[HTML3]Now, I know many of you continue to work and slave on your entrepreneurial pursuits because you’re driven to do so. Quite frankly, you can’t help it. You just have to do it. So, whether you’re recognized or not, you’re going to keep doing what you’re doing.
But still, isn’t it always nice to be recognized? Sure it is. And I’m happy to report that, with the announcement of the finalists for the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network Tom Holce Awards, there are a couple of Silicon Florist regulars—out of the 14 nominees—getting the recognition they so richly deserve.
Oh. Who is Tom Holce-–besides the person for whom the award was named—you ask?
He was the founder/CEO of such companies as Kentrox, Sentrol, and Mikros, held senior positions at ESI, and Plantronics. He also served as Chairman of Seasons Foods, BLT Technologies, Mitron, and Decision Dynamics. He recently served as Chairman of the Portland Art Museum, and Chairman of Pacific University. He is a board member of Unicru, Stormwater Management, EID Access, and Study Dog, and has sat on the boards of over 20 other companies, organizations and institutions.
Good? Good. Now back to the awards.
It hasn’t been an easy year. That’s for sure. But Silicon Forest startups are continuing to make strides. But Silicon Forest startups will definitely persevere. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll walk out with an award or two.
“It’s been a challenging year for companies given the economy. The finalists for the OEN Tom Holce Entrepreneurship Awards demonstrate the creativity and determination required of businesses to succeed in the face of such odds,” said Brenda Meltebeke of Ater Wynne, chair of this year’s OEN Tom Holce Entrepreneurship Awards in a press release
But just who are we pulling for, you ask? Well, let me tell you.
For one, I’m hoping to see Ray King, CEO of AboutUs walk away with the 2009 award for Individual Achievement. AboutUs provides the awesome widgets that often grace the footer of the posts around here. But they really do so much more. And Ray has done an amazing job of building yet another startup.
Oh, and I’m hoping that Jama Software walks away with the 2009 Development Stage Company of the Year.
But whatever the case, it’s great to see startups getting recognition for their efforts. There are a bunch of good ones.
“The field of candidates and companies that were nominated for the awards competition was truly impressive,” said Linda Weston, Executive Director of OEN in a press release. “It is very encouraging to see such strong organizations and leaders of this caliber who are the backbone of the Northwest’s economic future.”
But I’m still hoping that AboutUs and Jama Software walk away with the trophies.
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Oregon Entrepreneur Network Tom Holce Awards finalists feature a … http://tinyurl.com/kmsybv