Ernst & Young honours Prairies finalists for Entrepreneur Of The Year 2012

Awards shine the spotlight on Canadian entrepreneurs' ability to create sustainable growth - and jobs

TORONTO, July 5, 2012 /CNW/ - Ernst & Young is proud to announce the finalists in this year's Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year^® Awards and once again shine the spotlight on game-changing entrepreneurs who continue to drive sustainable growth and job creation across the country.

"We're excited to honour this year's group of finalists who have shown the remarkable ability to build businesses from the ground up," says Rob Jolley, Prairies Director of Entrepreneur Of The Year. "It's business leaders like these who continue to be a driving force behind the Canadian economy and job creation."

According to the recent Ernst & Young report, Global job hot spots: help wanted, entrepreneurs expanded jobs in Canada - and globally - by 16% in 2011 and still show signs of growth.

"Each year we have the pleasure of celebrating a group of entrepreneurs who not only contribute to Canadian business but to their communities across the country as well," says Jolley. "Statistics reveal that the majority of these business leaders actively support community services, and 25% have created or funded an educational program."

These results combined are proof points that show how important it is for all stakeholders to support entrepreneurship in Canada and abroad.

"Our Entrepreneur Of The Year program is one way we're drawing attention to the amazing contributions these men and women are making - but there's always more work to be done," says Jolley. "Each and every one of us has to step up to the plate and support local talent if we're to create a truly thriving entrepreneurial culture."

Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates the contribution and spirit of entrepreneurs everywhere. The Canadian program is in its 19th year of honouring the country's most impressive entrepreneurs from all areas of business. Award finalists are chosen based on their vision, leadership, financial success and social responsibility.

The Prairies winners will be announced at a banquet on October 11, and the overall winner will represent the region at the national gala held in Toronto on January 16, 2013.

For more information on Global job hot spots: help wanted, click here.

The 2012 Prairies finalists for Entrepreneur Of The Year:

Business-to-business products and services

Maury Van Vliet, Scott Van Vliet, Todd Van Vliet
Environmental Refuelling Systems Inc.
envirofuel.ca
Provides complete fuel management, including procurement, transportation, onsite delivery and storage, and project administration

Kim Caron
Executive Mat Service Ltd.
executivemat.com
A market leader in the textile rental market providing quality product, superior service and environmental stewardship

Angela Santiago
The Little Potato Company Ltd.
littlepotatoes.com
A leading brand in the creamer potato market sold through major retailers and foodservice companies across North America

Business-to-consumer products and services

Dr. Alan Ulsifer
FYi Doctors
fyidoctors.com
The first and only eye care company to merge full scope optometric practices into a single entity

Dianna Davidson
Magellan Vacations
magellanvacations.com
An online travel agency offering luxury hotel booking services in select North American destinations to global clientele

Ryan Pomeroy
Pomeroy Lodging LP
pomeroyinnandsuites.com
A full-service hospitality company focused on limited-service hotels in secondary and tertiary markets, providing development, construction, management and franchise services

Cleantech

Perry Gerwing
Earthmaster Environmental Strategies Inc.
earthmaster.ab.ca
Provides environmental consulting services and has co-developed a proprietary phytoremediation technology for cost-effective cleanup of contaminated sites

Dan Balaban
Greengate Power Corporation
greengatepower.com
Develops quality wind energy projects across Alberta

Evan Chrapko, Shane Chrapko
Himark bioGas
himarkbiogas.com
Converts waste to energy and provides algae growth and harvest technology

Dan Guenette, Don Guenette
Infratech Corporation
infratech.cc
Manufactures combustion process and incineration-related products and state-of-the-art infrared imaging, and provides consulting services, combustion equipment optimization and maintenance

Emerging entrepreneur

Ken James
Oak Point Energy Ltd.
oakpointenergy.ca
An oilsands exploration and development company delivering value through high-quality resources, game-changing technology and an experienced, highly committed team

Lyle Michaluk, Cliff Wiebe
Poseidon Concepts Corp.
poseidonconcepts.com
Provides safe, innovative fluid-handling solutions to the oil and natural gas sectors across North America

Regan Stevenson
Sunpeak Multiwise
sunpeakfoods.com
Provides top-quality, natural, convenient and enjoyable food products

Energy - privately held

Blaine LaBonte
Cougar Drilling Solutions
cougards.com
Supplies high-performance vertical, directional and horizontal drilling services to the oil, gas and geothermal exploration and development industries

Dean Shaver
CSI Canada Safety Inc.
csicanadasafety.com
Provides experienced rig, completions and construction safety consultants

Lance Torgerson
Noralta Lodge Ltd.
noraltalodge.com
Provides remote workforce accommodation services to the Canadian oilsands industry

Gerry Chalifoux
Petrospec Engineering Ltd.
petrospeceng.com
Provides turn-key reservoir monitoring solutions to unconventional oil and gas companies

Energy - publicly traded

Don Caron
Bri-Chem Corp.
brichem.com
A leading distributor, blender and manufacturer of drilling fluids and steel pipe

Brian Vaasjo
Capital Power Corporation
capitalpower.com
Produces, develops, acquires, operates and optimizes power generation from a variety of energy sources

Jim Rakievich
McCoy Corporation
mccoyglobal.com
A one-stop shop for onshore and offshore oilfield tools and technological solutions

Manufacturing

Henry Friesen
Convey-All Industries Inc.
convey-all.com
Manufactures conveyors and equipment for the grain-handling and oilfield industry

Dean Spence
Dynamic Solutions/DSI Thru-Tubing
dsinc.ca
Specializes in the design, manufacture and operation of coiled tubing downhole tools

Nicholas Donohoe
ICI Artificial Lift Inc.
iciartificiallift.com
Designs, manufactures, installs and services a unique line of oil and gas production equipment

Jason Parks
Profab Corp.
profabcorp.com
A multi-divisional company servicing several aspects of the oil and gas, construction and agriculture industries

Professional and investment services

Terry Stephenson
Blackjack Investments Ltd.
bj-investments.com
A privately held investment company in the energy and resource sector

David Aplin
David Aplin Group
aplin.com
Provides recruitment services across Canada for executive, mid- to senior-level technical, professional and office personnel

David Cronin, Chris Izquierdo
DevFacto Technologies Inc.
devfacto.com
A software consulting company specializing in systems integration and solutions for construction and energy verticals

Real estate and construction

Bert DeBruin, Jeanette DeBruin
AltaPro Electric
altapro.ca
An electrical contracting company providing design and build electrical services for commercial and industrial services

Alex Pagnotta, Mario Pagnotta
Pagnotta Industries Inc.
pagnotta.ca
Provides construction management and concrete contracting

Jeff Jessamine
Sprague Group of Companies
sprague-rosser.com
A full-service contracting company that offers fully licensed and bonded services in civil, commercial and industrial construction work

Wayne Chiu
Trico Homes
tricohomes.com
Provides meaningful product choices for single- and multi-family homes

Technology

Trevor MacFarlane, Glenn Yuen
Dynamic Risk Assessment Systems, Inc.
dynamicrisk.net
Works with pipeline companies to model their pipelines in an effort to identify where problems may occur and their consequences

Marcos Lopez
Solium Capital
solium.com
A leading global provider of web-based stock plan administration technology and services

Tara Kelly
SPLICE Software Inc.
splicesoftware.com
A global leader in provisioning human voice messaging and interactive voice solutions across virtually any industry group that communicates regularly with its customer base

About Entrepreneur of The Year
Entrepreneur Of The Year honours the spirit and contribution of entrepreneurs here and around the world. Nominees are reviewed by an independent judging panel composed of several distinguished business leaders and previous award recipients. The 2012 Prairies judging panel consisted of Mike Duff, President and CEO, Design Group Staffing; Tony Franceschini, retired President and CEO, Stantec Inc.; Linda Hohol, Corporate Director; Curt Vossen, President, Richardson International; Kelley Smith, Vice President, Corporate Development, Viterra; and Stephanie Yong, Director, W. Brett Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence.

For more information on the program, FAQs, and key dates, please visit ey.com/ca/EOY.

Follow us on Twitter @EYCanada: #EOYCanada, #EOYPrairies

This year's national program sponsors are National Post, La Presse and RDI.

About Ernst & Young's Entrepreneurial Services Practice
Ernst & Young LLP's Entrepreneurial Services Practice guides Canadian entrepreneurs by delivering integrated services tailored to their goals and needs at every stage of the business lifecycle. We are the world's leader in advising, guiding and recognizing the entrepreneurs who propel the economy - and community - forward.

For more information, please visit ey.com/ca/Entrepreneurs.

About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 152,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

For more information, please visit ey.com/ca.

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Julie Fournier 
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Jennifer Nascimben
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