NEW ISELIN, N.J., March 21, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- It's that time of year again! Ernst & Young is seeking nominations for New Jersey-based entrepreneurs for the 2005 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) Awards, one of the most prestigious business award programs in the country.
Now in its 19th year, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program recognizes outstanding entrepreneurial achievements. Past winners in New Jersey have included Kenneth Freeman of Quest Diagnostics, Gedalio and Efraim Grinberg of Movado Group, Morgan O'Brien and Brian McAuley of NEXTEL Communications, and Glenn Cohen of YHD Foxtons. Nationally, winners have included Michael Dell of Dell Inc., Herb Kelleher of Southwest Airlines, Howard Schultz of Starbucks, and most recently for 2004, Wayne Huizenga, Chairman of Fort Lauderdale-based Huizenga Holdings, Inc. Blockbuster (NYSE:BBI), Auto Nation (NYSE:AN) and Waste Management (NYSE:WMI) are among the multi-billion dollar enterprises that Huizenga has helped to build so far in his career.
"For nearly two decades, Ernst & Young has been recognizing outstanding entrepreneurs for their remarkable leadership and successful accomplishments," said Keith Brownlie, Co-Director for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year program in New Jersey. "Ernst & Young has a long history of encouraging new business development by honoring the nation's top entrepreneurs."
New Jersey award recipients are selected by a panel of independent judges comprised of area leaders from business, academic, and civic organizations. Winners of the regional programs are automatically considered for the national event held annually in Palm Springs, Calif. The overall national Entrepreneur Of The Year winner is then considered for the world event held in Monte Carlo.
Awards Criteria
Awards are given to entrepreneurs and business leaders who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Self-nominations are encouraged and there is no fee for nominations, which must be received by April 8, 2005.
To be eligible for consideration, 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); an active member of top management; and the company must have been operating for at least two years.
Individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the entrepreneurial spirit in America or helped an entrepreneur become successful through business, economic, or academic means are eligible for the Supporter of Entrepreneurship award, presented by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Nominees need not have founded a company (or organization) and may come from the corporate world or any level of academia.
New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year Awards
Last year, 10 individuals in 9 categories were selected as Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award recipients for New Jersey. "It is exciting to see the high level of respect that these entrepreneurs and business leaders garner from their colleagues and their communities," said Stephen Gatto, Co-Director for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program in New Jersey. "Every year, a wide variety of professionals - bankers, attorneys, accountants, public relations and advertising executives - take part in nominating clients, friends and business associates for this prestigious award."
Award Categories
The regional and national award winners are selected within a wide range of categories and industry segments, including: Emerging Company; Business Services; Financial Services; Hospitality/Real Estate/Construction; Information Technology; Health Sciences; Networking and Communications; Manufacturing and Distribution; Retail and Consumer Products; and Master Entrepreneur.
Contact Information
For more information and nomination forms contact: Susan Jones, New Jersey Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards, at susan.jones@ey.com, (732) 516-4226. Information is also available at www.ey.com/us/eoy.
About the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards
The Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) awards program was created and is produced by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP. As the first award of its kind, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) 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 100,000 people in 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 Advisory Services. Ernst & Young practices also provide legal services in some 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.