Officials with Iowa Western Community College said Friday, Jim Tyler of Atlantic, was named the Iowa Western Community College Investment in Excellence Award recipient during a ceremony held Sept. 30th. Tyler, Executive Chairman of the Atlantic Coca Cola Bottling Company, was honored at the 2017 Black Tie Harvest for Scholarships dinner and auction held on the Iowa Western campus in Council Bluffs.

The Iowa Western Foundation Board began honoring individuals at its inaugural scholarship event in 1999. The event has generated more than $2 million for the college’s scholarship fund.

Photo: Dr. Dan Kinney, left, presents the Investment in Excellence Award to Jim Tyler

Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company is a privately owned, independent bottler and distributor of Coca-Cola products for almost all of Iowa, parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Missouri. The company operates from nine Iowa locations with its headquarters located in Atlantic, Iowa. Jim Tyler and his family understand the importance of community and giving back to the people that call Atlantic home.

The Tyler’s highly successful Coca Cola Atlantic Bottling Company has made a major impact on the economy in Southwest Iowa and has garnered state and national recognition for its commitment to the industry. Iowa Western President Dr. Dan Kinney said “Jim Tyler understands the important role that our college plays in the City of Atlantic and throughout Southwest Iowa.”

The Iowa Western Foundation recognized Tyler for his commitment to the innovative Design Technology Program housed at the Iowa Western Center in Atlantic. Tyler’s lead gift paved the way for a fund-raising campaign to secure a $65.2 million grant from the Siemens Corporation to bring the unique program to Atlantic.