RATHDRUM - Ron Nilson is rarely left speechless, but when he entered the Kootenai Technical Education Campus on Friday, it was one of those times for a few moments.

Nilson had just taken a ride to the technical-professional school with Doug Sayer, president and chairman of Premier Technology in Blackfoot, thinking something serious happened in Sayer's life that called for a heart-to-heart talk.

But, instead, waiting inside the school were about 80 business and community leaders in addition to KTEC students who cheered for Nilson when it was announced during a surprise ceremony he was named the Idaho Business Leader of the Year by Idaho State University's Alpha Kappa Psi co-ed professional business fraternity.

Talk about a mood change.

"I feel better now," said Nilson, fighting back tears and noticeably humble when the announcement was made. "What an incredible opportunity to live in a county and state that makes a difference."

Typical of Nilson, he quickly deflected the attention to those around him, including fellow business and community leaders who helped him bring KTEC to reality this fall and Karlene Meyer, widow of former state legislator Wayne Meyer who made a land donation for KTEC.

"Every time I walk in here, I can hear Wayne say, 'We did it Ron,' but I have to look up because he's not here," said Nilson, CEO of Ground Force Worldwide, a Post Falls-based company that manufactures mining equipment.

Nilson was the major force behind KTEC, which was approved by voters in the Post Falls, Lakeland and Coeur d'Alene school districts.

"We've messed up our country for you," Nilson told the students. "But (KTEC) will provide next-generation jobs that will get the country where it needs to be."

Sayer, a past recipient of the Idaho Business Leader of the Year Award, nominated Nilson for the honor.

Nilson has also been involved in the North Idaho Manufacturing Consortium, Ignite Hope Warming Shelter, Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County, Kootenai Perspectives, Greene Idaho Foundation and the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce, among other groups. He is a past Post Falls Citizen of the Year and Inland Northwest Partners Hall of Fame Award recipient.

In November, he was elected to the North Idaho College board.

"I invite you to recognize not only the success that Ron has had as a business owner and leader, but perhaps more importantly, the character and values that are the motivating force behind his actions," Sayer wrote in his nomination letter to the fraternity.

Nilson will receive the award on March 21 during the fraternity's banquet and speak to ISU business students. It will be the 54th time the award will be presented. Fifteen nominations were submitted statewide this year.

"You are indeed a great example of business and professional ethics in action, and of someone whose tireless work and civic virtue contribute immeasurably to the well-being of Idaho's citizens," Gov. Butch Otter wrote in a letter to Nilson.