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Thompson Solutions Group CEO Recognized for Commitment to Community

SIOUXLAND, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota – The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce presented its most prestigious recognition, the W. Edwards Deming Business Leadership and Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, to Skip Perley, the CEO of Thompson Solutions Group, at their 37th Annual Dinner on Thursday evening. With 1,300 in attendance at the Sioux City Convention Center, Perley was praised for his decades of business and not-for-profit leadership within the Siouxland community.

Perley’s personal interest and investment in community causes has included leadership roles with the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, The Siouxland Initiative (TSI), the Sioux City Public Schools Foundation, Boys and Girls Home & Family Services, and UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s. Said Perley, “I am deeply touched by this recognition, and truly humbled to be included among this distinguished list of past recipients whom I personally hold in the highest regard.”

Perley, who has led Thompson Solutions Group through a recent merger and unprecedented growth at their locations in Sioux City, Omaha, and Sioux Falls, was joined at the event by his professional colleagues, as well as family members, including his wife, Cathy. Contemplating growing up in Sioux City and launching his professional career here, Perley emphasized, “Cathy and I are proud to call Siouxland our home and we remain dedicated to giving back to a community that has provided us with so much.”

Art Silva, who serves as the President and CEO of Boys and Girls Home and Family Services, hailed Perley’s recognition as this year’s Deming Award honoree stating, “Skip Perley is an exceptional leader and a most deserving recipient of this award. For as long I can remember, he has been a role model for other business leaders and an executive who clearly understands servant leadership.”

Silva, who has led both private sector and not-for-profit organizations added, “Skip has led his company to new heights while simultaneously making a significant difference in the lives of the most vulnerable children in our community. We are fortunate to have leaders of his commitment and character who choose to call Siouxland home.” Silva was joined by several others who lauded Perley’s many contributions.

Siouxland Chamber President Chris McGowan echoed Silva’s praise of Perley stating, “Skip has been the gold standard for driving positive change in our community, and for decades he has cared every bit as much about his charitable priorities as his corporate profits. Not only is he generous with his time, but he and Cathy have very quietly become leading community philanthropists as well.”

The Deming Award is presented annually to an outstanding business executive and exceptional community leader in the tri-state region. Perley joins a notable list of past recipients who have been recognized for their business leadership, entrepreneurial success, and commitment to Siouxland. This year marks the 32nd time the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce has presented the Deming Award dating back to 1991.

The W. Edwards Deming Business Leadership & Entrepreneurial Excellence Award is presented in honor of Dr. W. Edwards Deming, a Sioux City native and world-renowned statistician, philosopher, and educator. This award is designed to recognize local business executives who have exhibited outstanding leadership and corporate citizenship within the Siouxland community, as well as originality, quality, productivity, and performance within the realm of their business.

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Dr. W. Edwards Deming Business Leadership & Entrepreneurial Excellence Award

Award Criteria: The W. Edwards Deming Business Leadership & Entrepreneurial Excellence Award is presented in honor of Dr. W. Edwards Deming, a Sioux City native and world-renowned statistician, philosopher, and educator. This award is designed to recognize local business executives who have exhibited outstanding leadership and corporate citizenship, within the Siouxland community, as well as originality, quality, productivity, and performance within the realm of their business.

Recipients

1991 Ted Waitt, Gateway 2000

1992 Wrede Smith, American Pop Corn Company

1993 Harold Bomgaars, Bomgaars

1994 Fred Davenport, Davenport Companies

1995 William Dible, Terra Industries Inc.

1996 Byron Brower, Brower Construction Company

1997 Sam Bernstein, State Steel Supply Company

1998 Robert Williams, Williams and Company

1999 Roland Junck, Prince Manufacturing

2000 William Metz, Metz Baking Company

2001 Robert Peterson, IBP, Inc.

2002 Eldon Roth, Beef Products, Inc.

2003 Chuck Long, Long Lines

2004 Irving F. Jensen, Jr., Irving F. Jensen Company

2005 Pat Boeshart, Lite-Form Technologies LLC

2006 Ken Ackerman, K & B Transportation

2007 Leonard Gill, LP Gill, Inc.

2008 Allen Mahaney, Soo Tractor Sweeprake Company

2009 Mike Bennett, Terra Industries

2010 Roger and Jane Bomgaars, Bomgaars

2011 James Yanney, Guarantee Roofing & Siding

2012 Steve Schneider, Gerkin Windows and Doors

2013 Mike Wells, Wells Enterprises, Inc.

2014 Garrett Smith, American Pop Corn Company

2015 Regina Roth, BPI

2016 Richard Waller, Security National Bank

2017 Bev and Jim Wharton, Briar Cliff University / City of Sioux City

2018 Douglas Palmer, Tegra Corporation, Palmer Candy Company

2019 John Gleeson, Klinger Companies, Inc.

2020 No Award Presented Due to COVID-19 Global Pandemic

2021 John Reynders, Morningside University

2022 Jim Jensen, Great West Casualty Company

2023 Skip Perley, Thompson Solutions Group