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 people and organizations make up an ecosystem in our region that supports the local economy and the community at large. 

Here’s how it worked: You voted. We checked the data, removed any suspicious or erroneous votes and then tallied the results for all 75 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.

These leaders from varying industries shared with us their new areas of focus, what they think would improve the community and trends in their industries that others should know about. The following is a selection of perspectives from the winners who responded to the questions we posed to them. Answers have been lightly edited for clarity. 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

Best CEO
winner Don Coffin, Bankers Trust Co.
runner-up Deanna Strable, Principal Financial Group
runner-up Cory Harris, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

Best Metro Business Leader 
winner Don Coffin, Bankers Trust Co.
runner-up Dan Houston, Principal Financial Group
runner-up Deanna Strable, Principal Financial Group

Best Business Supporting Local Charity 
winner NCMIC
runner-up Principal Financial Group
runner-up Bankers Trust Co.

Best Up-and-Coming Business Leader 
winner Sarah DeKock, Flynn Wright
runner-up Trina Flack, Catch Des Moines
runner-up Joel Anderson, RSM USA

Best City Government Conducive to Doing Business 
winner West Des Moines
runner-up Des Moines
runner-up Waukee

Best Nonprofit 
winner EveryStep
runner-up Animal Rescue League of Iowa 
runner-up Iowa Biotechnology Association

Best Commercial Real Estate Company 
winner R&R Realty Group
runner-up Hubbell Realty
runner-up NAI Iowa Realty Commercial

Best Residential Real Estate Company 
winner Iowa Realty
runner-up Re/Max
runner-up Hubbell Realty

Best Real Estate Property Management Company 
winner Hubbell Realty/Indigo Living
runner-up R&R Realty Group
runner-up Artisan Management Group

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

Best Engineering Firm 
winner Shive-Hattery
runner-up Olsson
runner-up McClure Engineering

Best General Contractor 
winner The Weitz Co.
runner-up Neumann Brothers
runner-up Hy-Vee Construction

Best Development Company 
winner Hubbell Realty
runner-up Kimberley Development
runner-up R&R Realty Group

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

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

Best Mechanical Contractor 
winner Waldinger
runner-up Baker Group
runner-up Cerris System

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

Best Executive Search Firm 
winner Palmer Group
runner-up Prositions  
runner-up Carlson Group

Best Temporary Employment Service 
winner Palmer Group
runner-up Aerotek 
runner-up Robert Half

Best Training and Development Company 
winner Tero International
runner-up ATW Training Solutions
runner-up Prositions

Best Health Insurance Company 
winner Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
runner-up Midwest Heritage Insurance Services
runner-up UnitedHealthcare

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

Best Property/Casualty Insurance Company 
winner NCMIC
runner-up EMC Insurance Cos.
runner-up Midwest Heritage

Best Place to Buy Office Furniture 
winner Pigott
runner-up Workspace Inc.
runner-up Triplett Office Solutions

Best Security Company 
winner Tri-City Electric
runner-up Per Mar Security Services
runner-up A+ Communications, Security & Home Solutions 

Best Manufacturing Company 
winner Kreg Tool
runner-up Vermeer Corp.  
runner-up John Deere Des Moines Works

Best Bank 
winner Bankers Trust Co.
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 Christian Edwards
runner-up The Printer Inc.

Best Technology Consulting Company 
winner RSM US LLP
runner-up Tri-City Electric
runner-up Webspec

Best Local Internet Service Provider 
winner Mediacom 
runner-up Metronet
runner-up Google Fiber

Best Web Developer 
winner Webspec Design 
runner-up Trio Agency
runner-up LS2group

Best Company to Work For  
winner NCMIC 
runner-up Bankers Trust Co. 
runner-up Tri-City Electric

Best Company for Promoting Diversity in the Workplace 
winner Bankers Trust Co.
runner-up Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
runner-up Principal Financial Group

Best Wealth Management Company 
winner Foster Group 
runner-up BTC Wealth Management (Bankers Trust Co.)
runner-up Midwest Heritage Bank

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

Best Accounting Firm 
winner RSM US LLP
runner-up McGowen Hurst Clark Smithrunner-up Denman 
runner-up KPMG 

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

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

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

Best Social Media Company 
winner Trio Agency
runner-up Webspec Design
runner-up LS2group 

Best Video Production Company 
winner Locust Motion
runner-up Trilix
runner-up Studio Iowa

Best MBA Program 
winner Iowa State University Ivy College of Business
runner-up University of Iowa Tippie College of Business
runner-up Drake University – Zimpleman College of Business

Best Place to Hold a Business Conference 
winner Iowa Events Center
runner-up Hilton Des Moines Downtown
runner-up Prairie Meadows

Best Bar to Entertain Clients 
winner Hello, Marjorie
runner-up Big Grove
runner-up The Republic on Grand 

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

Best Restaurant for Conducting Business 
winner Centro
runner-up 801 Chophouse  
runner-up Fresko

Best Coffee Shop for Conducting Business 
winner Smokey Row
runner-up Scenic Route Bakery 
runner-up Northern Vessel 

Best Place to Buy Wine and Spirits 
winner Hy-Vee
runner-up Ingersoll Wine & Spirts
runner-up Wall to Wall Wine & Spirits (Hy-Vee)

Best Sporting Event to Entertain Clients 
winner Iowa Cubs
runner-up Iowa Wild  
runner-up Iowa State Cyclones football

Best New Restaurant 
winner Prime and Providence
runner-up Lachele’s Fine Foods + The Fitz
runner-up Hugo’s

Best Happy Hour 
winner Eatery A
runner-up Django 
runner-up Coa Cantina

Best Place for Auto Repairs 
winner Willis Automotive
runner-up Beckley’s Automotive Services
runner-up Finish Line

Best Hospital/Health Care System 
winner Iowa Methodist Medical Center (UnityPoint Health)
runner-up MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center
runner-up Broadlawns Medical Center

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

Best Jewelry Store 
winner Josephs
runner-up Christopher’s Fine Jewelry
runner-up Owen Jewelry Design

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

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

Best Cultural Attraction 
winner Pappajohn Sculpture Park  
runner-up Des Moines Arts Festival
runner-up Des Moines Art Center

Best Thing That Will Happen to Central Iowa in the Upcoming Year 
winner Des Moines International Airport expansion
runner-up Pro Iowa Soccer – Krause Group

Best Thing to Happen to Central Iowa in the Past Year 
winner Topgolf

Best-Dressed Business Professional 
winner Doug Roozeboom (RSM US LLP) 
runner-up Dr. Ian Roberts (DMPS)
runner-up Tony Dickinson (NCMIC) 

Best Urban Renewal Project 
winner 6th Avenue Corridor 
runner-up Gray’s Station
runner-up Arcadia Building

Best Service Staff 
winner Oak Park 
runner-up Simon’s
runner-up Lua Brewing

Best Hotel for Business Travelers 
winner Des Moines Marriott Downtown 
runner-up Hilton Des Moines Downtown
runner-up Hotel Fort Des Moines

Best Local Podcast or Podcast Network 
winner Iowa Everywhere 
runner-up Bankers Trust Community Difference Makers
runner-up Hubbell Realty – Dig It
runner-up The Accel Group – Accel Advantage

Best Live Music Venue 
winner Vibrant Music Hall 
runner-up Hoyt Sherman Place
runner-up Wooly’s

Best Entrepreneur 
winner Jeremiah Terhark (Webspec Design Co.) 
runner-up Emily Steele (Hummingbirds)
runner-up Mike Draper (Raygun)

Best Leader with a Sense of Humor 
winner Don Coffin (Bankers Trust Co.)  
runner-up Greg Edwards (Catch Des Moines)
runner-up Kenzie Geiger (City of Des Moines) 

Best Nonprofit Gala/Fundraiser 
winner ChildServe Bubble Ball 
runner-up Blank Park Zoo Safari Soiree
runner-up Animal Rescue League Raise Your Paws

Best New Development 
winner Des Moines Airport Expansion 
runner-up Gray’s Station
runner-up Kettlestone Development

Best HVAC Contractor 
winner Waldinger 
runner-up Baker Group
runner-up Bell Brothers

Best Local Union 
winner IBEW Local 347 
runner-up Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 33 
runner-up Carpenters Local 106

Best Office Design 
winner ITA Group 
runner-up West Bank
runner-up Flynn Wright

Best Internship Program 
winner Principal Financial Group 
runner-up Bankers Trust Co. 
runner-up EMC Insurance Cos.