Educational Services of America President & CEO, Mark Claypool, Named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award® Finalist

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Mark Claypool, president and CEO of Educational Services of America (ESA), was named a finalist for the 2015 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award for the southeast, which includes Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The prestigious award program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

ESA is the nation's leading provider of behavior therapy, Pre-K-12 alternative and special education schools and programs for students who are at risk of dropping out and for students with special needs. Claypool, who was nominated in the services category, is a frequent speaker about the value of public-private partnerships in education and behavioral health, and has written a book, We're in this Together: Public-Private Partnerships in Special Education, about this important relationship.

Finalists were selected by a panel of independent judges. Award recipients will be announced at a special gala on June 24 at the Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum in Nashville, Tenn.

About Educational Services of America
ESA is the nation's leading provider of behavior therapy and alternative and special education programs for children and young adults. ESA offers children and young people the opportunity to create successful, independent futures by providing behavioral and educational supports to help them reach their full potential. ESA works with more than 13,500 clients and students each day across its three divisions. They are: Early Autism Project, which provides behavior therapy to children who have an autism spectrum or related disorder; Ombudsman Educational Services, which partners with more than 120 school districts to provide alternative education programs to students who have dropped out of school or are at risk of dropping out; and Spectrum Center Schools and Programs, which partners with more than 115 school districts to operate schools and programs.

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.

About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™
EY 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 145 cities in more than 60 countries.

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SOURCE Educational Services of America