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Entrepreneur of the Year Event to Honor Will Jenkins '12, the Egbers Family

Oct. 20, 2023

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Business founder Will Jenkins '12 and the family of Gary Egbers '72 will be honored at the 2023 Bloomington-Normal Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Recognition Dinner presented by Savant Wealth Management and Illinois Wesleyan University.

The ceremony will take place Thursday, Nov. 2 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Bloomington with a reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and awards at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds of the event will benefit the future construction of Illinois Wesleyan’s Petrick Idea Center. Those wishing to attend the dinner or sponsor a partnership may RSVP at iwu.edu/entrepreneurawards .

"The Bloomington-Normal Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Recognition Dinner recognizes individuals who exemplify the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of our community," said Kevin Kingston, managing director at Savant Wealth Management. "While honoring today's leading community members, we are also able to support

Will Jenkins presents to an IWU class in State Farm Hall
Will Jenkins '12, right, speaks to a class in State Farm Hall about his experience co-founding the company MoLo Solutions.

and inspire the next generation of community entrepreneurs by supporting The Petrick Idea Center at Illinois Wesleyan."

As the co-founder of freight brokerage firm MoLo Solutions, Jenkins will receive the Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year Award. In 2022, MoLo generated $1.25 billion in annual revenue. In addition to managing the business, which has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in North America, Jenkins also serves as a consultant and sales coach for professionals seeking to kickstart a new venture. 

“This recognition affirms the journey and motivates me to continue pushing boundaries as an entrepreneur,” said Jenkins. “I remember being in class and seeing different alumni return to campus, and I would think to myself, ‘It would be incredible to be able to do that and create opportunities for IWU students one day.’ Having the opportunity to win this award and continue to represent IWU proudly means the world to me.”

Jenkins said his Illinois Wesleyan experience helped mold his “entrepreneurial spirit.”

“IWU's unique approach to practical learning, particularly the opportunity to run a business as part of my internship, provided a real-world experience that was invaluable,” he said. “This hands-on exposure, coupled with the rigorous academic environment, helped in honing my business acumen. The challenging yet nurturing environment at IWU set a solid foundation upon which I could build my business ventures.”

Family of Gary Egbers stand next to a plaque during the dedication of Egbers Quad on IWU campus
The family of the late Gary Egbers '72, a former Illinois Wesleyan Trustee, stand beside a plaque at the entrance of Egbers Quadrangle on campus during a 2015 dedication ceremony.

Additionally, the Savant Wealth Management Founding Partner Award will be presented to the Egbers family and Commercial Packaging, a Central Illinois business founded in 1983 by the late Gary and Janette Egbers. Gary was a 1972 graduate and former Illinois Wesleyan Trustee. Commercial Packaging supplies thousands of businesses with packaging solutions, package design services and technical expertise.

Since 2016, the Bloomington-Normal Entrepreneur of the Year Awards have been held to recognize individuals and organizations with ties to the Bloomington-Normal community for their entrepreneurial accomplishments and innovative spirit. 

By Emily J. Schubert ‘27