25 entrepreneurs selected as finalists from a pool of more than 150 nominees!
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., September 27, 2012 – The Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) at Cal State San Bernardino announced the finalists for this year’s Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards program. The award recipients will be announced at the Nov. 7 black-tie gala at the Ontario Convention Center.
"The comments I received from the judges were clear," said Mike Stull, director of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship. "We have another outstanding group of entrepreneurs that represent some of the best companies in their field. It seems that every year we uncover more companies that are doing incredible things here in the Inland Empire and beyond."
The 2012 Inland Empire entrepreneurial finalists include:
Consulting Entrepreneur
Darlene Merkler - Merkler's Consulting Services - Redlands
Concepcion Powell - USHWGA-Hispanic Women Grocers Association - San Bernardino
Kathy Walsh - Business Waste Management LLC - Wrightwood
Emerging Entrepreneur
Robin Allen - Necessary Nutrition, Inc. - Riverside
Lou & Nicole Desmond - Desmond & Louis Public Relations - Yucaipa
Laveda Moore - Angels for Autism - Twentynine Palms
Family Business
Isaac & Lucy Gallardo - Inland Empire Autobody & Paint, Inc. - Riverside
John & Kim Kelliher - Grapeline Wine Country Shuttle - Temecula
Peter & Cindy Stamatis - Inland Valley R.V. - Rancho Cucamonga
General Entrepreneur
Dave and Catherine DeHart - DeHart Construction Services, Inc. - Redlands
Grey Frandsen - HG Ventures, Inc./Magnolia Pool & Spa Supply - Riverside
Tim Veliquette - Diesel Injection Service - San Bernardino
Manufacturing Entrepreneur
Chris Ma - Vantage LED - Corona
Harry Nelson Jr. - Dansereau Health Products, Inc. - Corona
Adel Sayegh - Universal Surveillance Systems, LLC - Rancho Cucamonga
Service-Based Entrepreneur
Richard Balzer - IntelesysOne, Inc. - Ontario
Lisa Goodman - The Bra Lady - Upland
Connie Threlkel - Goodfaith Medical Transportation Co., Inc. - San Bernardino
Small Enterprise
Troy McSwain II - McSwain Enterprises - Rancho Cucamonga
Terry Oelrich - Reverse Control, Inc. - Highland
Denise Wilson - Desert Jet - Thermal
Social Entrepreneur
Josiah Bruny - Music Changing Lives - Moreno Valley
Kim Carter - Time for Change Foundation - San Bernardino
Bill Clarke - Technical Employment Training, Inc. - San Bernardino
Gina Elise - Pin-Ups For Vets - Redlands
The 10th Annual Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards program is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012 at the Ontario Convention Center. The gala includes a cocktail reception, dinner, entertainment and awards. For more information or to make reservations, call (909) 537-3708.
