October 2025 – TAP Innovations Founder and CEO John Ragsdale recently took the 5-Star Customer X Program on the road again, this time venturing into the heartland of America for the Midwest edition of TAP’s signature initiative. From farms in Nebraska to corporate offices in Chicago, the journey was filled with inspiring conversations, memorable meals, and powerful connections with TAP’s valued customers.

With each stop, Ragsdale reaffirmed TAP’s commitment to delivering value, building long-lasting partnerships, and celebrating the unique stories that fuel customer success.

A Day in the Life of Midwest Customer Visits

• McNelly (Chicago, IL). A legacy family business built on values and innovation, McNelly welcomed John for a visit with CEO, Tim McNelly, alongside Megan Price, Dan, and other team members. With roots going back to the 1990s, the company continues to grow under the leadership of the next generation, creating a special moment of connection around legacy and vision.
• Western Potatoes (Alliance, NE). This all-day visit with Cassi and Troy Sorensen offered John a full tour of the potato farming and harvesting process, including stops in the warehouse and sorting facility. From learning about the seasonal rhythms of the farm to seeing the impact of operational efficiencies up close, the visit showcased how TAP helps power even the most essential industries.
• Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (Wichita, KS). John met with Amanda and Stacey at Freddy’s headquarters, where the tour extended to the test kitchen. There, he enjoyed a freshly made burger and tots, all part of an engaging and flavorful conversation about Freddy’s innovation and growth.
• One Holland (Taylor Mill, KY). The visit with Dillon (President) and Dave (Chief People Officer) included a full tour of One Holland’s impressive corporate office, complete with its own basketball court. John wrapped up the visit by dining at The Greyhound Tavern, a historic One Holland-owned restaurant founded in 1921 and recognized as one of Kentucky’s culinary landmarks. He also sampled Skyline Chili, another beloved brand in the One Holland family.
• Paycor (Cincinnati, OH). One of TAP’s premier partners, Paycor, hosted John for a valuable lunch meeting with Kim and Tim. The conversation reinforced the strong alignment between both teams and their shared mission to support customers through transformative HR technology.

Additional Midwest Highlights

While not all meetings were face-to-face, John also connected with the strategy team at Paychex. These conversations, combined with swag drop-offs at customers like Legacy Healthcare and ongoing relationship check-ins, extended the reach of the 5-Star Customer X Program throughout the region.

And of course, no TAP road trip would be complete without a little fun, including a stop at one of KMO Burger’s Whataburger locations. There, John enjoyed a meal beneath a signed Patrick Mahomes‘ jersey, a nod to one of the brand’s owners.

“This Midwest leg of the 5-Star Customer X Program reminded me how personal and diverse our partnerships truly are,” said Ragsdale. “From a fourth-generation farm in Nebraska to the test kitchen at Freddy’s, every stop reinforced the impact of what we do and who we serve.”

With more visits ahead, TAP’s 5-Star Customer X Program continues to connect leadership with customers across the U.S., capturing stories, strengthening relationships, and spotlighting the people behind the innovation.

Check out our recent visits to DFW, Arizona, & Colorado for more stories from the road.

About TAP Innovations

TAP Innovations, a minority-owned business certified by Texas SBA®, delivers cloud-based solutions to eliminate Manual Efforts and SpreadSheets (MESS). TAP Innovations…THE Integrated Digital Toolbox™ automates manual processes, reduces spreadsheet sprawl, transforms data into actionable information, and organizes content intelligently across people and entities. Our growing set of digital tools (aka Digital ‘Glue’) for HCM, CRM, BI, and integrations is web and mobile-enabled—filling data interoperability gaps in core business systems. TAP solutions streamline operations for organizations with 50 to 15,000+ employees. Learn more at www.tapinnov.com.