3 local businessmen named EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year
June 30, 2015 | Bobby Burch
Three Kansas City area businesspeople recently snagged one of the most prestigious awards for entrepreneurs.
EY announced Monday the winners of the Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 for the central Midwest, which included three businessmen from the Kansas City metro area. Those receiving the commendation included: Jody Brazil, CEO of FireMon; Matthew Perry, President of GENESYS Systems Integrator; and Bill Zahner, President and CEO of A Zahner Company.
“EY has honored outstanding entrepreneurs for the past 29 years,” Mike Hickenbotham, EY Entrepreneur of the Year Program Director for the Central Midwest, said in a release. “These winners are accomplished leaders who have contributed a tremendous amount to their communities, and we’re proud to recognize their successes.”
Since 1986, the EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards recognizes business leaders in more than 145 cities in 60 countries around the world. Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year national program, which will be announced Nov. 14.
Featured Business

2015 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Last to know, first to go: ‘Out of touch’ ballpark plan leaves Crossroads small biz owners feeling betrayed
Unlike many of her Crossroads neighbors — hoping to draw in crowds of football fans still riding high from Kansas City’s Super Bowl win — Jill Cockson’s business wasn’t open during Wednesday’s Chiefs victory parade. Candidly, jersey-clad sports enthusiasts aren’t really within her typical customer profile, the James Beard-nominated owner of Chartreuse Saloon said, and…
Royals want Crossroads ballpark open by 2028, calling up ‘generational’ impact on newly linked arts district, downtown
A late-to-the-game East Crossroads site is expected to take shape as the new home of the Kansas City Royals if voters approve the extension of a stadium sales tax that would help support the $2 billion downtown ballpark project. Ending months of speculation, majority owner John Sherman and team officials announced on Tuesday the ball…
KC apparel brand commandeers Chiefs’ ‘Nobody Likes Us’ spirit for latest wave of designs
Back in 2016 — when the Chiefs were still rebuilding from a franchise-worst season — Joe Brynds set sail with Commandeer Brand, aiming to carve a niche in the apparel industry by infusing pride and the rebellious spirit of counter-culture. “When I started Commandeer, I wanted to create something that was unique to Kansas City,”…
Why one entrepreneur is Swiftly rolling up the warehouse doors for thirsty Chiefs parade-goers
Wednesday’s Chiefs victory parade will be the city’s third in four years, but for East Crossroads-based Wild Way Coffee, the 2024 rolling downtown-to-midtown event hits different, said Christine Clutton. The brand’s iconic mobile coffee camper — stationed in the Wild Way warehouse at 708 E. 19th St. for the winter — will once again open…
