Shukla Named Supporter of Entrepreneurship Finalist
December 8, 2003

Larta President and CEO Rohit Shukla was one of only three finalists selected for Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year Supporter of Entrepreneurship Award on November 22, 2003.

Ernst & Young created the Entrepreneur of the Year awards seventeen years ago as a way to identify, honor, and support these outstanding business leaders. Today, the awards program has grown to include 37 regions across the country and more than 3, 400 nomination annually. Through the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year awards, now in its fourth year, 35 countries around the world have programs to honor these exceptional individuals.

The 2003 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award was given to John Mackey, founder of Whole Foods Market. Mackey started with a tiny natural foods store beneath his apartment in Austin, Texas. Today, 25 years later, Whole Foods supermarkets are in 25 states and Canada. Mackey was recognized for his innovation, his commitment to customers, and a dedicated involvement in the communities served by Whole Foods.

The Supporter of Entrepreneurship Award was won by Penny Lewandowski, Executive Director of the Greater Baltimore Technology Council (GBTC). Lewandowski was recruited to oversee the spinoff of the GBTC from its parent organization, the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) four years ago. At that time, the GBTC had no paying members, just a volunteer board of advisors. Since taking the reins at GBTC, Lewandowski has launched a mix of online and offline programs aimed at promoting and nurturing technology technology entrepreneurs - companies ranging from Web development and design to bioscience, healthcare and medical laboratories.