TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ernst & Young LLP is pleased to announce the award recipients of the 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, private capital investors and other regional business leaders. The award recipients were announced at a special gala on June 14 at the Hilton Orlando.
“Ernst & Young has honored outstanding entrepreneurs like this year’s award recipients for the past 26 years,” said Oscar Suarez, Florida Market Leader for Ernst & Young LLP. “These business leaders have accomplished so much and contributed a tremendous amount to the community.”
The award recipients for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2012 Florida Award are:
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Florida Lifetime Achievement Award recipients are William D. Morean, chairman, and Timothy L. Main, chief executive officer, Jabil, St. Petersburg.
Central Florida:
- Services category - Harvey L. Massey, chairman and chief executive officer, Massey Services, Inc., Orlando
South Florida:
- Corporate Innovator category – Jordan Zimmerman, founder and chairman, Zimmerman Advertising, Fort Lauderdale
- Distribution and manufacturing category – Janna Ronert, chief executive officer; and Dr. Marc Ronert, president and medical director, Image Skincare, Lantana
- Emerging category – Jorge A. Plasencia, chairman and chief executive officer, Republica, Miami
- Financial Services category – Albert C. Crawford, chairman and chief executive officer; Robert T. Castro, president and Eric R. Castro, chief operating officer, Bankers Healthcare Group, Inc. Southwest Ranches
- Health Care category – Michael M. Earley, chairman and chief executive officer, Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc., Boca Raton
- Technology category – John Duffy, founder and chief executive officer, 3Cinteractive, Boca Raton
West Central Florida:
- Real Estate and Construction category – Charles Puccini, president and chief executive officer, Bauer Foundation Corp., Odessa
- Retail and Consumer Products category – Rhonda Shear, president, Shear Enterprises, LLC, St. Petersburg
The Entrepreneur Of The Year Program honors entrepreneurs regionally in June, leading up to the national awards in November. 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 U.S. Entrepreneur Of The Year Overall Award winner then moves on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award.
Now in its 26th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 140 cities in more than 50 countries throughout the world. Awards are given to entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored in the United States by SAP America and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
Florida platinum sponsors include Carlton Fields, Fifth Third Bank, Tribridge and Vaco; silver sponsors RFB Communications Group and Scherzer International and media sponsor Smart Business Network.
About Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year
Ernst & Young 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 140 cities in more than 50 countries.
About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 152,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.
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