Ernst & Young announced Aug. 6 that two Jacksonville CEOs were named Entrepreneur of the Year Florida in the professional services company’s annual awards program.
Steve Elder, CEO of iRocker and James O’Leary, chairman, CEO and president of Haskell are among nine winners statewide.
iRocker is an online watersports lifestyle company that sells stand-up paddleboards and other accessories.
Haskell is an architecture, engineering, construction and consulting firm at 111 Riverside Ave.
The award recognizes individuals “who are unstoppable entrepreneurial leaders, excelling in talent management; degree of difficulty; financial performance; societal impact and building a values-based company; and originality, innovation and future plans,” Ernst & Young said in a news release.
“I’m humbled to accept the award on behalf of our Haskell team members around the globe who individually and collectively serve our clients with excellence and integrity,” O’Leary said in the release.
The honorees were named in a virtual celebration Aug. 5 and selected by an independent judging panel comprising previous award winners and business leaders.
EY’s awards program recognizes business leaders in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.
“EY is proud to celebrate these unstoppable entrepreneurs and welcome them into our global Entrepreneur of the Year alumni community,” said Mike Pattillo, Entrepreneur Of The Year Florida program co-director.
As Florida winners, O’Leary and Elder are eligible for Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 National Awards, which will be announced Nov. 13.
Here are the other Florida winners:
• Carlos Barrera, Atlas Renewable Energy, Miami.
• Carlos de Solo, CareMax, Miami.
• Ricardo Campo, Endeavor Schools, Miami.
• Kristin Johnson, Hotwire Communications, Fort Lauderdale.
• Jon Ferrando, RV Retailer LLC, Fort Lauderdale.
