Kum & Go CEO Inducted Into Iowa Business Hall of Fame

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Kum & Go LC President and CEO Kyle J. Krause will be inducted into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame on Dec. 1 by the Greater Des Moines Committee.

The Iowa Business Hall of Fame honors the achievements of Iowans who have made outstanding contributions to the development and enhancement of Iowa’s business climate.

Krause was named president of convenience store chain Kum & Go in 1997, and became president and CEO in 2004. He is also the owner of Krause Holdings Inc., the parent company to Kum & Go, as well as other business ventures.

Under Krause’s watch, Kum & Go has grown to more than 400 convenience stores in 11 states.

In addition to his business acumen, the Greater Des Moines Committee is recognizing Krause for his community service efforts.

“For four generations, the Krause family and Kum & Go have shared 10 percent of profits [with] charitable causes and organizations. Krause and his wife, Sharon, have built a reputation on philanthropic giving and community involvement locally and nationally,” the committee stated in a news release. “Krause serves as president of the Des Moines Art Center Board of Trustees, a board member for the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, and is on the advisory board for the University of Iowa Henry B. Tippie College of Business. Nationally, Krause has been inducted into the United Soccer League's Hall of Fame, and serves on the trustees council for the National Gallery of Art and also chairs its Collectors Committee.”

Joining Krause in this year's Iowa Business Hall of Fame induction — a black-tie event scheduled to take place Dec. 1 at the Meadows Events and Conference Center in Altoona, Iowa — will be John R. Winegard, founder of Winegard Co.; and Randy Winegard, CEO of Winegard Co., a family-owned business that designs and manufactures over-the-air television antennas, mounts and accessories.

The Greater Des Moines Committee was formed in 1907 by a group of 30 local business leaders. Today, the committee consists of 121 members and provides an opportunity for business leaders to come together for an information exchange about important topics in the community, the state and the nation. The committee founded the Iowa Business Hall of Fame in 1975.