Wisconsin CEOs among finalists in E&Y Entrepreneur contest

Chief executive officers from six Wisconsin companies are among the finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Upper Midwest.
The Wisconsin executives who are finalists are: Joseph Bartolotta, The Bartolotta Restaurant Group, Wauwatosa; Bill Boelter, The Boelter Companies, Waukesha; Aaron Jagdfeld, Generac Power Systems Inc., Waukesha; Craig Karmazin, Good Karma Broadcasting LLC, Beaver Dam; John E. Link, Jack Link’s Beef Jerky, Minong; and LouAnn Reger-Berg, J&L Steel Erectors, Hudson.
The Upper Midwest program recognizes companies based in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota.
The group of exceptional entrepreneurs was selected by an independent judging panel made up of regional business, academic and community leaders.
“For the past 24 years, Ernst & Young has honored outstanding entrepreneurs through our Entrepreneur of the Year program,” said Bill Miller, Ernst & Young partner of strategic growth markets. “These entrepreneurs make a tremendous difference within our communities and for our larger economy. We thank them for the positive impact they’ve had in the Upper Midwest.”
The judges for this year’s Midwest program include Rich Meeusen, chief executive officer of Milwaukee-based Badger Meter Inc.
Winners will be announced at a gala event on Thursday, June 10, 2010 at the Marriott City Center Hotel in Minneapolis.
Regional award winners will be eligible for consideration in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2010 national program. Winners in numerous national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, Calif., on Nov. 14, 2010.