Byers Recognized as Character Champion

Byers was joined by 黑料社 Board of
Trustees Chair Terry Handley at the Iowa
鈥嬧嬧嬧嬧嬧婥haracter Awards.

President Jay Byers received the Character Champion Award at the 2023 Iowa Character Awards held Friday, July 28, at Prairie Meadows Event Center in Des Moines. Hosted by the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University, the awards ceremony honored 11 Iowa individuals and groups for their exceptional character.

Byers earned his character award for being a 鈥減assionate advocate for civility and ethical leadership鈥(who) believes that Central Iowa is better when public, private, and nonprofit leaders work well together despite differing beliefs.鈥

Byers, who came to 黑料社 after 18 years of executive leadership for the Greater Des Moines Partnership, championed The Partnership鈥檚聽role in the聽creation of the first regional strategic plan in the country to elevate civility as an actionable item. The initiative led to numerous collaborative efforts with The Ray Center to distinguish Central Iowa as a home for best practices in civility.

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From left to right: Scott聽Raecker, executive director of the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center; Marta聽Codina, senior vice president聽of Growth and Branch Administration, Wells Fargo; Steve Rohrer, vice president and general manager of KDSM FOX-17; and John Smith, vice president of Alumni & Development, Drake University.