SIOUX CITY — When Antonio “Tony” Gomez came to the United States from central Mexico, his first priority was learning English.
Not only did Gomez do that, he managed to start a successful business, make local electoral history and become a community leader.
Thursday night, more than half a century after that journey, the South Sioux City businessman was honored by the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce during its annual dinner at the Sioux City Convention Center.
At the meeting, Gomez, the founder of Gomez Pallets in South Sioux City, received the W. Edwards Deming Business Leadership and Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. The award, named for a Sioux City native who earned global fame as a physicist and statistician, has been presented at the annual meeting since the first award went to Gateway co-founder Ted Waitt in 1991.
“It gives me enormous pride to be recognized by the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce for my life’s work, not only as a business executive, but as a husband, father, elected official, and leader in my church,” Gomez said upon accepting the accolade.
Gomez started the business in 1983 in his garage and initially just repaired broken pallets. Over time, the business grew enough to manufacture pallets as well.
Gomez, the first Hispanic to receive the Deming award, immigrated to America in 1965 and moved to Siouxland in 1970 to take a position with what was then IBP in Dakota City, according to Journal archives. He made $2.65 an hour and worked his way up. He later worked at Floyd Valley Co.
In its first year, Gomez Pallets did about $40,000 in sales. In 1995 it hit a benchmark of $1 million in sales.
“Gomez grew a business he launched in his garage into the largest pallet supplier in Siouxland,” the Siouxland Chamber said in a release.
In 2008, Gomez became the first Hispanic elected to the Dakota County Board of Commissioners when he won a seat in the November election.
“When I first came to Siouxland, there were hardly any Hispanics, and people treated me very well,” Gomez told The Journal at the time. “I just want to give back some of the good things I have to the community.”
He served three terms on the county board before deciding to not seek reelection in 2020.
Gomez won the South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce’s “Leader of the Year” award in 2010 along with then South Sioux City Community Schools Superintendent Steve Rector.
“One of my biggest dreams is education,” Gomez remarked to The Journal. “I do everything I can for education. I really do believe education is the key to better communities.”
Over the years, Gomez has helped organize parades in South Sioux City to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. As a part of those he would host a Mexican-style rodeo, or charreada, where he could be seen dressed in a traditional outfit with a wide-rimmed sombrero.
In announcing the award, Siouxland Chamber President Chris McGowan praised Gomez’s community work throughout the years and pointed to his service on the boards of Briar Cliff University and Northeast Community College.
“As both a business leader and an elected public servant, Tony has poured his heart and soul into his work and our community. He is a role model for many and someone we are proud to recognize with the Deming Award,” McGowan said.
W. Edwards Deming, who died in 1993, is considered the father of the modern quality management system. The Sioux City native’s theories improved U.S. manufacturing during World War II, and later helped Japanese industry recover from the war and bolster their production.
Last year, Charese Yanney of of Guarantee Roofing, Siding, and Installation received the award.
Jared McNett is an online editor and reporter for the Sioux City Journal. You can reach him at 712-293-4234 and follow him on Twitter @TwoHeadedBoy98.
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