Atlantic region's legacy-building entrepreneurs advance to finalist stage of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ program

HALIFAX, July 9, 2015 /CNW/ - Accelerating growth, driving innovation and building a strong legacy are what Canadian entrepreneurs do, every day. This year, EY is celebrating the achievements of 28 entrepreneurial stars in the Atlantic region through the prestigious EY Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program.  

These inspiring category finalists were chosen by an independent panel of judges. One of these category winners will be named the overall Atlantic winner, who will compete with winners from four other regions – Pacific, Prairies, Quebec and Ontario – to become Canada's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year. The Canadian winner will go on to compete globally with more than 50 countries for the title of EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year in June 2016.

"We're so proud to present this year's group of finalists," says Ian Cavanagh, EY's Atlantic Entrepreneur Of The Year program director. "They push the boundaries, grow the Canadian economy and always give back to their communities. That's a lot to celebrate."

The Canadian Entrepreneur Of The Year program is in its 22^nd year of recognizing, celebrating and telling the inspiring stories of the country's most impressive entrepreneurs from all areas of business and at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey. Award finalists are chosen based on their vision, leadership, innovation, financial success, personal integrity, and work in giving back to their communities.

The Atlantic winners will be announced at a gala on 8 October 2015.

More information
Follow @EYCanada, #EOY and #EOYAtlantic on Twitter for the latest event updates
Visit ey.com/ca/eoy for more program details and a complete list of category finalists and gala dates in the regions. 

The 2015 Atlantic EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalists

Business-to-Business Products and Services

Bahram Mirzaagha
Autochoice Parts & Paints Limited | Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
http://www.autochoice.ca
A leading distributor of automotive aftermarket parts and paints for both domestic and foreign vehicles.

Mike Wahl
Definitions Health and Wellness Inc. | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
www.definitionsonline.com
Delivers health and wellness solutions through innovative and scientifically based methodologies that provide measurable and meaningful results.

Peter Toombs
Diversified Metal Engineering Ltd. | Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
www.dmeinternational.com
Operating from Prince Edward Island, DME has become recognized as one of the premier suppliers of quality microbrewery systems.

Business-to-Consumer Products and Services

Laurie Jennings
Masstown Market Limited | Debert, Nova Scotia
www.masstownmarket.com
A combination of retail, food and beverage, and tourism – grocery, restaurant, bakery, liquor, produce, seafood, nursery products, gas station and event venue.

Brian Vallis
Piatto Pizzeria + Enoteca | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
www.piattopizzeria.com
A restaurant with five locations in Atlantic Canada, serving authentic Neapolitan pizza and fine wine.

Judith Mackin
PUNCH INSIDE / TUCK STUDIO | Saint John, New Brunswick
www.judithmackin.ca
Three businesses under one umbrella -- PUNCH Productions (Marketing, PR, Events), PUNCH INSIDE (residential & commercial Interiors), and TUCK STUDIO (design & decor studio).

Roger King
Supplement King Canada | Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
www.supplementking.ca
A national franchise of sport nutrition supplement retail stores with 17 locations in 6 provinces.

Emerging Entrepreneur

Alex MacLean
East Coast Lifestyle | Halifax, Nova Scotia
www.EastCoastLifestyle.com
A clothing line created as a university class project. An initiative to sell 30 hoodies has now turned into 500,000 units sold in 55 countries around the world.

Melanie Caines
Nova Yoga | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
www.novayogaonline.com
Offers various levels and styles of yoga classes, as well as a retail section, DVD/online classes, and international yoga retreats and vacations.

Pablo Asiron
RtTech Software | Moncton, New Brunswick
www.rttechsoftware.com
One of the few software companies that develops apps for operational intelligence in industrial facilities, helping manufacturing companies improve their asset availability and utilization.

Information technology

Yves Doucet
Dovico Software Inc | Moncton, New Brunswick
www.dovico.com
Provides proven time and cost saving solutions that have been embraced by thousands of the world's best known companies.

Tristan Rutter
Populus Global Solutions Inc | Fredericton, New Brunswick
www.populusgs.com
A developer that deploys health information systems and health reform projects. It's recognized by many of the world's thought leaders in health system strengthening as best-in-class.

Jamie King, Raymond Pretty and Brendan Brothers
Verafin | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
www.verafin.com
An industry leader in cloud-based fraud detection and anti-money laundering (FRAML) software with a customer base of over 1,200 financial institutions across North America.

Media and Entertainment

Michael Donovan
DHX Media Ltd. | Halifax, Nova Scotia
www.dhxmedia.com
A global film and television company specializing in the production, distribution, broadcast and licensing of children's and family entertainment content.

George Donovan
Gogii Games Corp | Moncton, New Brunswick
www.gogiigames.com
Develops, publishes, and supports video games for the premium casual and free-to-play markets on mobile devices.

Frances Leary
Wired Flare Inc. | Halifax, Nova Scotia
http://wiredflare.com/
Uses online communication to tell stories that ignite meaningful conversations and generate a big impact. It's the first social media company in Canada to become a certified B Corporation.

Professional/financial services

Aubrey Palmeter
EastPoint Engineering | Halifax, Nova Scotia
www.eastpoint.ca
A civil engineering design and consulting firm with over 25 years of collective experience and an intimate knowledge of today's land development standards, environmental regulations and municipal statutes.

Jonathan Lewis
Eastport Financial Group Inc. | Halifax, Nova Scotia
www.eastportfinancial.com
Leaders in the financial planning field with a unique service standard in wealth management, tax and estate planning and insurance actuarial services.

John Budreski
Morien Resources Corp | Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
www.morienres.com
Recapitalized resource development company that adds shareholder value by negotiating with global companies and converting working interests to royalty interests.

Real estate/construction

Gordon Lahanky
Atlantic Commercial Properties Inc. | Moncton, New Brunswick
www.acpleasing.com
A Moncton-based, family-owned business with over 30 years of experience in successful commercial real estate development and property management.

Angus MacCormack
J Angus MacCormack Enterprises | Summerside, Prince Edward Island
A family-owned and operated business with over 45 years of success in the residential real estate development and property management sectors.

Kevin King
KMK Capital Group of Companies | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
www.kmkcapital.ca.
Offers residential and commercial development, property management and leasing; real estate investment and brokerage; and project management, construction, and engineering consulting services in Canada and the U.S.

Technology and Communications

Kent MacPhee
Advantage Communications Inc. | Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
www.advantagecall.com
An outsourced call centre company providing tech support, help desk and customer care for high-growth and Fortune 1000 companies in the telecommunications and banking sectors.

Shawn Kersey
DWS Data Wiring Solutions | Halifax, Nova Scotia
www.datawiringsolutions.com
Provides communication products and services to residential and commercial markets, including Fibre-Op installations, structured cabling services and outside plant services.

Chad Collett and Adam Rowe
SubC Control Ltd. | Clarenville, Newfoundland and Labrador
www.subcimaging.com
An ocean technology company that is focused on providing underwater imaging systems for harsh environments.

About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the 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, EY 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 140 cities in 50 countries.

The 2015 Atlantic independent  judging panel consists of Ben Cowan-Dewar, Managing Director, Cabot Links Venture Inc. and Entrepreneur Of The Year Hospitality and Tourism category winner 2014, Atlantic; Robert Crosbie, Chairman, Crosbie Group Ltd. category winner and Entrepreneur Of The Year Overall winner 2014 Atlantic; Philip Fraser, President & CEO, Killam Properties Inc.; Iris Petten, President, Petten Holdings Inc. and Robert Youden, Partner, Savarin Consulting Limited.  

This year's national program sponsors are National Post, TEC Canada, La Presse, RDI, TMX, Merrill DataSite, Kira Talent, Air Canada, The Printing House Limited. Atlantic regional sponsors are Progress Media, Royal Bank of Canada and McInnes Cooper.

About EY's Strategic Growth Markets Network
EY's worldwide Strategic Growth Markets Network is dedicated to serving the changing needs of high-growth companies. For more than 30 years, we've helped many of the world's most dynamic and ambitious companies grow into market leaders. Whether working with international mid-cap companies or early-stage venture-backed businesses, our professionals draw upon their extensive experience, insight and global resources to help your business succeed.

About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. For more than 150 years in Canada, we've delivered the insights and quality services that help build trust and confidence in capital markets here and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

For more information about the program, FAQs and key dates, please visit ey.com/ca/EOY.
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SOURCE EY (Ernst & Young)

about this press release, gala information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Erika Bennett, [email protected], 403 206 5157; Julie Fournier, [email protected], 514 874 4308; Sasha Anopina, [email protected], 416 943 2637