Kansas Department of Commerce
TOPEKA – Kansas businesses and entrepreneurs, including two in Hays and Norton, were honored Oct. 16 at the Robert W. Plaster Center at Pittsburg State University for their outstanding contributions to Kansas communities and the state economy at the Kansas Department of Commerce’s 2025 To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards ceremony.
It was announced at the ceremony, attended by nearly 500 people, that Grey Snow Management Solutions won the 2025 Governor’s Award of Excellence and GeoProbe Systems was named the 2025 Governor’s Exporter of the Year.
“Grey Snow and GeoProbe have dynamic missions and visions that align with our commitment to moving Kansas forward and supporting customers and communities across the state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Companies like these advance our state’s exporting efforts, contribute significantly to their local economies, and are more than deserving of these awards.”
A record 431 businesses, organizations, and individuals were nominated in 11 different categories for this year’s To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards. Nominees were reviewed and scored for various criteria, including business expansion, employee recruitment and retention practices, training and educational programs, capital investment, and support for local community events. A total of 372 Merit Awards and 59 Regional Awards were presented at the event. Additionally, one nominee in each category was designated a Statewide Winner, making them finalists for the Governor’s Award of Excellence.
“Kansas businesses are the backbone of the record-setting success our state has experienced over the last six years,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “All the businesses recognized at To The Stars are worthy of celebration because they exemplify our famous work ethic and determination, further solidifying Kansas as the best place in the nation to do business.”
To kick off the awards ceremony, emcee Melissa Vincent recognized two Kansans who have been inducted into the Kansas Business Hall of Fame for their significant contributions to economic growth. This year’s contemporary honoree, Marci Penner, is a rural champion and author from Inman who is the executive director of the Kansas Sampler Foundation. The historical honoree, Emerson Carey, Sr., is an entrepreneur and philanthropist from Hutchinson known as a salt manufacturer and industrial leader.
The Kansas Department of Commerce also introduced two new award categories: the Small Business Champion – Corporate Partner Award that highlights corporations demonstrating exceptional commitment to small business — and the Mainstreet Momentum Award that honors a business continuously working to improve downtown areas and commercial districts through growth and engagement.
The 2025 Statewide Award winners are below.
At the end of the awards ceremony, the agency introduced the new Randi Tveitaraas Jack International Business Development Award. It will recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to advancing Kansas in the global economy. The award was named in honor of Randi Tveitaraas Jack, who recently retired from the Kansas Department of Commerce after more than 37 years of outstanding service to the state. The agency recognized James “Jamie” Hall, vice president of Great Plains Manufacturing in Salina, as the inaugural recipient.
A full list of the 2025 To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards winners and photographs from the event can be found here.