The selection of the 2008 Ernst & Young Entrepreneurs of the Year started with hundreds of suggestions, which in turn led to dozens of formal nominations. After the panel of judges conducted site visits and interviews, the field was narrowed to 39 finalists representing 31 companies. From this group, the judges made the difficult decisions that resulted in this year’s 14 winners, who represent 10 companies in the region.
On the following pages, you’ll meet both the winners and finalists in this year’s competition. All have successfully built businesses, often in the face of daunting obstacles. All have displayed the perseverance, vision, drive, and leadership required to create and maintain lasting companies.
The region’s 2008 Entrepreneurs of the Year were honored June 5 at the Mariott City Center in Minneapolis. In addition to the awards given to this year’s Entrepreneurs of the Year, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year scholarships were awarded to Junior Achievement members Allison Loderbauer and Tyler Shaker.
This year’s Entrepreneurs of the Year for Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas have become candidates for the national Entrepreneur of the Year awards, which will be announced in November in Palm Springs, California.
For more information on the Entrepreneur of the Year program, contact Wendy Fox in Ernst & Young’s Minneapolis office at wendy.fox@ey.com or 612-371-6703.
Arthur Huge
Arthur Huge took over as CEO of Menasha Corporation in May 2005 and restructred and downsized the company that new comprises four independently operated companies
Daniel Ariens
After becoming president of Ariens Company in 2008, Daniel Ariens has watched the overall sales in his family-owned business multiply to two and half times what they had been.
Dr. Sean O. Casey
Virtual Radiologic Corporation provides hospitals throughout the U.S. with subcontracted readings of radiology results.
Frank Jaehnert
Frank Jaehnert has seen Milwaukee-based Brady Corporation thrive under his leadership.
Greg Gartner
Greg Gartner started Gartner Studios out of his home in 1998 and today the company is poised to pass $100 million in sales.
John Guider, Phil Soran, and Larry Aszmann
Eden Prairie-based Compellent Technologies aims to be the next $1 billion player in the data-storage industry.
Joseph Dunsmore
Digi International, a maker of network systems, survived the dot-com bust thanks in part to CEO Joe Dunsmore.
Peter Harken and Olaf Harken
Brothers Peter and Olaf Harken founded Harken, Inc.--one of the leading makers of sailboat and marine hardware and accessories--forty years ago.
Roger and Rick Hinner
Roger and Rick Hinner rescued the family business from the brink of bankruptcy and rebuilt it into one of the country's leading fabricators of steel for the construction agency.
Steve Flagg
Quality Bicycle Products is the largest parts and accessories distributor in the bicycle industry.
