Entrepreneur of the Year honors ambitious entrepreneurs building a bolder future
Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced the finalists for the Entrepreneur of the Year award.® 2023 Midwest Awards. The Midwest program celebrates entrepreneurs from Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. 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 35 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 2023 Midwest finalists are:
Julie Ross | Advanced Clinic | Deerfield, IL
VaughnMoore | AIT Global Logistics | Itasca, IL
Denis Devine | Alliant Credit Union | Chicago, IL
Scott Mayer | Outpatient Management Solutions | Chicago, IL
William Waltz | Atkore | Harvey, IL
Tracy Graham | Auanalytic | South Bend, IN
Gregory Harris | Direct link | Indianapolis, IN
Ryan O’Donnell | Home to Ballyhoo | Chicago, IL
Ryan Close | Bartesian | Chicago, IL
Stephanie Klein | Brave fund | Chicago, IL
Sunshine Shelly | BrightStar Interview | Gurnee, IL
Jeff Meredith | Chamberlain Group | Oak Brook, Illinois
Matthew Ebert | Crash Champions | Westmont, IL
David Stern | Experience | Machesney Park, Illinois
Scott Fitzgerald | FitzMark | Indianapolis, IN
Stephen Hagerty | Hagerty Council | Evanston, IL
Frank Ravndal | HAVI | Chicago, IL
Bob Oros | Hightower Advisors | Chicago, IL
Patrick Trippel | Inventus Power | Woodridge, IL
Brandon Barnholt | KeHE Distributors Holdings, LLC | Naperville, IL
Sean Harper | Parents Insurance | Chicago, IL
Dr. Jennifer Holmgren | LanzaTech | Skokie, IL
RJ Melman | Lettuce entertains you Restaurants | Chicago, IL
Chad Peterman | Peterman Brothers | Greenwood, IN
Austin Rabine | Rabine Group | Schaumburg, IL
Kevin Williamson | RJW Logistics | Romeoville, IL
David Meirick | Road traffic systems | Chicago, IL
Jeffrey Shapack | Shapack Partners | Chicago, IL
Robert Onorato | Short packaging | Aurora, Illinois
John Williamson | Singing Goldfinch | Chicago, IL
Frank Tortorella | TAFCO Company | Melrose Park, IL
Michael Stomberg | The Planet Group | Deerfield, IL
Paul Reitz | Titan International | West Chicago, Illinois
Jamie Teets | Transportation One, LLC | Chicago, IL
Stan Chia | Vivid seats | Chicago, IL
“This year’s finalists are ambitious entrepreneurs committed to transforming their industries and communities,” said Ram Ramanan, program director. “They were carefully selected by our independent jury for their unwavering commitment to their businesses, customers and communities, and we are delighted to recognize them.
The regional award winners will be announced on June 21, 2023 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. In the Midwest, sponsors also include regional Platinum Sponsors Cresa Global, Inc., DLA Piper, LaSalle Network and Marsh-McLennan; regional Gold sponsor, Becker Professional Education; and regional Silver sponsor, ADP.
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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