SAINT JOSEPH, May 7, 2018 – EY today announced that Rick Blake, Founder and President of Edgewater Automation, is a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2018 Award in the Michigan and Northwest Ohio Region. The awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who are excelling in areas such as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Blake was selected as a finalist by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a special gala event on June 27th at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA).

“It has been an honor to be nominated for this award,” said Blake. “As we find more ways to include automation in our markets, we see many new opportunities for us to follow. God has blessed us all at Edgewater Automation and we look forward to what is next.” Over the course of 17 years, Edgewater has grown from starting with just 5 employees to now employing over 160 people in five different locations across North America designing and building custom automated systems.

Now in its 32nd year, the program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 145 cities and more than 60 countries throughout the world.

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National competition. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced at the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 17, 2018. The awards are the culminating event of the Strategic Growth Forum®, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by EY, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored in the US by SAP America, the Kauffman Foundation and Merrill Corporation.

In Michigan and Northwest Ohio Region, sponsors also include Citizens Bank, Colliers International, Foley & Lardner, Oswald Companies and Tanner Friedman.

About Edgewater Automation

Founded in 2001, Edgewater Automation designs and builds custom automation equipment for a wide variety of industries. Edgewater Automation installs and supports equipment globally with 5 locations in North America and as a member of the Manders Group has 5 different partner companies across Europe and Asia. Featured four times on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies in America, Edgewater Automation is constantly improving and growing in experience, talent and technology.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year®

Entrepreneur Of The Year®, founded by EY, is the world’s most prestigious business awards program for entrepreneurs, chosen from an independent panel of judges including entrepreneurs and prominent leaders from business, finance, and the local community. The program 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 awards program 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 145 cities and more than 60 countries. ey.com/eoy

About EY’s Growth Markets Network

EY’s worldwide Growth Markets Network is dedicated to serving the changing needs of high growth companies. For more than 30 years, we’ve helped many of the world’s most dynamic and ambitious companies grow into market leaders. Whether working with international mid-cap companies or early stage, venture-backed businesses, our professionals draw upon their extensive experience, insight and global resources to help your business succeed. For more information, please visit us at ey.com/sgm or follow news on Twitter @EY_Growth.

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.