Members of the 2013 Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute winning team were recognized on Monday, September 9 at The Center for Rural Development as part of the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards (EIEA) Luncheon.
The regional awards program honors business owners and entrepreneurs for their economic success, community contributions, and operational achievements in a business or non-profit organization.
Each member of the ELI team—comprised of Blake Blevins, Harlan County; Laken Fitch, Lawrence County; Autumn Hall, Floyd County; Aubrey Kelley, Pulaski County; and Lyndsey Pennington of McCreary County—received an offer of a Presidential Scholarship from Eastern Kentucky University.
The EIEA program—honoring excellence since 2001—is sponsored by Eastern Kentucky University’s College of Business and Technology, Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation, Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (SKED), and The Center for Rural Development.
The 2013 award winners and finalists in their respective business categories are:
For-Profit Business:
Shane Baker and Patrick Heist, Owners, Ferm Solutions, Inc., Danville, Ky.
Finalists: Anthony and Julie Roberts, Owners, Servpro of Pulaski and Laurel Counties, London, Ky.; and Bryan Floyd, CEO, Chieftain Steel, Liberty, Ky.
Start-Up Business:
Scott L. Shinn, Sustainment Solutions Inc., Lancaster, Ky.
Finalists: Gus and Kristin LaFontaine, Jeff and Abby McIntier, LaFontaine Preparatory School, Richmond, Ky.; and Kristi Bertrand and Trisha Mullins, Owners/Founders, Medical Career & Technical College.
Not-for-Profit Entity:
Paul D. Dole, President/CEO, KCEOC Community Action Partnership, Inc., Barbourville, Ky.
Finalists: Jackson County Regional Food Center 3AJC, Inc., Tyner, Ky.; and Tom Manning-Beavin, President, Southern Tier Housing Corporation, London, Ky.
Young Entrepreneur:
Todd Duff, Owner, LowGap Outfitters and Jak’d Up Outdoors, Hindman, Ky.
Finalists: Adam C. Luttrell, Bear Country Cupcakes, Harlan, Ky.; and Monica & Erica Withers, MEW Productions, Monticello, Ky.