ISELIN, N.J., May 20, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Judges in Ernst & Young New Jersey's 17th annual Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) ("EOY") campaign have selected 31 finalists from 27 New Jersey companies, according to Partner and New Jersey EOY Program Director Keith Brownlie of the firm's Iselin office. "Our finalists range from owners and CEOs of retail organizations, technology companies, and biotech firms to a variety of business service firms," Brownlie said. "These are the outstanding business leaders who make New Jersey's economy vibrant."
The New Jersey finalists for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are:
-- A. Dale Mayo, Access Integrated Technologies, Inc.
-- Saki Dodelson, Achieve3000
-- Kevin A. McMurtry, Advanced Health Media
-- Rick Kushel, Archive Systems, Inc.
-- Donald R. Katz, Audible, Inc.
-- Peter Gibson, BusinessEdge Solutions, Inc.
-- Michael J. Small, Centennial Communications
-- Francisco D'Souza, Cognizant Technology Solutions
-- Leonard Frankel and Paul Frankel, Collezione Europa USA, Inc.
-- Thomas J. Cioffe, COMPSolutions PEO
-- Martin R. Benante, Curtiss-Wright Corporation
-- Michael Becker, Cytogen Corporation
-- John T. Spitznagel, ESP Pharma, Inc.
-- James Yoh, Galaxy Scientific Corporation
-- Robert O. Carr, Heartland Payment Systems, Inc.
-- Scott L. Turner, HMHTTC Response, Inc.
-- Andrew L. Perlmutter, InMarketing Group
-- Arne Bey, Keto Foods
-- Jaswinder S. Chadha, marketRx, Inc.
-- Eric Park and Tony Park, Money Marketing, Inc.
-- Gedalio Grinberg and Efraim Grinberg, Movado Group, Inc.
-- Cecelia M. Kennedy, The Multitech Group, Inc.
-- Kenneth W. Freeman, Quest Diagnostics
-- Alexander Vaynerchuk and Gary Vaynerchuk, Steklan & Walker
("The Wine Library")
-- Jae Choi, Tax Technologies, Inc.
-- David Khym, Wicked Fashions, Inc. ("Southpole")
-- Leonardo LoCascio, Winebow, Inc.
Winners for several awards categories will be selected from this group and announced at a dinner reception honoring both winners and finalists on June 17th at the Glenpointe Marriott in Teaneck, NJ.
As one of the leading recognition program for entrepreneurial business owners and managers, Ernst & Young's program also helps feature New Jersey as a great state to establish and grow a company. Brownlie noted that it is encouraging to see the level of support entrepreneurs and business developers receive in the communities in which they work. "Every year, a wide variety of professionals -- bankers, attorneys, venture capitalists, accountants, public relations and advertising executives -- take part in nominating clients, potential clients and business associates for this prestigious award."
The New Jersey finalists were selected by a panel of independent judges, including Greg Murphy, Selective Insurance Group (2003 Award Recipient, Business Services); Jim Gunton, NJTC Venture Fund; Michael Driscoll, The Nasdaq Stock Market; Stephen Gambale, Marsh USA, Inc.; Virginia Alling, PNC Bank; Greg Besner, Restricted Stock Systems, Inc. (2003 Award Recipient, Emerging Growth); Steven Kalafer, Flemington Car & Truck Country (2002 Award Recipient, Master Entrepreneur); and Caren Franzini, New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
In addition to New Jersey, awards programs are held in 43 other major US markets. Finalists and winners for each region are selected by a panel of independent judges comprised of leaders from the respective local business and civic organizations. Once these regional winners are chosen, they then are eligible to compete for one of several national award categories in connection with the 2004 National Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year competition later in the year.
To be eligible to receive an award, the nominee must be an owner/manager of a private or public company who is primarily responsible for the recent performance of the company (or organization) and an active member of top management. Those honored will have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.
For reservations for the awards banquet on June 17th contact Susan Lavin Jones of Ernst & Young at 732-516-4226 or susan.jones@ey.com. For more information about the awards program, visit www.ey.com/us/eoy.
Sponsorship
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards in New Jersey is locally sponsored by Platinum sponsors JPMorgan Chase and Marsh USA and Gold sponsors J. H. Cohn LLP and Curran & Connors, Inc. Other sponsors include Geller & Company, Lincoln Mercury, NJBIZ, New Jersey Technology Council, Scherzer International, Waggener Edstrom, Weiser & Company, and WithumSmith+Brown.
About The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) Awards Program
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program was created and is produced by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP. As the first award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. The program honors entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in over 100 cities and 35 countries.
About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young, a global leader in professional services, is committed to restoring the public's trust in professional services firms and in the quality of financial reporting. Its 103,000 people in more than 140 countries around the globe pursue the highest levels of integrity, quality, and professionalism to provide clients with solutions based on financial, transactional, and risk-management knowledge in Ernst & Young's core services of audit, tax, and transaction services. Ernst & Young practices also provide legal services in those parts of the world where permitted. Further information about Ernst & Young and its approach to a variety of business issues can be found at www.ey.com/perspectives. Ernst & Young refers to all the members of the global Ernst & Young organization.
* Note to Editors: Media are invited to attend the awards banquet for interview and photo opportunities. Please call Susan Lavin Jones at 732-516-4226 as soon as possible to request a complimentary reservation. Press credentials must be presented.
Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) is a registered service mark of Ernst & Young LLP.