DePaul Industries' CEO, Dave Shaffer, Recognized as an Entrepreneur Of The Year Finalist by Ernst & Young

SEATTLE, June 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In a gala affair held in Seattle on Friday night, June 10, 2011 DePaul Industries' CEO, Dave Shaffer joined 26 other area-wide entrepreneurial luminaries on stage as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2011 Pacific Northwest Award finalist.

The awards ceremony recognized entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Dave Shaffer was selected as a finalist from nearly 90 nominations by a panel of independent judges.

Noteworthy is the fact that Dave helms a not-for-profit organization that made the final pool of 27 businesses recognized for entrepreneurial bent in the marketplace.  What is perhaps even more notable is the fact that Mr. Shaffer's focus is on advancing the platform of social entrepreneurialism, making DePaul's rise to this echelon of Ernst & Young honorees all the more significant and gratifying in competing with for profit corporations.

DePaul Industries, a not-for-profit organization that helps employees with disabilities live better lives while competing in a highly competitive for-profit world, continues to rack up impressive awards for the services it delivers to major businesses throughout the Northwest during challenging economic times. It has a special "blend for success" that works.

"It was thrilling to be there and to have our team recognized at such a level.  I couldn't be more proud of what we have accomplished and of our continuing progress along on the path that we have laid out for ourselves.  An entrepreneurial spirit throughout our organization is critical for us. It's an essential ingredient - as we're on an important and exciting dual mission.  We serve customer & market needs while we help a growing employee base live the best lives they can. That's a powerful and rewarding business to be in.  We're social entrepreneurs," says DePaul CEO Dave Shaffer.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 140 cities and more than 50 countries throughout the world.  The awards are part of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum®, the nation's most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as a national sponsor.  In the Pacific Northwest, regional sponsors include Union Bank, ADP, The Big Picture, Seattle Business and Scherzer International.

About DePaul Industries:

DePaul Industries, celebrating its 40th year anniversary in 2011, is the Northwest's most comprehensive outsourcing specialist focusing on 3 areas:

• Business Works – which encompasses three core disciplines:
  • Food & Consumer Goods Packaging
  • Temporary Staffing Services
  • Security Services
• Social Works - with a supported work group and Project Search
• Future Works - customer relations, integration and strategic growth implementation

All businesses are supported by certified training programs that prepare workers for ever changing needs and expectations of industry.

DePaul was named "Food Processor of the Year" by the Northwest Food Processing Association; specially citing DePaul's innovative HOW (Heart of The Workforce) Program focused on entry level training program to generate ready-to-work employees. The firm has been honored by a number of publications as an exceptional place to work, including OREGON BUSINESS Magazine's "Oregon's Most Admired Companies" and the PORTLAND BUSINESS JOURNAL's "100 Best Companies."  

Over the past five years DePaul Industries has employed more than 10,000 individuals and paid more than $65 million in wages.  With its headquarters in Portland, OR, DePaul Industries incorporated in 1971 and opened its doors in 1972 as a vocational job shop and training center.  

DePaul Industries provides services throughout Oregon, the Puget Sound area and Southwest Washington from offices located in Portland, Salem, Corvallis, and Eugene, Ore., and Bremerton, Wash.  Newer units have been created to serve Hermiston/Eastern Oregon and Sierra Vista, Arizona.

More information about DePaul Industries is available by contacting:  Dave Shaffer at (503) 331-3816 or by visiting www.depaulindustries.com.

About Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year®

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique 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, 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 140 cities in more than 50 countries.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 141,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited operating in the US. For more information about our organization, please visit www.ey.com.

© 2011, DePaul Industries, Portland, OR

SOURCE DePaul Industries