Nominations being accepted for 2006 Ann Michel Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards

Nominations being accepted for 2006 Ann Michel Distinguished Entrepreneur AwardsFebruary 13, 2006Amy Schmitzaemehrin@syr.edu

The board of directors of Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (WISE) is currently accepting nominations for The Ann Michel Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards. Deadline for application is March 17.

The awards are given annually to women who have started Central New York businesses with proven success in two categories: small business (fewer than 30 employees) and high growth venture (30 or more employees). The winners will be selected by a committee of the WISE Board and announced at the 2006 WISE conference, to be held on April 11 at OnCenter.

Nominees for either award should have founded and grown a company that has successfully generated jobs and economic growth, made an impact in a particular market or industry, and exhibited innovation. Key criteria for the award will be demonstration of strong entrepreneurial spirit and outstanding leadership, balanced with a proven commitment to the community. For more information about award criteria or for a nomination form, visit www.whitman.syr.edu/eee/WISE/ann_michel.html or call 315-443-3550. Applications will also be available at KeyBank locations throughout Central New York.

The awards are named for Ann Michel, founder and longtime president of Knowledge Systems & Research and the inaugural winner of the Distinguished Entrepreneur Award for High Growth Venture. She led Knowledge Systems for 21 years, transitioning it from a start-up consulting firm with six employees to aninternational powerhouse with more than 200 employees. She died in November 2004 after a long illness. The Ann Michel Awards are sponsored by Knowledge Systems & Research, Visual Technologies and the Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship.

Past winners include: Anne Messenger, Messenger Associates Inc. (2005?small business); Aminy Audi, Stickley, Audi & Co. (2005?high growth venture); Julie Briggs, Syracuse Gift Basket Co., Inc. (2004?small business); and Michel (2004?High Growth Venture).

Launched in 2003 by the Syracuse University Whitman School of Management Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship, WISE fosters the pursuit of entrepreneurial opportunities by women from all walks of life. Each year, WISE sponsors events to promote entrepreneurial thinking among women in the Central New York area and to help entrepreneurial women stay connected. The WISE board includes women entrepreneurs and organizations that support women entrepreneurs: Briggs, chair; Messenger; Susan Burgess, True North Group LLC; Vicky D’Agostino, Marketing Stewards; Carol Fletcher, CR Fletcher Associates; Carol Hill, Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce; Suzanne Kondra-DeFuria, Potter Heating and Air Conditioning/Perrone Plumbing; Sherry Mossotti, Leadership Greater Syracuse; Cathy Pokines, SBA; and Ann Marie Stonecypher, AMS Models.

For more information about the 2006 WISE Conference and about WISE, visithttp://www.wisentrepreneur.com.