IBR announces 2023’s CEO of Influence award honorees

It may be lonely at the top, but the best CEO’s make it their business to influence those around them.

Today, in revealing its 2023 CEO of Influence awards, Idaho Business Review recognizes 20 top-flight executives who embody leadership, growth and vision. They are admired and respected within their companies and in the broader communities they serve.

In 2022, these leaders faced challenges: inflation, supply chain, turnover and a labor market. The COVID pivot continued. Being resilient was essential to success. Organizations with innovative, competitive and forward-looking CEOs performed the strongest.

“This year’s honorees are dedicated leaders who are passionate about the work they do and the people they lead. It is an honor to recognize them,” said IBR Publisher Cindy Suffa. “I am also excited to introduce the Link of Distinction to the CEO of Influence program this year. This award underscores the program’s title name and offers us an opportunity to recognize past honorees for their continued commitment to leadership, growth and to their communities.”

Tommy Ahlquist, CEO of Ball Ventures Ahlquist, is the first to be honored with this award.

“A nod of appreciation to presenting sponsor Perkins Coie for its continued support of this program since its inception 13 years ago,” she said.

The CEO of Influence program honors some of the state’s top leaders in industry, government and the nonprofit sector who are leading the charge toward growth and prosperity. The program’s honorees are nominated each year by colleagues, peers and community members who feel their leaders deserve to be recognized for their dedication to their organizations and employees. The list of candidates is then narrowed down to 20 individuals by an internal IBR committee, which considers each nominee’s track record of leadership, vision, innovation, competitiveness, financial performance and community leadership.

This year’s awards ceremony to honor these exceptional CEOs will be held at 5:30 p.m. on May 11 at Boise Centre. The leaders will be featured in a magazine to be distributed at the awards event and then to subscribers on May 13.

Congratulations to our winners.

The 2023 CEO of Influence Honorees:

Tommy Ahlquist, Ball Ventures Ahlquist (2023 Link of Distinction honoree)

Shelby Bills, Graeber & Company

Lindsey Bowshier, Tribute Media

Sean Evans, Meridian Chamber of Commerce

Karianne Fallow, Dairy West

Kevan Finley, Cottonwood Creek Behavioral Hospital

Amy Gile, Silverdraft

Lisa A. Grow, Idaho Power

Wayne Hammon, Idaho AGC

Helo Hancock, Beacon Cancer Care

Heidi Hart, Terry Reilly Health Services

Nate Jorgensen, Boise Cascade Company

Beth Markley, NAMI Idaho Inc.

Jason Meyerhoeffer, First Federal Bank

Mitch Minnette, Nampa Chamber of Commerce

Jody Nelson, Lysi Bishop Real Estate

Laurel Sayer, Perpetua Resources

Lori Sessions, Grand Peaks

Rob Spear, Idaho Falls Auditorium District, Mountain America Center

Mindy Stosich-Benedetti, Health West Inc.

Sarah Woodley, BPA Health

Contact Cindy Suffa at [email protected] for more information on sponsorships and magazine advertising.

For more information or to join us for the 2023 CEO of Influence event click here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]