Finalists for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards Announced in Central Midwest Region; Winners to Be Announced at the Awards Banquet on June 23.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP announced today the finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) Awards 2005 in the Central Midwest region. The 21 finalists were selected by a panel of independent judges comprised of area leaders from business, academic and civic organizations. Winners will be announced at an awards banquet on June 23 at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City.

The Central Midwest finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year are:

--Daniel Miller, President and Michael Varady, CEO and Director, AeroComm, Inc.

--James Stowers, Jr., Founder, American Century Investments 

--Dennis Nelson, President and CEO, The Buckle, Inc.

--Carlos Ledezma, Chief Executive Officer, Cable-Dahmer Chevrolet, Inc.

--Frank Russell, Co-Founder and CEO, GeoLearning, Inc.

--Mike Shojaat, President, Global Aviation Resources, Inc.

--Jack Herschend, Chairman Emeritus and Peter Herschend, Chairman of the Board and Secretary, Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation 

--Barth Holohan III, President, Home Helpers

--James Mudd, Sr., Chairman of the Board and James Mudd, Jr., President, Jim Mudd Advertising Agency, Inc.

--J. Brett Gordon, President and Patrick McCown, Chief Executive Officer, McCownGordon Construction, LLC 

--A. Joseph Brandmeyer, Chairman and CEO, Medi-Flex, Inc.

--James Saitz, President, Chairman and CEO, Missouri State Bank

--Adam Bold, Founder and CIO, The Mutual Fund Store

--Richard Jarman, Chief Executive Officer, Sceptor Industries, Inc.

--Mark Mahoney, President and Norman Mahoney, Chief Executive Officer, Sioux City Brick

--Sean Hart, President-Late Stage Division, United BioSource Corporation

Central Midwest winners will be eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2005 national program. Winners 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, California, in November 2005.

For reservations for the awards banquet on June 23, contact Marilee Albers of Ernst & Young at 314-290-1970 or [e-mail]. Tickets are $125 per person. For more information about the awards program, visit www.ey.com/us/eoy.

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, 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.

About the Sponsors

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation works with partners to encourage entrepreneurship across America and improve the education of children and youth. The Kauffman Foundation was established in the mid-1960s by the late entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman. More information about the Kauffman Foundation is available at www.kauffman.org.

Lockton Companies is one of the largest, most respected and experienced insurance brokerage firms in the country, providing insurance, surety and risk management services. Through their superior level of customer service, Lockton Companies offers their clients technologically advanced resources and global capabilities while working to anticipate their needs and offer proactive recommendations.

The St. Louis Business Journal and The Business Journal serving Metropolitan Kansas City are the leading sources of local business news in their respective communities. Through their traditional print editions and rapidly growing online audiences through www.bizjournals.com, the newspapers provide thorough news coverage and timely features about, and of interest to, local companies and executives. Special programs and publications produced by the newspapers also provide valuable recognition to outstanding companies, entrepreneurs, and business achievements.

The Des Moines Business Record is central Iowa's only business newspaper, read by more than 42,500 decision-makers monthly. Independently owned since 1983, the award winning weekly Business Record keeps Des Moines area business leaders informed by emphasizing local news, companies, and issues.

Note to Editors: Media are invited to attend the awards banquet for interview and photo opportunities. Please call Wendy Fox at 612-371-6703 as soon as possible to request a complimentary reservation. Press credentials must be presented.