Every year, a banquet is held to honor the "The Entrepreneur of the Year" award winner and "The Student Entrepreneur of the Year" award winners. This ceremony also gives students a chance to meet successful business owners from across the state.
Entrepreneur of the Year Award Recipients
2022 ā David F. George, CEO & President, Joy Baking Group
2020 ā Nate Neely ā94, CEO & Owner, Pathway Adolescent Center
2019 - Mike Zawoysky ā79, retired CEO for Shoe Sensation Inc.
2018 - Catherine Mott, Founder of BlueTree Capital Group
2017 - John Thigpen ā86, President of ILSCO Corporation
2016 - Carol A. (Yeager) '71 and Barry D. Stamm, M.D. '70, Founders of Stamm Cataract and Laser Surgery
2015 - James M. Parker, Ph.D. '64, President of Strategic Bioscience Corporation
2014 - John Frangakis, Chairman and CEO of Reynolds Services, Inc.
2013 - Joe Roosa '80, President of Roosa Corporation
2012 - Kim Tillotson Fleming, CFA, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Hefren-Tillotson, Inc.
2011 - Joseph A. George, CEO, Joy Cone Company
2010 - Harvey Childs, Founder and Chairman of the Board, Bail USA
2009 - O.D. Anderson Family, Anderson Coach & Travel
2008 - Dale W. Deist, President and Owner, Bucks Fabricating
2007 - Richard D. Huether '74, President and CEO, Independent Can Company
2006 - John M. Hudson, President & Managing Partner, Hudson Companies
2005 - Carl A. Hoffman Jr., D.O. '69, President and Medical Director, PrimeCare Medical
2004 - Frederic C. Haer '65, Founder and Owner, FHC, Inc.
2003 - Gene Kirila II, G.K. Ventures
2002 - William E. Phillips '54, Owner and CEO, Niles Expanded Metals
2001 - Henry E. "Hank" Stickney, Chief Executive Officer, Mandalay Sports Entertainment
2000 - Barry Sabol, Ph.D. '74, President, Strategic Consumer Research, Inc.
1999 - Erik Buell, Chairman, Buell Motorcycle Co.
1998 - Howard J. Weyers '56, President, Weyco, Inc.
1997 - A. Warne Boyce, Chairman, Microbac Laboratories, Inc.
1996 - Dr. William S. Dietrich II, President, Dietrich Industries, Inc.
1995 - James A. Frye, Founder, Italian Oven, Inc.
Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award Recipients
2022 ā Devyn Giovengo ā23, Visions Attire and Gio Made It
2022 ā John Retton ā22, JJās Beautification Service, LLC
2019 - Justin Pearce ā20, Massive Gains Apparel
2018 - Randy Santarelli, RS Outfitters
2017 - Greg Galbo, Automotive Parts and Athletic Shoe Reseller
2016 - Brant E. Dencher, Insurance Agent
2011 - Thomas A. Besser, Besser Machine
2007 - Paul Sargent, Sargent's Textbook Spot
2006 - Sarah L. Brich, Autumn Moon Yoga
2005 - Fall: Adam Guthrie, Buzard Monument Cleaning, Spring: Philip W. Troutman, New View Web Site Design
2003 - Fall: Susan E. Guiler, Tax Service, Spring: Michael A. Boiano, Campus Corner
2002 - Christopher J. Burgess, College Pro Painters