CLEVELAND — Jodi L. Berg, president and CEO of Vitamix, a fourth-generation family-owned world leader in high performance blending equipment for home and commercial use, has been named the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2014 National Family Business Award winner. The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award—the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs—recognizes industry leaders who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in addition to an unyielding personal commitment to their organizations and communities.
Berg received the honor at the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards gala in Palm Springs, California, the culminating event of the EY Strategic Growth Forum®—the nation's premier gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies. The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners were selected by an independent panel of judges and from more than 250 regional award recipients. Awards were given in 10 additional categories.
“Jodi Berg led Vitamix down a truly innovative transformation—a path that wasn't without risks, one of the true marks of an entrepreneur,” said Mike Kacsmar, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Americas program director. “She balanced honoring the past while fully engaging in the future, and she stayed true to her family tradition and values. In her case the risk was worth the reward, as her vision proved to be incredibly fruitful for the company.”
In receiving the award, Jodi Berg said, “It is an honor to represent a company dedicated to improving the vitality of people’s lives by creating the world’s best and most reliable blending equipment. This accomplishment could not have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of everyone at Vitamix. Together we are creating an amazing brand and an incredible culture, and are changing the world, one Vitamix at a time!”
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global awards program of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.