Great Expressions CEO Named 2014 EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Consumer Services

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICH. – June 6, 2014 – EY today announced that Rich Beckman, CEO of Great Expressions Dental Centers, a leading dental service organization, received the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year^® 2014 Award in the Consumer Services category in the Michigan and Northwest Ohio region. The award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their business and communities. Rich was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a special gala event at the MGM Grand Hotel in Detroit on June 5.

“Being named EY’s Entrepreneur Of The Year for Consumer Services in the Michigan and Northwest Ohio region is a great honor. To be among an esteemed group of business leaders who are confident to make tough decisions and who have the compassion to listen to the needs of others is also an achievement that I’m very proud of,” said Rich Beckman, CEO of Great Expressions Dental Centers. “I’ve been fortunate to work alongside an exceptionally talented team at Great Expressions, and this award represents all of their hard work in making us the best dental service organization changing patients’ lives every day.”

As a Michigan and Northwest Ohio award winner, Rich is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2014 national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 15, 2014.

“Rich has been the driving force in the transformation of Great Expressions,” said Greg Nodland, chief operating officer at Great Expressions Dental Centers. “He had the vision to see what could be done with a small group of dental practices. By accepting all insurances and offering our own discount dental plan, Great Expressions is able to serve all of the people in our community which our patients recognize further fueling our success. This has allowed us to reach more patients and help improve more and more smiles.”

Now in its 28th year, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year awards have expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 145 cities across more than 60 countries The awards are the culminating event of the EY Strategic Growth Forum^®, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

About Great Expressions

For nearly 40 years, Great Expressions Dental Centers (GEDC) has been a leader in preventative dental care, orthodontics and specialty care with local offices in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Virginia. One of the largest privately owned dental service organizations in the United States, GEDC is consistently recognized for contributions to improving oral health through quality and safety initiatives, affordable dental care services, patient convenience, research and more. For more information, go to www.greatexpressions.com.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by EY, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are sponsored in the United States by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America. In the Michigan and Northwest Ohio region, sponsors include: RBS Citizens Charter One, Foley & Lardner LLP, Tanner Friedman, Crain’s Detroit Business, NewsTalk 760 WJR, New Paradigm Promotional Marketing Inc., and Grand Valley State University Seidman College of Business.

About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year^®

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award 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 award 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.

About EY’s Strategic Growth Markets

EY’s Strategic Growth Markets (SGM) practices guide leading high-growth companies. Our multidisciplinary teams of elite professionals provide perspective and advice to help our clients accelerate market leadership. SGM delivers assurance, tax, transactions and advisory services to thousands of companies spanning all industries. EY is the undisputed leader in taking companies public, advising key government agencies on the issues impacting high-growth companies and convening the experts who shape the business climate. For more information, please visit us at ey.com/us/strategicgrowthmarkets, or follow news on Twitter @EY_Growth.

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities. EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

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Contact:
Kim Tassie
Lambert, Edwards & Associates
313-309-9523
ktassie@lambert-edwards.com