Recognize the work
The annual Business Excellence Awards honor exceptional performance, innovation, dedication, growth, and community impact.
2025 award recipients
Peer nomination, evaluation, and voting culminate in recognition at the annual Harvest Gala.
Open the event calendar
2026 process
The published 2026 cycle opens nominations July 1 through July 31, followed by voting in August and award presentation at the October 1 Harvest Gala.
Peer nomination, community evaluation, and voting make the awards a shared recognition of businesses and people contributing to Kearney's growth and success.
2025 nominees
The source archive lists the winner first in each category, followed by the other 2025 nominees.
Connected Families Counseling; Evergreen Health & Wellness; Good Day Ice Cream; Infinite Beauty Bar; Hoffman's D'Creamery; Beau Walker — Edward Jones; Porters Ace Hardware Building Centers; CrossFit Gratitude; Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial — Nic Vasquez.
Brian Watts; Michelle Turner; Natalie Thompson; Debbie Holt; Bree Switzer; Nic Vasquez; Pastor Adam Mustoe.
Kearney Food Pantry; Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial — Nic Vasquez; Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative; Porters Ace Hardware; Connected Families Counseling; CONRAD'S Local Kitchen & Patio; Stephanie DePrenger; Tracy Tucker State Farm; Kearney Lions Club; Kearney Senior Center; Kearney Enrichment Council.
Kurt Hamilton; Gerri Spencer; Jennifer Grossl; Jewelee Cox; Chief Mark Thomas.
Faith Vineyard Church; Signarama KC North; Advantage Martial Arts; Kearney School District; Hunan Garden; Price Chopper; Walnut Creek Vineyard & Winery; Connected Families Counseling; Pizza Shoppe; Ernzen & Ernzen LLC.
Past winners
The original archive names the winner at the top of each category. This timeline preserves every category winner from 2021 through 2025.
Rising Star: Bea's Flowers & Gifts. Chamber Dedication: Jennifer Grossl. Community Impact: Shanks Heating & Cooling. Citizen of the Year: Tammy Ball. Business of the Year: Oak Pointe of Kearney.
Rising Star: T7 Custom Sports & T7 Lets Play. Chamber Dedication: Shawn Barber. Community Impact: Kearney Trust Company and Jason Hoyt. Citizen of the Year: Lyle Updike. Business of the Year: Farm Fresh Meats.
Rising Star: Farm Fresh Meats. Chamber Dedication: Tina Rankin. Community Impact: The Fulfillment House. Citizen of the Year: Brian Watts. Business of the Year: Kearney Enrichment Council.
Rising Star: Three Birdies Boutique. Chamber Dedication: Jewelee Cox. Community Impact: Gerri Spencer and Kearney Historic Museum. Citizen of the Year: Larry Pratt. Business of the Year: Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative.
Rising Star: Bea's Flowers & Gifts. Chamber Dedication: Gerri Spencer and Kearney Historic Museum. Community Impact: Firehouse Community Center and Kearney Enrichment Council. Business of the Year: KPGZ 102.7 FM. Citizen of the Year: Bob Tate.
Make excellence visible
The 2026 nomination window closes July 31, followed by voting in August and award presentation at the October 1 Harvest Gala.
