On March 18, The Greater Lansing Business Monthly welcomed nearly 300 members of the business community to the 10^th Annual Entrepreneurial Awards of Greater Lansing, a celebration of entrepreneurial spirit, risk, drive, leadership and success. After an elegant dinner at the Radisson Hotel, a warm welcome by Publisher Chris Holman and 6 News Anchor Sheri Jones, and enthusiastic recognition of the sponsors, judges and past recipients, the evening culminated in the announcement of nine 2004 award winners.

Congratulations to following honorees, as listed by award category:

•  Automotive: Jeff Crippen, Crippen Oldsmobile GMC Mazda Volvo

• Healthcare: Dr. Marcy Street, Doctor’s Approach Skin and Hair Care

• Longevity: Sostine and Mena Castriciano, Roma’s Bakery

• Distribution: Tico Duckett, Tico Duckett Distributing

• High Technology: Tim Pearl, Agate Software, Inc.

• Service: David Surbrook, d/s Events Group

• Retail: John Madden and Gavin Sanders, Contemporary Audio Co.

• Construction: Jamie Higgins, Higgins Electric Sign Company

• Socially Responsible: Patrick A. Heller, Liberty Coin Service

• Emerging Entrepreneur: Charles Creamer, Midwest Transaction Group, LLC

• Real Estate: Mark McDaniel, Great Lakes Capital Fund

In recognition of his support of entrepreneurship and in celebration of the award program’s 10^th anniversary, the highest honor of the evening, Master Entrepreneur, went to Chris Holman, publisher of The Greater Lansing Business Monthly and dean and executive director of workforce development at Lansing Community College.

  A panel of judges took on the difficult task of reviewing each nomination packet and selecting the winners at a confidential meeting just two days prior to the award ceremony. A special thanks goes to those who shared their time, effort and knowledge during this process:

• Stacy Adado, The Greater Lansing Business Monthly

• Susan Backofen, formerly of Davenport University

• Bruce Dunn, Maner, Costerisan  & Ellis, PC

• Shawn Grady, G.E.E! Communications

• Kenric Hall, Radisson Hotel Lansing

• Mark Hooper, Andrews, Hooper & Pavlik, PLC

• Rod Krol, WJIM News/Talk 1240

• Larry Meyer, Michigan Retailers Association

• Doug Powers, 6 News – WLNS

• Jim Shrier, Plante & Moran, PLLC

• Garrison Wells, Lansing State Journal

In addition, the 2004 awards would not have been a success without the support of the following sponsors: Andrews, Hooper & Pavlik, PLC; Davenport University; G.E.E! Communications; Maner, Costerisan & Ellis, PC; Michigan Equities; Plante & Moran, PLLC; Radisson Hotel Lansing, Symbiosis International, WJIM News/Talk 1240 AM and 6 News – WLNS.