Ernst Names Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Week, Sergeant Bluff EyeCare

Read the release on Sen. Ernst's website HERE.

Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa's 99 counties.

RED OAK, Iowa - U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Week: Sergeant Bluff EyeCare of Woodbury County. Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa's 99 counties.

"From serving as a Patriot Missile Officer in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to deploying to Afghanistan during his time with the United States Army Reserves and finally joining the Iowa Air National Guard, Dr. Ben Uhl has dedicated himself to a lifetime of service," said Ranking Member Ernst. "His time in the military was just the beginning. Dr. Uhl continues to help Iowa communities one patient at a time as an optometrist at Sergeant Bluff EyeCare."

Dr. Ben Uhl has served our country for more than 24 years. He began his military career at Iowa State University as a member of their Army ROTC program and went on to serve active duty in the United States Army as a Patriot Missile Officer during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. After earning a degree in optometry from the University of Houston in 2008, Dr. Uhl served in the United States Army Reserves, during which he deployed to Afghanistan from 2010 to 2011. Upon returning home to Sioux City, he joined the Iowa Air National Guard's 185^th Air Refueling Wing. In February 2024, Dr. Uhl received a promotion to full Colonel and currently serves at Joint Forces Headquarters at Camp Dodge.

Dr. Uhl fully acquired Sergeant Bluff EyeCare in 2014 and worked to expand its presence in the Woodbury community. Today, Sergeant Bluff EyeCare operates from five locations across Iowa and Nebraska, offering primary care, glasses, and contacts, as well as medical optometry for all ages. Sergeant Bluff EyeCare will celebrate its 18^th anniversary next year.

Stay tuned as Ranking Member Ernst recognizes more Iowa small businesses across the state with her Small Business of the Week award.

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