Jump for – Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

(Community Matters) Last night was the 23rd annual Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Gala. Embarrassed I didn’t even run into my dear friends Amy Warmke & Gina Budd who organize the event.

Each year successful, innovative and disruptive entrepreneurs are nominated for the prestigious recognition. This year, three business entrepreneurs and one social entrepreneur were selected for the award. After being vetted by E&Y’s assurance staff, nominees are further scrutinized, discussed and debated to determine finalists. The winners were: Brett Hurt (founder & CEO, BazaarVoice), Craig Malloy (CEO & Founder, Life Size Communications), Douglas Harrison (CEO & Founder, the Scotter Store) and Melvin White (CEO & Founder, Digital Workforce).

tons and tons of friends at the event, including these in photos

John Peck (Affiniscape), Roberto Fiebig & Corey Blahuta (vcfo)

Corey a long time friend and huge Entrepreneurs Foundation supporter. Virtual CFO a favorite company. John Peck – just getting to know, Affiniscape an interesting company. Coincidently just met with John this week.

Jeff Browning & Penny Wilson

Jeff the Austin Ventures Recruiting Partner and Penny an executive at 360Training – close friends who I don’t see often enough.

Carla & Jack McDonald

Everyone knows these two, both dear friends – Jack a previous EOY winner, Perficient CEO & COB, an EOY judge and soon to be US Congressman (10th District). This week, saw the tipping point in his race – Republicans, in significant numbers, are crossing over with support. His appeal transcends parties – raw intellect, passion for the fundamentals & a track record. Carla is his secret weapon, a success public relations exec, mom and community volunteer.

Worth & Laura Kilcrease

I’m not sure how much credit Laura gets for Austin as we know it today. When Dr. George Kozmetsky recruited her to launch IC2, we weren’t yet a tech hub. Laura played a big role in our evolution. Worth is a counselor and pastor at Hospice – at least he was last we spent time together; it’s been a while. We need to catch up.

Janet Harmon, Kent Mayes & Tim Klitch

These guys all nearly family – especially Kenny & Janet. Kent an oldest and dearest friend, father of my god daughter and a serial entrepreneur himself. He launched and sold the Timberline Fitness studios in Austin and Houston. He’s now relaunched a new personal training business. Janet (very recently engaged to Kent) the founder and president of the KDK Harman Foundation which is about as studious and sophisticated a family foundation as I know. I’m proud to serve as VP on the foundation’s board.

Tim Klitch, president of Comerica, someone I’ve known since the early 80s. He likes to tell people made up stories of me being some sort of tight ass when I was his supervisor at Texas Commerce Bank – all made up. I’ve always been laid back and happy.

Stacey Higginbotham & Sam Goodner

Stacey formerly a favorite reporter at the ABJ. Sam, a past award winner, CEO & Founder of Catapult Systems. Funny, last night I finally realized Sam had no idea Steven Tomlinson is my husband. Over the years, I’ve always greeted Sam rather fondly and overly familiar – not because we know each other so well but because I know he and Steven are friends. Now I understand his, sometimes puzzled, looks. 🙂 -not to mention I think I’ve confused him for Scott Eckert once or twice.

Roy & Suzi Sosa and Jimmy Treybig

Roy & Suzi proud new parents (6ish weeks), super friends and business/social entrepreneurs. Jimmy, one of the deans in Austin and recently an especially favored guest at the Acton School of Business.

Bob Smith & Gerry Bula

Bob & Gerry manage Bridgepoint Consulting and have been my colleagues for – hmm, 15 and 20 years. Hey . . . where was Tracy last night? I saw her across the hall at some point.

Steve Jacobs, Regina Rogoff, Jack McDonald, Jenny Murphy & Amanda Chiampi

Steve the social entrepreneur winner two years ago (CEO, Capital IDEA). Regina the very capable CEO for People’s Community Clinic (I’ve never told her that in the early 90s she scared the bejesus out of me!).

Jenny is the Director of Communications for Sante Ventures, a firm founded by one of the smartest men in the world, Kevin Lalande, who I never get enough face time with. Amanda – my business partner in the sense that Steven is my life partner. Amanda helps realize all the good stuff at the Entrepreneurs Foundation; she’s our director of programs.

Chad Bockius, Greg Brown & Bret Hurt

Chad the VP product marketing, Greg VP of US Sales and Brett founder & CEO (and winner last night) for BazaarVoice. Brett’s one of the major peer leaders in Austin’s younger entrepreneurial world. They’ve built a tremendous company with even more, real potential. Chad’s on the Bee Caves city council and Greg the lucky husband of Travis County Healthcare District’s CEO, Trish Young Brown.

Andy White & Susan McDowell

Not to start any rumors, Karen was there last night, I just didn’t see her off to the side when I snapped this picture. Andy is CEO for the Silverton Foundation which sponsors the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award and grants $100,000 to the nonprofit of each year’s winner. Susan a long time friend and Exec Director of Lifeworks – also a past Social Entrepreneurs of the Year winner.

w/ Austin Ventures’ Kim Hughes

Kim one of my dearest friends. We laugh all the time and collaborate a lot. We need to travel together more – even if just to Penny & Jeff’s for the weekend 🙂

Kathy Warbelow & Lori Hawkins

Kathy the Austin American Statesman’s Business Editor and Lori everyone’s favorite business reporter – both important contributors to these communities in ways I’m not sure everyone always realizes.

Diana Holford & Amanda

Diana, the former president of the Staubach Company, now a vice president at Jones Lang LaSalle. We’ve become quite friendly and have a surprise cooked up for Tuesday.

Walter Moreau (lft) & a friend

Walter a favorite social entrepreneur. He’s the President & CEO of Foundation Communities – the most important affordable housing nonprofit in Central Texas. They are holistic,providing a robust continuum of services allowing families to climb the economic ladder to independence.

Kurt Wilkin & Cindy Matula

Kurt I just met last night and looking forward to our follow up conversation on the intersection of his business and social entrepreneurship. Cindy an old friend, EF supporter and president of JP Morgan Chase.

Alan Graham

Alan’s the founder & CEO for Mobile Loaves and Fishes. I didn’t see him after the awards for which he’s now been a finalist four times. I hope he understands that – I believe – part of the criteria for the social entrepreneur award is self-sufficiency of the nonprofit. This isn’t realistic given MLF’s mission and the operations that exists today (may be given new plans). That he continues to be recognized as a finalist despite their near complete reliance on donations is a testament to the respect and admiration for his work.

Mike Turner

Mike’s a former EF board member, an important supporter, one of the founders of Waveset and a former EOY award winner. I miss having him involved in our organization and hope we collaborate on another project.

Baker Bott’s Jordan Herman (2nd from left)

I’m totally flaking on the other guys names which is pretty bad since I know them. yikes. Jordan a long time friend and a member of EF’s legal council.

E&Y’s Ryan Dennison, a friend and Debra & Brett Hurt

Every year, an after party. Much fun & what happens there stays there:

Matt & Julianne Lyons

Matt one of the powerhouse, Austin tech attorneys and a very important friend to EF. Amanda and I call on him too much; he never refuses. Also, a good political debating partner 🙂

Lori, Carmello Gordian & Kim

hmm, the combination of these three a bit frightening, an extreme amount of fun and they can move mountains. Good gosh, add Sherry and the team would be invincible.