Entrepreneur of the Year rewards ambitious entrepreneurs who are building a better world
Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) is pleased to announce the winners of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award® East Central Price. Entrepreneur of the Year is one of the most prestigious business awards given to entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. The East Central program celebrates entrepreneurs from Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Northeast and South Central Ohio and Kentucky. This group of ambitious entrepreneurial leaders was selected by an independent jury comprised of past winners, leading CEOs, investors and other regional business leaders. The East Central Award winners were revealed at a special celebration on June 14, 2023 to honor and celebrate these business leaders who are building a more equitable, sustainable and prosperous world for all.
Candidates were evaluated based on their ability to create long-term value through entrepreneurship, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes.
Entrepreneur of the Year award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs, with exclusive and ongoing access to the experience, knowledge and wisdom of the program’s alumni and others ecosystem members in over 60 countries, all supported by extensive EY resources. . Since 1986, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized more than 11,000 American leaders.
“Every year we are completely blown away by the accomplishments of our regional Entrepreneur of the Year award winners, and 2023 is no different,” said AJ Jordan, director of the Entrepreneur of the Year program. EY for the Americas. “They are changemakers and champions of business and community, and we are very proud to honor them. We can’t wait to see how these leaders continue to improve lives and disrupt industries. »
The regional winners will then be considered by national judges for the national Entrepreneur of the Year awards, which will be presented in November at the annual ceremony. Strategic Growth Forum®, one of the most prestigious gatherings in the country bringing together leading companies in their high-growth markets. The winner of the National Entrepreneur of the Year Award will then compete for the National Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Global Entrepreneur of the Year® Reward in June 2024.
The 2023 East Central Entrepreneur of the Year award winners are:
Leigh Fox | alta fiber | Cincinnati, Ohio
Dan Olivier | Dan-O Seasoning | Louisville, Kentucky
Kurt Lesker IV | Kurt J. Lesker Company | Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania
Angela Phillips | Phillips Tube Group, Inc. | Middletown, Ohio
Julia Regan | RxLightning | New Albany, Indiana
Chris Ratterman | Shaded Rays | Simpsonville, KY
Dave Kennedy | TrustedSec | Fairlawn, Ohio
During the evening, Cameron Mitchell of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants received the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by EY US to a distinguished and renowned business leader who has made outstanding contributions as an entrepreneur. Mitchell was Entrepreneur of the Year® Winner of the 1999 Central East Region Retail and Food Service Award.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur of the Year awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, NA; SAP America; and the Kauffman Foundation. In East Central, sponsors also include Valuation Research Corporation, Donnelley Financial Solutions and Frost Brown Todd LLC.
About Entrepreneur of the Year®
Entrepreneur of the year® is the world’s most prestigious business awards program for invincible entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders bring the innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with ideas and experiences that promote growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries. National Global Award winners compete for the Global Entrepreneur of the Year® title. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.
About EY Private
As Advisors to the Ambitious™, EY Private professionals have the experience and passion to help private companies and their owners unlock the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private Teams offer distinct perspectives born from EY’s long history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private businesses, including private equity managers and investors and the portfolio companies they finance, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/us/private.
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