52 honored in annual Idaho event celebrating new and legacy careers

For nearly three decades an annual event has celebrated the career achievements of those under 40 years old throughout the state of Idaho. And for almost a decade, a similar event has been dedicated to honoring the achievements of those over 50.

Five years ago, Idaho Business Review combined its Accomplished Under 40 and ICON Awards events to create an even bigger night of honors for those making a difference in their industries and communities. The 2026 event was no different.

On June 9 at Boise Centre in downtown Boise, the publication presented awards to 52 people from throughout the state and from varied sectors of business and government. As usual, 40 people under 40 were highlighted in the AU40 portion event, and 12 people were honored with ICON Awards, including those who were still working, those on their way to retirement, and those who have retired.

“Boise has a long history of citizens stepping out to make the community better, and I’m very humbled and grateful to be considered part of that story,” said Dan Balluff, one of the 12 ICON honorees. The founder of City Peanut Shop in Boise, he sold the business in 2025 after 16 years. “Being an entrepreneur and a small business owner can be daunting, and at times it was, but I never did it alone. My wife, son and daughter were with me every step of the way, logging countless hours of accounting, graphic design, photography, taste testing, late nights and holidays.”

Along with recounting his journey from working at HP to owning his own business in his acceptance speech, Balluff championed the efforts of small business owners in the Gem State.

“We work hard to represent the cultures and value of both Boise and Idaho, and everything that we do. Small businesses are the heart and soul of the community, and your support keeps us alive. Please don’t forget about all those guys out there trying to fight against Amazon and all the other big companies,” he said.

One of last year’s AU40 honorees, Ally Daniels, director of the Online and Professional MBA programs at Boise State University College of Business and Economics, one of two presenting sponsors for the event. She pointed out that more than 500,000 people in Idaho are between the ages of 18 and 39, and eight of the honorees at the June 9 event are alumni of COBE. One of the honorees is a current professor at the school.

But where and whether a person graduated had no bearing on the impacts that could be made in communities across the state.

“Whether you’re a Bronco, a Vandal, a Bengal or took a completely different path, your achievement is Idaho’s achievement,” Daniels said. “As I read through your bios, one thing stood out clearly. The common thread is not just success and achievement. It’s care. Care for your communities. Care for the people you serve. And an understanding that meaningful work happens through people.”

Ronda Conger, vice president of CBH Homes, the other presenting sponsor, took to the stage to get the audience fired up and to have a collective attitude of gratitude. At her company, she said they start each meeting by honoring each other like the Blue Angels do before their flights.

“Which I think is huge,” she said. “And we definitely are here to honor all of you, all your greatness. All the people in the room are here to love and support, so will you do me a favor? Will you turn the person to the left, turn the person to the right, and say, ‘So glad you’re here.’”

John Brunelle, the soon-retiring executive director of the Capital City Development Corporation, took a moment to look at his career path and what it took for him to be a success.

“Early in my career, I figured that I would just join the workforce and get out there and do my work, roll with the punches, and make the best of whatever came my way. I soon figured out that wasn’t going to work for me,” he reflected. “I needed a challenge. … and the result, I think, is tonight, where I survived the gauntlet of my 20s and 30s, made it to [Accomplished Under 40] 25 years ago.”

Though everyone’s career has the potential to yield positive results, not everyone’s have visible results.

“CCDC is a small agency, but we do big things,” Brunelle said. “Just look out your window downtown, you’ll see our work. In fact, look around this room. [Boise Centre was] made possible through our financing with the auditorium district. Over the years we’ve put close to $8 billion in construction value in downtown, and we’re not done yet. Although I will be soon.”

Dr. Paula Kellerer, president and CEO of Idaho Business for Education, who is still very much steeped in her career, pointed to perseverance as one of the keys to community success.

“I’ve always believed that strong communities like we have here in Idaho are built by people who care enough to stay engaged, and if you hear anything tonight, it would be the words ‘stay engaged,’ she said. “We need people who can ask hard questions, we need people willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work, we need people who understand that good outcomes just don’t happen. They are built through commitment, through collaboration, and a shared belief that our future together is worth it.”

Kellerer added that, as Idaho grows, so too do the challenges that accompany that growth. Working together for a better future is one of the other keys to a successful outcome.

Another ICON honoree that has had a career built on literal building, Corey Barton, the president and owner of CBH Homes, said that growth is part of the fun of being in Idaho.

“As far as the community, I know you know this, but we are so unbelievably blessed with where we live, the type of people that we are, and of course, the part that’s so fun is the growth,” he said. “We all want the growth, we all want the accomplishments, we all want to learn and get better, but of course, with that comes challenges. … I will never complain about the bumps, the growing, because praying for it every single day is what I’ve been doing.”