Body of Stone, Your Secret Chef nominated for entrepreneur awards

Several Laurel County businesses have been named as finalists in the 2009 Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards program sponsored by The Center for Rural Development in Somerset.

This year’s finalists and award winners will be recognized at a luncheon set for 11:30 a.m. Sept. 14 at the center. Now in its eighth year, EIEA recognizes business owners and entrepreneurs in 55 Kentucky counties for their economic success, community contributions, and operational achievements in a business or non-profit organization.

Local nominess, both in the Start-Up Business category, include Larry and April Murray, owners of Your Secret Chef/Chef on the Run Catering of London; and Amber Stone, owner of Body of Stone Fitness in London.

Terry E. Forcht, president and CEO of Forcht Group of Kentucky was a 2008 winner in the For-Profit Business category.

The awards program is sponsored by Eastern Kentucky University’s College of Business and Technology, Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation, and The Center for Rural Development.

Tickets to the event are $20 per person and may be purchased by contacting the center at 606-677-6000 or via e-mail at enea@centertech.com. Reservations must be made by Aug. 31.

EKU President Doug Whitlock will serve as emcee, and Ken Robinson, Deputy Commissioner of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development’s Department for Business Development, will deliver the keynote address.

The program was established in 2001 to celebrate excellence in entrepreneurship by recognizing business leaders and entrepreneurs throughout the region who have created and are managing a successful enterprise.

“We’ve seen that small companies comprise the engine that drives most of our economy,” Robert Rogow, dean of EKU’s College of Business and Technology, said. “We want to do whatever we can through our partnerships to foster small-business development and recognize those who’ve been successful in developing companies in Eastern and Southern Kentucky.”

Award winners are determined by the economic success of the enterprise, contributions to the community, and job creation and operational achievement as measured by innovative business practices, superior safety achievement, and superior technology.

The 2009 EIEA finalists are:

For-Profit Business

• Shannon Wright and Kendall Wright, owners, Wright Concrete and Construction Inc., Dorton.

• Paul D. Nesbitt, owner, Nesbitt Engineering Inc., Lexington.

• Robert Williams, general manager, Equity Group Kentucky Division LLC, Ky. Highway 90W, Albany.

For-Profit Small Business

• Douglas E. Maggard, owner, Maggard Electric Inc., Hazard.

• Darrell Greer and Eric Greer, co-owners, Computer Information Systems Inc., Corbin.

• Charlie Pinson, president-owner, Charlie Pinson Insurance, Pikeville.

Start-Up Business

• Jack L. Wisdom, president, Fluortubing U.S.A., Campbellsville.

• Larry and April Murray, owners/operators, Your Secret Chef/Chef on the Run Catering, London.

• Amber Stone, studio owner/CPT, Body of Stone Fitness, North Main Street, London.

Not-for-Profit Entity

• Steve Yeary, executive director, Appalachian Children’s Home, Barbourville.

• Cheryl and Mark Martin, co-directors, Appalachian Foothills Therapeutic Equestrian Center, McKee.

• Lonnie Cowan, CEO/founder, Chronic Pain Support Group Inc., Lexington.

Former EIEA award winners also will be recognized for their achievements at the Sept. 14 event.

The 2008 award recipients were: Terry E. Forcht, president/CEO, Forcht Group of Kentucky, Corbin, For-Profit Business; Steve Taylor, president, EST Tool & Machine, Inc., Brodhead, For-Profit Small Business; Brian Floyd and Scott Floyd, owners, Floyd Industries, Liberty, Start-Up Business; Debbie Long, executive director, God’s Food pantry of Pulaski County, Somerset, Not-for-Profit Entity.

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