The Washington Chamber of Commerce has named veteran track coach Steve Roth its 2025 Citizen of the Year and locally owned Ace N More its 2025 Business of the Year during the Greater Washington Business Partnership Annual Dinner & Awards Night on March 2 at Riverside Casino & Golf Resort.
Debi Durham, director of both the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Finance Authority, delivered the keynote address. Ms. Durham has led the agencies through several high-profile economic development projects and has focused on expanding trade and investment opportunities for the state.
The evening, presented by Riverside Casino & Golf Resort and Brava Roof Tile, was co-hosted by Main Street Washington, the Washington Chamber of Commerce and the Washington Economic Development Group. The program included a social hour, silent auction and buffet dinner before the awards presentations.
2025 Citizen of the Year
Mr. Roth, who is entering his 50th season as head boys track coach at Washington High School, was recognized for more than five decades of community involvement.
According to a release, he spent 40 years teaching elementary physical education and 38 years as an assistant football coach. His track program claimed the State Track Championship in 1998 and a third-place state finish in 1999.
His coaching honors include the National High School Track and Field Coach of the Year award in 2023, two Class 3A Iowa state coaching recognitions and two National High School Track Coach of the Year finalist nominations in 2011 and 2021. He was inducted into the Indian Hills Athletic Hall of Fame in 2024.
Outside school athletics, Mr. Roth serves on the Washington Betterment Committee and the Washington County Development Center Board of Directors, volunteers at Special Olympics events and collegiate track meets, and serves as an official at the Drake Relays. He also sits on the Iowa Association of Track Coaches board and is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
“Beyond coaching, Roth has been a steadfast community builder,” the release stated. “From maintaining local park gardens to establishing the Jingle Bell Run, helping coordinate the KeWash Trail Run, and creating one of the community’s most celebrated holiday displays, he has consistently invested his time and energy into making Washington shine brighter.”
2025 Business of the Year
Ace N More, the hardware and farm supply store owned by Craig and Holly Jones, was recognized for its employment, sustainability initiatives and community philanthropy.
The store opened Feb. 2, 2009, in the former Bazooka Farm Star building after the Joneses converted it into a full-service farm, home and hardware store affiliated with the Ace Hardware co-op. The couple had previously operated Pork N More, a business they launched in 1997, the release stated.
The store employs approximately 20 people and installed a 182-kilowatt solar system in 2017. It is currently among six pilot locations nationwide testing AI-assisted headset technology for customer service operations. The business also supports fundraising for the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital.
The chamber noted that the Jones family navigated significant personal hardships in the past year, “including Holly’s major heart attack and the loss of her mother. Throughout these hardships, Craig and Holly continued to lead the business with resilience and dedication, reflecting the strength that has defined their journey,” the release stated.
The Business of the Year award recognizes companies for leadership, chamber engagement and contributions to local economic growth. The Citizen of the Year award honors individuals for community involvement, leadership and positive impact on Washington’s quality of life. The Washington Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1935.
