CHARLOTTE — Ernst & Young LLP has announced the finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2007 award in The Carolinas. This year’s 24 finalists were selected from 100 nominations by an independent judging panel composed of area business, academic and civic leaders. Award winners will be announced at a gala event on June 14 at the Westin Charlotte.

“These finalists exemplify the outstanding business talent present in our community,” said Kent Geer, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year program director for the Carolinas. “We are proud to honor them as leaders who nurture economic growth, innovation and the American dream.”

Seven of the finalists are from South Carolina:
• Gary Cooper, president & CEO, Winyah Health Care Group LLC – Georgetown
• Greg Thompson, president & CEO, Thompson Construction - Sumter
• Harry Shaw, CEO , S&W Ready Mix Co. - Clinton
• Morris Cregger, CEO, Cregger Companies - Columbia
• Raymond Conrad, chairman & CEO, General Information Services Inc. - Chapin
• Rick Saunders Jr., president & CEO, First Reliance Bank - Florence
• Stewart and Steven Mungo, CEO, Mungo Companies - Irmo

Carolinas award winners will be eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2007 national program. Winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala Nov. 17 in Palm Springs, Calif.

Click here for more information about the awards.