Finalists for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards Announced in Minnesota and Dakotas

Winners to Be Announced at the Awards Banquet on June 15

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 2005--Professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP announced today the finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The YearŽ Awards 2005 in Minnesota and the Dakotas. The 20 finalists were selected by a panel of independent judges comprised of area leaders from business, academic and civic organizations. Winners will be announced at an awards banquet on June 15 at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center.

The Minnesota and Dakotas finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year are:

• Steve Schmidt, Founder and CEO, AbeTech
• Myron Kujawa, Owner, Crystal-Pierz Marine
• Thomas Wintz, President and CEO, Dedicated Logistics, Inc.
• Stephen Mase, President, Dexma, Inc.
• Michael Helgeson, Chief Executive Officer, Gold'n Plump Poultry
• Raymond Barton, CEO and Chairman, Great Clips, Inc.
• Lee Jones, President and CEO, Inlet Medical, Inc.
• Reid Johnson, CEO, President and Founder, Internet Broadcasting Systems
• James Leslie, Chairman and CEO, Midwave Corporation
• Dennis Miller, President and CEO, Midwest Wireless
• Amy Langer, Partner and John Folkestad, Partner, Salo, LLC
• Glenn Galloway, Co-Founder and James Zerwas, Co-Founder, StoneBridge Group, Inc.
• S. Scott Crump, CEO and President, Stratasys, Inc.
• Dale Olseth, Chairman and CEO, SurModics, Inc.
• Donald Endres, Chief Executive Officer, VeraSun Energy Corporation
• Vincent Argiro, Founder and Chief Technology Officer and Jay Miller, President and CEO, Vital Images, Inc.
• Dennis Hecker, President and CEO, Walden Automotive Group, Inc.

Minnesota and Dakotas winners will be eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2005 national program. Winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California, in November 2005.

For reservations for the awards banquet on June 15, contact Linda Monroe of Ernst & Young at 612-371-6399 or linda.monroe@ey.com. Tickets are $125 per person. For more information about the awards program, visit www.ey.com/us/eoy.

About The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The YearŽ Program

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program was created and is produced by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP. As the first award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. The program honors entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in over 100 cities and 35 countries.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young, a global leader in professional services, is committed to restoring the public's trust in professional services firms and in the quality of financial reporting. Its 100,000 people in 140 countries pursue the highest levels of integrity, quality, and professionalism in providing a range of sophisticated services centered on our core competencies of auditing, accounting, tax, and transactions. Further information about Ernst & Young and its approach to a variety of business issues can be found at www.ey.com/perspectives. Ernst & Young refers to all the members of the global Ernst & Young organization.

About the Sponsors

The law firm of Faegre & Benson helps emerging companies meet the legal challenges of regional, national, and international growth. The firm has more than 460 lawyers serving clients from offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Microsoft is investing in new technologies designed to specifically address small business needs. Together with its network of technology providers, we are dedicated to delivering software solutions small companies need to reach their potential. Please visit our Small Business Center at www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness for more information about the products and services Microsoft offers small businesses.

Twin Cities Business Monthly is Minnesota's leading and largest business magazine. For more than ten years, TCBM has provided editorial content that supports the development of successful entrepreneurial and corporate enterprises in Minnesota. Each area of the magazine gives readers the insights they need to make their companies thrive and entertains them with stories about trends and happenings.

(a) Note to Editors: Media are invited to attend the awards banquet for interview and photo opportunities. Please call Wendy Fox at 612-371-6703 as soon as possible to request a complimentary reservation. Press credentials must be presented.