Honoring innovation: Winners of the Reno Gazette-Journal’s 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year awards
Small business (less than five employees)
Winner: Carol Betz (left) and Nicola Pieters (right), Mommy’s Little Helpers LLC
Judges’ comments: This pair developed the Guardian Sleeper, a blanket concept that provides snuggly comfort, as well as safe position to reduce the danger of SIDS.
Medium-sized business (five to 20 employees)
Winner: Dr. William Torch, chairman, Eye-Com Corp.
Judges’ comments: In 2007, the company reached several milestones in developing eye-tracking technology using revolutionary eye glasses.
Large business (More than 20 employees)
Winner: Thomas "Patrick" Conners, Tetrus Building Materials
Judges’ comments: Despite struggling, Tetrus expanded and diversified its business, opening a new branch in Carson City, launching a new transportation company and continued to research other areas for expansion.
Best New Entrepreneur: Companies formed in 2006 or later
Winner: Fernando Leal, managing partner for L3 Development LLC
Judges’ comments: With the Montage condominium project, Leal is committed to a revitalized tourist and local destination for downtown Reno and is using his expertise and contacts to ensure this transformation occurs.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Small business - Honorable Mention: Nathan Earl Robison, Robison Engineering Company Inc.
Medium-sized business - Darren McBride, Highly Reliable Systems
Large business - Bruce Robertson, Great Basin Internet Services Inc.
Best New Entrepreneur: Companies formed in 2006 or later - Mark Miller, the Diamond Vault
ABOUT THE AWARDS
The Reno Gazette-Journal Entrepreneur of the Year Awards were conducted in partnership with Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology. The five winners were selected by judges from a field of more than 62 nominees. The judge panel included managers from the RGJ and selected honorees from last year’s program.
Honoring the winners
The winners will be honored at 5:30 pm. Monday during the kickoff reception for "eWeek Nevada," a weeklong celebration of Nevada’s entrepreneurs and small businesses sponsored by the Nevada Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology. Admission to the kickoff event is $10 in advance and $20 at the door. It will held in the Red Mountain Building on the Truckee Meadow Community College campus. Call Emily Lowe, 337-3328, or e-mail Emily@NCET.org. For more information on eWeek Nevada, visit www.eWeekNevada.com
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