DePaul Industries' CEO, Dave Shaffer, Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year's 2011 Pacific Northwest Award Finalist

PORTLAND, Ore., May 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- DePaul Industries today announced that CEO, Dave Shaffer, is an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2011 Pacific Northwest Award finalist. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Dave Shaffer was selected as a finalist from nearly 90 nominations by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a special gala event on June 10, 2011 at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers.

DePaul Industries, a not-for-profit organization that helps employees with disabilities live better lives while competing in a highly competitive for-profit world, continues to rack up impressive awards for the services it delivers to major businesses throughout the Northwest during challenging economic times. It has a special "blend for success" that works.

"It is certainly an honor to be named as an award finalist.  An entrepreneurial spirit throughout our organization is critical for us. It's an essential ingredient - as we're on an important and exciting dual mission.  We serve customer & market needs while we help a growing employee base live the best lives they can. That's a powerful and rewarding business to be in, and one that we are very proud of.  We're social entrepreneurs," DePaul CEO Dave Shaffer said. "Both ways, society wins. A special population is making major contributions and not relying on public assistance, and private and public sector customers are receiving vital services that help them be even more successful."

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 140 cities and more than 50 countries throughout the world.  Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Award. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur Of The Year overall National Award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 12, 2011. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum®, the nation's most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies, which will be held November 9–13, 2011.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as a national sponsor.  In the Pacific Northwest, regional sponsors include Union Bank, ADP, The Big Picture, Seattle Business and Scherzer International.

About DePaul Industries:

DePaul Industries is the Northwest's most comprehensive outsourcing specialist focusing on three core disciplines: Food & Consumer Goods Packaging, Temporary Staffing Services, and Security Services. All businesses are supported by certified training programs that prepare workers for ever changing needs and expectations of industry.

Over the past five years DePaul Industries has employed more than 10,000 individuals and paid more than $65 million in wages.  With its headquarters in Portland, OR, DePaul Industries incorporated in 1971 and opened its doors in 1972 as a vocational job shop and training center.  

DePaul Industries provides services throughout Oregon, the Puget Sound area and Southwest Washington from offices located in Portland, Salem, Corvallis, and Eugene, Ore., and Bremerton, Wash.  Newer units have been created to serve Hermiston as well as Eastern Oregon.

More information about DePaul Industries is available by contacting:  Dave Shaffer at (503) 331-3816 or by visiting www.depaulindustries.com.

About Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year®

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement.

As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 140 cities in more than 50 countries.

About the Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 141,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited operating in the US. For more information about our organization, please visit www.ey.com.

© 2011, DePaul Industries, Portland, OR

SOURCE DePaul Industries