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® South Gulf Price. Entrepreneur of the Year is one of the most prestigious business awards given to entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. The Gulf South program – formerly known as Central South – celebrates entrepreneurs from central and southern Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. 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 winners of the Gulf South Awards were revealed at a special celebration on June 15, 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 2022 US National Award winners came from the Gulf South: Holly Thaggard and Amanda Baldwin of San Antonio-based Supergoop!. 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 Gulf South Entrepreneur of the Year award winners are:
Pierre Wang | Anaconda | Austin
Omaïr Tariq | Cart.com | Austin
Armir Harris | CharterUP | Austin
Mark D. Walker and Keith Smith | Direct digital funds | Houston
Mohammad A. Millwala | DM clinical research | Houston
Bret Biggart | Liberty Solar Power | Austin
Joyce Durst | Growth Acceleration Partners | Austin
Steve Altemus | Intuitive Machines, Inc. | Houston
Lyudmila Golovin | MasterWord Services, Inc. | Houston
Roger W. Jenkins | Murphy Oil Company | Houston
Allison Ellsworth and Stephen Ellsworth | Poppi | Austin
Gaurab Chakrabarti and Sean Hunt | Solugene | Houston
Daryl Dudum and Matthew Haddad | Specialty Partners1 | Houston
Mike Rypka | Success Foods Management Group LLC, DBA Torchy’s Tacos | Austin
Ross Buhrdorf | ZenBusiness | Austin
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 Gulf South, sponsors also include Colliers International, DLA Piper, Marsh McLennan Agency, ADP, Pierpont Communications and vcfo.
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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