CEO Rick Stern Named a Finalist for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. Stern is one of 26 Midwest finalists selected by an independent judging panel to be honored at a gala event in June in Chicago. The finalists are recognized for making a tremendous difference within their communities and the larger economy.
Stern, 42, founded Nitel in 1997 as an independent agent offering telecom services in Chicago. In 2001 he joined forces with partner and Chief Operating Officer Ron Grason. They shared broad experience in telecommunications and a vision for better ways to serve business customers needing network services, and by 2003 they had transformed the company’s business model to an integrated provider of nationwide network connectivity services. Nitel’s steady growth has earned it recognition as the 12th fastest-growing telecom company in the country and the fifth fastest-growing company in the Chicago area.
“I am proud to join the many highly accomplished business leaders who have been honored by Ernst & Young over the 24 years of its awards program,” Stern said. “On behalf of Nitel and my business partner Ron Grason, it is an honor to be recognized for the entrepreneurial spirit that has always guided our company. I have welcomed every day since we started Nitel as a challenge and an opportunity. Our entire employee team works hard to serve our customers with the best products and prices, but we also try to have fun and make Nitel a place people want to come to work.”