Jim Waltrip, CEO of All Web Leads, Named Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist

By Lori Hawkins | Thursday, May 7, 2009, 08:57 AM
Austin American-Statesman

Eight Austin entrepreneurs have made the cut as finalists for this year's Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards:

• T. Craig Benson, Rules-Based Medicine Inc.
• Kerry R. Getter, Balcones Resources Inc.
• Douglas T. Harrison, The Scooter Store
• Brett Hurt, Bazaarvoice
• Gabriel Krajicek, BancVue
• Craig Malloy, LifeSize Communications Inc.
• Jim Waltrip, All Web Leads Inc.
• David Winn, e-MDs

Winners will be announced on May 28 at a gala at the Hilton Austin Downtown. They'll become candidates for the national Entrepreneur of the Year competition, where past winners include Michael Dell and Whole Foods Market chief executive John Mackey.

Ernst & Young started the program 18 years ago and runs competitions across the country. Winners of the national awards go on to an international competition.

Finalists were also named for the 2009 E&Y Social Entrepreneur of the Year:

• Lisa Fielder, College Forward
• Alan Graham, Mobile Loaves & Fishes
• Helen Varty, Front Steps
• Melvin White, Digital Workforce

The award, sponsored by the Silverton Foundation, recognizes achievement in social entrepreneurship in the fields of health, education, social services and economic development. The winner receives an unrestricted $100,000 grant to his or her organization.