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.

[adinserter block="4"]

2016 Startups to Watch

    stats here

    Related Posts on Startland News

    André’s planted its flag in KC 70 years ago; chocolatier says that’s just a taste of what’s to come

    By Tommy Felts | October 24, 2025

    Nearly 5,000 miles from Switzerland, a small group toured the inner sanctum of an iconic 70-year-old Kansas City company — a family-run brand that helped redefine accessible luxury in the Midwest, one Swiss chocolate-covered almond at a time. “What people get excited about André’s is the legacy, that we take a lot of pride in…

    Here’s how ULAH’s new boutique model aims to rack success for local brands, not inventory debt

    By Tommy Felts | October 23, 2025

    The new KC Collective consignment-based program for local brands at ULAH is a win for both the Westwood boutique and Kansas City creatives, said Joey Mendez and Buck Wimberly, announcing a fresh model to help the struggling store stay open and financially stable. “We’ve always had local brands,” said Mendez, co-founder of ULAH, explaining the…

    Tiki Taco ticks up giving alongside expansion; CEO owns up to taco shop’s neighborhood impact model

    By Tommy Felts | October 23, 2025

    A month-long campaign in the popular Kansas City-based chain offers easy add-on: joining KC GIFT’s network of donors  Restaurant executive Eric Knott wants Tiki Taco’s operators to own the neighborhoods into which the popular taco shop expands, he said, but that doesn’t just mean dominating the fast-casual market in each pocket of Kansas City. “Our…

    Kauffman Foundation announces first-ever semifinalists for Uncommon Leader Impact Award

    By Tommy Felts | October 23, 2025

    A new leadership prize aimed at celebrating changemakers at organizations aligned with the priorities of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is closer to naming its first winner, the influential nonprofit announced Wednesday, revealing 12 semifinalists culled from more than 300 nominations. “The response from community members across the Kansas City metro area was tremendous,” said…