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More than 800 people gathered last month for the 23rd Annual Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards, which recognized the top business people and accomplishments in the Inland Empire during the past year.
The black-tie gala, held Nov. 18 at the Riverside Convention Center, acknowledged business people in seven business and industry categories, according to Mike Stull, director of the Randall W. Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship at Cal State San Bernardino, the event’s sponsor.
“We had a great crowd and some great finalists,” Stull said. “What we want is for the community to see and hear about these businesses throughout the (Inland) region, and the great things they’re doing for the community.”
The winners were:
- Star Milling Co – The Cramer Family – Perris – FAMILY BUSINESS LEGACY AWARD.
- Urban Habitat – Brett Brennan – Palm Desert – DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING & BEST OF THE BEST AWARD.
- Plastics Plus Technology – Kathy L. Bodor – Redlands – MANUFACTURING ENTREPRENEUR and MARY ANNE FOX TOP FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR.
- Super Foam Corp – Zef Neemuchwala – Riverside – EMERGING INNOVATOR.
- TKB Bakery and Deli – Melina Maza – Indio – FOOD, HOSPITALITY AND ENTERTAINMENT ENTREPRENEUR.
- Threshold Aviation Group – Mark DiLullo – Chino – GENERAL ENTREPRENEUR.
- 360 Human Services – Harry Jackson – Apple Valley – HEALTHCARE ENTREPRENEUR.
- District & Charter Patrol – Zuriah McKnight – Ontario – SERVICE-BASED ENTREPRENEUR.
- HR Direct Services Inc. – Gabriela Mendoza – Ontario – SERVICE-BASED ENTREPRENEUR.
Twenty-nine finalists were selected from a pool of over 300 nominees. The winners were selected by a panel of 12 judges. This year’s theme, Bold By Design, emphasized businesses that create their own opportunities, Stull said.
