Chris Sullivan of Outback Steakhouse, Ulysses Lee Junior Bridgeman of Bridgeman Foods, Inc. and James H. Booth of Booth Energy Group.
By WESLEY KERRICK Contributing Writer
Some people work for long established companies, some for burgeoning startups, others for themselves. And, of course, theres everything in between. But wherever you work, you know this: your employer didnt come out of nowhere. Trace it back far enough, and somebody put together the know-how and the capital to get that business off the ground.
The Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame recognizes people like that. On Nov. 19, it will induct four new members. Now in its fifth year, the induction ceremony will be held for the first time at Mellwood Arts and Entertainment Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave., beginning at 6 p.m. Organizers are expecting around 300 people their biggest turnout yet.
This years inductees are James H. Booth of Booth Energy Group, Ulysses Lee Junior Bridgeman of Bridgeman Foods, Inc., Chris Sullivan of Outback Steakhouse, and John A. Williams, Sr. of Computer Services, Inc.
Three budding new entrepreneurs will also be recognized at the event: Ankur Gopal of Interapt, Jennifer Mackin of The Oliver Group and Nate Morris of Rubicon Global.
During the ceremony, the inductees will tell the story of how they grew their company from an idea to a prosperous success. Its an inspiring evening, said Hall of Fame co-founder Brian Raney. You get to hear all of the ups and downs, and hear what it was like for them and the people around them.
The event will have two main functions: to honor past accomplishments and to empower tomorrows up-and-coming leaders. Event manager Tonya York is excited about both. Were preserving and celebrating some of the best of the best, while also encouraging the entrepreneurs of the future, she said.
Before and after the ceremony, young entrepreneurs will have the chance to network with potential role models and mentors. Its an opportunity you dont get very often to just be with some amazing entrepreneurial brainpower, York said.
Its an amazing gathering and group of kind of the crme de la crme of entrepreneurs who are from Kentucky, and whove done extremely well, she said. Im looking forward to being in the same room with a really large group of amazing people.
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