LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ernst & Young LLP today announced that Los Angeles developer and businessman Rick J. Caruso will receive the 2012 Master Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Greater Los Angeles. With this award, Caruso joins the ranks of past Master Entrepreneur of the Year winners Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Alfred E. Mann, James Power and John E. Anderson. Caruso will receive this prestigious award during the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards gala in at the Beverly Hills Hilton on June 19, 2012.
“Rick has made an indelible imprint on the Los Angeles landscape, creating a new breed of shopping and entertainment destinations enjoyed by families from every corner of Los Angeles and throughout the world,” said Patrick Niemann managing partner for Ernst & Young LLP’s Greater Los Angeles practice. “He is an extraordinary businessman and local philanthropist who is deeply passionate about his community, having served for over three decades on numerous local charities and city agencies. It is only fitting that Rick be recognized for his entrepreneurial excellence with this well earned 2012 Master Achievement award.”
Rick Caruso, who is the founder and CEO of Caruso Affiliated, gained national prominence developing premier retail destinations, including The Grove, The Americana at Brand in Glendale, The Promenade at Westlake and The Commons at Calabasas. He is currently working on a residential mixed project, 8500 Burton Way, scheduled to open this September, and a luxury hotel project, the Miramar Beach and Bungalows, in Montecito, California. Caruso Affiliated currently has more than $750 million in new developments in its pipeline.
Not only has Caruso earned his reputation as an extraordinary businessman, he has been a compassionate, committed member of the Los Angeles community. His public service has included serving as President of the Los Angeles Police Commission, President of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Board of Commissioners and as the Governor’s appointee to the Los Angeles Coliseum Commission.
Together with his wife, Tina, he founded the Caruso Family Foundation, dedicated to supporting organizations that improve the lives of children in need of healthcare and education by providing funding for programs at St. John's Hospital, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and many other important causes. He is also a Trustee of Para Los Ninos, which offers a range of high-impact educational, health and social support services for children living in some of Southern California’s most at-risk neighborhoods.
The Entrepreneur of the Year program, now in its 26th year, celebrates entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. In 2011 alone, the EOY nominees from Los Angeles employed 28,000 people and generated more than $10 billion in annual revenue. This year’s winners for the Greater Los Angeles area will be announced at an awards ceremony on June 19 at The Beverly Hills Hilton.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards are nationally sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
In Greater Los Angeles, sponsors include Marsh, SAP, Smart Business, Scherzer International, Union Bank, ADP, Montgomery & Co., Acacia Wealth Advisors, CresaPartners, JH Cohn and Strategic Equity Group.
About Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year®
Ernst & Young 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 140 cities in more than 50 countries.
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Contact information
For information on attending the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Greater Los Angeles Awards contact: Alison French at 213-977-3543 or alison.french@ey.com. For more information on the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Greater Los Angeles, visit www.ey.com/us/eoy/greaterla.