Two Spears School alumni selected as Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2008

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

(STILLWATER, OKLA. – July 2, 2008) -- Two Spears School alumni recently were selected as Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) 2008 recipients. Charlie Eitel, Chairman & CEO of Simmons Bedding Company was named EOY for the in Alabama / Georgia/Tennessee region, and Greg Massey, CEO of First United Bank, was named EOY in the Financial Services Division for the Southwest region. Both Eitel and Massey received bachelor’s degrees in business administration from OSU in 1971 and 1987, respectively.
 
The EOY regional winners were selected by an independent judging panel made up of regional business, academic and community leaders. The group was narrowed down from more than fifty to twenty-seven finalists in six categories.  The finalists were then interviewed by a panel of judges comprised of past EOY award winners and successful business leaders.  The judging criteria included a thorough assessment of recent financial performance, strategic direction and product or service innovation, company leadership including personal integrity, values and key employee initiatives, and community involvement.  
 
This year, the EOY awards program celebrates its 22nd anniversary.  The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 135 cities in 50 countries throughout the world.  Regional award winners will be eligible for consideration in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008 national program in Palm Springs, California, on November 15, 2008.