Charlotte Business Leader Awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year for the Carolinas.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP announced today the award recipients of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) Awards 2005 in the Carolinas. All of the award recipients were selected by a panel of independent judges comprised of area leaders from business, academic and civic organizations. Charles Raymond, CEO of Charlotte-based Horizon Lines, was named the Manufacturing and Distribution Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year.

Other Carolinas' award recipients of Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year are:

--Realizing Business Potential: Jeff Grady, Digital Lifestyle Outfitters, Charleston, SC

--Technology: Ryan Wuerch, Motricity, Inc., Durham, NC

--Financial Services: Dennis Dougherty, Intersouth Partners, Durham, NC

--Health Services: Donald Holzworth, Constella Group, Inc., Durham, NC

--Real Estate & Construction: Vivian Wong, Pacific Gateway Capital Group LLC, Greenville, SC

--Life Sciences: Dr. Paul Sohmer, TriPath Imaging, Inc., Durham, NC

--Retail & Consumer Products: Mike Cianciarulo and Roger Derrough, Earth Fare, Inc., Asheville, NC

--Services: Dr. Victoria Haynes, RTI International, RTP, NC

--Lifetime Achievement: Dr. James Goodnight, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC

"The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners embrace the entrepreneurial spirit and determination necessary to achieve success," said Kent Geer, Partner and Program Host for the Carolinas. "Ernst & Young is proud of its history recognizing and supporting these outstanding leaders and their companies."

The Carolinas' award recipients will be eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2005 national program. The award recipients in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, Calif., in November 2005. The overall national Entrepreneur Of The Year Award recipient is then considered for the world event held in Monte Carlo.

About The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) Program

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program was created and is produced by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP. As the first award of its kind, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. The program honors entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in over 100 cities and 35 countries.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young, a global leader in professional services, is committed to restoring the public's trust in professional services firms and in the quality of financial reporting. Its 100,000 people in 140 countries pursue the highest levels of integrity, quality, and professionalism in providing a range of sophisticated services centered on our core competencies of auditing, accounting, tax, and transactions. Further information about Ernst & Young and its approach to a variety of business issues can be found at www.ey.com/perspectives. Ernst & Young refers to all the members of the global Ernst & Young organization.