ISELIN, N.J., June 18, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP announced today the winners of the Ernst & Young 17th annual Entrepreneur of the Year(R) ("EOY") Awards in New Jersey. Selected by an independent panel of judges comprised of local community and business leaders, the winners were announced at a ceremony at the Glenpoint Marriott in Teaneck, NJ.
The 2004 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award category winners in New Jersey are:
-- Business Services - Scott L. Turner, HMHTTC Response, Inc.,
Parsippany, NJ
-- Emerging Entrepreneur - Jaswinder Chadha, marketRx, Inc.,
Bridgewater, NJ
-- Financial Services - Robert O. Carr, Heartland Payment Systems,
Inc., Princeton, NJ
-- Pharmaceutical Industry & Services - John T. Spitznagel, ESP
Pharma, Inc., Edison, NJ
-- Software/Technology Services - Donald Katz, Audible Inc., Wayne,
NJ -- Retail & Consumer Services - Gedalio Grinberg and Efraim
Grinberg, Movado Group, Inc., Paramus, NJ
-- Wholesale/Manufacturing - David Khym, Wicked Fashions, Inc.,
Carlstadt, NJ
-- Master Entrepreneur - Kenneth W. Freeman, Quest Diagnostics,
Inc., Teterboro, NJ
-- Realizing Business Potential (sponsored by Microsoft) - Saki
Dodelson, Achieve3000, Howell, NJ
"The New Jersey Entrepreneur Of The Year award winners embrace the entrepreneurial spirit and determination necessary to achieve success," said Keith Brownlie, New Jersey Entrepreneur Of The Year program director. "Now in its 17th year, the program continues to recognize New Jersey's diverse and vibrant business leaders and Ernst & Young is proud to be leading that effort.
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; Steven Kalafer, Flemington Car & Truck Country (2002 Award Recipient, Master Entrepreneur); and Caren Franzini, New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
To be eligible to receive an award, the nominee must be an owner/founder/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.
Winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2004 national program. Winners in several national categories, as well as the Overall National Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Spring, CA on November 20, 2004.
Sponsorship
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program in New Jersey is sponsored by Platinum sponsors JPMorgan Chase and Marsh 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 LLP, 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 advisory services. 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.
Entrepreneur Of The Year(r) is a registered service mark of Ernst & Young LLP.