Executives at 13 Orange County companies are among the 18 company finalists for the regional Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 
competition, the financial services company says.
In addition, Kenneth, Daniel and Henry Walker of Farmers & Merchants Bank will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement award at the awards banquet June 11 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine.
The awards are given to entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.
The finalists are:
- Paul Viviano, chairman and CEO, Alliance HealthCare Services, Newport Beach
- Ari Benowitz, CEO, and Michael Flatin, COO, BandCon, Costa Mesa
- Robert Funari, chairman and CEO, Crescent Healthcare, Inc., Anaheim
- Jonathan Ord, CEO, DealerSocket, Inc., San Clemente
- Puneet Nanda, president, Dr. Fresh, Inc., Buena Park
- Jared Pobre, CEO, Future Ads LLC, Irvine
- Kris Thordarson, president, K2 General Contractors, Inc., Irvine
- David Suder, president and CEO, KHS&S Contractors, Inc., Anaheim
- Doug Antone, president and CEO, Networks in Motion, Inc., Aliso Viejo
- William Tauber, CEO, Progressive Lighting & Energy Solutions, Inc., Tustin
- Sheldon Razin, chairman, Quality Systems, Inc., Irvine
- Susan Johnson, CEO, Susan’s Healthy Gourmet, Irvine
- Brian Cescolini, chairman and CEO, and Stephen Jones, COO, Universal Services of America, Santa Ana
- James Tuton, president and CEO, American Traffic Solutions, Scottsdale, AZ
- Deborah Weidenhamer, CEO, Auction Systems Auctioneers & Appraisers, Inc., Phoenix, AZ
- Kerstin Block, president, Buffalo Exchange, Tucson, AZ
- Todd Davis, CEO, LifeLock, Tempe, AZ
- Crystal Slawson, president, Phoenix Pipelines, Inc., Phoenix
“Entrepreneurs contribute so much to our economy and the fabric of this nation,” said Kurt Binder, director of the Entrepreneur of the Year program for Orange County and the Desert Cities. “These finalists help our region create jobs, while encouraging community growth, development and innovation. We are pleased to honor them.”
Regional award recipients will be eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of national awards. The program, now in its 23rd year, recognizes business leaders in more than 135 cities in 50 countries throughout the world.
Other entrepreneur stories….
- O.C. firms, entrepreneurs capture technology awards
- O.C. company launches new breast cancer test
- O.C. companies buy other businesses
- O.C. firm wins patent for cheaper lighted signs
- O.C. serial entrepreneur wins business owner of the year
- Why does this local gum cost $14.99?
- O.C. ‘extreme workplace’ stars on TV show
- Britney Spears’ tour uses O.C. firm’s security badges
- O.C. college student creates job-rating Web site
- 20 ‘Great Workplaces’ worldwide: O.C. has one
- O.C. company a finalist for $25,000 prize
- Carpet recycling wins Chapman business plan competition
- O.C. handbag designer vies for national prize
- Well-known local entrepreneur celebrates 40 years in family business
- O.C. designer eyewear sold
- Tori Spelling chooses glam hospital gown by O.C. firm
- O.C. entrepreneurs tackle high cost of textbooks
