Submit a nomination for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2006 Awards in the Rocky Mountain Region, one of the most prestigious business award programs in the country.  The deadline for applications is March 31, 2006, with the awards ceremony scheduled for Thursday, June 22, 2006, at the Denver Performing Arts Center.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year^® Awards program celebrates its 20^th anniversary this year and continues to recognize the leaders and visionaries who are creating and building world-class businesses.  “During the past 20 years, the program’s long line of prominent award recipients represents American ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Phil Anderson, Americas Director of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year program.  “Ernst & Young is proud to recognize some of the nation’s finest business thinkers for their remarkable leadership and successful accomplishments.”

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards in the Rocky Mountain Region

Last year, 10 entrepreneurs in seven categories from the Rocky Mountain Region were selected as Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year^® award recipients from nearly 100 nominations.  Over the years, Rocky Mountain Region award recipients have included James H. Possehl, Chairman and CEO, Republic Financial Corporation; C. David Moll, CEO, Webroot Software Inc.; Brian Baldwin, Chairman Emeritus, Baxa Corporation; R. Scot Sellers, Chairman and CEO, Archstone-Smith, Barry Perzow, President, CEO, and Co-Founder and Dale Schwartz, Co-Founder, Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy; George Heinrichs, President, CEO and Co-Founder, and Stephen Meer, CTO and Co-Founder, Intrado Inc.; and Mark A. Hellerstein, Chairman, CEO and President, St. Mary Land & Exploration Company.

Rocky Mountain Region award recipients are selected by a panel of independent judges that includes area leaders from business, academic, and civic organizations.

“It’s exciting to see the high level of respect that entrepreneurs garner from their colleagues and their communities,” said Mark Siegel, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year Program Director for the Rocky Mountain Region.  “Each year, a variety of Rocky Mountain-based professionals take part in nominating clients and business associates for this prestigious award.”

This year Ernst & Young has added a new category for emerging firms.  Companies nominated in this category must have been started five years ago or less (in 2001 or later) and must have a growth rate of at least 20 percent per year.  While the industry is irrelevant, a firm’s community involvement will be an important indicator of success. 

Awards Criteria

Awards are given to entrepreneurs 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 March 31, 2006.

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 and an active member of top management.

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 and may come from the corporate world or any level of academia.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards is nationally sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.  In the Rocky Mountain Region, local sponsors include Marsh, Clifton Gunderson, Faegre & Benson, LeGrand Hart, Denver Business Journal, and Comcast Spotlight.

Contact Information

For more information and nomination forms contact:  Courtney Story, Program Manager, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Rocky Mountain Region Awards, at 720-931-4411 or courtney.story@ey.com.  Information is also available at www.ey.com/us/eoy.

About the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards

The Entrepreneur Of The Year^â 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^â Award 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.