Jerry Shaw Jr., president; Tom Kalishman, chairman and CEO; SAK Construction LLC
FINALISTS SAK Construction LLC was born seven years ago when co-workers Jerry Shaw Jr. and Tom Kalishman walked away from the construction company where they worked because they had grown disillusioned with the company’s policies and philosophy. Kalishman and Shaw thought their employer’s approach, like that of many other construction companies, was becoming too focused […]
Douglas J. Grimm, Chairman, President and CEO, Grede Holdings LLC
Winner, Industrial Products Douglas J. Grimm was stepping into a chaotic situation in 2008, but you wouldn’t have known it by his approach. He was leading a business that had just gone through bankruptcy and was in the process of merging with two other companies who were in the same dire situation. On top of […]
Alan Woll, CEO, Network Polymers Inc.
FINALIST: Industrial and Engineered Products and Materials Alan Woll knew he wasn’t going to reinvent the wheel when he co-founded Network Polymers Inc. 26 years ago. His avenue for success lay in differentiating from competitors through outstanding customer service offerings and quality, sustainable products. The Akron-Ohio based company is a global leader and single source […]
Benny Lee, CEO, DuraComm Corp.
FINALIST Benny Lee CEO DuraComm Corp. Benny Lee had become the majority shareholder of DuraComm Corp., an industrial power supply builder and distributor, and right away, he knew something had to be improved. Lee, who is now CEO and sole owner, saw that the company was tied to one large national customer, which he believed […]
Mike Morhaime, co-founder, president and CEO, Blizzard Entertainment Inc.
WINNER – Technology Mike Morhaime co-founder, president and CEO Blizzard Entertainment Inc. In February 1991, Michael Morhaime co-founded Blizzard Entertainment Inc. with Allen Adham and Frank Pearce. Morhaime, who now leads the company as president and CEO, has grown the company from a third-party development studio into a premier publisher of entertainment software, including 13 […]
Dr. David Kent, Owner, Lifestyle Lift
Winner, Services Lifestyle Lift, a facial cosmetic surgery practice based in Troy, Mich., was founded in 2001 by Dr. David Kent. The idea for Lifestyle Lift originated one day when Kent was treating a patient for some other issues. The patient asked if he could do something to improve her appearance that would be less […]
Charles Sanders, Founder and CEO, Urban Lending Solutions
WINNER / SERVICES Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Charles Sanders launched his mortgage service company, initially called Urban Settlement Services, out of the basement of his home in 2002. Ten years later, thanks to Sanders’ entrepreneurial drive and his ability to recognize and react to changing market conditions, Urban Lending Solutions has ballooned to employ […]
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Scot Lowry, president and CEO, Fathom
FINALIST: Services and Management Solutions Scot Lowry has always taken on entrepreneurial challenges with the goal of successfully growing a venture — not generating the highest salary. He started his first company without outside capital, leveraging credit card debt, and used all of his savings to purchase his second company. The experience he gained from […]
Allen DeBevoise, founder, chairman and CEO, Machinima Inc.
Finalist – Interactive Media/Internet Machinima Inc. has been described as an “MTV for gamers.” The West Hollywood, Calif.- based company is a next generation video entertainment network for video gamers, providing comprehensive editorial and community programming focused on gaming. Machinima tools, applications and technologies are aimed at enabling gamers to be highly engaged and active […]