TAS CEO Craig M. Hurlbert Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year^® 2009 Award Winner in the Houston and Gulf Coast Area

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TAS, provider of energy conversion solutions, today announced that Craig M. Hurlbert TAS CEO, received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year^® 2009 Award in the Power and Utilities category in the Houston and Gulf Coast Area. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. Craig Hurlbert was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a gala event at the InterContinental Houston Hotel on June 18, 2009.

"We see tremendous growth potential for us in these challenging economic times. Energy is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. We are excited about the opportunities this provides TAS. We have positioned ourselves for this major shift, in the way the world will address this energy challenge; Doing more with less, using energy more efficiently, developing cost effective renewable energy solutions, and using energy that would otherwise be wasted, just to name a few. The entire TAS family is enthusiastic to be a part of making a difference in the world and the environment in which we live”, Craig M. Hurlbert, CEO, TAS.

TAS designs, builds, ships, installs, commissions and services modular energy conversion systems. With its skilled engineering staff pushing the boundaries of technology to create innovative solutions to bring real value to its customers. TAS holds numerous patents for its products.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards celebrate their 23^rd anniversary this year. The program honors entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptionality in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

“We are proud to recognize the achievements of Craig Hurlbert,” said Doug Bogart, Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year Program Director for the Houston and Gulf Coast Area. “Winners of the Entrepreneur Of The Year award build leading businesses and contribute significantly to the strength of our region’s economy. Their success helps our area grow stronger.”

As a Houston and Gulf Coast Area award winner, Craig Hurlbert is now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 14, 2009. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America as national sponsors.

In the Houston and Gulf Coast Area, local sponsors include Bowne, Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., Lockton Companies, LLC and SmartBusiness Magazine.

About TAS

TAS designs, builds, commissions and services modular energy conversion systems with global installations in North and South America, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Middle East. TAS achieves its customer's goals of energy efficient solutions through its pre-engineered, standardized systems optimized for energy efficiency and balanced for first cost effectiveness. TAS solutions include: large tonnage HVAC systems, turbine inlet chilling systems, industrial process cooling systems and renewable energy systems. TAS is headquartered in Houston, Texas but has a global presence with regional offices in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

About Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards Program

Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The 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, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® award celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5998214&lang=en