Bevy of area businessmen are EY award finalists
April 27, 2016 | Bobby Burch
Eight Kansas City-area businessmen are now finalists for a national entrepreneurship award.
Ranging from techies to whiskey-makers, the regional finalists of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards recognize those “who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses.” Sponsored in part by the Kansas City-based Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, EY operates its award programs in more than 145 cities across more than 60 countries.
A group of judges selected a total of 22 entrepreneurs in the Central Midwest region, which is comprised of Kansas and Missouri. Winners of the awards will be announced June 16 at Kansas City’s Midland Theatre.
Finalists from the Kansas City-area are:
- Andy Rieger, Kansas City-based J. Rieger & Co.
- Neal Sharma, Overland Park-based DEG
- Case Dorman, Overland Park-based Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue
- Kelly Mann, Lenexa-based Mediware Information Systems
- Chris Long, Mission Woods-based Palmer Square Capital Management
- Nathan Ferman, Grandview-based Perfection Floor Tile
- David Chinnery, Blue Springs-based Adams Dairy Bank
- Bob Bagby, Liberty-based B&B Theatres
Three Kansas City-area businessmen nabbed the award last year: Jody Brazil, Overland Park-based Firemon; Bill Zahner, Kansas City-based A Zahner Company; and Matthew Perry, Kansas City-based GENESYS Systems Integrator.
Featured Business

2016 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
GXPI-led $3.25M deal pushes Kansas City IoT firm Pepper over $15M investment mark
Pepper topped $15 million in investments this week — adding to its ownership structure through a sizeable deal led by GXPI, the investment arm of Evergy. “This strategic investment by Evergy gives us a great partner in the retail electric utility industry where IoT is beginning to play a critical role,” said Scott Ford, CEO…
Nearly $5M remains in Kansas angel tax credits as Aug 31 deadline looms; startups urged to apply
The clock is ticking for Kansas angel tax credits to be awarded to growing startups in 2018, said Rachèll Rowand. “We are looking for innovative businesses in Kansas that are under five years old,” said Rowand, program manager for the Kansas Department of Commerce, which administers the state’s angel tax program. “The biotechnology industry is…
Startland list reflects big wins across KC — but don’t get comfortable, warns founder
Kansas City has traction, said Davyeon Ross, but the city and its support network must keep the ball moving. “It’s impressive how much these startups and companies are contributing to the community and the economy,” said Ross co-founder and COO of ShotTracker, reacting to data within Startland’s 2018 list of Top Venture Capital-Backed Companies in…
