DES MOINES, IA (07/30/2015)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are pleased to present John and Janis Ruan III of Des Moines as Iowans of the Day for the 2015 Iowa State Fair.

John Ruan III represents Des Moines, and greater Iowa's, interests locally and nationally. He serves on a number of boards, including Greater Des Moines Partnership, the Iowa Business Council and the Downtown Community Alliance. In the past, he served as chairman for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He also helped create a home for the World Food Prize in Des Moines by sponsoring renovations in the former downtown library. By doing so, Ruan preserved a piece of Des Moines history and gave the World Food Prize the opportunity to grow and continue to recognize those changing the face of agriculture around the world.

Janis Ruan continues to create a more beautiful Des Moines. She is best known for her community beautification, renovation and refurbishment efforts in the city. Due to her work, Fleur Drive, Ingersoll Avenue and the downtown area have changed dramatically, becoming more welcoming. In addition to changing the face of Des Moines, Janis serves on several boards including Keep Iowa Beautiful, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.

The Ruans are also supporters of the Iowa State Fair. Thanks to a donation in 2014, work began on Ruan Plaza, a pedestrian walkway to connect the Grand Concourse with the Jacobson Exhibition Center. The first phase of the project will be finished for the Fair.

"Janis and John have been giving back to their community and our state all their lives. The State of Iowa would not be what it is today without their generosity," said Peter Cownie, executive director of the Blue Ribbon Foundation. "We are thrilled to honor Janis and John as our first Iowans of the Day for the 2015 Iowa State Fair."

The Ruans' day of recognition will be Thursday, August 13 at the 2015 Iowa State Fair. They will be recognized with a ceremony on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage at 2:30 p.m. Along with accommodations at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott, the couple will receive a cash prize, Grandstand tickets and use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart.

Founded in 1997, the Iowan of the Day program allows the Blue Ribbon Foundation to recognize Iowa's most outstanding individuals. The program continues to honor Iowan's across the state who have made a difference in others' lives, while upholding the characteristics associated with Iowa-dependability, integrity, hard work and sense of community.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated more than $110 million for renovations and improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

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Posted Thursday July 30, 2015 at 02:50 pm by Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation