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
MO-built app enhances AMBER Alert system, rallying users to search for missing children
People care about saving missing and exploited children, said Josh Schisler — but the current alert system is outdated, leaving members of the public without a clear understanding of how they should respond to alerts. “I think there is no shortage of people who would be happy to take a few minutes from their day…
RNAi-tech startup takes lead from psychotropics, medical cannabis veteran with new CEO pick
ST. LOUIS — Steve Meyer sees opportunity in RNAissance Ag — an offshoot Kansas City-grown TechAccel — especially its portfolio of safe biopesticides and novel RNAi manufacturing technology. “I believe the full potential of RNAi-based solutions in agriculture is yet to be seen,” said Meyer, the company’s new CEO. “This innovative technology not only has…
KC firm invests $56M in LGTB+ owned 10KC to reimagine a more inclusive workplace (that employees won’t want to leave)
A funding infusion from a leading Kansas City venture capital firm comes at a critical time as employees struggle to connect in a hybrid work world, said Ten Thousand Coffees (10KC), announcing its first institutional raise since the company’s 2014 formation in Toronto. Originally bootstrapped, 10KC will use the $56 million investment from Five Elms…
Boulevard, Vine Street hop to ‘inspire our city’ with a brew in honor of KC baseball icon Buck O’Neil
A new ale crafted in collaboration between one of Kansas City’s biggest brands and the city’s first Black-owned brewery is expected to commemorate “a true American treasure,” said Kemet Coleman — as well as send 100 percent of its proceeds to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. The Buck O’Neil Barrel-Aged Saison honors the late first…
