Entrepreneur Of The Year Gulf South

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

The Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates bold leaders who disrupt markets, build category-defining companies and transform industries—while uplifting communities.

Founded in 1986, the program recognizes original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company; transformational CEOs who sparked innovation and propelled established organizations to new heights; and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business to fortify it for generations to come.

The Gulf South program includes Central and South Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Independent judges select regional finalists and winners, with regional winners advancing to national competition in November.



2025 regional finalists are building the economy of tomorrow

*Over the most recent three-year period

2025 award winners


Entrepreneur Of The Year Gulf South team

Travis Garms
Program Director

Chris Smith
Program Director

Desiree Triolo
Program Manager

Kara Ray
Program Coordinator


Founded and produced by
EY logo

Presented by

PNC logo
Cresa
Marsh
SAP logo
Kauffman Foundation logo

Regionally sponsored by
Platinum sponsors
ADP logo
DFIN logo
DLA Piper
Gold sponsors
vcfo logo
vcfo logo
Silver sponsors


SteveDouglas logo


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