Best of Des Moines 2022
Business Record Staff Sep 23, 2022 | 6:00 am
5 min read time
1,087 wordsBest of Des Moines, Business Record Insider, Specialty ProductsAs we do each year, we asked our readers to cast votes for what Des Moines has to offer in a variety of business-related categories. These businesses make up an ecosystem in our region that supports a strong and vibrant community.
Here’s how it worked: You voted. We checked the data, removed any suspicious or erroneous votes, and then tallied the results for all 66 categories. All Greater Des Moines businesses, people and organizations are eligible to win categories. In other words, there was no cost to be listed as an option due to the survey being open-ended. You can’t pay to win a category.
This year, we followed up with the winners and asked them to submit how their company or organization has adapted in the past few years and what trends they are watching in their industries. Many answers, as you might imagine, told stories of the organizations overcoming obstacles through innovation when faced with uncertainty. We’ve included responses from those who were able to take the time to offer them.
Thank you for your continued participation in Best of Des Moines.
– Emily Barske, editor
View the 2022 Best of Des Moines publication
Best CEO
Winner: Dan Houston (Principal Financial Group)
Runner-up: Tray Wade (EveryStep)
Runner-up: Don Coffin (Bankers Trust Co.)
Best Metro Business Leader
Winner: Dan Houston (Principal Financial Group)
Runner-up: Don Coffin (Bankers Trust Co.)
Runner-up: Jay Byers (Greater Des Moines Partnership)
Best Business Supporting Local Charity
Winner: Principal Financial Group
Runner-up: NCMIC
Runner-up: Hy-Vee
Best Life Insurance Company
Winner: Principal Life Insurance Co.
Runner-up: EMC Insurance Cos.
Runner-up: Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.
Best Up & Coming Business Leader
Winner: Zach Loy (Turner Construction)
Runner-up: Tanner Krause (Kum & G0)
Runner-up: Tony Dickinson (NCMIC)
Best City Government Conducive to Doing Business
Winner: West Des Moines
Runner-up: Des Moines
Runner-up: Ankeny
Best Nonprofit
Winner: Animal Rescue League of Iowa
Runner-up: EveryStep
Runner-up: ChildServe
Best Commercial Real Estate Company
Winner: NAI Iowa Realty Commercial
Runner-up: CBRE|Hubbell Commercial
Runner-up: R&R Realty
Best Residential Real Estate Company
Winner: Iowa Realty
Runner-up: Re/Max
Runner-up: Keller Williams
Best Residential Real Estate Agent (Individual)
Winner: Rick Wanamaker (Iowa Realty)
Runner-up: Shawntel Cooney (Iowa Realty)
Runner-up: Marcia Wanamaker (Iowa Realty)
Best Commercial Real Estate Agent (Individual)
Winner: Adam Kaduce (R&R Realty Group)
Runner-up: Kevin Crowley (NAI Iowa Realty Commercial)
Runner-up: Bill Wright (CBRE|Hubbell Commercial)
Best Real Estate Property Management Company
Winner: Hubbell Realty
Runner-up: R&R Realty
Runner-up: Knapp Properties
Best Development Company
Winner: Hubbell Realty
Runner-up: Christensen Development
Runner-up: Ryan Cos.
Best Home Builder
Winner: Hubbell Homes
Runner-up: Kimberley Development
Runner-up: Jerry’s Homes
Best Architectural Firm
Winner: RDG Planning Design
Runner-up: Shive-Hattery
Runner-up: SVPA
Best Engineering Firm
Winner: Shive-Hattery
Runner-up: McClure
Runner-up: IMEG Corp.
Best Electrical Contractor
Winner: Baker Group
Runner-up: Waldinger
Runner-up: Tri-City Electric
Best Mechanical Contractor
Winner: Baker Group
Runner-up: Waldinger
Runner-up: MMC
Best Security Company
Winner: Baker Group
Runner-up: Per Mar Security
Runner-up: ADT
Best Commercial Lender
Winner: Bankers Trust
Runner-up: West Bank
Runner-up: GreenState Credit Union
Best Bank
Winner: Bankers Trust
Runner-up: West Bank
Runner-up: Midwest Heritage Bank
Best Executive Search Firm
Winner: Palmer Group
Runner-up: Robert Half
Runner-up: Midwest Search Group
Best Temporary Employment Service
Winner: Palmer Group
Runner-up: Robert Half
Runner-up: Raine Recruiting
Best Training and Development Company
Winner: Dale Carnegie
Runner-up: ATW Training Solutions
Runner-up: Tero International
Best Health Insurance Company
Winner: Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Runner-up: UnitedHealthcare
Runner-up: Delta Dental
Best Property/Casualty Insurance Company
Winner: EMC Insurance Cos.
Runner-up: Midwest Heritage
Runner-up: Nationwide
Best Place to Buy Office Furniture
Winner: Pigott
Runner-up: Triplett Office Essentials
Runner-up: Storey Kenworthy
Best Manufacturing Company
Winner: John Deere Des Moines Works
Runner-up: Quality Manufacturing
Runner-up: Kreg Tools
Best Credit Union
Winner: Veridian Credit Union
Runner-up: Green State Credit Union
Runner-up: Community Choice Credit Union
Best Commercial Printer
Winner: Beeline and Blue
Runner-up: Universal Printing
Runner-up: Christian Edwards
Best Computer Consulting Company
Winner: RSM US LLP
Runner-up: QCI
Runner-up: Dymin Systems
Best Company to Work For
Winner: RSM US LLP
Runner-up: NCMIC
Runner-up: Baker Group
Best Company for Promoting Diversity in the Workplace
Winner: RSM US LLP
Runner-up: Principal Financial Group
Runner-up: NCMIC
Best Accounting Firm
Winner: RSM US LLP
Runner-up: McGowan Hurst Clark Smith
Runner-up: Eide Bailly
Best Local Internet Service Provider
Winner: Mediacom
Runner-up: MetroNet
Runner-up: CenturyLink
Best Web Developer
Winner: Webspec Design
Runner-up: Blue Compass
Runner-up: Spinutech
Best Social Media Company
Winner: Webspec Design
Runner-up: LS2group
Runner-up: Trilix
Best Wealth Management Company
Winner: Choreo (formerly RSM Wealth Advisers)
Runner-up: Foster Group
Runner-up: BTC Capital Management
Best Auto Dealership
Winner: Willis Automotive
Runner-up: Bob Brown Chevrolet
Runner-up: Karl Chevrolet
Best Place for Auto Repairs
Winner: Willis Automotive
Runner-up: Beckley’s Automotive Services
Runner-up: Drake Garage
Runner-up: Christian Brothers Automotive
Best Law Firm
Winner: Dentons Davis Brown
Runner-up: BrownWinick
Runner-up: Brick Gentry
Best Advertising Agency
Winner: Flynn Wright
Runner-up: LS2group
Runner-up: Strategic America
Runner-up: Webspec Design
Best Public Relations Firm
Winner: LS2group
Runner-up: Wixted & Co.
Runner-up: Flynn Wright
Best Video Production Company
Winner: Locust Motion
Runner-up: Trilix
Runner-up: Invictus Media
Best MBA Program
Winner: Iowa State University Ivy College of Business
Runner-up: University of Iowa Tippie College of Business
Runner-up: Drake University College of Business & Public Administration
Best Place to Hold a Business Conference
Winner: Iowa Events Center
Runner-up: Prairie Meadows
Runner-up: Curate
Best Bar to Entertain Clients
Winner: The Republic on Grand
Runner-up: Hello, Marjorie
Runner-up: Ricochet
Best Caterer
Winner: Cyd’s Catering
Runner-up: Hy-Vee
Runner-up: Tangerine Food Co.
Best Restaurant for Conducting Business
Winner: Centro
Runner-up: 801 Chophouse
Runner-up: Fresko
Runner-up: Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse
Best Coffee Shop for Conducting Business
Winner: Smokey Row
Runner-up: Scenic Route Bakery
Runner-up: Starbucks
Best Place to Buy Wine and Spirits
Winner: Hy-Vee
Runner-up: Ingersoll Wine and Spirits
Best Sporting Event to Entertain Clients
Winner: Iowa Cubs
Runner-up: Iowa Wild
Runner-up: Iowa Wolves
Best New Restaurant
Winner: Tupelo Honey
Runner-up: Destination Grille
Runner-up: Little Brother
Best Happy Hour
Winner: Eatery A
Runner-up: Django
Runner-up: Embassy Club
Best Hospital/Health Care System
Winner: Iowa Methodist Medical Center (UnityPoint Health)
Runner-up: MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center
Runner-up: Methodist West (UnityPoint Health)
Best Florist
Winner: Boesen the Florist
Runner-up: Hy-Vee
Runner-up: Irene’s Flowers
Best Recycling/Waste Company
Winner: Metro Waste Authority
Runner-up: Ankeny Sanitation Inc.
Runner-up: Waste Management Inc.
Best Jewelry Store
Winner: Josephs
Runner-up: Anglo
Runner-up: Christopher’s Fine Jewelry
Runner-up: Owen Jewelry Design
Best Men’s Clothier
Winner: Mr. B’s
Runner-up: Von Maur
Runner-up: Men’s Wearhouse
Best Women’s Clothier
Winner: Von Maur
Runner-up: Talbots
Runner-up: Dillard’s
Best Golf Course
Winner: Waveland Golf Course
Runner-up: Des Moines Golf and Country Club
Runner-up: Wakonda Club
Best Exercise Facility
Winner: Life Time Inc.
Runner-up: YMCA of Greater Des Moines (various locations)
Runner-up: Power Life Yoga
Best Thing to Happen to Central Iowa in the Past Year
Winner: Dew Tour and Lauridsen Skatepark
Runner-up: End of COVID/end of mask mandates/things opening back up
Runner-up: USL/Krause soccer stadium
Best Thing That Will Happen to Central Iowa in the Upcoming Year
Winner: ICON Water Trails
Runner-up: Big Grove/new breweries
Runner-up: Suite Shots
Best Cultural Attraction
Winner: Des Moines Arts Festival
Runner-up: Iowa State Fair
Runner-up: Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Previous Issues
- Best of Des Moines 2021
- Best of Des Moines 2020
- Best of Des Moines 2019
- Best of Des Moines 2018
- Best of Des Moines 2017
- Best of Des Moines 2016
- Best of Des Moines 2015
- Best of Des Moines 2014
- Best of Des Moines 2013
- Best of Des Moines 2012
- Best of Des Moines 2011
Past Winners:
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017
2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012
2011