KALONA, Iowa- April 28, 2016 – EY recently announced that Bill Evans CEO of Open Gates Business Development Corporation, known as Open Gates Group, is a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2016 Award in the Upper Midwest, which encompasses Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. The awards program, which is celebrating its 30th year, recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.
Evans was selected as a finalist by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a black-tie celebration on June 9, 2016 at the JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America in Bloomington, MN.
“We are excited that’s Bill has been selected as a finalist by EY,” said Mindy Seiffert, Director of Marketing. “Bill encourages all employees to think like entrepreneurs, which is one of our guiding principles, and reminds us all that innovation has been key to our success.”
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries throughout the world. Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year National program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced at the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 19, 2016. The awards are the culminating event of the Strategic Growth Forum™, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.
Founded and produced by EY, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are sponsored nationally by SAP America, Merrill Corporation and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In the Upper Midwest, region sponsors include PadillaCRT, Faegre Baker Daniels, Twin Cities Business, Schulze School of Entrepreneurship, Salo, Lockton and Pohlad Companies.
Open Gates Business Development Corporation, known as Open Gates Group, consists of 9 companies located in the Kalona, Iowa area including Awesome Logistics, Awesome Refrigerated Transit of Iowa, Farmers Creamery- makers of the Kalona SuperNatural™ brand, Frytown Warehouse & Distribution, Hoard’s Bakery, Kalona Creamery, Kalona Farms, Kalona Organics and Provision Ingredients. Learn more at www.opengatesgroup.com.
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About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year®
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.
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