Michael Werner, president and CEO, Gerber Plumbing Fixtures LLC
Turnaround – Finalist In the midst of the worst housing market depression in recorded history, Michael Werner, president and CEO of Gerber Plumbing Fixtures LLC, has managed to revitalize the Chicago plumbing products manufacturer. Werner has transformed Gerber from a company that was just days away from bankruptcy and liquidation into one of the strongest […]
Rhonda Shear, president, Shear Enterprises LLC
AWARD RECIPIENT – Retail and Consumer Products Rhonda Shear president Shear Enterprises LLC Rhonda Shear has continued to reinvent herself over the years, evolving from successful actress to traveling comedian to self-made businesswoman. In 2003, she acted on the desire to own her own company and invested all she had to found St. Petersburg, Fla.-based […]
Arnold Burchianti II, Founder, President and CEO, Celtic Healthcare
FINALIST / HEALTH SCIENCES As a practicing physical therapist right out of college, Arnold Burchianti II, Celtic Healthcare founder, president and CEO, noticed a stark disconnect between the various disciplines of health care providers that were caring for a patient. Nurses were not communicating their patients’ needs to physical therapists and physical therapists were not […]
David Clarke, co-founder and CEO, BGT Partners
FINALIST – Services David Clarke co-founder and CEO BGT Partners David Clarke co-founded BGT Partners by envisioning the massive potential that the Internet had for interactive work. As the company’s co- founder and CEO, Clarke’s pursuit of this vision has been critical in establishing the business as a leading global digital agency, whose clients include […]
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Eric Lofquist, founder, co-owner, president and CEO, Magnus International Group
WINNER: Distribution and Manufacturing Eric Lofquist is always looking for the next great idea for Magnus International Group. The private holding company has evolved into a diverse producer of sustainable products that include all-natural waxes and renewable fuels as well as custom-made and all-natural animal feeds. It also has a business unit that recovers all-natural […]
Manoj Bhargava, Founder and CEO, Innovation Ventures LLC and Living Essentials LLC
Winner, Master Manoj Bhargava’s experience didn’t come from a college degree. It came from life. Moving from India to the U.S. at 14, he worked various odd jobs — from demolition to taxicab driver — before returning to India in his 20s to pursue spiritual education. After 12 years, he brought his vast life experience […]
Ronald Seide, president and CEO, Summit Data Communications
Ronald Seide, president and CEO, Summit Data Communications FINALIST: Technology Summit Data Communications President and CEO Ronald Seide launched the company in 2006 with four other former employees of Cisco Systems, including Andy Winson, CFO, Chris Bolinger, director of marketing, and Jim O’Riordan, vice president of technical services. The company has since grown to become […]
Jonathan Ord, CEO, DealerSocket Inc.
FINALIST – Technology Jonathan Ord CEO DealerSocket Inc. Jonathan Ord succeeds by always looking for the next step to help his customers. Rather than being stuck in a mode where he’s always trying to close or wrap up deals, Ord wants to take the partnership his clients have with DealerSocket Inc. and make it even […]