2019 National Stationery Show

IRVINE, CA, June 25, 2018

EY today announced that Mike Cerillo, CEO, and Ben Hock, President, of U Brands, a trend-setting office tools and stationery company, received the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2018 Award in the Business & Office Solutions category in Orange County. The award recognizes entrepreneurs who are excelling in areas such as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Mike and Ben were selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a special gala event at the Monarch Beach Resort on June 22.

“Winning the EY Entrepreneur of the Year program was a great honor. The victory would not have been possible without the help of every member of our talented team and I thank them for allowing us to be the front men in accepting this award,” said Ben Hoch.

Since 1986, EY has honored entrepreneurs whose ingenuity, spirit of innovation and discipline have driven their companies’ success, transformed their industries and made a positive impact on their communities. Now in its 32nd year, the program has honored the inspirational leadership of such entrepreneurs as:

• Howard Schultz of Starbucks Corporation
• Pierre Omidyar of eBay, Inc.
• Jodi Berg of Vitamix
• Robert Unanue of Goya Foods
• Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn • Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani

• Andreas Bechtolsheim and Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks
• James Park of Fitbit
• J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr. of Marriott International, Inc.
• Lonnie Moulder and Mary Lynne Hedley, PhD, of TESARO, Inc.

As Orange County award winners, Mike and Ben are now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2018 National Awards. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced at the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 10, 2018. The awards are the culminating event of the Strategic Growth Forum®, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by EY, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored in the US by SAP America, the Kauffman Foundation and Merrill Corporation. In the Orange County Region, sponsors also include Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, Hollencrest Capital Management, Lockton Companies,Tangram Company and WoodruffSawyer & Company.

Company Boilerplate

About Entrepreneur Of The Year®

Entrepreneur Of The Year®, founded by EY, is the world’s most prestigious business awards program for entrepreneurs, chosen from an independent panel of judges including entrepreneurs and prominent leaders from business, finance, and the local community. The 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. ey.com/eoy

About EY’s Growth Markets Network

EY’s worldwide Growth Markets Network is dedicated to serving the changing needs of high-growth companies. For more than 30 years, we’ve helped many of the world’s most dynamic and ambitious companies grow into market leaders. Whether working with international mid-cap companies or early stage, venture-backed businesses, our professionals draw upon their extensive experience, insight and global resources to help your business succeed. For more information, please visit us at ey.com/sgm 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.

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This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a member of the global EY organization that provides services to clients in the US.

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