2013 Entrepreneur Award

The Business Observer seeks the best and brightest for its 2013 Entrepreneur Awards.

The award recognizes the top entrepreneurs from the paper's cover- age area: Tampa Bay to Naples.

We're looking for entrepreneurs whose company's results over the past three years show exceptional performance and growth, both in revenues and employees. Nominees should be visionaries and leaders who have overcome obstacles or demonstrated extraordinary characteristics that have led their companies to standout achievements. The entrepreneurs must be owners or part owners of their companies, and their companies must be based on the Gulf Coast.

The 2012 winner was Rhonda Shear, CEO and founder of St. Petersburg-based Shear Enterprises, a global women's intimate apparel business. Other past winners include homebuilder Pat Neal with Neal Communities and Reinhold Schmieding, founder of Naples- based Arthrex Inc.

To nominate an entrepreneur, send his or her name to Mark Gordon at [email protected]'¨or call 941-362-4848. Please include the person's name, company, contact information and a brief description of what distinguishes the candidate.