Get to know the five finalists for Executive of the Year

Even though it may have been bleak at times, or maybe it was a smooth ride, but they led their company to remarkable success. And the finalists are…


MindMixer’s Nick Bowden took home Executive of the Year at the 2013 Silicon Prairie Awards. Can he repeat?

It won’t be long until we’re all looking elegant and dapper August 21 at Midland Theatre in Kansas City, celebrating another year of growth and success across the region at the Silicon Prairie Awards.

We’ve seen unique storylines unfold in our three core regions—an influx of code schools in Nebraska, Iowa’s foundational growth of accelerators and spaces for collaboration, and Kansas City’s attraction as a hub for testing out new technologies.

Everyone plays a part, which brings us here. Before we can celebrate, we need all of you to help us determine which individuals and companies we’ll be crowning. It’s a two-week voting period that ends at 11:59 p.m. on August 11. That means you have loads of time to spread the word.
Cast your vote for the Silicon Prairie Awards!

Join us for the Silicon Prairie Awards: We have an exciting evening of community celebration planned for Aug. 21 at the Midland Theatre in Kansas City. Tickets are still available for the event, which includes an opening reception, keynote talk by N3TWORK co-founder Erik Lammerding, awards ceremony and closing party. Purchase your tickets today.

Meet the five Executive of the Year finalists

It may have been bleak at times, or maybe it was a smooth ride, but they led their company to remarkable success.

David Chait, Travefy 

  • Moved to Nebraska in June 2013 to build Travefy and has since become an impactful part of the Midwest startup community in Pipeline and as an NMotion mentor
  • Helped raise a $320,000 round and acquired another company in Travefy’s first year
  • Nomination: “He’s responsive to suggestions, innovative, well spoken, goal-oriented, fair and one of the smartest people anyone will encounter. A master of business development and a trustworthy CEO and leader of Travefy.”
  • Nomination: “His business strategy is based on collaboration with the other players in the industry. His approachable personality helps him acheive on that path.”
  • Read more: Twitter, LinkedIn, SPN
 

Nick Bowden, MindMixer

  • Successfully led a move from Omaha to Kansas City
  • In the process of hiring dozens more employees and expanded scope in every way
  • Spoke at SXSW in March 
  • Partnered with Code for America
  • Nomination: “Nick is a maestro, masterfully conducting a move to a new city while still growing the company in customers and employees.”
  • Read more: Twitter, LinkedIn, SPN
 

Paul Jarrett, Bulu Box

  • Won Pipeline’s Innovator of the Year award
  • Raised a $2 million round 
  • Paul has been featured in Inc Magazine and Entrepreneur on Fire.
  • Nomination: “From his boundless energy and enthusiasm to his obvious smarts, Jarrett represents the best of the best when it comes to entrepreneurialism on the Silicon Prairie.”
  • Nomination: “Paul is a true ambassador for the Midwest startup scene. His willingness to provide his time, expertise and advice to the community and other startups is what makes him worthy of this recognition.”
  • Read more: Twitter, LinkedIn, SPN
 

Toby Rush, EyeVerify

  • Landed $6 million from an array of investors, including Sprint, Samsung and a Chinese security firm
  • Won the international Get in the Ring competition for the chance at $1.4 million in investment
  • EyeVerify won an Angel Capital Association award for innovation
  • Nomination: “Keeps calm even when things are rough.”
  • Read more: Twitter, LinkedIn, SPN
 

Wade Arnold, Banno

  • In March, Banno was acquired by acquired by community bank information-processing solutions provider Jack Henry & Associates Inc.
  • Won the 2014 Prometheus Award for CEO of the Year 
  • Nomination: “Talking about starting a company is one thing and growing it yet another. To quickly take a company from start, to grow, scale, and prosper takes talent and Wade has shown that talent through the latest step – acquisition. The acquisition of Banno by Jack Henry demonstrates the quiet yet effective leadership of Wade Arnold, my nominee for Executive of the year.”
  • Read more: Twitter, LinkedInSPN

Silicon Prairie Awards content is brought to you by CenturyLink. 

This story is part of the AIM Archive

This story is part of the AIM Institute Archive on Silicon Prairie News. AIM gifted SPN to the Nebraska Journalism Trust in January 2023. Learn more about SPN’s origin »

Get the latest news and events from Nebraska’s entrepreneurship and innovation community delivered straight to your inbox every Wednesday.

2 responses to “Get to know the five finalists for Executive of the Year”

  1. […] Executive of the Year — Toby Rush, EyeVerify  […]