Best of America’s Largest Black-Owned Companies To Be Honored At Entrepreneurs Conference

BLACK ENTERPRISE will hold its 2013 Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo hosted by Nationwide Insurance on Wednesday, May 15 through Saturday, May 18 at the Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. An annual highlight of the conference is recognition of the Black Enterprise 100s: The Nation’s Largest Black-Owned Companies, and the BE 100s Companies of the Year. The CEOs of the 2013 Industrial Service Company, Auto Dealership, Financial Company and Advertising Agency of the Year will be honored at the BE 100s Dinner and Awards Gala, to be hosted by The Ohio State University and Limited Brands on Friday, May 17, at the convention center.

The BE 100s Companies of the Year are selected by the Black Enterprise Editorial Board based on eligible financial performance in 2012, as well as significant achievement, resilience in the face of economic and market challenges, management innovation and industry leadership. The 2013 BE 100s Companies of the Year:

Industrial/Service Company of the Year: Hightowers Petroleum, Middletown, OH; CEO, Stephen L. Hightower. Business: Petroleum Products Distribution

Auto Dealer of the Year: March Hodge Automotive Group, Tampa, FL; CEOs, Anthony March, Ernest Hodge. Business: Retail sales for automakers including Mazda, Toyota, Honda, Jaguar, Volvo, Volkswagen, Nissan, Infinity, Land Rover.

Financial Services Company of the Year: Vista Equity Partners, San Francisco, CA; CEO, Robert F. Smith. Business: Private Equity (focus on technology)

Advertising Agency of the Year: Walton Isaacson, Los Angeles, CA; CEOs, Aaron Walton/Cory Isaacson

“Each year since 1973, we’ve identified and ranked our BE 100s, America’s largest black-owned companies, in the June issue of Black Enterprise magazine,” said Earl “Butch” Graves Jr., President and CEO of Black Enterprise.  “The CEOs of our Companies of the Year are among our nation’s most outstanding entrepreneurs. They set a standard of achievement to which all of our Entrepreneurs Conference attendees aspire.”

“Nationwide Insurance is proud of our partnership with Black Enterprise and the opportunity to serve as the host sponsor of the 2013 Black Enterprise Entrepreneur Conference +Expo,” said Nationwide Chief Administrative Officer Gale V. King.  “We understand that being in business for yourself takes dedication, commitment and hard work. The coveted BE 100s represents the best of the best and sets the bar for excellence and innovation. We congratulate all who are being recognized this year.”

DON’T MISS OUT! Join more than 1,000 outstanding entrepreneurs and top business experts at the 2013 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo hosted by Nationwide