Tom Barrett and Sarah Barrett Reiner, co-leaders of Barrett Petfood in Brainerd, Minnesota, U.S., have been named winners of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Heartland Award, honoring business leaders across the Dakotas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska.
“The Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Heartland Award winners are true pioneers, pushing the boundaries of excellence and establishing new standards within their fields,” said Erin Donovan, EY partner and Heartland program director.
Founded in 2006, Barrett Petfood has grown from a single facility to a major pet food manufacturer producing super premium diets for pets and exotic animals around the world. In 2020, the company added a second plant in Little Falls, Minnesota, expanding capacity with two production lines in a 160,000-square-foot facility.
Tom Barrett leads business development and supply chain operations, while Sarah Barrett Reiner oversees production and quality assurance. According to the company, their “Don’t Say No” philosophy has helped drive innovation and long-term customer partnerships in the pet nutrition sector.
As regional winners, the Barretts will compete for national recognition in November at the EY Strategic Growth Forum and may advance to the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year competition in 2026.
