www.ocalaedc.org
FACTS BLAST
May 19, 2006
EDC INVESTOR FINALIST FOR ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR:
The Ocala/Marion County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is pleased to announce John Cwik, owner of Custom Window Systems, Inc. has been selected as a Florida finalist in the prestigious Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year awards program. The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) award honors entrepreneurs whose ingenuity, hard work and perseverance have created and sustained successful, growing business ventures. The year-long program culminates each November with the national awards ceremony, hosted by Jay Leno, in Palm Springs, California. The Entrepreneur of the Year program, founded and produced by Ernst & Young, originated in 1986 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is now entering its 20th year of recognizing successful entrepreneurs. Some previous national award winners include: Michael Dell, Chairman and CEO of Dell Computer, Jack and Andy Taylor of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Robert Basham, Tim Gannon, and Chris Sullivan of Outback Steak House, and Arthur M. Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot, Inc. A nominee must be an owner/manager primarily responsible for the recent performance of a public or privately held company and an active member of top management. “The active member of top management requirement for this award is one of the qualities that makes John shine,” said Custom Window Systems, Inc. President Dave Layman. “He had the vision to bring in people with different skill sets than his so he could concentrate on his strength, which is quality control. He is very hands-on with our production process and makes sure we can stand behind our reputation and outstanding warranty program.” Custom Window System’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Lou Andresino has worked with John over the past eleven years and shared his thoughts. “John is an inspiration to the window and door industry. He is well respected by our employees and the competition as well. With John’s determination and attention to quality he could have been successful in any industry. John demands quality of his employees on all levels. He is able to get that quality from his team because he has built this business from the ground up and intimately understands each step of production. He respects our team and appreciates the skills each one brings. He is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and work side-by-side to get a job done or improve a process. He is also very involved with community projects such as Habitat for Humanity, Association for Retarded Citizens, and Children’s Home Society. He is a quiet supporter who is more interested in what he can do to help rather than what recognition he can receive from what he does” EDC President/CEO Pete Tesch is excited about a local entrepreneur being a finalist and is pleased Cwik was chosen. “The way John has built and grown Custom Window Systems, Inc. is a model for other entrepreneurs to follow. He has been diligent with expanding the company and providing quality jobs for our community. His most recent project pumped $13 million in capital investments into our community and created 200 jobs at our targeted wage. In addition, he stepped up to the plate by encouraging Cardinal Glass LG to come to Ocala. Some would consider a new manufacturer as a competitor for attracting workers in a community with a low unemployment rate. However, John understands that a community’s economic health is a delicate balance of new business recruitment and existing business expansion. Achieving that balance helps all companies succeed in the end. We applaud Ernst & Young on their excellent selection and wish John the best as he moves to the final round.” Cwik will be recognized as a finalist and possible winner at the regional award banquet June 22, 2006 at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando.