2009-06-12 05:04:01 -
Ernst & Young LLP is pleased to announce the winners of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year ® award in the Upper Midwest region. 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 Thursday, June 11, 2009 at
the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“We congratulate these entrepreneurs on their significant achievements,” said Kevin Klimara, Ernst & Young Partner, Strategic Growth Markets.
“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 Upper Midwest program recognizes companies based in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The winners of the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 award in the Upper Midwest are.
- Master category: Lee Anderson, Sr., Chairman, APi Group, Inc.
(New Brighton, MN)
- Manufacturing category: Richard Meeusen, Chairman, President and CEO, Badger Meter, Inc. (Milwaukee, WI)
- Consumer products category: Joel Hazzard, President and CEO, Ergotron, Inc. (Eagan, MN)
- Industrial/Manufacturing category: Mark Platt, President and CEO, Multistack LLC (Sparta, WI)
- Technology category: Ronald Konezny, CEO, PeopleNet, (Chaska, MN)
- Services category: Daniel Johnson, President, SearchAmerica (Maple Grove, MN)
- Distribution category: David Meyer, CEO, Titan Machinery (Fargo, ND)
A special lifetime achievement award was presented to Jeffrey Curler, Executive Chairman of the Board, of Bemis Company, Inc. which is based in Neenah, Wisconsin. Curler was recognized for his leadership in building a business that is now a major supplier of flexible packaging and pressure sensitive materials used by leading food, consumer products and manufacturing companies worldwide. In 2008, Bemis Company reported net sales of $3.8 billion.
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 November 14, 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 23 rd 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.
Youth Entrepreneur
In addition to celebrating regional business leaders, Ernst & Young also recognized two high schools students during the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards banquet on June 11. Through their work with the nonprofit agency Junior Achievement, these students have already demonstrated significant promise as entrepreneurs. Each student was named the Ernst & Young Youth Entrepreneur and given a $1,000 scholarship to further their interests in business. The 2009 Ernst & Young Youth Entrepreneur winners in the Upper Midwest are: Matt Meis of Stevens Point High School in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and Ethan Pedretti of Holmen High School in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are pleased to have SAP America and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as national sponsors.
Regional sponsors for the Upper Midwest program include Faegre & Benson LLP, Clifton Gunderson LLP, Twin Cities Business magazine and Manpower. Locally, the program is sponsored by Padilla Speer Beardsley and The Business Journal serving Greater Milwaukee.
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 unique 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, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 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.
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Wendy FoxErnst & Young+1 612 371 6703
wendy.fox@ey.com : mailto:wendy.fox@ey.com
