PeopleNet Founder and CEO Konezny Named Ernst & Young's Upper Midwest Region Entrepreneur Of The Year
MINNEAPOLIS, June 15, 2009-PeopleNet (www.peoplenetonline.com), a provider of innovative Internet-based and integrated onboard computing and mobile communications management, announced today that Ernst & Young has named PeopleNet CEO and founder Ron Konezny Entrepreneur Of The Year® in the technology category for the Upper Midwest region, which includes Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. Konezny was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a gala event at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Thursday, June 11, 2009.
Commenting on the announcement, Konezny said, "This honor belongs to our incredible PeopleNet team, including customers, employees and investors."
PeopleNet has the fastest-growing wireless tracking and mobile communications provider in the transportation industry. Under Konezny's leadership as COO and CFO, the company tripled its revenues and became continuously profitable. Originally, as the company's chief technology officer, Konezny led the launch of several PeopleNet's flagship products and services that help North America's trucking industry improve fleet management, including the first commercial product to integrate GPS, wireless communications and the Internet. During that time, the company also launched its patented OTAP (over-the-air programming) capabilities, handheld integration, PerformX engine diagnostics, and email-based form messaging.
As an Upper Midwest award winner, Konezny is now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 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, California on November 14, 2009. 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.
About Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Program
Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year Award is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the unique 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, Ernst& Young 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 135 cities in 150 countries.
For more information about Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year program, visit www.ey.com/us/eoy. For more information about PeopleNet and its products, call (888) 346-3486, or visit www.peoplenetonline.com.
About PeopleNet
PeopleNet is exclusively focused on providing innovative Internet-based and integrated onboard computing and mobile communications systems to improve North America's trucking industry's fleet management. Its products are used by nearly 1,500 truckload, LTL, private, and service fleets in the United States and Canada, including several Fortune 500 companies. Reputed for its customer-driven technological innovation, unparalleled flexibility, and proactive customer care, PeopleNet was the first major technology provider to offer Internet-based communications to the transportation industry 15 years ago. Since then, the company annually reinvests 100 percent of its profits into the business for aggressively developing new products that continue to improve fleet management. Industry recognition of the company's leadership includes: Inbound Logistics Top 100 Award; Food Logistics' 100 Top Technology Solutions and Service Providers; Frost & Sullivan Market Engineering Award; M2M Value Chain Award; and Minnesota's Tekne Award.
PeopleNet is a registered trademarks of PeopleNet Communications. All other trademarks belong to their respective companies.
For more information contact: Meghan AuBuchon (763)279-7636 maubuchon@peoplenetonline.com.
