This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited.

Finalists for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in Alabama/Georgia/Tennessee

Atlanta, Georgia, May 7, 2008 – Ernst & Young LLP is pleased to announce today the finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award in Alabama/Georgia/Tennessee. This group of exceptional entrepreneurs was selected by an independent judging panel made up of regional business, academic and community leaders.  The winners will be revealed at a gala event on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead, 3300 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30305.

“These finalists are the best of the best, embodying the unique spirit of entrepreneurism,” said Joseph A. King, Partner in Charge of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program for the region.  “They positively impact our region in a major way, through jobs, community growth and development and innovation.  Ernst & Young is proud to salute them.”

The finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award in 2008 are:

• Anna R. Cablik, President, Anasteel & Supply Company, LLC
• Dr. Gerald Bortolazzo, Chairman; Dr. Christopher Krubert, CEO; Christopher Durham, Manager, ApolloMD
• Stephen Nordness, Owner & President, Automation Personnel Services, Inc.
• Robert Baron, Chairman, President, CEO & Founder, Baron Group of Companies
• Wayne T. Smith, Chairman, President & CEO, Community Health Systems, Inc.
• Harold E. Crye, President, CEO & Founder, Crye-Leike,  REALTORS
• Robin Raina, President, CEO & Chairman, Ebix, Inc.
• Arul Murugan, President & Founder, enrich IT, inc.
• Phyllis Norton Hoffman, President, CEO & Founder, Hoffman Media, LLC
• Robert Williamson, Chairman, CEO & Founder, Horizon Software International, LLC
• Mylle Mangum, Chairman & CEO, IBT Holdings
• Jason W. Gries, Chairman & CEO, Industriaplex, Inc.
• Mitch Free, President, CEO & Founder, MFG.com
• Joseph A. Cashia, Founder & CEO, National Renal Alliance
• Randy Boyd, President & CEO, Radio Systems Corporation
• James A. Rubright, CEO, Rock-Tenn Company
• Frank Argenbright, Chairman & CEO, SecurAmerica, LLC
• Charles Roy Eitel, Chairman & CEO, Simmons Bedding Company
• Juan Pablo Gnecco, Founder & CEO, Studiocom
• Cordia Harrington, President, CEO & Founder, Tennessee Bun Company
• A. Hamid Adalib, Founder & CEO, VIPGift
 
Regional award winners will be eligible for consideration in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008 national program.  Winners in numerous national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 15, 2008.  The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

This year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program celebrates its 22nd anniversary.   The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 135 cities in 50 countries throughout the world.  Awards are given to entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America as national sponsors.

In Alabama/Georgia/Tennessee, sponsors include King & Spalding and Bowne.

Contact information
To make reservations for the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards gala on Thursday, June 26, 2008, contact Taylor Van Acker of Ernst & Young at 404-817-5275 or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it by Friday, June 13, 2008.  Tickets are $200 per person.  For more information about the program, please visit www.seaeoy.ey.com .

About Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year
Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the unique way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.

About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 130,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve potential.

For more information, please visit www.ey.com .

Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.

This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Contact name: Taylor Van Acker
Company: Ernst & Young
Tel: 404-817-5275
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

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