Ernst & Young LLP is pleased to announce the winners of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® award in the Midwest region. This group of leading entrepreneurs was selected by an independent judging panel made up of regional business, academic and community leaders. The winners were revealed at a gala event on Friday, June 26, 2009 at the Hilton Chicago.
“We congratulate these entrepreneurs on their significant achievements,” said Randy Tavierne, Ernst & Young Partner and Midwest Strategic Growth Markets leader. “The Entrepreneur Of The Year award salutes their efforts in business excellence and community improvement. We would all do well to emulate their determination and enthusiasm.”
The Midwest program recognizes companies based in Illinois, Indiana and West Michigan. The winners of the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 award in the Midwest are:
- Service category: Chris Dalton, President and CEO, Acquity Group (Chicago, IL)
- Private equity/venture capital backed category: Ira Boots, Chairman and CEO, Berry Plastics Corporation (Evansville, IN)
- Investment/financial services category: Terrence Duffy, Executive Chairman, and Craig Donohue, CEO, CME Group (Chicago, IL)
- Technology category: Dan Moceri, CEO and Co-Founder, and Greg Lernihan, COO and Co-Founder, Convergint Technologies LLC (Schaumburg, IL)
- Emerging category: Douglas Waggoner, CEO, Echo Global Logistics (Chicago, IL)
- Manufacturing category: Robert Pasin, President and CEO, Radio Flyer (Chicago, IL)
- Master category: Daniel Arnold, President, Owner and Founder, Road Ranger LLC (Rockford, IL)
- Consumer products category: Lynelle Kirby, CEO and President, Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. (Bolingbrook, IL)
A first-ever Green Award was also presented in conjunction with Mayor Richard M. Daley’s office to Dr. Richard Sandor, Chairman and CEO, of Chicago Climate Exchange. This award honors the outstanding efforts of an entrepreneur who is making a significant impact in the area of environmental sustainability. Chicago Climate Exchange operates North America’s only cap and trade system for all six greenhouse gases with global affiliates and projects worldwide.
Regional award winners will be eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 national awards. Winners in numerous national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 14, 2009. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.
This year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program celebrates its 23rd anniversary. The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 135 cities in 50 countries throughout the world. Awards are given to entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.
Youth Entrepreneur
In addition to celebrating regional business leaders, Ernst & Young also recognized three students during the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards banquet on June 26. Through their work with the nonprofit agency Junior Achievement, these students have already demonstrated significant promise as entrepreneurs. Each student was named the Ernst & Young Youth Entrepreneur and given a $1,000 scholarship to further their interests in business. The 2009 Ernst & Young Youth Entrepreneur winners in the Midwest are: Calvin Beeke of Plymouth Christian High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Gina Bidmead of Christ the King School in Indianapolis, Indiana; and Regan Menconi of Lemont High School in Chicago, Illinois.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are pleased to have SAP America and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as national sponsors.
Regional sponsors for the Midwest program include Clifton Gunderson, Smart Business magazine and DeVry University. Locally, the program is sponsored by Winston & Strawn LLP and Grand Valley State University.
About Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards Program
Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the unique way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.
About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 135,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.
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Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.
This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited.
Contacts:
Wendy Fox
Ernst & Young
+1 612 371 6703
wendy.fox@ey.com
