MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., June 11, 2010 - Starkey Laboratories, Inc., one of the world's leading hearing technology companies, today announced that President Jerry Ruzicka is the recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2010 Health Sciences Award in the Upper Midwest Region. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Ruzicka was selected from nearly 50 nominations by a panel of independent judges.
"I am honored to be the recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award," said Ruzicka. "I am proud of Starkey's innovation, growth and development in the hearing aid industry over my 33 years and feel humbled to be recognized."
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program celebrates its 24th anniversary this year. The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 135 cities in 50 countries throughout the world.
Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, Calif., on November 13, 2010. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation's most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America as national sponsors.
In the Upper Midwest Region, sponsors include Faegre & Benson LLP, Manpower, Twin Cities Business magazine and Padilla Speer Beardsley.
About Starkey®
Starkey Laboratories, Inc. is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minn. The company is recognized for its innovative design, development and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Founded in 1967, Starkey employs more than 3,250 people, operates 22 facilities and conducts business in over 100 markets worldwide. For more information, visit StarkeyPro.com, or the Starkey web channel on AudiologyOnline.
About Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards Program
Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the unique 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, Ernst & Young 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 135 cities in 50 countries.
Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited located in the U.S.
