Iowa APSE Awards each year help highlight the people in the state who are making change in employment and disability. Read about the nominees and winners from the 2022 Iowa APSE Awards. These were presented during the Conference on the 29th of September, 2022.
Employer Award
Here are the 7 businesses nominated. Make sure to visit these businesses as you go throughout the state!
St. Anthony Regional Hospital & Nursing Home – Carroll Pilot Travel Center – Clear Lake Texas Roadhouse – Cedar Falls Doran & Ward Packaging – Burlington Fareway – Jefferson Irlbeck Precision Surfacers – Carroll Pasquale’s Food Service, Inc. – Humboldt
Congratulations to 2022 Winner Irlbeck Precision Surfacers!
Personal Achievement Award
Iowa APSE LOVES celebrating individuals with disabilities in competitive, integrated employment! 
Check out these four remarkable Iowans!
Annie Ankenbauer, employed at St. Anthony Nursing Home. “Annie shows so much kindness and patience to everyone she comes into contact with.”
JD Bumgarner, self-employed with JD’s Creations. “JD is truly an inspiration to the people around him; he is dedicated to his skill and his craft.”
Jim Deshler, employed with Next Generation Technologies. “Jim brings a sense of humor and an appreciation for life to work, he is truly an amazing, charismatic person.”
Max Troester, employed with the Asbury Plaza HyVee. “Max has a drive to help and praise others; he builds connections with co-workers and customers.”
Congratulations to 2022 Winner JD Bumgarner!
Professional Award
Iowa APSE is so pleased to recognize SO many amazing employment professionals.
Congratulations to each of the nominees from across the state! Each of these professionals is helping lead #EmploymentFirst across our state. Iowa APSE can’t state enough how much our #EmploymentSupportProfessionals are appreciated.
Bronna Crase, CICIL.
Tora Phelps, Arc of East Central Iowa.
Mistie Johnson, Disability Rights Iowa.
Eva Castillo, Hope Haven Area Development Center.
Deidra Brown, Wesco Industries.
Lindsay McDermott, Exceptional Persons, Inc.
Ken Karczewski, Hope Haven Inc.
The team of Joblink Services, 43 North Iowa.
Mindy Burr, Easter Seals.
Congratulations to 2022 Winner Eva Castillo!
Advocacy Award
We can only do the work of #EmploymentFirst through advocacy and using our voices! Check out these two notable Iowans who were nominated for the 2022 Iowa APSE Advocacy Award!
Nominee Joseph Jones, The Harkin Institute in Des Moines. “Joseph is influential and well connected. He has elevated the issues to a global audience and uses that platform to raise awareness and increase advocacy efforts. He is polished, professional, approachable, and knowledgable about all issues that impact individuals with disabilities, especially in the area of employment.”
Winner of the 2022 Advocacy Award Ashley Banes, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services in West Burlington. “Ashley is a positive and dedicated force and always leaves a lasting impression with those she works with. She is incredibly resilient and doesn’t give up, particularly for the job seekers she is serving. She will continue to help them meet their goal as long as they want it.”
