CHICAGO--(Business Wire)--
Ernst & Young LLP is pleased to announce today the winners for the
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award in the Midwest area. This
group of exceptional 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 Thursday, June
26, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois.
"We congratulate this year's winners on their success," said
Randall Tavierne, Strategic Growth Markets Leader for the Midwest
area. "The Entrepreneur Of The Year award recognizes all of the hard
work, ingenuity and care these leaders have put into building and
improving their businesses and communities. This group of winners is
truly remarkable for all that they have accomplished."
Special recognition was given to Patrick G. Ryan, Chairman of Aon
Corporation as the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award winner. Presented
with the award from Mayor Daley, Ryan was honored for his development
of Aon Corporation into the global leader in insurance as well as his
philanthropic and civic commitment to the City of Chicago. Dr. Dipak
Jain, Dean of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern
University in Chicago was also honored for his efforts in reinventing
the School's mission and encouraging the development of entrepreneurs.
The following category awards were also presented:
Turnaround Award Winner - Dr. Michael A. Evans, AIT Laboratories,
Indianapolis, IN
Technology Award Winner - Glen Tullman, Allscripts, Chicago, IL
Business Services Award Winner - Patrick J. O'Rahilly, Aspen
Marketing Services, West Chicago, IL
Emerging Award Winner - Marcus A. Lemonis, FreedomRoads,
Lincolnshire, IL
Private Equity/Venture Capital Award Winner - Steven E. Zuccarini,
InnerWorkings, Inc., Chicago, IL
Commercial Products and Services Award Winner - Robert A.
Peterson, Norcross Safety Products, L.L.C., Oak Brook, IL
Consumer Products Award Winner - Mike Domek, TicketsNow, Chicago,
IL
Master Award Winner - Richard Keyser, W.W. Grainger, Inc.,
Chicago, IL
In addition to the regional awards, recognition was given to three
youths who received the Youth Entrepreneur Of The Year Scholarship
award. Receiving $1,000 scholarship checks for their efforts in
understanding entrepreneurism were Nate Greensphan, a senior from
Highland Park High School in Chicago, Claire Helmen, a sixth grader
from St. Thomas Aquinas school in Indianapolis, and Rixynes Rodriguez,
a senior from West Ottawa High School in Grand Rapids. All three are
actively involved in Junior Achievement.
Regional award winners will be eligible for consideration in the
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008 national program. 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 15,
2008. 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 22nd 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.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The
Year awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
and SAP America as national sponsors. In the Midwest, sponsors include
Clifton Gunderson, Winston & Strawn, and Smart Business magazine as
regional sponsors, and SolomonEdwardsGroup and Grand Valley State
University as local sponsors.
About Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year
Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year 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 130,000 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 potential.
For more information, please visit www.ey.com.
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.
Ernst & Young LLP
Wendy Fox, 612-371-6703
wendy.fox@ey.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
