A West Bend native who has written two books about how people can achieve greatness will be the keynote speaker at the annual dinner of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance in late February.

The alliance’s Catalyst Award and its new Emerging Leader Award will be presented during the dinner.

The dinner will be held Feb. 27 at Fort Frenzy, 3232 First Ave. S. The doors will open at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m.

Aaron Putze is the chief officer of brand management and engagement for the Iowa Soybean Association. But he also speaks to audiences throughout the state about how they can achieve greatness. He has written two inspirational books on that topic: “You Are Destined For Greatness” and “Chuck Long Destined For Greatness.”

The Catalyst Award is the most prestigious honor bestowed by the Growth Alliance for service to the community. The most recent honorees were Vickie Reeck, the community and economic development manager for the city of Fort Dodge; Larry Bushman, former publisher of The Messenger; and Dave Flattery, a City Council member and president of Availa Bank.

The Emerging Leader Award is for a young leader who has demonstrated a high degree of achievement in their career and in their service to the community, according to Jill Nelson, vice president of the Growth Alliance.

Nominations for both awards are due by noon on Feb. 11.

Nomination forms can be found on the alliance’s web site, greaterfortdodge.com. To find the forms, go to the About Us tab, select News and then select Save the Date: Growth Alliance Annual Dinner.

Nelson said anyone making a nomination for either award should submit as much information as possible about the individual.

If You Go

What: Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance annual dinner

When: Feb. 27, doors open at 5 p.m.

Where: Fort Frenzy, 3232 First Ave. S.