Tampa, FL - Richard J. Dobkin of Ernst & Young announced 8 award winners and one honoree for Florida’s 2002 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® (EOY) awards last night at a gala event. The banquet, held at the Renaissance Orlando Resort, attended by over 600 guests, marks the end of an intensive search to identify and recognize outstanding entrepreneurs in the area.  

Technology Services Entrepreneur Of The Year – Benjamin J. Patz, Founder, Coleman Technologies, Inc., Orlando, FL – Coleman Technologies, Inc. is an information technology and systems engineering firm focused on solving complex network engineering problems for large companies and government organizations by applying proven systems engineering methodology.  His commitment to excellence has enabled the growth that to date has been primarily driven by referrals from satisfied customers and repeats business.

Florida winners are now eligible for the National Entrepreneur Of The Year awards, which are designed to honor outstanding owners of fast-growing companies who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

All national finalists and award winners will be announced at a gala event in Palm Springs, California, November 23, 2002, at the Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards.  That winner will join country winners from around the world in May 2003, in Monte Carlo for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards.