John Boncher, president and CEO, Cupertino Electric Inc.
SERVICES, FINALIST Not many understand the competitive nature of the construction industry. Technological innovation is sometimes more important on job sites than innovation for some of the technology industry’s mega-giants like Facebook, Google, Intel, Microsoft and Yahoo, all of whom are clientele of Cupertino Electric Inc. Cupertino Electric is a provider of engineering and construction […]
Lisa Im, CEO, Performant Financial Corp.
SERVICES, AWARD RECIPIENT Lisa Im is a born leader who can’t help but put her passion into everything she does, whether it’s being there for her family or taking another step toward making Performant the company she knows it can be. At the time she led a buyout of the company from its founder, Performant […]
Richard Zuschlag, Acadian Ambulance Service, chairman and CEO
Health care & Health care Services — Award Recipient Richard Zuschlag operates Acadian Ambulance Service with a focus on two core responsibilities that everyone in the company must carry out. The first responsibility is to serve patients with excellent care. The second is to provide a rewarding, challenging work environment for the company’s employees. Zuschlag, chairman […]
William D. Morean, Chairman, Jabil
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT, AWARD RECIPIENT William D. Morean has always demonstrated a strong work ethic and sense of adventure. These qualities would serve him well as he set about turning his family’s small-town, garage-based start-up into one of the largest electronics manufacturing companies in the world. The ensuing growth of Jabil stems from Morean’s initial foresight […]
Neil Grimmer, co-founder and CEO, Plum Organics
RETAIL AND CONSUMER PRODUCTS, FINALIST Neil Grimmer doesn’t have to look too far to find inspiration for his work at Plum Organics. His passion for his two young daughters has evolved to become the foundation of a business created to bring healthier food to children. The business has revolutionized how babies eat through the introduction […]
Honoring the best of the best
This group of honorees represent those individuals who pursued and obtained the coveted distinction of an Entrepreneur Of The Year Finalist. Smart Business, along with Ernst & Young, is proud to recognize and honor the accomplishments of these entrepreneurs.
John Foraker, CEO, Annie’s Inc.
RETAIL AND CONSUMER PRODUCTS, FINALIST John Foraker, CEO of Annie’s Inc., has created a culture centered on the concept of doing the right thing even when nobody is looking. Foraker’s culture and vision have helped build the company into a leading provider of natural and organic foods. Hand in hand with the culture and vision […]
T. John Jerger Jr., president, American Traditions Insurance Co. and Modern USA Insurance Co.
FINANCIAL SERVICES, FINALIST The years 2005 and 2006 proved devastating for the insurance industry in Florida. Many national insurance companies moved their businesses out of the state, away from hurricanes and other risks, and John Jerger could have followed suit. But he had a better idea. Instead of fleeing to greener pastures, Jerger jumped at […]
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Dale Carlsen, founder and CEO, Sleep Train
RETAIL AND CONSUMER PRODUCTS, AWARD RECIPIENT A father’s disapproval to starting your own business can be daunting, but despite his father’s serious concern about the failure rate of new small businesses, Dale Carlsen was determined to go on his own as he mortgaged his home at a 22.95 percent interest rate to open his first […]