2023 Southwest Regional Winner Apprenticeship Champions and Partners

On Thursday, October 12, 2023, at the 2023 To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards, American Implement was thrilled to be announced the 2023 Southwest Regional Winner for Apprenticeship Champions and Partners - companies and other entities that excel providing registered apprenticeship programs in Kansas.

Photo Left to Right: David Toland - Lieutenant Governor of Kansas, Amy Freouf - American Implement Director of Human Resources, Robert Webb - American Implement Director of Service and Steve Pickle, American Implement Service Support Specialist.

Prior to the event we were honored with this message from the Governor of Kansas, Laura Kelly:

"It is my sincere pleasure to award American Implement as a Southwest Regional Award winner in the category of Apprenticeship Champions and Partners for the 2023 To the Stars: Kansas Business Awards. Celebrating your business and its outstanding contributions to the community, the state economy and the people of Kansas is very exciting. Your hard work is appreciated and certainly worthy of this recognition.

American Implement was nominated because you are creating job opportunities, products and services, innovating and diversifying the local marketplace, building community identity, and so much more. You have made an impact in your community and that impact has been noticed. Your business has demonstrated the tenacity, determination and creativity needed to persevere regardless of circumstance. These values are at the heart of what it means to be a Kansan. Despite the many challenges over the past several years, our state has remained resilient. Thanks to businesses like yours, we continue to reach to the stars. Again, congratulations. Thank you for investing in Kansas and making Kansas a great place to live and work."

To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards

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TOPEKA - Businesses and individuals from across the state were honored Thursday night at the B-29 Doc Hangar, Education and Visitors Center in Wichita for their outstanding contributions to Kansas communities and the state's economy at the Kansas Department of Commerce's 2023 To the Stars: Kansas Business Awards ceremony. 

A record 297 businesses, organizations and individuals were nominated in nine categories for this year's To the Stars: Kansas Business Awards. Nominees were reviewed and scored for various criteria such as business expansion, employee recruitment and retention practices, training and educational programs, capital investments, and support of local community events. A total of 245 Merit Awards and 43 Regional Awards were presented at the event. Additionally, one nominee in each category was designated a Statewide Winner, making them finalists for the Governor's Award of Excellence. 

"The Kansas economy is booming because of these innovative entrepreneurs," Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. "When we talk about Kansas being the best state in the nation to live, work and raise a family, we know it is possible because of great companies driving success in their communities. It is an honor to celebrate their achievements." 

Photo Left to Right: Andre Heath - Deputy Director of the Office of Apprenticeship, Kansas Dept of Commerce, Amy Freouf - American Implement Director of Human Resources, Steve Pickle, American Implement Service Support Specialist, Shonda Anderson - Director of Internship and Apprenticeship Kansas Dept of Commerce, and Robert Webb - American Implement Director of Service.

Special thanks to Andre Heath, Deputy Director of the Office of Apprenticeship, Kansas Dept of Commerce for nominating American Implement. We are proud to be the first official John Deere Apprenticeship in Kansas: Learn More.