How technology companies’ financing needs can be met throughout their life cycle
Mike Lederman, Senior Vice President, Regional Market Manager, Bridge Bank
Richard Eichler, vice chairman and CEO, Hart Energy Publishing
Business Services, Finalist From his start with Hart Energy Publishing as an advertising salesman, current Vice Chairman and CEO Richard Eichler had dedicated 28 years to doing whatever it takes to grow the company and turn it into the “go-to” provider for the global energy sector. With a tripled workforce and quadrupled sales under Eichler’s […]
Sunnie S. Kim, president and CEO, Hana Financial Inc.
Winner — Financial Services Sunnie S. Kim has reached the pinnacle of her profession as president and CEO of Hana Financial Inc. through determination, a commitment to excellence and an entrepreneurial spirit seeking positive change. However, what really separates her from others in her field is the fact that she is a woman. In a […]
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.
Carolyn Doerle, managing director and CEO, Doerle Food Services LLC
Logistics & Industrial Services, Finalist One of Carolyn Doerle’s biggest strengths is her management style. She blends being a bold decision-maker with being intuitive at the same time. She believes a leader must be able to make informed decisions in a timely manner. In 2003, Doerle made the decision to buy out her father and […]
How businesses can take control of the opportunities that drive employees to commit fraud
Jim Stempak, Principal, Crowe Horwath LLP
Terry Looper, founder and CEO, Texon LP
Distribution & Manufacturing — Energy, Award Recipient Terry Looper makes sure that he always knows the worst-case scenario — that is, when it comes to taking risks that benefit his company. In fact, one of his overriding philosophies when seeking new business ideas is “don’t risk what you can’t lose.” As founding CEO of Texon […]
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 […]