from staff
Three North Florida executives are finalists for the Ernst & Young LLP “Entrepreneur of the Year Award” in the state.
They are:
• Andrew E. Harold Jr., president of A. Harold and Associates LLC, a finalist in the category of Business Services.
• Matt Connell, president and CEO of Total Military Management Inc., a finalist in the category of Consumer Services.
• Richard Kahlbaugh, president and CEO of Fortegra Financial Corp., a finalist in the category of Financial Services.
Ernst & Young announced 27 finalists among 10 categories from North, Central, South and West Central Florida. Winners will be announced June 16 in Orlando.
An independent judging panel of former winners and other CEOs and investors chose the finalists.
This year is the 25th anniversary of the “Entrepreneur of the Year Program,” which has expanded to more than 140 cities and more than 50 countries.
The Florida Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Mike Jackson, chair and CEO of Fort Lauderdale-based Auto Nation Inc.
Regional honorees are invited to the national awards gala Nov. 12 in Palm Springs, Calif. It will be hosted by comedian Jay Leno.