STUART – Two of the state’s top leaders for entrepreneurship and small business development will highlight the Midwest Partnership EDC annual dinner meeting Thursday, Jan. 23, at the Lake Panorama National Conference Center near Panora. Jim Ober of Scranton Manufacturing and Ben Puck of Puck Custom Enterprise, will share their stories with guests at the event. A social time will kick off the gathering at 5:45 pm, with dinner at 6:30 and a business meeting to follow.
Ober is vice-president of operations at Scranton Manufacturing in Scranton. As vice- president, Ober works with his team to design, manufacture and deliver waste and recycling equipment throughout the world. He received his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from the University of Northern Iowa and later achieved his master’s in business administration from Drake University. Following seven years of working and living in the Des Moines area, he relocated to Jefferson and has been there almost 20 years.
Puck Custom Enterprises began in 1979 as Puck Brothers Pumping when Ben Puck partnered with his brother and bought two vacuum trucks to begin hauling liquid manure for area farmers. Four years later, Ben continued solo as Ben Puck Pumping, and slowly grew the business into a six vacuum truck operation. Today, Puck Custom Enterprises Inc. is owned and operated by Ben and Kathy Puck in west central Iowa.
Another highlight of the evening will be the awarding of the Guy Powell Award, an annual recognition presented to an individual who exhibits excellence in leadership and passion for economic development in the Midwest Partnership EDC region. The award is in honor of the late Guy Powell of Greenfield, who served as president of the Midwest Partnership EDC board of directors and was an active volunteer in several other community organizations. Nominations are welcomed from any individuals, businesses, or community groups in the region. Forms may be found at http://www.midwestpartnership.com/.
The cost for the evening’s dinner and meeting is $20/person or $150 for a table of eight. Payments may be made in advance or the night of the event, however reservations are requested by Jan. 17 to ensure a spot. For reservations or more information, contact Monica Cateron at 515-523-1262 or email mcateron@
Midwest Partnership EDC is the non-profit, collaborative economic development organization formed to strengthen the economic vitality of the communities of Adair, Audubon, Greene, and Guthrie counties in west central Iowa.
