Thomas Amonett, president and CEO, Champion Technologies Inc.
Distribution & Manufacturing — Energy, Finalist In 1999, the owners at Champion Technologies Inc. named Tom Amonett president and CEO. In the 12-plus years since, the organization has grown into a billion-dollar global specialty chemical company that is now challenging its competitors for the market leadership position. The growth of Champion has been due in […]
Greg Gragg, chairman and CEO, Gragg Advertising
FINALIST At Gragg Advertising, staff members will often refer to the “Energizer Bunny.” They aren’t talking about the pink bunny that is still beating those drums, but rather the nickname they have given Greg Gragg, chairman and CEO of the full-service direct response marketing firm. Gragg’s “Energizer Bunny” moniker originates from the energy he puts […]
Matt Maloney, CEO; Mike Evans, COO; GrubHub Inc.
Private Equity/ Venture Capital – Finalists Frustrated with how hard it was to find good restaurants that deliver, Chicago-based software engineers Matt Maloney and Mike Evans founded GrubHub Inc., a venture-backed online service that organizes restaurant delivery information and enables customers to order food online. GrubHub began compiling information for restaurants in Chicago in 2004 […]
How changes to the criminal background check policy will affect employers
Jessica Ford, CSP, Vice President of Operations, Ashton Staffing, Inc.
Bob Beauchamp, chairman and CEO, BMC Software In
Transformational CEO – Award Recipient Bob Beauchamp is known across the technology industry for the high standards that he embodies in every aspect of his personal and professional life. When Beauchamp was named BMC Software Inc.’s CEO in January 2001, he saw an opportunity to set an innovative, new direction for the company. Working closely […]
How to choose the best staffing agency for your needs
Sarah Finch, Business Development Manager, The Daniel Group
Joe Chalhoub, founder, president and CEO, Heritage-Crystal Clean Inc.
Services – Winner Joe Chalhoub founded Heritage-Crystal Clean Inc. in 1999 to provide automobile repair shops and industrial plants with a means to clean their greasy parts. Chalhoub’s concept — provide a “sink-on-a-drum” and solvent to clean parts, backed by a scheduled service to resupply fresh solvent and remove the dirty solvent for further use […]
How to avoid incorrectly classifying employees as independent contractors
David McLaughlin, Partner, Ropers Majeski Kohn & Bentley
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.
How technology convergence can streamline your business
Jason Woods, RCDD, Director of Technology, Alfa Tech