45 North Texans Named EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Southwest Award Finalists » Dallas Innovates

The 2024 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Southwest finalists are (clockwise from left): Dr. Chris Steven Villanueva of MB2 Dental; Kendall Koff, Rail Pro. Jang Baek, Miss A; Edison Chen, Clapper. Laurie Welch, Woodwright. Luke Hale, Timely Care. Rob Holmes, Texas Capital Bank, Pedro Lerma, LERMA/; and Sam Scotten, Checksammy.

Professional services firm Ernst & Young has announced the finalists for its Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Southwest Award, including 45 individuals from Dallas-Fort Worth. He is the only two finalists on the list from outside of North Texas.

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award, now in its 38th year, recognizes “bold leaders who disrupt markets, revolutionize industries and have a transformative impact on lives,” according to EY. This is an outstanding business award.

“This year’s finalists are innovating, disruptive, and delivering results for stakeholders and the economy as a whole,” said Rex Alexander, Partner and Southwest Program Director at EY, in a statement. “They are powerful expressions of the entrepreneurial spirit that has made this region one of the nation’s economic leaders.”

“Selected by an independent panel of judges, these CEOs and founders demonstrate an unwavering dedication to their companies, customers, and communities,” he added. “We are honored to recognize their success and share their stories.”

selected by a panel of judges

47 South West entrepreneurs were selected as finalists by an independent panel of judges. They were recognized based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurship, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes.

EY said the program celebrates the ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit of different types of business leaders.

The company said Entrepreneur of the Year recognizes founders who started their own businesses from the beginning or who raised outside capital to grow their companies. He is a transformational CEO who injected innovation into an existing organization and dramatically increased its trajectory. and generations of family business leaders who have reimagined traditional business models to strengthen for the future.

EY Entrepreneur of the Year Trophy [Image: Ernst & Young]

The 2024 finalists are:

• steve burke, agora dataArlington
  Agora Data is a financial services and data analytics company specializing in auto loans.
  
• Jodie Parker and Tom Parker, all american tire recyclerFort Worth
  All American Tire Recyclers provides environmentally friendly tire recycling services.
  
• Jason Signor, Big Sky Asset Management LLCdallas
  Big Sky Asset Management specializes in real estate and private equity investments.
  
• Chintan Shah, Brainvia Infotech Co., Ltd.Irving
  Brainvire Infotech provides digital transformation services with expertise in AI, IoT, and cloud solutions.
  
• Romy Cheema, CanTex RE, LLCdallas
  CanTex RE is a real estate investment company focused on real estate development and management.
  
• Sam Scotten, check sammydallas
  Checksammy provides technology-enabled sustainability solutions with a focus on waste management and recycling.
  
• Srikanth Chakkiram, Signity TechnologiesIrving
  Cigniti Technologies provides software testing and quality assurance services.
  
• edison chen, Clapper Media Group Co., Ltd.carrollton
  Clapper Media Group operates social media platforms focused on user interaction and content sharing.
  
• John Sutter, Employer direct medical caredallas
  Employer Direct Healthcare provides healthcare solutions aimed at improving access to quality care for employees.
  
• J. Brooks, glass viewFort Worth
  Glassview is a media sharing and advertising platform focused on innovative video solutions.
  
• Robin Alex, Sean Clarke, Varun Vairavan, advanceddallas
  HighLevel provides a marketing automation platform designed to enhance customer engagement for agencies.
  
• Chris Gronkowski, Ice Shaker Co., Ltd.South Lake
  Ice Shaker makes stainless steel insulated bottles that are versatile for everyday use.
  
• Eric Fortenberry, job tread softwaredallas
  JobTread Software develops end-to-end construction management software that helps construction contractors manage their operations.
  
• Ken Ruth, LDWWdallas
  LDWW is a marketing and communications company providing strategic branding and crisis management services.
  
• Cole Gahagan, rear fieldPlano
  Learfield specializes in college sports marketing, providing multimedia rights management, sponsorship, and broadcast services.
  
• Pedro Lerma, Lerma/Advertisementdallas
  LERMA/ is a creative agency focused on cultural insight to drive brand awareness and consumer loyalty.
  
• flip howard, lucid private officedallas
  Lucid Private Offices provides flexible and luxurious office space for professionals and businesses.
  
• Dave Marcinkowski, Madera Residentiallubbock
  Madera Residential focuses on multifamily real estate investment and property management through a technological approach.
  
• Dr. Chris Villanueva, MB2 Dental Solutionscarrollton
  MB2 Dental Solutions provides dental practice management services with a focus on dentist autonomy and personal growth.
  
• Jean Bak and Kenneth Bak, Miss A Stores Co., Ltd.dallas
  Miss A Stores is a beauty and cosmetics retailer known for its affordable products.
  
• ryan kent, Mizzen and Main LLCdallas
  Mizzen+Main specializes in menswear made from high-performance materials that combines function and style.
  
• Veena Somareddy, Neurorehabilitation VRFort Worth
  Neuro Rehab VR develops virtual reality software to assist in neurological physical therapy and rehabilitation.
  
• alexander kuntz, OP2 LabFort Worth
  OP2 Labs makes nutritional products aimed at improving performance, recovery, and overall health.
  
• thomas john, Plutus Health Co., Ltd.dallas
  Plutus Health provides end-to-end revenue cycle management solutions for healthcare providers.
  
• Brandon Schwertner, Priority Power Management LLCArlington
  Priority Power Management provides energy management and consulting services that help businesses optimize their energy procurement and usage.
  
• Sanjay Jupudi, Quenteri LLCdallas
  Qentelli is focused on delivering digital transformation solutions through automation, analytics, and AI.
  
• Kendall Koff, Railpros Co., Ltd.Irving
  Railpros provides engineering and field services to the rail and transportation industry.
  
• mickey leech, Schumacher Electric CorporationFort Worth
  Schumacher Electric Corporation designs and manufactures battery chargers and automotive accessories.
  
• Alfonso Montiel, silverstone healthdallas
  SilverStone Health provides innovative healthcare solutions with a focus on senior care.
  
• mike beckham, simple modernMoore, Oklahoma
  Simple Modern creates stylish and functional drinkware and lifestyle products aimed at enriching everyday life.
  
• joshua caret, Sound Production LLCIrving
  Sound Productions specializes in providing professional audio, video and lighting equipment.
  
• Daniel Powell, spark biomedicaldallas
  Spark Biomedical develops wearable medical devices for neurological and pain management treatments.
  
• Ashli ​​Blumenfeld and Ben Rosenthal, standard meat companyFort Worth
  Standard Meat Company provides quality meat and meat processing services.
  
• Jarryd Stein and Ben Weinstein, Stride Healthcare Management LLCdallas
  Stride Healthcare Management provides healthcare facility management services with a focus on efficiency and quality care.
  
• Rob Holmes, Texas capital bankdallas
  Texas Capital Bank provides a wide range of financial services, including commercial banking and wealth management.
  
• Luke Hale, timely careFort Worth
  TimelyCare provides telehealth services designed specifically for college students.
  
• mark caputo, kidney care in the usaPlano
  US Renal Care operates clinics that provide essential dialysis services.
  
• Kartik Kodur, USMLE Galaxy, LLC (doing business as Archer Reviews)dallas
  USMLE Galaxy provides comprehensive online review courses and resources for the medical licensing exam.
  
• jeff jones, VIRA Insight, LLCLouisville
  VIRA Insight designs and manufactures custom retail displays and fixtures.
  
• John Steinmetz, vista bankdallas
  Vista Bank provides banking services focused on supporting the community and local businesses.
  
• Laurie Welch, wood lightdallas
  Woodwright is a company specializing in high-end architectural woodwork and custom flooring solutions.
  

Regional winners on June 15th can compete for national and world honors

Regional award winners will be announced at a special gala on June 15, EY said. Winners are then considered by an independent panel of judges from around the country for the Entrepreneur of the Year national award, which is presented in November at the nation’s most prestigious annual gathering of companies leading high-growth markets. The award will be presented at the next Strategic Growth Forum. .

In addition to Entrepreneur of the Year, EY US supports other entrepreneurs through the EY Entrepreneur Award Winning Women program and the EY Entrepreneurs Access Network, which recognizes female founders and Black and Hispanic/Latinx women, respectively. We help connect American entrepreneurs with the resources, networks, and access they need. maximize their potential.

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young, the Entrepreneur of The Year Awards are sponsored by PNC Bank, Cresa, SAP, and the Ewing Marion Kaufman Foundation. Sponsors for the Southwest program also include platinum sponsors DFIN and Haynes and Boone LLP, gold sponsors BGSF, Marsh and Roach Howard Smith & Barton, and silver sponsors Big Picture Inc., Pierpont Communications, and The Slate.

Started in 1986, Entrepreneur of the Year has honored more than 11,000 visionaries who lead successful and dynamic businesses in the United States. Since then, it has expanded to approximately 80 countries and territories around the world.

The U.S. program is made up of 17 regional programs, and an independent panel of judges selects regional award winners each June. These winners will compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum in November, where national finalists and winners will be announced.

The overall national winner will represent the United States in the World Entrepreneur Of The Year competition.

More finalists and winners

To see last year’s finalists and winners, go here.

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