Winners for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2009 awards in Carolinas announced
Charlotte, 18 June 2009 – Ernst & Young LLP is pleased to announce the winners of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® award in the Carolinas. This group of leading entrepreneurs was selected by an independent judging panel made up of regional business, academic and community leaders. The winners were revealed at a gala event on 18 June, 2009 at the Westin Charlotte.
“We congratulate these entrepreneurs on their significant achievements,” said Kent Geer, Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year Program Director for the Carolinas. “The Entrepreneur Of The Year award salutes their efforts in business excellence and community improvement. We would all do well to emulate their determination and enthusiasm.”
The Carolinas winners for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year award in 2009 are:
- Steven DeCarlo, Chief Executive Officer, AmWINS Group, Inc.
- Vipin Garg, President & CEO, Tranzyme Pharma
- Bob Salvin, CEO, Salvin Dental Specialties, Inc.
- Frank Spencer, President & CEO, Cogdell Spencer, Inc.
- Philip Maung, Founder & CEO, Hissho Sushi
- Rich Lee, Founder and CEO, Hosted Solutions
In addition to these fine entrepreneurs, Mr. Leon Levine, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Family Dollar Stores in Charlotte, NC was also honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement award.
Regional award winners will be eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 national awards. Winners in numerous 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, California, on 14 November, 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 over 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 the Carolinas, sponsors include King & Spalding, Bowne and Business Leader Media.
Contact information
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.
Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.
This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited.
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