ATLANTA, November 22, 2016 - EY recently announced that CEO Vernon J. Nagel of Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI), a leading provider of indoor and outdoor lighting and building management solutions, received the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2016 National Award in the distribution and manufacturing category. Now in its 30th year, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Mr. Nagel was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at EY's Strategic Growth Forum in Palm Springs, CA on November 19.
Mr. Nagel commented, "I am honored to receive this award on behalf of the 12,000 associates at Acuity Brands who demonstrate that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well and continues to thrive at our company. We continue to build on our rich legacy of excellence, growth, and innovation to provide great returns for our shareholders, superior value for our customers, and growth opportunities for our associates. Our passion and intense focus continue to be centered on creating lighting and building management solutions that deliver superior quality, energy efficiency and performance. This award is a tremendous recognition of the success of our associates whose superior teamwork has generated industry-leading performance."
Since 1986, EY has honored entrepreneurs whose ingenuity, spirit of innovation, and discipline have propelled their companies' success, invigorated their industries, and benefited their communities. Now in its 30th year, the program has honored the inspirational leadership of entrepreneurs including Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee Company, Robert Unanue of Goya Foods, and Mindy Grossman of HSN. Recent US national winners include Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn; Hamdi Ulukaya, founder of Chobani; and 2015 winners Andreas Bechtolsheim and Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks.
Sponsors Founded and produced by EY, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are sponsored nationally by SAP America, Merrill Corporation, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
About Acuity Brands Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is the North American market leader and one of the world's leading providers of indoor and outdoor lighting and building management solutions. With fiscal year 2016 net sales of $3.3 billion, Acuity Brands currently employs approximately 12,000 associates and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with operations throughout North America, and in Europe and Asia. The Company's products and solutions are sold under various brands including Lithonia Lighting®, Holophane®, Peerless®, Gotham®, Mark Architectural Lighting(TM), Winona® Lighting, Juno®, Indy(TM), Aculux(TM), Heathcare Lighting®, Hydrel®, American Electric Lighting®, Carandini®, Antique Street Lamps(TM), Sunoptics®, Distech Controls®, Acuity Controls(TM), nLight®, ROAM® and SensorSwitch®. Visit us at www.acuitybrands.com .
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 practice EY's Strategic Growth Markets (SGM) practice guides 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 EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.
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Company Contact: Dan Smith Acuity Brands, Inc. (404) 853-1423
