Brian Fielkow, president, Jetco Delivery
Logistics & Industrial Services, Finalist In 2006, Brian Fielkow risked his entire net worth and purchased Jetco Delivery. The purchase fulfilled Fielkow’s dream of owning his own business — a dream that hasn’t wavered, even when he and the company faced the Great Recession a few years ago. As the trucking industry slid to a […]
Earl Hesterberg, president and CEO, Group 1 Automotive Inc.
Consumer Products & Services, Award Recipient Earl Hesterberg knows cars. He’s worked in the automotive industry for 36 years, with experience as a manufacturer, independent distributor and retailer. He boasts three of the world’s biggest automobile companies — Ford, Toyota and Nissan — on his resume. His experience has enabled him to significantly grow Houston-based […]
Matt Miller, founding president and CEO, MobileDemand
FINALIST Like many entrepreneurs, Matt Miller developed the idea for his company by seeing a problem for which he had a solution. In 2002, Miller was working at an established job when he learned about a pain point for one of the company’s customers, Anheuser-Busch. The business was going to require all of its independent […]
Jeff Stibel, chairman and CEO, Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp.
Financial Services – Finalist Like most entrepreneurs, work is a hobby for Jeff Stibel, chairman and CEO of Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp. Some people play tennis or golf; his passion is starting companies. What makes Stibel different from many entrepreneurs is that he fully embraces failure. Virtually every success and achievement he has undertaken […]
Michael Sheldon, president and CEO, Network Hardware Resale LLC
Finalist — Distribution & Manufacturing Founded in a garage in 1986 by former IBM executive Chuck Sheldon, Network Hardware Resale LLC grew from the ground up with a focus on selling the best pre-owned networking equipment at faster response times and with lower failure rates than original equipment manufacturers. By 1996 the company, a reseller […]
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Jeremy Suiter, Shareholder and Chair of the Business and Commercial Litigation Practice Group, Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth
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Kevin Hourigan, President and CEO, Bayshore Solutions
Jeffrey R. Clark, president and CEO, Anthony
Winner — Distribution and Manufacturing Jeffrey R. Clark’s motto of “Get ’er done” has become widespread throughout Anthony. Over the years, Clark’s employees have seen him use this philosophy to drive the company to new heights — doing what it takes to exceed the competition and better serve customers. As president and CEO of Anthony, […]
Melvin Payne, chairman and CEO, Carriage Services Inc.
Consumer Products & Services, Finalist As the remaining founder and operational leader of Carriage Services Inc. — the fourth-largest publicly traded death care company — Melvin Payne leads by example and is clearly recognized and appreciated for it. Decentralization, local control, achievement and mission are recurring themes in how chairman and CEO Payne operates his […]
Cindy Taylor, president and CEO, Oil States International Inc.
Oil Field Services, Award Recipient As CEO of Oil States International Inc., Cindy Taylor leads by example, demonstrating her high standards and dedication to transparency. Key to Oil States’ success has been her ability to leverage the talents of the many people within the company. Taylor believes in “distributive leadership,” which requires the retention of […]