ORLANDO, Fla., June 13, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EY has announced the award recipients of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in Florida. This group of leading entrepreneurs was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award recipients, leading CEOs and other regional business leaders. The award recipients were recognized at a special gala on June 12 at the Hilton Orlando.
"These entrepreneurs truly demonstrate the passion, dedication and vision it takes to achieve remarkable success," said Greg Rosica, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Florida program partner. "They are accomplished business leaders who have contributed a tremendous amount to the community."
Following are 2014 award recipients:
- Stuart A. Miller, CEO of Lennar Corporation, Miami, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
South Florida:
- Services category, Joseph J. Incandela, CEO, Cross Country Home Services, Sunrise
- Financial Services category, John A. Kanas, Chairman and CEO, BankUnited, Miami Lakes
- Distribution and Manufacturing category, Amin Rahman Ramjee, President and CEO, DiscountMugs.com, Medley
- Hospitality and Leisure category, Kevin Sheehan, President and CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line, Miami
West Central Florida:
- Health Care Services category, Jeff W. Bak, President and CEO, HealthPlan Services, Inc., Tampa
- Technology category, Arnie Bellini, CEO, and David Bellini, COO, ConnectWise, Tampa
- Retail and Consumer Products category, Todd C. Christopher, Founder and CEO, Vogue International, LLC, Clearwater
- Emerging category, Bobby Harris, President and CEO, BlueGrace Logistics, Riverview
- Family Business category, Larry C. Morgan, CEO, Morgan Family Ventures, Tampa
The Entrepreneur Of The Year Program honors entrepreneurs regionally in June, leading up to the national awards in November. Regional award recipients are eligible for consideration for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year National Program. Award recipients in several national categories, as well as the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, Calif. on Nov. 15, 2014. The awards are the culminating event of the EY Strategic Growth Forum ® , the nation's most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies. Additionally, venture-backed companies that win an Entrepreneur Of The Year Award regionally are also eligible for the Venture Capital Award of Excellence at the national level.
The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner then moves on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award. Now in its 28th year, the program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries throughout the world.
Sponsors:
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored by SAP Americas and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Florida platinum sponsors are Fifth Third Bank, Holland & Knight, Tribridge and Vaco; silver sponsors are RFB Communications Group and Scherzer International and media sponsor Smart Business Network.
About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique 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, 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 145 cities in more than 60 countries.
About EY's Strategic Growth Markets
EY's Strategic Growth Markets (SGM) practices guide leading high-growth companies. Our multidisciplinary teams of elite professionals provide perspective and advice to help our clients accelerate market leadership. SGM delivers assurance, tax, transactions and advisory services to thousands of companies spanning all industries. EY is the undisputed leader in taking companies public, advising key government agencies on the issues impacting high-growth companies and convening the experts who shape the business climate. For more information, please visit us at ey.com/us/strategicgrowthmarkets , or follow news on Twitter @EY_Growth .
About EY
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