Entrepreneur Of The Year® Southeast

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 Southeast program includes Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Independent judges select regional finalists and winners, with regional winners advancing to the national competition in November.


2026 regional finalists are building the economy of tomorrow

*Over the most recent three-year period

2025 award winners

Entrepreneur Of The Year Southeast region team

Chevy Arnold
Program Director
Atlanta, GA

Kimberly Kicklighter
Program Director
Charlotte, NC

Ryan Emerson
Program Manager
Charlotte, NC

Alexis Levy
Program Coordinator
Louisville, KY


Founded and produced by
EY logo

Presented by

PNC logo
Cresa
Marsh
SAP logo
Kauffman Foundation logo

Regionally sponsored by
Platinum sponsor
King & Spalding logo
Gold sponsors
Silver sponsors
King & Spalding logo
ADP logo
King & Spalding logo


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