Entrepreneur of the Year honors ambitious entrepreneurs building a bolder future
Minneapolis, MN – April 28, 2023 – Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced the finalists for the Entrepreneur of the Year award.® 2023 Heartland Awards. The Heartland Program celebrates entrepreneurs from the Dakotas, Iowa, Kansas (excluding the greater Wichita area), Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska. The Entrepreneur of the Year Award, now in its 37th year, is one of the most prestigious business awards given to transformative entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies who are building a fairer, more sustainable world and more prosperous for all.
These 30 entrepreneurs were selected as finalists by an independent jury. Candidates were evaluated based on their ability to create long-term value through entrepreneurship, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes.
The Heartland 2023 finalists are:
Anant Bhalla | American Equity Investment Holding Company | West Des Moines, IA
Brent Comstock | BCom | Lincoln, NE
Margaret Murphy | Bold Orange Company, LLC | Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jason Seger | Border States | Fargo, North Dakota
Todd Grave | Boundless Enterprises dba Scooter’s Coffee, LLC | Omaha, NE
Cheri Beranek | Clearfield | Minneapolis, Minnesota
Igor Epshteyn | Coherent solutions | Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jerry Johnson | EMC (Energy Management Collaborative, LLC) | Plymouth, Minnesota
Justin Barrett | Eye safety | Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Michele Henry | Face Foundry | Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Dan Florness | Fixing | Winona, Minnesota
Bob Gardner | Gardner Builders, LLC | Minneapolis, Minnesota
John Hopper | Gateway Dealer Network, LLC | Valley Park, MO
Rick Bauerly | Granite Partners | St. Cloud, Minnesota
Cameron McNie | Hawaiian Bros Inc. | Kansas City, MO
Patrick Hawkins | Hawkins, Inc. | Roseville, Minnesota
John Axelson | Hunt Electric Company | Bloomington, Minnesota
Michael Kennedy Jr. | KAI | St. Louis, Missouri
Shikhar Saxena | Milan Holdings dba Milan Laser Hair Removal | Omaha, NE
Dr. Melvin Ashford | Minnesota Women’s Care | St. Paul, Minnesota
James Mortensen | Continuum R3 | Bloomington, Minnesota
Christian Laurent | Modular rise | Minneapolis, Minnesota
Reed Nyffeler | Signage | Omaha, NE
Eric Hall and Rita Katona | So good so you | Minneapolis, Minnesota
Maureen Steinwall | Steinwall Inc. | Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jude Bricker | Sun Country Airlines | Minneapolis, Minnesota
No Hla | Sushi Avenue Inc. | St. Paul, Minnesota
Ali Ahmadi | TCARE Inc. | St. Louis, Missouri
Eli Maloley | Vivacity Tech PBC | St. Paul, Minnesota
Michael Happe | Winnebago Industries | Eden Prairie, Minnesota
“This year’s finalists are ambitious entrepreneurs committed to transforming their industries and communities,” said Dominic Iannazzo, co-director of the Heartland program.
“The finalists were carefully selected by our panel of independent judges for their unwavering commitment to their businesses, customers and communities, and we are thrilled to recognize them,” added Erin Donovan, Heartland Program Co-Director.
Regional award winners will be announced on June 8 at a special celebration. The 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 Entrepreneur of the Year program has recognized more than 11,000 entrepreneurs across the United States since its inception in 1986, and it has grown to recognize business leaders in 145 cities in more than 60 countries across the world.
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. At the Heartland, sponsors also include regional Platinum sponsors Colliers International, Padilla and Twin Cities Business.
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.
About EY
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