FOUNDER OF THE YEAR
Our signature event is the Founder of the Year event, to honor founders who have done amazing things in our community. The event celebrates some amazing founders and businesses, with four finalists announced months prior and one Founder of the Year announced at the event. See below for past winners and finalists.
2019 Founder of the Year Finalists Videos
Luke & Associates (Founder of the Year 2019 Winner)
First Wave Financial (Finalist)
Accent Technology (Finalist)
The Thompson Family – Wild Ocean Seafood (Finalist)
2018 Founder of the Year Finalists Videos
Joe Penovich, Grills (Founder of the Year Winner)
Kurt Wilson, SeaDek (Finalist)
Randy May, Ambassador Services (Finalist)
Scott Lewit, Structural Composites (Finalist)
2017 Founder of the Year Finalists Videos
Eduardo Rabel, Rush Construction (Finalist)
Travis Proctor, Artemis (Finalist)
Don & Julie Herndon, Classic Wood Flooring (Finalist)
Edward J. Richard, Sr., Richard’s Paint (Finalist and Founder of the Year Winner)
Past Honorees
2017: Edward J. Richard, Sr, Richard’s Paint
2016: Bryan and Donna Scott, Barn Light Electric Company and Playalinda Brewing Company
2015: Carol Craig, Craig Technologies
2014: Mike Shah, Southeast Petro Distributors, Inc.
2013: Scott Sorensen, Sorensen Moving & Storage
2012: Mike Williams, M.H. Williams Construction Group
2011: Mike Means, Health First
2010: Pam Gatto, Gatto’s Tires & Auto Service
2009: Walter Gatti, Tensor Engineering
2008: Bernie Simpkins, S & S Enterprises
2007: Roger Dobson, Ocean Partners Associates Ltd
2006: Rick McNeight, DRS Tactical Systems
2005: Harry Brandon, Brandon Properties
2004: Moses Harvin, American Services Technology, Incorporated
2003: Tim Reynolds, Soneticom
2002: Scott Moody, Authentec
2001: Joe Baggs, Optical Process Automation
2000: Bruce Deardoff, Continental Motor Cars
1999: Thomas Smaidris, Data Flow Systems
1998: David Poore, DE Restaurants (Durangos)
