DETROIT, MAY 2, 2025 – Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced the finalists for the prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Michigan and Northwest Ohio Award. Now in its 40th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and making a profound impact on communities. The program honors entrepreneurs whose innovations shape the future and pave the way for a thriving economy and a hopeful tomorrow.

An independent panel of judges selected 35 finalists representing 31 companies for their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and lasting impact in building long-term value.

"This year's finalists are bold entrepreneurs making a lasting impact in their industries and communities," said Joe Lenglet, EY Partner and Entrepreneur Of The Year Michigan and Northwest Ohio Program Co-Director.

"Chosen by an independent panel of judges, these trailblazers show unwavering dedication to their businesses, customers and communities. We’re thrilled to celebrate their success," said Laura Trosper, EY Partner and Entrepreneur Of The Year Michigan and Northwest Ohio Program Co-Director.

Entrepreneur Of The Year honors many different types of business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company; transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory; and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.

The 2025 Michigan and Northwest Ohio finalists are:

• Scott Irwin | Aktion Associates | Maumee, Ohio
• Sunil Palakodati | Artivo Surfaces | Livonia, Michigan
• Jen Julien and Jon Julien | Braveworks, Inc. | Houghton, Michigan
• Mathew Vachaparampil | Caresoft Global Technologies, Inc. | Livonia, Michigan
• Sydney Williams, PhD | Designetics | Holland, Ohio
• Patrick Hines | Functional Fluidics | Detroit, Michigan
• Brian McKinney | Gayanga Co. | Detroit, Michigan
• Pat Gillespie | Gillespie Group | Lansing, Michigan
• Charlie Schaefer | Greyson Clothiers | Detroit, Michigan
• Nathan Baar | HealthBar LLC | Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Linzie Venegas and Jesse Venegas | Ideal Group | Detroit, Michigan
• Brett Logan | Immaculate Flight, LLC | Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Kevin Heras | InvestNext | Detroit, Michigan
• Catherine Matthews and Terry Matthews, DO | Lansing Urgent Care, PLC | Haslett, Michigan
• Avinash Rachmale, PE | LGC Global Inc. | Detroit, Michigan
• Dave Den Herder | Marceco | Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Gino Mersino | Mersino Water Solutions | Auburn Hills, Michigan
• Doug Callahan | MMI-es | Saline, Michigan
• Ryan Niles | Niles Industrial Coatings | Fenton, Michigan
• Todd Stamper | Priority Waste | Clinton Township, Michigan
• Zachary Verhulst | Pure Architects | Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Jocelyn Ho | Rare Plant Fairy | Detroit, Michigan
• Ime Ekpenyong, PhD and Vikki Columbus, RPh | ScriptGuideRX, Inc. | Detroit, Michigan
• Patrick Kelly | Signal Advisors | Detroit, Michigan
• Jim Schaefer | Storage Control Systems, Inc. | Sparta, Michigan
• Mark Tapper | Tapper's Fine Jewelry, Inc. | West Bloomfield, Michigan
• Anthony Ahee | Together Women's Health | Grosse Pointe, Michigan
• Stephen Ezell | Truly Free, Inc. | Williamsburg, Michigan
• Katie Balash | Vaughan Industries, Inc. | Detroit, Michigan
• Eric Hardy | W3R Consulting | Birmingham, Michigan
• Tifiany Walker | Walker Healthforce, LLC | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Learn more about the finalists at ey.com/us/eoymnwo.

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