By Laurie
Burstein
Founded and Produced by
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Webster’s Dictionary defines entrepreneur as “One who organizes,
manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise.” Though
it sounds fairly straightforward, the winners of this year’s Ernst
& Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards have a lot more to say
about building and sustaining a winning company.
For most, their stories are a tale of starting with a vision for
a business and turning it into a profitable venture through a mix
of incredibly hard work, undying dedication, a lot of courage, never-been-tried
approaches, outstanding employees, and a bit of serendipity.
This year’s winners run the gamut from a mortgage company, advertising
agency, construction company, and toy manufacturer to a real estate
developer, homebuilder, dental products manufacturer, temporary
medical staff provider, and a business software company. These entrepreneurs
all have a strong desire to control their own destinies.
“The caliber of companies this year is a standout,” says George
Klenovich of Ernst & Young, who has been presenting the Entrepreneur
Of The Year Awards event in St. Louis for the past eight years.
“This is one of the best programs we have ever seen from a group
that has some fascinating stories to tell.”
The program also honored the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
with an award for Support of Entrepreneurship to recognize the individuals
who have been at the forefront of bringing the institution to St.
Louis. “We wanted to give special recognition to the Plant Science
Center. It is one of the most exciting things to happen in our region,”
Klenovich adds.
The Entrepreneur Of The Year program is founded and produced by
Ernst & Young LLP. Award recipients are selected by an independent
panel of judges. The program is nationally co-sponsored by USA Today,
CNNfn and CNN, the Nasdaq Stock Market, and the Kaufmann Center
for Entrepreneurial Leadership. Local sponsors are A.G. Edwards;
Greensfelder, Hemker and Gale, P.C.; LaSalle Bank N.A.; Sprint;
St. Louis Business Journal; KMOX News/Talk 1120; and the St. Louis
RCGA.
2001 Entrepreneur Of The Year® Judges
Spencer B. Burke
Managing Director of Investment Banking
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.
John Capps
President
Plaza Motor Company
Robert
G. Clark
Chariman and CEO
Clayco Construction Company
Charles
A. Dill
General Partner
Gateway Associates
Robert
S. Holmes
Senior Vice President and
Division Head
Missouri Region
LaSalle Bank N.A.
Matina
Koronis
President
Digital Partners, Inc.
Joseph
D. Lehrer
President
Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C.
Harry Morley
Chairman
Taylor-Morley, Inc.
David Spence
President
Alpha Plastics, Inc.
Kenneth
B. Steinback
Chariman and CEO
Computer Sales International, Inc.
Award Recipients (view all)
Master
Michael M. McCarthy
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Financial Services
Deanna Daughhetee-Vinson and Ray Vinson
American Equity Mortgage
Manufacturing/Consumer
Products
Michael A. Richter
Children's Factory
Communications
Tim Rodgers and Tom Townsend
Rodgers Townsend
Business Services
William W. Canfield
Talx Corporation
Construction
Robert Jones
The Jones Company
Real Estate
E. Stanley Kroenke and Michael Staenberg
THF Realty
Health Science/Medical Instruments
& Supplies
George Richmond
Young Innovations, Inc.
Health Science/Provider Care
Alan Henderson
RehabCare Group
Support of Entrepreneurship
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Award Finalist
The Standing Partnership
Cathy Dunkin
Allegiant Bank
Shaun Hayes
Brand Services, Inc.
John Monter
The Mash Group
Joseph Mash
Conrad Properties
Bob Saur
O'Brien Corporation, Inc.
Robert O'Brien
Pace Properties
Robert Sherwood, Mark Sedgwick and Joseph Ciapciak
Rapid Development Services
Leon Gurevich
Telcobuy.com
Jim Kavanaugh
Tech Electronics, Inc.
James Canova
T.R. Hughes Inc.
Thomas R. Hughes
The Vandiver Group
Donna Vandiver
Mitch Murch's Maintenance Management
Co.
Timothy Murch
Cass Information Systems, Inc.
Larry Collett
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