IRVINE, CA, April 06, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- EY today announced 29 semifinalist companies for the EY Entrepreneur Of The YearTM 2014 Award in the Orange County region. The awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. These business leaders were selected as semifinalists from nearly 80 nominations by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a special gala event on June 4, 2014 at The St. Regis Resort in Dana Point.

Maria Thompson, President & CEO - Agile Sourcing Partners, CoronaReza Jahangiri, CEO - American Advisors Group, OrangeKunal Hinduja, President - ARQ LLC, IrvineJeffrey Frieden, CEO - Auction.com, IrvineKeith Katkin, President & CEO - Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Aliso ViejoMichael Burdiek, President & CEO - CalAmp Corp., IrvineJon Wilcox, CEO/Co-Founder; Mark Rebal, EVP/CCO/Co-Founder; and John DeCero, President/Co-Founder - California Republic Bank, IrvineCaryn Siebert, President/CEO - Carl Warren & Company, PlacentiaDebra Miller, CEO/Founder - CureDuchenne, Newport BeachJonathan Ord, CEO - DealerSocket, Inc., San ClementeEve Yen, Founder/President - Diamond Wipes International, Inc., ChinoJohn Jordan, CEO - DPI Specialty Foods, OntarioMark Whitley, CEO - Easter Seals Southern California, Santa AnaMaynard Carkhuff, Chairman/CEO - Freedom Innovations, IrvineMichael Purcell, Founder/EVP/CMO - Global Cash Card, IrvineJeffery Hanson, Chairman/CEO - Griffin-American Healthcare REIT II, Inc., IrvineChad Hallock, CEO - Home Franchise Concepts, OrangeVivian Clecak, CEO - Human Options, IrvineSteve Schulze, CEO/Founder and Alexis Schulze, Chief Visionary Officer - Nekter Juice Bar, Inc., Santa AnaParsa Rohani, CEO - Neudesic, LLC, IrvineRick Arvielo, CEO - New American Funding, TustinStephen Gordon, Founding Chairman/CEO/President - Opus Bank, IrvineHolly Hagler, President & CEO - SeniorServ, AnaheimDeborah Proctor, President/CEO - St. Joseph Health, OrangeH. Michael Schwartz, Chairman/CEO - Strategic Capital Holdings, LLC, Ladera RanchJerome Fink and David Kim, Managing Partners - The Bascom Group, LLC, IrvineGeorge Donaldson, President - Venvest Ballard, Inc. (dba Rightime HVAC), RiversidePhu Hoang, CEO - Virtium Technology, Inc., Rancho Santa MargaritaPhillip Chang, Founder/Chairman - Yogurtland, Irvine

Now in its 28th year, the program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 145 cities in 60 countries throughout the world.

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on Nov. 15, 2014. The awards are the culminating event of the EY Strategic Growth Forum, the nation's most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

SponsorsFounded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are sponsored in the United States by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America. In Orange County, regional sponsors include Marsh Insurance, Union Bank, Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, Cresa, Merrill DataSite, Scherzer Investigations, Smart Business magazine and HKA, Inc. Marketing Communications.

About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.

About EY's Strategic Growth Markets practice EY's Strategic Growth Markets (SGM) practices guide leading high-growth companies. Our multidisciplinary teams of elite professionals provide perspective and advice to help our clients accelerate market leadership. SGM delivers assurance, tax, transactions and advisory services to thousands of companies spanning all industries. EY is the undisputed leader in taking companies public, advising key government agencies on the issues impacting high-growth companies and convening the experts who shape the business climate. For more information, please visit us at ey.com/us/strategicgrowthmarkets, or follow news on Twitter @EY_Growth.

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