Inside Century & Catalyst IT’s 2026 Kickoff Meeting: Big Wins and Industry Insights
Century & Catalyst IT launched into 2026 with a surge of energy as teams across our branch locations converged in Sioux Falls for a day packed with problem‑solving, hands‑on demos, and big‑picture strategy.
What followed was a fast‑moving blend of collaboration, skill‑building, and fresh insights that set the tone for the year ahead. Read on to find out which of our Solutions Analysts were awarded for going above and beyond in 2025!
A Day of Learning
Our Analysts heard updates from various departments throughout our organization and Kyocera, including:
- Adam Smith, Sales Operations Manager
- Amanda Mathis, Human Resources Manager
- Craig Doeden, Solutions Director
- Kevin Jergenson, CSO/Owner
- Kyle Ruhland, VP of Sales & Marketing
- Ryan Majors, Kyocera Area Sales Manager
- Ryan Warne, Marketing Coordinator
Each presentation gave team members the chance to ask questions, explore product capabilities, and develop a deeper understanding of the solutions offered by Century and Catalyst. These conversations also included open dialogue about what worked well in 2025 — and what can be improved in the year ahead.
Put Learning to the Test
As part of the day’s hands‑on learning, our analysts were divided into groups of four and given a fictional customer scenario—complete with a mock RFP, outlined pain points, and specific business challenges.
- Group 1: Piper Peterson (Brookings, SD), Raymond Williams (Sioux Falls, SD), Scott Louis (Pierre, SD), David Downey (Lincoln, NE).
- Group 2: Chase Wells (NW Iowa), Mike Wiese (Aberdeen, SD), Andrew Pribyl (Rapid City, SD), Dave Forsberg (Omaha, NE).
- Group 3: Madeline Dell (Aberdeen, SD), Zach Petersen (Scottsbluff, NE), Tyler Stenberg (Sioux Falls, SD), Scott Shelburne (Omaha, NE).
Each team had just one hour to dissect the situation, identify the customer’s needs, and collaborate on a strategic solution using the products and services we provide. It pushed every group to think critically, apply their knowledge, and merge printer and copier expertise, IT awareness, and workflow understanding into one cohesive proposal.
Once their hour was up, the real test began.
Each team stepped up to present their solution to the entire room, with all four members required to speak. They had to defend their approach and reasoning with a Q&A from our leadership team.
The exercise not only simulated real‑world customer interactions but also strengthened communication, teamwork, and confidence across the board.
It was a fast‑paced, fun, and insightful challenge that showcased how well our analysts can collaborate under pressure and how prepared they are to solve customer problems in 2026.
Group 3 (Dell, Petersen, Stenberg, and Shelburne) scored first place among the judges.
Industry Insights for You
Looking for the inside scoop in the technology industry? Here are a couple things we discussed:
- Microsoft’s Deprecation of Basic Authentication (SMTP) has been delayed once again to December 2026 instead of April 2026.
- When this goes into effect, your copier will not be able to scan to Microsoft 365 emails (Outlook) unless it is OAuth ready. Read more about OAuth and how to avoid disruptions here.
- If you do not use Microsoft 365 or Outlook, then you are not affected.
- Windows Protected Print Mode is still set to default in 2027.
- When this happens, your print drivers will be removed, and you will lose access to your finishing features. Manufacturers are developing Printer Support Applications (PSAs) as a workaround, but they still need some time before they are fully functional.
- WPP affects everyone, not just Kyocera devices.
- We recommend that you do not enable WPP at this time and give the PSAs time to develop further. Read more about WPP right here.
The Spotlight — 2025 Awards
As part of our annual tradition, the 2026 Kickoff Meeting also recognized top‑performing team members for their achievements in 2025. This year’s award recipients included:
Quota Buster Award
Recognizing sales professionals who exceeded their goals:
Chase Wells, Solutions Analyst
(NW Iowa)
Mike Wiese, Solutions Analyst
(Aberdeen, South Dakota)
Raymond Williams, Solutions Analyst (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)
Diamond Club Member Award
Honoring exceptional sales performance and customer service:
Kyle Ruhland, VP of Sales & Marketing (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)
Scott Shelburne, Senior Solutions Analyst (Omaha, Nebraska)
Tyler Stenberg, Solutions Analyst (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)
We’re proud to celebrate these individuals for their outstanding dedication and results this past year.
Looking Ahead
By bringing our team together in person, we reinforce the culture of learning and teamwork that sets Century Business Products & Catalyst IT apart. As technology evolves, ongoing training and collaboration allow us to better serve our customers.
If you’d like to see the impact of our ongoing education and product expertise firsthand, reach out to your local representative.
Interested in how Century can improve your environment and cut your costs? Fill out your own no-obligation Print Cost Analysis for free right here.
Free Print Cost Analysis
Want to make your printing environment more efficient and cut costs? Take our free cost analysis right here. Enjoy some more photos of the event:
