Kansas Businesses, Entrepreneurs Honored at 2026 To The Stars Event
Leading businesses and entrepreneurs from across the state were honored Thursday night for their outstanding contributions to their Kansas communities and the state economy during the Kansas Department of Commerce’s 2026 To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards ceremony. The annual event, which this year was held at Fiorella’s Event Center in Overland Park, was attended by nearly 500 people.
The evening’s biggest awards went to Plumbers & Pipefitters Apprenticeship Training of Kansas, which earned the 2026 Governor’s Award of Excellence, and NorthWind Technical Services, which was named the 2026 Governor’s Exporter of the Year.
“In their respective pursuits, both Plumbers & Pipefitters and NorthWind have been creating meaningful opportunities for hard-working Kansans while strengthening the state’s economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “With these awards, I am proud to recognize their individual successes and mutual commitment to Kansas. I offer my sincere congratulations to them and all of the nominees.”
More than 340 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 55 Regional Awards were presented at the event, and one nominee in each category was designated a Statewide Winner, making them finalists for the Governor’s Award of Excellence.
“Since 2019, our state has been shattering one economic record after another because local businesses and entrepreneurs like the ones being honored here believed in Kansas — and Kansas believed in them,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “To The Stars is an opportunity to put those businesses in the spotlight and thank them for their service to their customers, their community and the entire state.”
Emcee Ryan Wills kicked off the awards ceremony by recognizing three Kansans who have been inducted into the Kansas Business Hall of Fame for their significant contributions to economic growth. This year’s contemporary honorees are Kathleen “Kathy” Dodd, a well-known Kansas business leader and homecare industry executive, and Lee Borck, a Kansas livestock industry leader, businessman and educator. The historic honoree, Pawnee Rock native Robert L. “Bob” Brock, was a Kansas entrepreneur whose vision transformed the hospitality and family entertainment industries nationwide.
The 2026 To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards Statewide Award winners:
- Agribusiness – Louisburg Cider Mill Inc., Louisburg
- Apprenticeship Champions and Partners – Plumbers & Pipefitters Apprenticeship Training, Wichita
- Business Innovation – WellSky, Overland Park
- Healthcare/Nonprofit – Finney County Public Library, Garden City
- Mainstreet Momentum – Main Street Mercantile, Lebanon
- Manufacturing/Distribution – Ash Grove Cement Company, Chanute
- Non-Traditional Talent Pools – Dialogue Coffee House/Capper Foundation, Topeka
- Retail/Service – Carlson’s Grocery, Marion
- Small Business Champion – Corporate Partner – Bank of Hays, Hays
- Under 30 Entrepreneur – Landon Erway, Valley Gate Development Co. and State Farm Erway Agency, Larned
- Welcome Back – Britni Beck, Circle of Nations Collective, White Cloud
The 2026 Governor’s Award of Excellence winner, Plumber & Pipefitters Apprenticeship Training, is located in Wichita and is committed to developing highly trained professionals in plumbing, pipefitting, welding and HVACR industries. Their apprenticeship program blends structured classroom instruction with paid, on-the-job training to give apprentices the opportunity to earn competitive wages while mastering their trade.
The 2026 Governor’s Exporter of the Year winner, NorthWind Technical Services, was founded by Mike and Marlene Bosworth in their home near Sabetha. The company delivers advanced automation and control solutions to manufacturing facilities worldwide. Over the course of almost 30 years, NorthWind has grown significantly in the United States and abroad.
Other Exporter of the Year finalists were Veris Technologies, Inc. and Harlan Global Manufacturing. Salina-based Veris Technologies provides precision soil-scanning technology for the agriculture sector. Kansas City-based Harlan Global’s expertise lies in designing and manufacturing ground support equipment for both public and private sectors. The Randi Tveitaraas Jack International Business Development Award was presented to Flora Food Group. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Flora Food Group focuses on providing culinary essentials that make it easier for people to cook and eat in ways that are better for their health and for the planet. Flora Food Group is known for household name brands such as Red Barn, Country Crock and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter. They sell their products in more than 100 countries, with a production facility in Hugoton, as well as the world’s largest spread manufacturing plant located in the New Century Industrial Park area in Johnson County. The business was recognized for its outstanding contributions to advancing Kansas in the global market.
A full list of 2026 To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards winners and photographs from the event can be found here.
The 2026 Governor’s Exporter of the Year, NorthWind Technical Services and Flora Food Group was named the Randi Tveitaraas Jack International Business Development Award winner.
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