About The Committee
The Greater Des Moines Committee was formed in 1907 by a group of 30 local business leaders. Today, the Committee consists of 120 members and provides an opportunity for business leaders to come together for an information exchange about important topics in the community, the state and the nation. The Committee founded the Iowa Business Hall of Fame in 1975 to honor the achievements of Iowans who have made outstanding contributions to the development and enhancement of Iowa’s business climate.
The Greater Des Moines Committee’s purpose is to encourage, promote, develop and protect commercial, manufacturing and other business interests of Greater Des Moines (DSM) and the state of Iowa. The Committee is comprised of CEOs, or in the case of professional firms, the senior managing partner of DSM companies that have a vested interest in the growth and development of our community and state.
The criteria for selection into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame are as follows:
Business Leadership
The nominated individual should demonstrate exemplary leadership in a for-profit business that has created valued employment opportunities and generated a significant, multi-million-dollar economic impact for their community and the state -- creating wealth for stakeholders and expanding job and workforce opportunities.
Business Hall of Fame nominating committee members may, from time to time, consider leaders of large nonprofit organizations (e.g. hospitals, medical organizations, colleges, universities or other community impact organizations) who manage substantial operating budgets and balance sheets, have overseen large workforces or have made significant economic and social impacts on the communities they serve.
Community Development Impact
The nominated individual should have made an impact by improving the economies of the community and the state through his/her leadership in such organizations as chambers of commerce, economic development organizations or centers of education.
Community Volunteerism/Leadership
In addition to leading the robust community support of the organizations they led, the nominated individual should demonstrate a personal commitment of time, expertise and financial resources to advance the well-being of the community through meaningful support of charitable initiatives and organizations.
Strategic Leadership
The nominated individual should have advanced broader community economic growth through visionary leadership, collaborative problem-solving and the cultivation of strategic partnerships that drive long-term prosperity.
Business Recognition
The nominated individual should be widely recognized and respected by their peers as an outstanding business leader.
Additional Qualifications That Will be Considered
The nominated individual should have demonstrated leadership that has made a positive and significant economic impact on the communities they serve and on the state. While this impact may, in part, be subjective, the measurable results of their leadership should reflect a multi-million-dollar economic contribution.
From time-to-time, the nominating committee may consider candidates for the Hall of Fame who have led through elected or appointed government service. These considerations should be non-partisan and be arrived at solely on the basis of the significant economic and business community impact of their leadership and service.
The nominating committee may exercise discretion in selecting individuals for induction into the Hall of Fame, including consideration of non-traditional candidates who have made a substantial impact on our state and region.
Decisions of the nominating committee are final, reflecting their careful review and judgement.