Nine Tampa Bay area companies are among the finalists for Ernst & Young's 2004 Florida Entrepreneur of the Year award.
The winners will be named in eight categories at a ceremony June 24 in Orlando. H. Wayne Huizenga, former head of Blockbuster Entertainment, founder of AutoNation and owner of the Miami Dolphins, will receive a lifetime achievement award as well.
Local business owners who are vying for honors include Richard Frueh, chief executive of GunAllen Financial in Tampa, and Michael Thiel, chief executive of IC Intracom, a manufacturer and marketer of computer components and accessories in Oldsmar.
Also among the finalists are Tampa businessmen Ricardo Salas, chief executive of iLiant Corp., and Paul Demirdjian, chief executive of Jagged Peak. From Sarasota County are executives with Vanguard Advanced Pharmacy Systems, Michael Saunders & Co. and First Watch Restaurants. From Seffner are Don Wallace, founder of LazyDays RV Center and Jeffrey Seaman, chief executive of Rooms to Go.
Tampa Bay area companies that win in the Florida competition will be compete for Ernst & Young's national title.
The Big Kahuna, also known as Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, will be awarded in November in Palm Springs, Calif.
