Entrepreneurs Selected from a Strong Pool of Local Success Stories!
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., October 6, 2010 – The Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) at Cal State San Bernardino announced the finalists for this year’s Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards program. The award recipients will be announced at the Nov. 10 black-tie gala at the Riverside Convention Center.
"This year's group of 21 finalists, chosen from over 150 nominees, is very impressive," said Mike Stull, director of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship. "The Inland Empire region continues see the development of amazing entrepreneurial ventures, and our upcoming awards program recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit that each of the finalists exhibit through the businesses they've created and grown."
The 2010 Inland Empire entrepreneurial finalists include:
Emerging Entrepreneur
- Sara Johnson-Hector – Visiting Angels – Redlands
- Dan McNairy & Jay Rentz – Docu-TRUST – San Bernardino
- Leah Post & Brandon Weimer – Brandini Toffee – Rancho Mirage
Technology Entrepreneur
- Ammar Bazzaz – Bazzaz, Inc. – Chino Hills
- Jong S. Lee – Monoprice, Inc. – Rancho Cucamonga
- Biren Shukla – Forum Info-Tech, Inc. – Corona
Supporter of Entrepreneurship
- Hilda Kennedy - AMPAC Tri State CDC – Grand Terrace
- Mike Napoli – Tech Coast Angels – Palm Springs
- Dennis Sonney – California Manufacturing Technology Consulting – Inland Empire
General Entrepreneur
- Don Ecker – March Healthcare Development, LLC – Riverside
- Angie Lustrick – Angie’s World – Riverside
- Eve Yen – Diamond Wipes International, Inc. – Chino
Social Entrepreneur
- Kara Lubin – 100 Mile Club – Norco
- Ruth Moir – The Steinway Society of Riverside County – Rancho Mirage
- Steve Reneker – SmartRiverside – Riverside
Innovator Entrepreneur
- Pockets Alvarez – Newport Cottages/Summer Tree Interiors, Inc. – Riverside
- Charles Cole III – Five Ten – Redlands
- Bud, Carmen & Ken Weisbart – AR Industries – Fontana
Family Business Entrepreneur
- Cheryl & Hardy Brown and Paulette Brown-Hinds – Black Voice News and BPC MediaWorks – Riverside
- Cecilia Vest – Midpoint Bearing – Ontario
- Bill Wilson – Wilson Creek Winery – Temecula
The 8th Annual Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards program is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010 at the Riverside Convention Center. The gala includes a cocktail reception, dinner, awards and entertainment featuring comedian & magician Matt Marcy. For more information or to make reservations, call (909) 537-3708.