Nominations Now Open for 2026 Mel Essex Entrepreneur of the Year Award

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (Feb. 2, 2026) – The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Mel Essex Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Nominations must be submitted by Monday, March 2, 2026, at 5 p.m.
 
Presented annually at the Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit, the Mel Essex Entrepreneur of the Year Award honors the legacy of Mel Essex, an extraordinary entrepreneur, advocate and mentor. Essex’s enduring impact continues to inspire entrepreneurs to pursue success, build generational wealth and strengthen the communities they serve.
 
The award celebrates individuals who exemplify Essex’s spirit, dedication and passion for uplifting entrepreneurs. This prestigious honor recognizes community champions who have made a significant impact by fostering and supporting small business success and inspiring others to achieve economic independence. Rachelle Long, founder and executive director of Taste of the Junction, was recognized as the 2025 Mel Essex Entrepreneur of the Year Award recipient.
 
“I was beyond humbled and honored to have received this award in a long line of other award winners in the state of Iowa,” said Long. “Being an entrepreneur myself and supporting others is critical to what I believe in.”
 
Since 2021, the Summit has recognized outstanding entrepreneurs through the Mel Essex Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Past recipients include:

• 2025 – Rachelle Long, Taste of the Junction

• 2024 – Blanca Plascencia, El Fogon and El Guacamole Patio & Cantina

• 2023 – Perlla Deluca, Southwest Contractors, Inc.

• 2022 – Lu Spaine, Zumi Collection, LLC

• 2021 – Pernell Cezar Jr., BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages

 
“The impact of the Mel Essex Entrepreneur of the Year Award recipients extends far beyond their businesses,” said Kristi Kaye Burma, executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Athene. “Each recipient was recognized for helping strengthen our local economy and create more opportunities within the community.”
 
The 2026 Mel Essex Entrepreneur of the Year Award recipient will be presented by Chase, on April 15, 2026.
To nominate an individual or learn more about the Summit, visit bbbsummit.com.
 

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About the Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit
The Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit was created by national stakeholders to assist with connection building, programming, promotion, training and provide resources to help businesses grow and prosper. The Summit is owned and operated by the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce and is supported by several key stakeholders, including Athene, Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo [TC1] and more. The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce created The Summit back in 2021, and Athene became the naming rights sponsor in 2022.

About the WDM Chamber of Commerce
Recognized by ACCE (Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives) as one of the top Chambers in the nation, the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, established in 1924, is the largest, most active chamber in the Greater Des Moines region. With a focus on strengthening local businesses, boosting economic development, and attracting a top-tier workforce, the Chamber aims to position WDM as the best suburban city in America. Celebrating over a century of excellence, the Chamber boasts a diverse community of over 1,000 members, offering something for everyone. Explore the possibilities, learn more about the chamber, and discover how you can get involved in shaping the future of West Des Moines and our entire region at wdmchamber.org.

About Athene
Athene is the leading retirement solutions company with $430 billion of total assets as of September 30, 2025, and operations in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, and Japan. Athene is focused on providing financial security to individuals by offering an attractive suite of retirement income and savings products and also serves as a solutions provider to corporations. For more information, please visit www.athene.com.
 
About Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,700 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 58 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC).