The Journal of Business has named John J. Hemmingson as its 2025 Business Leader of the Year.

An entrepreneur, business executive, and philanthropist, Hemmingson is the co-founder and CEO of Lakeside Cos., which spans multiple business sectors, including education, aerospace, real estate, construction, agriculture, and oil and natural gas.

Earlier this year, a consortium led by Lakeside Cos. and Gonzaga University secured $48 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration to develop the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center. The new advanced aerospace manufacturing facility will be launched in the 396,000-square-foot former Triumph Composite Systems Inc. plant that Hemmingson bought in 2021.

The longtime Spokane businessman will be recognized with the award at the Journal's Business of the Year Awards event, which will be Wednesday, March 26, at the Spokane Club. Business of the Year award winners also will be announced at the event, for which tickets are available.

The Journal announced its finalists for the Business of the Year Awards earlier this month.