The Detroit Regional Chamber congratulates the following Board of Directors members and individuals from Chamber member companies who have been selected as finalists of the Entrepreneur Of The Year® Michigan and Northwest Ohio Award:
- Jose L. Flores, Ancor
- Mark A. Douglas, Avis Ford Inc
- Lane Coleman, Strike Group, L.L.C.
- Ryan Niles, Niles Industrial Coatings
This prestigious award program recognizes the ambitious leaders of high-growth companies who are creating a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous world for future generations.
View the complete list of finalists in the press release below.
Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced the finalists for the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 Michigan and Northwest Ohio Award. Now in its 41st year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year® program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and uplifting communities. The program honors entrepreneurs whose innovations drive economic growth and help shape the future of business.
An independent panel of judges selected 34 finalists representing 31 companies based on their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, company growth and lasting impact in building long-term value.
“This year’s finalists are bold entrepreneurs making a lasting mark on their industries and communities across Michigan and Northwest Ohio,” said Joe Lenglet, EY Partner and Entrepreneur Of The Year® Michigan and Northwest Ohio Program Co-Director.
“Chosen by an independent panel of judges, their companies are creating jobs, accelerating innovation and strengthening the regional business community. We’re thrilled to celebrate their success,” said Laura Trosper, EY Partner and Entrepreneur Of The Year® Michigan and Northwest Ohio Program Co-Director.
Entrepreneur Of The Year® honors many different types of business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company, transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory, and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.
The 2026 Michigan and Northwest Ohio finalists are:
- Jose L. Flores | Ancor | Troy, MI
- Matthew Bissett | Atwell, LLC | Southfield, MI
- Mark A. Douglas | Avis Ford Inc | Southfield, MI
- Sheldon Yellen | BELFOR Holdings, Inc. dba BELFOR Property Restoration | Birmingham, MI
- Jeff Hastedt | brkthru | Southfield, MI
- Bob Armbruster | Clean Team, Inc. | Holland, OH
- Max Surnow | Cooper Street Snacks | Birmingham, MI
- Craig Frohock | Dayco, Inc | Birmingham, MI
- Lauren Rakolta | DFM Solutions | Detroit, MI
- Henry Chang | East Edge Excavating | Commerce Township, MI
- Brett Smith | Energy Products Inc. | Madison Heights, MI
- Matt Mandsager and Kelly Mandsager | FOAMit | Grand Rapids, MI
- Dr. Nidal Hammoud | Get Well Urgent Care | Madison Heights, MI
- Sam Shapiro | Grounded | Detroit, MI
- Jason Slocum | i2G Systems | Ann Arbor, MI
- Jon Zimmerman | Jax Kar Wash | Southfield, MI
- Harold Martin | MARTIN Technologies | New Hudson, MI
- Austin Arksey | National Trails | Livonia, MI
- Jim Kohsel and Ryan Kohsel | Next Generation Services | Holland, MI
- Ryan Niles | Niles Industrial Coatings | Fenton, MI
- Dean Elali | One Source Provider (OSP) | Dearborn, MI
- Sarat Kothapalli | Pi Square Technologies LLC | Farmington Hills, MI
- Dr. Ahzam Afzal | Puzzle Healthcare | Detroit, MI
- Dan Ridi | S and G Stores | Sylvania, OH
- Lane Coleman | Strike Group, L.L.C. | Detroit, MI
- Melissa Butler | The Lip Bar | Detroit, MI
- Tom Slikkers | Tiara Yachts | Holland, MI
- Jim Richards | Total Security Solutions | Fowlerville, MI
- Megan Fales | Transcenda | Birmingham, MI
- Patrick Paige | Veritas | Livonia, MI
- Brad Hallett and Kim VanCleef | Visioneering Inc. | Auburn Hills, MI
Learn more about the finalists at ey.com/us/eoymnwo.
Regional award winners will be announced on June 17 during a special celebration. The winners will then be considered by the national independent panel of judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year® National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum®.