Pamela Chambers O'Rourke Receives Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 Award

- President and CEO of ICON Information Consultants Winner in Houston and Gulf Coast Area -

HOUSTON, June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- ICON Information Consultants, a premier provider of Human Capital Solutions, today announced its President and CEO, Pamela Chambers O'Rourke, has received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 Award in the Business Services and Staffing category for the Houston and Gulf Coast Area. The award, which recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses, was presented to O'Rourke during a gala event at the InterContinental Houston Hotel on June 18.

"I am honored to be recognized with this prestigious award," said O'Rourke, who founded ICON Information Consultants 11 years ago. "Being an entrepreneur is the best decision I ever made. It allows my team and me to fulfill our vision of what a consulting company should be. This award reflects ICON's determination to stay at the top of our industry, always learning, always improving--and always putting our customers first."

ICON specializes in identifying and recruiting highly qualified professionals at all levels in the areas of Information Technology, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, and Procurement along with a "specialized" Project Management division (iSolutions, Ltd). Under O'Rourke's leadership, ICON has grown, prospered and has never experienced a single quarter without a profit by remaining steadfastly customer-oriented despite the ever-changing IT market. In fact, the company has reached "Top Tier" status and preferred vendor status with many of its clients.

Since the moment ICON opened its doors, the company has exceeded O'Rourke's expectations and has outgrown any plan she has ever written. In its first year, the company had one staff member, O'Rourke herself, who without consultants or interoffice employees, achieved revenues totaling $2.5 million. Today, ICON boasts revenues in excess of $81.5 million, with more than 750 employees in 48 states.

"We are proud to recognize the achievements of Pamela Chambers O'Rourke," said 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, O'Rourke 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.

In addition to Ernst & Young, several other organizations have recognized O'Rourke for her business savvy. She has been named "Women in Business Champion of the Year" by the U.S. Small Business Administration; recognized as one of the "Top 25 Women Business Builders" by Fast Company Magazine; awarded the "Women's Business Enterprise Star" from the Women's Business Enterprise National Council; named a "Women of Excellence" by Women's Business Enterprise Magazine; and honored as the "Woman Business Advocate of the Year by the Women's Business Enterprise Alliance.

O'Rourke also is a leader in the community. She supports women business enterprise organizations and serves on the Boards of Directors for the Women's Business Enterprise National Council and Women's Business Council Southwest. In addition, O'Rourke is a Board member of AVANCE, a nonprofit Head Start program that serves economically disadvantaged children and families.

For more information, visit www.iconconsultants.com

About ICON Information Consultants

ICON Information Consultants, LP, headquartered in Houston, Texas, specializes in identifying and recruiting highly qualified Information Technology, Accounting, Finance, HR, and Procurement professionals at all levels/skills. ICON services include human capital solutions, consulting, and payrolling, as well as a specialized project management division. The company has reached "Top Tier" or preferred vendor status for most of its clients. ICON has received recognition from dozens of organizations, including "Supplier of the Year" from Shell Oil Companies, a place on the INC 5000 inaugural list of fastest growing private companies, the Houston Business Journal's 2007 and 2008 "Houston Fast 100" and "Top 100 Fastest Growing Woman-Owned Businesses."

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 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, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The YEAR award 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 50 countries. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America are national sponsors of the award. Local sponsors include Bowne, Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP, Lockton Companies,LLC and SmartBusiness magazine.

SOURCE ICON Information Consultants, LP