Ernest & Young Selects Austin and San Antonio Entrepreneurs as Finalists for 2024 Gulf South Award

Ernest & Young Selects 21 Austin and 3 San Antonio Entrepreneurs as Finalists for its Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Gulf South Award

In a recent announcement, Ernst & Young LLP disclosed the names of the finalists for the prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2024 Gulf South Award. Amazingly, 21 of these trail-blazing entrepreneurs hail from Austin, and 3 are from San Antonio.

The Gulf South program encompasses 48 entrepreneurs from Central and South Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Selections were made by an impartial panel of judges. Decisions were made based on entrepreneur’s ability “to build long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth, and impact”, among other specific contributions and characteristics.

Impactful Entrepreneurs Making Significant Contributions

Anna Horndahl, Partner and Entrepreneur Of The Year Gulf South Program Co-Director, spoke highly of the finalists. “The finalists of this year are audacious entrepreneurs who are making a significant impact on their respective industries and communities,” she mentioned in a news release.

The allocation of the award is divided into stages. The Gulf South regional winners will be announced on June 13th and will further be considered for the Entrepreneur of the Year National Awards that is scheduled to be rewarded in November.

Gulf South 2024 Finalists

From Austin and San Antonio, the highlighted finalists for the Gulf South 2024 Award are as follows:

Justin Fenchel, Bradley Schultz, and Aimy Steadman | BeatBox Beverages | Austin
Katy Mimari | Caden Lane | Boerne, Texas
Martin Keighley | CarbonFree | San Antonio
Jeff Lee and Courtney Shields | DIBS Beauty | Austin
Dr. Andrea Thomaz | Diligent Robotics | Austin
Dean Drako | Eagle Eye Networks | Austin
Mark Engels | ePayPolicy | Austin
Erine Gray | FindHelp | Austin
Andy Flanagan | Iris Telehealth | Austin
Beth San Segundo | OriGen Biomedical | Austin
Charles Leddy | Presidian Hospitality | San Antonio
Emerson Smith | Pushnami | Austin
Robbins Schrader | SafeRide | San Antonio
Dr. Lefteris Ntouanoglou | Schoox, LLC | Austin
Nicole Budworth | Senox Corporation | Austin
Ted Ross | SpyCloud | Austin
Tony Hartl | Undefeated Tribe Operating Company LLC | Austin
Russell Diez-Canseco | Vital Farms | Austin
Chris Brundrett | William Chris Wine Company | Hye, Texas
Chris O’Dowd | WIN Reality | Austin
Wayne Morton | Wind Energy Transmission | Austin

These individuals are a true emblem of innovation and exemplary entrepreneurial spirit, embodying the very ethos of the honors they are being considered for.

Each has not only brought a significant contribution to their respective industry but also have positively impacted their local regions, thereby raising the prestige of both Austin and San Antonio in the national entrepreneurial scene.

We look forward to the award ceremony and anticipate great recognition for these exceptional entrepreneurs carrying forwards the realms of innovation and leadership.