Entrepreneurs rake in awards

Four Gulf Coast entrepreneurs won awards during Ernst & Young's Florida Entrepreneur of the Year program June 9.

Now in its 30th year, Ernst & Young, a global consulting firm known as EY, recognizes entrepreneurs in more than 145 cities. This year, Tampa Bay Lighting owner Jeff Vinik and 30 other entrepreneurs were named Florida finalists. Eight finalists are based on the Gulf Coast, and half of them won awards.

The four Gulf Coast businessmen who won a 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year Award include:

Jeff Vinik, chairman of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Vinik won the lifetime achievement award;

Jerry Fowden, CEO of Tampa-based Cott Corp. Fowden was named the top corporate innovator;

Nick Reader, CEO of Tampa-based quick-service chain PDQ. Reader won the emerging entrepreneur award;

Norm Worthington, co-founder and CEO of Sarasota-based Star2Star Communications. Worthington took the top prize in the media, entertainment and communications category.

Finalists were graded in areas including innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.