. 
Runner-up: Graham Construction Co.

Best Development Company
Winner: Hubbell Realty Co.
Runner-up: Knapp Properties Inc.
Runner-up: The Hansen Cos. Inc.

Best Electrical Contractor
Winner: Baker Electric Inc.
Runner-up: Wolin Mechanical - Electrical
Runner-up: ABC Electrical Services

Best Home Builder
Winner: Hubbell Homes
Runner-up: Ironwood Homes Inc. 
Runner-up: Jerry's Homes Inc.

Best Mechanical Contractor
Winner: Baker Group
Runner-up: Wolin Mechanical - Electrical
Runner-up: The Waldinger Corp.

Best Commercial Lender
Winner: Wells Fargo & Co.
Runner-up: Bankers Trust Co.
Runner-up: West Bank

Best Executive Search Firm
Winner: Palmer Group
Runner -up: Portico Staffing 
Runner -up: Francis & Associates Inc.

Best Temporary Employment Service
Winner: Palmer Group
Runner-up: ManpowerGroup
Runner-up: Portico Staffing

Best Training and Development Company
Winner: Tero International Inc.
Runner-up: Dale Carnegie
Runner-up: Spindustry Training

Best Health Insurance Company
Winner: Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Runner-up: CoOportunity Health 
Runner-up: UnitedHealthcare

Best Life Insurance Company
Winner: Principal Life Insurance Co.
Runner-up: Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.
Runner-up: Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co.

Best Property/Casualty Insurance Company
Winner: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co.
Runner-up: State Farm
Runner-up: EMC Insurance Cos. 

Best Place to Buy Office Furniture
Winner: Workspace Inc.
Runner-up: Triplett Cos.
Runner-up: Homemakers Furniture

Best Security Company
Winner: Conley Security
Runner-up: Per Mar Security
Runner-up: Strauss Security Solutions 

Best Manufacturing Company
Winner: Deere & Co.
Runner up: Kreg Tools 
Runner up: Vermeer Corp. 

Best Bank
Winner: Wells Fargo & Co.
Runner-up: Bankers Trust Co.
Runner-up: West Bank

Best Credit Union
Winner: Veridian Credit Union
Runner-up: Community Choice Credit Union
Runner-up: Premier Credit Union

Best Commercial Printer
Winner: Colorfx
Runner-up: Action Print 
Runner-up: Sigler Cos. Inc.

Best Computer Consulting Company
Winner: Alliance Technologies Inc.
Runner-up: McGladrey
Runner-up: Spindustry Digital

Best Local Internet Service Provider
Winner: CenturyLink Inc.
Runner-up: Mediacom
Runner-up: Iowa Network Services Inc.

Best Web Developer
Winner: Blue Compass Interactive LLC
Runner-up: Spindustry Digital
Runner-up: Spinutech Inc. 

Best Company Workforce
Winner: Wells Fargo & Co.
Runner-up: Principal Financial Group Inc. 
Runner-up: Mercy Medical Center - Des Moines 

Best Small Company With a Bright Future
Winner: Spindustry Digital
Runner-up: Blue Compass Interactive LLC 
Runner-up: Dwolla Inc.

Best Large Company With a Bright Future
Winner: Wells Fargo & Co;
Runner-up: Principal Financial Group Inc.
Runner-up: Mittera Group 

Best Tech Startup With a Bright Future
Winner: Dwolla Inc.
Runner-up: Domiknow Inc. 
Runner-up: SongDish LLC 

Best Wealth Management Company
Winner: McGladrey
Runner-up: Foster Group
Runner-up: Wells Fargo Advisors

Best Auto Dealership
Winner: Willis Auto Campus
Runner-up: Stivers Ford Lincoln
Runner-up: Bob Brown Auto

Best Accounting Firm
Winner: McGladrey
Runner-up: McGowen, Hurst, Clark & Smith P.C.
Runner-up: Denman & Co.

Best Law Firm
Winner: Davis Brown Law Firm
Runner-up: BrownWinick 
Runner-up: Nyemaster Goode P.C. 

Best Advertising Agency
Winner: Flynn Wright
Runner-up: Strategic America
Runner-up: Happy Medium LLC

Best Public Relations Firm
Winner: Strategic America
Runner-up: Flynn Wright
Runner-up: Hanser & Associates

Best Social Media Company
Winner: Happy Medium LLC
Runner-up: Blue Compass Interactive LLC 
Runner-up: Catchfire Media LLC 

Best Video Production Company
Winner: Screenscape Studios Ltd.
Runner-up: Sun Dog Studios LLC 
Runner-up: Applied Art & Technology LC 

Best M.B.A. Program
Winner: Drake University
Runner-up: University of Iowa Tippie School of Management
Runner-up: Iowa State University

Best Place to Hold a Business Conference
Winner: Des Moines Marriott Downtown
Runner-up: Iowa Events Center 
Runner-up: Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center at Veterans Memorial 

Best Bar to Enterain Clients
Winner: Star Bar
Runner-up: Wellman's Pub & Rooftop 
Runner-up: Centro

Best Caterer
Winner: Gateway Market
Runner-up: Hy-Vee Inc.
Runner-up: Palmer's Deli

Best Restaurant for Conducting Business
Winner: Centro
Runner-up: Django
Runner-up: 801 Chophouse

Best Sporting Event to Entertain Clients
Winner: Iowa Cubs
Runner-up: Iowa Barnstormers
Runner-up: Iowa Wild 

Best Restaurant to Take Out of Town Guests
Winner: Centro
Runner-up: Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
Runner-up: Django

Best New Restaurant
Winner: Eatery A
Runner-up: Malo 
Runner-up: Exile Brewing Co.

Best Happy Hour
Winner: Eatery A
Runner-up: Wellman's Pub & Rooftop 
Runner-up: Django

Best Place for Auto Repairs
Winner: Westside Auto Pros Inc.
Runner-up: Shade Tree Auto LLC 
Runner-up: Willis Auto Campus

Best Hosptial 
Winner: Mercy Medical Center - Des Moines
Runner-up: UnityPoint/Iowa Methodist
Runner-up: UnityPoint/Iowa Lutheran

Best Florist
Winner: Boesen the Florist
Runner-up: Hy-Vee Inc.
Runner-up: Doherty's Flowers

Best Recycling/Waste Company
Winner: Metro Waste Authority
Runner-up: Waste Management Inc.
Runner-up: RecycleMe Iowa LLC

Best Dry Cleaners
Winner: French Way Cleaners
Runner-up: Victoria Cleaners Inc.
Runner-up: Crown Cleaners

Best Coffeehouse at Which to Do Business
Winner: Smokey Row Coffee Co.
Runner-up: Caribou Coffee Co.
Runner-up: Starbucks Corp.

Best Place to Buy Wine and Spirits
Winner: Hy-Vee Inc.
Runner-up: Ingersoll Wine and Spirts
Runner-up: Gateway Market

Best Jewelry Store
Winner: Joseph's Jewelers
Runner-up: Anglo International Inc.
Runner-up: Christopher's Fine Jewelry and Rare Coins Ltd. 

Best Men's Clothier
Winner: Mr. B
Runner-up: Badowers
Runner-up: Von Maur

Best Women's Clothier
Winner: Von Maur
Runner-up: Talbots 
Runner-up: Proper Pop Up 

Best Golf Course
Winner: Wakonda Club
Runner-up: Des Moines Golf and Country Club
Runner-up: Waveland Golf Course

Best Exercise Facility
Winner: YMCA of Greater Des Moines
Runner-up: Lifetime Fitness 
Runner-up: Aspen Athletic Club

Best Residential Neighborhood
Winner: Beaverdale
Runner-up: Waterbury 
Runner-up: Urbandale

Best Thing to Happen in Central Iowa in the Past Year
Winner: Des Moines Social Club opening
Runner-up: Facebook Inc. data farm in Altoona

Best Thing That Will Happen in Central Iowa in the Upcoming Year
Winner: Cowles Commons
Runner-up: Alice's Road completion
Runner-up: AAU Junior Olympics

Best Cultural Attraction
Winner: Des Moines Arts Festival
Runner-up: Iowa State Fair
Runner-up: John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park