Leonard Cherry Awarded as Leading Entrepreneur

Leonard Cherry, owner of the Houston-based Cherry Companies, has received the 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in the Construction and Industrial Services category in the Houston and Gulf Coast Area.

According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award “recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses.” A panel of judges selected Cherry and the award was presented at a banquet at the InterContinental Houston Hotel in mid-June.

“I am deeply honored by this outstanding recognition on behalf of our family, our employees and our customers,” says Cherry. “The true spirit of Cherry Companies lies within our family values. This spirit of family extends to our employees and our customer base because they’re part of our family, too.”

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards celebrated their 23rd anniversary this year. The program is designed to honor entrepreneurs who have excelled in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

“We are proud to recognize the achievements of Cherry,” says Doug Bogart, Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year program director for the Houston and Gulf Coast Area. “Winners of the Entrepreneur Of The Year award build leading businesses and contribute significantly to the strength of our region’s economy. Their success helps our area grow stronger.”

As a Houston and Gulf Coast Area award winner, Cherry is now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP 2009 Entrepreneur Of The Year national program. Award 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 in Palm Springs, Calif., on Nov. 14, 2009.

Cherry Companies, based in Houston, provide services in industrial, commercial, residential, and interior demolition, asset recovery, concrete crushing, scrap recycling and waste management. Since its founding in 1952, Cherry has grown to meet and exceed the demands of its customers. More information on the companies can be found at www.cherrycompanies.com.