As 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 tell us their thoughts about the business ecosystem in Greater Des Moines. We wanted to know their advice for recruiting top talent and the opportunities they see for business in the metro. We wanted to know what they think the future holds for their varying industries. 

The following is the list of winners. Read a selection of perspectives from the winners who responded to the questions we asked them here. We hope you enjoy reading them. 

And to our audience, thank you for your continued participation in Best of Des Moines voting.

— Emily Barske Wood, special projects editor

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Best CEO
winner Dan Houston, Principal Financial Group
runner-up Don Coffin, Bankers Trust
runner-up David Stark, UnityPoint Health

Best Metro Business Leader 
winner Dan Houston, Principal Financial Group
runner-up Don Coffin, Bankers Trust Co.
runner-up Jay Byers, Simpson College

Best Business Supporting Local Charity 
winner Principal Financial Group
runner-up NCMIC
runner-up Hy-Vee

Best Up and Coming Business Leader 
winner Tanner Krause, formerly of Kum & Go
runner-up, Adam Kaduce, R&R Realty
runner-up Tiffany Tauscheck, Greater Des Moines Partnership

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
runner-up R&R 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

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 Sarah Hopkins, Re/Max
runner-up Julie Baudler, Coldwell Banker

Best Real Estate Property Management Company 
winner Hubbell Realty
runner-up R&R Realty
runner-up Ryan Cos.

Best Architectural Firm 
winner Shive-Hattery
runner-up RDG Planning & Design 
runner-up SVPA

Best Engineering Firm 
winner Shive-Hattery
runner-up Baker Group
runner-up Bolton & Menk

Best General Contractor 
winner The Weitz Co.
runner-up Ryan Cos.
runner-up Neumann Brothers

Best Development Company 
winner Ryan Cos.
runner-up Hubbell Realty
runner-up Kimberley Development

Best Electrical Contractor 
winner Baker Group 
runner-up Baker Electric
runner-up Tri-City Electric

Best Homebuilder 
winner Kimberley Development
runner-up Hubbell Homes
runner-up KRM Development

Best Mechanical Contractor 
winner Baker Group
runner-up Waldinger
runner-up A.J. Allen

Best Commercial Lender 
winner Bankers Trust
runner-up Midwest Heritage Bank
runner-up West 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 Hire DSM

Best Training and Development Company 
winner Tero International
runner-up ATW Training Solutions
runner-up Sarah Noll Wilson

Best Health Insurance Company 
winner Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
runner-up HealthPartners UnityPoint Health
runner-up UnitedHealthcare

Best Life Insurance Company 
winner Midwest Heritage Insurance Services
runner-up Principal Life Insurance Co.
runner-up EMC Insurance Cos.

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 Workspace Inc.

Best Security Company 
winner Baker Group  
runner-up Per Mar Security
runner-up ADT 

Best Manufacturing Company 
winner John Deere Des Moines Works
runner-up Kreg Tool  
runner-up Accumold

Best Bank 
winner Bankers Trust
runner-up West Bank
runner-up Midwest Heritage Bank

Best Credit Union 
winner Veridian Credit Union
runner-up GreenState 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 Grand Consulting

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 Lessing-Flynn

Best Company to Work For  
winner Baker Group 
runner-up RSM US LLP
runner-up NCMIC

Best Company for Promoting Diversity in the Workplace 
winner RSM US LLP
runner-up UnityPoint Health
runner-up Hy-Vee

Best Wealth Management Company 
winner Foster Group 
runner-up Choreo
runner-up Vivid Tax & Wealth Advisors

Best Auto Dealership 
winner Willis Automotive
runner-up Bob Brown Chevrolet
runner-up Karl Chevrolet

Best Accounting Firm 
winner RSM US LLP
runner-up MHCS
runner-up Eide Bailly 

Best Law Firm 
winner Dentons Davis Brown
runner-up BrownWinick  
runner-up Brick Gentry

Best Advertising Agency 
winner Flynn Wright
runner-up Webspec Design  
runner-up LS2group 

Best Public Relations Firm 
winner LS2group 
runner-up Wixted & Co.
runner-up Flynn Wright

Best Social Media Company 
winner Webspec Design
runner-up Lessing-Flynn
runner-up Trilix 

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 and Public Administration

Best Place to Hold a Business Conference 
winner Iowa Events Center
runner-up Prairie Meadows
runner-up West48

Best Bar to Enterain Clients 
winner Big Grove
runner-up Hello, Marjorie
runner-up Ricochet 

Best Caterer 
winner Hy-Vee
runner-up Cyd’s Catering
runner-up Tangerine Food Co.

Best Restaurant for Conducting Business 
winner Centro
runner-up Fresko  
runner-up Biaggi’s

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 & Spirts
runner-up Central City Liquors

Best Sporting Event to Entertain Clients 
winner Iowa Cubs
runner-up Iowa Wild  
runner-up Iowa Wolves

Best New Restaurant 
winner Cooper’s Hawk
runner-up HomeGrown
runner-up Big Grove

Best Happy Hour 
winner Eatery A
runner-up Django 
runner-up Big Grove

Best Place for Auto Repairs 
winner Willis Automotive
runner-up Beckley’s Automotive Services
runner-up Drake Garage

Best Hosptial/Health Care System 
winner Iowa Methodist Medical Center (UnityPoint Health)
runner-up MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center
runner-up Blank Children’s Hospital (UnityPoint Health)

Best Florist 
winner Boesen the Florist
runner-up Hy-Vee
runner-up Wildflower

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

Best Men’s Clothier 
winner Mr. B
runner-up Von Maur
runner-up Men’s Warehouse

Best Women’s Clothier 
winner Von Maur
runner-up Talbots
runner-up Dillard’s

Best Golf Course 
winner Des Moines Golf and Country Club
runner-up Waveland Golf Course
runner-up Wakonda Club

Best Exercise Facility 
winner YMCA of Greater Des Moines (various locations)
runner-up Life Time Inc.
runner-up Power Life Yoga

Best Cultural Attraction 
winner Des Moines Arts Festival 
runner-up Iowa State Fair
runner-up Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Best Thing to Happen to Central Iowa in the Past Year 
winner NCAA Tournament
runner-up ICON Water Trails

Best Thing that Will Happen to Central Iowa in the Upcoming Year 
winner ICON Water Trails
runner-up Topgolf
runner-up Pro Iowa Soccer