Wanted: entrepreneurs

The Business Observer seeks the best and brightest for its 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year.

The award recognizes the top entrepreneurs from the paper's coverage 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 2013 winner was Steve MacDonald, chairman and CEO of MyMatrixx, a Tampa-based pharmacy benefit management firm with more than $70 million in annual sales. Other past winners include Rhonda Shear, CEO and founder of St. Petersburg-based Shear Enterprises, and Pat Neal with Neal Communities.

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. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 21.