DePaul Industries today announced that Dave Shaffer, CEO, is a semi-finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2011 Award in the Pacific Northwest. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and person commitment to their businesses and communities.
Dave Shaffer was selected as a semi-finalist from 80 nominations by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a special gala event on June 24, 2011 at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers.
As noted in the nomination form that was submitted in support of Shaffer, nominating someone from the not-for-profit world is highly unusual. However, DePaul Industries, under Shaffer’s direction, operates as an entrepreneurial enterprise that seamlessly melds business and mission by viewing them as essentially one entity. “Without a revenue flow and sound fiscal operation, your mission won’t be able to have much impact,” Shaffer states. “Similarly, a non-profit that doesn’t rigorously adhere to its mission, will also be less impactful. The optimum is a balanced blend of mission and good business fundamentals.”
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 140 cities and over 50 countries throughout the world.
Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 12, 2011. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies, and is held from November 9 – 13, 2011.
