Des Moines Business Record

Congratulations to John Ruan IV on being named a 2025 Book of Lists Most Influential Business Leader. Ruan was named president and chief operating officer of Ruan Transportation Management Systems Inc. in 2014, succeeding his father, John Ruan III. He is now chairman of the organization. He was also named chairman of Bankers Trust's board, which his grandfather, John Ruan II, acquired majority ownership of in 1964. He has been a member on several community boards and civic organizations, including the World Food Prize Foundation, the Des Moines Symphony, Junior Achievement of Central Iowa and the Riverfront YMCA. He was also a member of the Business Record 2013 Class of Forty Under 40. View the 2025 Book of Lists issue and submit your business here: https://lnkd.in/dmYSBczg

With a background in mental health and nonprofit work, Courtney Ackerson is ready to lead the Bondurant Chamber of Commerce as its new executive director. Read more about Ackerson in this week's closer look: https://lnkd.in/gfmqjeW2

Meet Kayli Becker, chief of staff for philanthropic engagement at Des Moines Public Schools and a member of our 2025 class of Forty Under 40. What's an issue Kayli thinks more people should know about? "My work in fundraising and community impact in DMPS has deepened my belief that we must rally together to strengthen public education. Adequate funding for public schools is not just an education issue — it’s a community issue that affects our future leaders, workforce and changemakers. Every student deserves access to opportunity, and without meaningful investment, that promise cannot be fulfilled. While hope isn’t a strategy, my hope is that our state and nation prioritize public education funding to create a brighter, more equitable future for all." Learn more about Kayli in her Forty Under 40 profile: https://lnkd.in/gJfsnYCX

One philosophy drives everything Raise the Bar Initiative does: Strong women build strong communities. We talked with Raise the Bar and several participants of their annual fundraiser, the Women's Barbell Classic, about the significance of strength training to women of all ages in this week's Fearless: https://lnkd.in/gMdpri7n

Join us Thursday, April 24 from 7-9 a.m. at Hilton Des Moines Downtown for the 2025 Commercial Real Estate Forum. Experts from the real estate and development sector will discuss projects that are underway or planned in the Greater Des Moines area, and give their insights into trends and current events that could affect the commercial real estate sector. We’ll discuss the office market, development-ready sites, and give updates on the latest in architecture and downtown development. The event will be future-focused and attendees will leave with a variety of perspectives on the outlook for commercial real estate in Greater Des Moines for the next 18 months. Also during the forum, the Iowa State University Ivy College of Business Commercial Real Estate Professional of the Year will be recognized. PANELISTS: Cody Christensen, director of development services, City of Des Moines Mike Derkenne, co-owner, Beal Derkenne Construction Angie Pfannkuch, president, Sidekick Development Christopher Stafford, director and senior vice president, Cushman & Wakefield Chris Trosper, director of real estate development, Opus Development Co. LLC Matt Weller, vice president of development, Hubbell Realty Co Register for this event today! https://lnkd.in/eHyrSJD4

Share your memories with Jay Byers through the form below:

Meet Cory Bauer, director of sales and customer relations at Delta Dental of Iowa and a member of our 2025 class of Forty Under 40. What's an experience or memory that influenced how Cory saw the world and what he wanted to do in life? "Volunteering at our Vision OneSite Clinic, I saw firsthand the struggles of underserved communities. A child’s gratitude for a pair of glasses opened my eyes to the health care disparities. That moment ignited my passion for our foundation and for giving back, shaping my commitment to making a difference." Learn more about Cory in his Forty Under 40 profile: https://lnkd.in/dzTSR9Hx

“It served its purpose, and I think it really lived up to its mission,” Tobi Parks, owner of the xBk music venue, said of the Des Moines Music Coalition. “And now it's up to the rest of us in this community to kind of carry that mantle, instead of it being the nonprofit organization kind of chugging along to do the heavy lifting. It really set the table for us to be able to pick it up and carry on.” Read about the dissolution of the DMMC and how the local music scene is moving forward: https://lnkd.in/gzcCzwGE

Congratulations to Alex Radig who is On the Move! Alex has been hired as a tax manager at Meriwether, Wilson and Company, PLLC. Make sure to take a second to help us congratulate Alex! Want to feature your employees in the Business Record’s free On the Move section? Submit your employees at https://lnkd.in/gCDehACK

Congratulations to these folks who are On the Move! Make sure to connect via LinkedIn and take a second to help us celebrate their promotions, job changes, awards and other accomplishments. Find details about everyone who is on the move this week at https://lnkd.in/guMXnnJp Want to feature your employees in the Business Record’s free On the Move section? Submit your employees at https://lnkd.in/gCDehACK This week we congratulate: Carly Gosch Parle, Kailey Brown, Krista Carter, Hannah E., Jill Sailer, Sara Kingsbury, Hanna King, and Brittany Larson