TAMPA, Fla. — (May 7, 2009) —
Ernst & Young LLP has announced the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and the finalists for the 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award in Florida, with the winners to be revealed at a gala event on Thursday, June 11 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate.
“Entrepreneurs contribute so much to our economy and the fabric of this nation,” says Mike Brennan, Ernst & Young partner and Florida Host of the Entrepreneur Of The Year program.? “These finalists help our region create jobs, while encouraging community growth, development and innovation.? We are pleased to honor them.”
The Florida Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer, CSX Corporation,Jacksonville.
Florida Entrepreneur Of The Year finalists, selected by an independent panel of judges comprised of regional business, academic and community leaders, are:
Central Florida
- Technology:? Waymon Armstrong, president and chief executive officer, Engineering & Computer Simulations, Inc., Orlando
- Technology:? Daniel Devine, chief executive officer, Compass Knowledge Group, Orlando
North Florida/Panhandle
- Distribution and Manufacturing:? David A. Smith, chairman and chief executive officer, PSS World Medical, Jacksonville
- Emerging:? Michael Murdoch, president and chief executive officer, AppRiver, Gulf Breeze
- Real estate and construction services:? Charles C. Appleby, chairman and chief executive officer, Advanced Disposal Services, Inc., Jacksonville
South Florida
- Distribution and Manufacturing:? Valerie Holstein, president and chief executive officer, CableOrganizer.com, Fort Lauderdale
- Distribution and Manufacturing:? Michael J. Kasbar, president and chief operating officer and Paul H. Stebbins, chairman and chief executive officer, World Fuel Services Corporation, Miami
- Emerging:? Zalmi Duchman, chief executive officer, The Fresh Diet, Surfside
- Health services:? Rafael P. Perez, president and chief executive officer, Medica HealthCare Plans, Inc., Coral Gables
- Real estate and construction services:? Joel L. Altman, chairman and chief executive officer, The Altman Companies, Boca Raton
- Real estate and construction services:? Marc Ganzi, chief executive officer, Global Tower Partners, Boca Raton
- Retail and consumer products:? Menderes Akdag, chief executive officer and president, PetMed Express, Inc., Pompano Beach
- Retail and consumer products:? Christian de Berdouaré, founder and chief executive officer, Chicken Kitchen USA, LLC, North Miami Beach
- Services:? Abdol Moabery, president and chief executive officer, GA Telesis, LLC, Ft. Lauderdale
West Central Florida
- Emerging:? Nick Friedman, president and Omar Soliman, chief executive officer, College Hunks Hauling Junk, Tampa
- Health Services:? Jacob Beckel, chairman and chief executive officer, AnazaoHealth Corporation, Tampa
- Health Services:? Stephen F. Dickey, M.D., founder and vice president of operations, Doctor’s Walk-In Clinic, Tampa
- Marketing, Media and Entertainment:? Benjamin Fertic, chief executive officer and president, Ironman Corporation, Tampa
- Marketing, Media and Entertainment:? Joy Gendusa, founder and chief executive officer, PostcardMania, Clearwater
- Marketing, Media and Entertainment:? Tony Little, president, chief executive officer and founder, Health International Corporation, St. Petersburg
- Retail and consumer products:? Gene Knippers, chairman; Nick Vojnovic, president and Chuck Winship, chief executive officer, FSC Franchise Co., LLC/Beef ‘O’ Bradys, Tampa
- Services:? Michael K. Ferris, president and chief executive officer, Valet Waste, Tampa
- Services:? Scott Riley, chief executive officer, Fintech, Tampa
- Technology:? Tony DiBenedetto, chairman and chief executive officer, Tribridge, Tampa
Regional award winners will be eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 national awards.? Winners in 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, Calif., on Nov. 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 more than 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 Florida, local sponsors include Bowne, RFB Communications Group and Smart Business Network.
Contact information
To make reservations for the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards gala on Thursday, June 11, 2009, contact Beverly Eha of Ernst & Young at beverly.eha@ey.com or 813-225-4893.? Tickets are $200 per person and table reservations are available for $2,000.? For more information about the program, please visit www.ey.com/us/eoy.
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 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, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award 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.? For more information, please visit www.ey.com.