Jon Kallen Named the 2022 Economic Impact Award Entrepreneur Champion
This year, six companies and one entrepreneur champion received a 2022 Economic Impact Award from the Greater Des Moines Partnership for their roles in advancing the regional economy. Through their work in the region, this year’s winners made significant contributions to Greater Des Moines (DSM) by adding 600 new jobs, building more than 1.3 million square feet of facility space and contributing $1.19 billion in capital investment. The Economic Impact Awards are a chance to recognize and celebrate their efforts, which continue to create a place to live, work and play while also increasing the economic vitality.
Below, read about this year’s Entrepreneur Champion, Jon E. Kallen, M.S., Esq., who is the first to receive this recognition, and check out the other two blog posts to learn about the rest of the awardees.
Entrepreneur Champion: Jon E. Kallen, M.S., Esq.
Jon Kallen is a licensed attorney and engineer with over 20 years of experience working for large, diversified multi-national energy companies, engineering consulting firms and private equity and ventures renewable energy/infrastructure funds. Jon is originally from the Southeast and has been proud to call Iowa home for the past 14 years. Jon possesses advanced degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Maryland School of Law. Jon is currently the Founder and Managing Partner of Jennings Kallen Advisors, LLC.
Headquartered in Des Moines, Jennings Kallen Advisors, LLC is a specialized strategic advisory practice focused on the environmental infrastructure, agricultural technology, biotechnology, sustainable manufacturing and renewable energy sectors. Jon and his team assist companies in Iowa and nationwide to identify growth opportunities and develop projects addressing critical energy, technology and infrastructure needs. Jennings Kallen Advisors and its affiliates provide turnkey legal, business strategy, business formation, business development, business capitalization and project development services to multiple early stage and established clients.
Jon also serves as the Entrepreneur in Residence for the Go to Market Accelerator at Iowa State University.
Jon has worked with the following Iowa companies over the past seven years:
Jon and his team work with companies in the environmental infrastructure, agricultural technology, biotechnology, sustainable manufacturing and renewable energy sectors. In his role, Jon has assisted these companies raise more than $50 million in both equity and non-dilutive funding over the past five years. Funding includes both early (pre -priced investment rounds) up to Series B investments from venture, family, strategic and institutional funds. Non-dilutive funding has included USDA, US DOE, NSF and related SBIR grant funding as well as USDA loan funding, state of Iowa High Quality Jobs loan funding, Iowa Energy office grants and Innovation funds loans.
Jon lives in Johnston, Iowa with his wife Joan and four children. He is a former city council member in Johnston, a graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, past President of the Johnston Rotary Club and a member of the Business Record’s 40 under 40 class of 2007. In his free time, Jon enjoys traveling the world to climb mountains, participating in ultra-running events, watching his children’s sports events and coaching youth lacrosse.
To learn more about the Economic Impact Awards, as well as other Partnership award applications, click here.
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 24 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 365 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.
Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 400 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.