Bridgepoint Education, named by Inc. magazine as the fastest growing private education company in the United States, tonight announced that Andrew Clark, CEO, received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008 Award in the Consumer Products and Services category in San Diego. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. Selected by an independent panel of judges, the award was presented to Clark in front of a sold-out audience of over 600 at a gala evening event at the La Jolla Hyatt at Aventine in La Jolla, California on June 9, 2008.
Clark joined San Diego-based Bridgepoint Education in December 2003 and soon after assembled a team of highly-skilled executives with more than 80 years of collective experience in higher education. Since becoming Bridgepoint’s CEO, Clark has orchestrated a nearly 11,000% increase in revenues. He lives in San Diego with his wife and their three daughters, and is an active participant in the community, having served on the San Diego United Services Organization and now serving on the San Diego Symphony Board of Directors.
“I am honored and humbled to have been chosen for this prestigious award,” said Clark. “Particularly in light of the other numerous highly qualified nominees and the stature of the judging panel.”
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards celebrate their 22nd 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.
“Ernst & Young is pleased to honor outstanding business leaders such as Andrew Clark,” said Doug Obenshain, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program Director for San Diego. “Winners of the Entrepreneur Of The Year award build leading businesses and contribute a great deal to the communities around them. Their success helps our area grow stronger.”
As a San Diego award winner, Clark is now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008 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 15, 2008. The awards are the concluding portion of the 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 Kauffman Foundation and SAP as its national sponsors. In San Diego, local sponsors include MARSH, Scherzer International, City National Bank, the Foundation for Enterprise Development, and The Daily Transcript.
About Bridgepoint Education
Based in San Diego, Bridgepoint Education was founded on the principle that anyone who is academically prepared deserves access to higher education without sacrificing quality, transferability of credits, accessibility, academic standards, or credentials. As an independent, private higher education company, Bridgepoint is committed to serving the millions of adults seeking an affordable alternative to high priced higher education. Bridgepoint Education subsidiaries provide both traditional and online education offerings, in addition to recruiting and admissions services. Our comprehensive education services have helped thousands of students improve their lives and careers through higher education. Bridgepoint Education was named by Inc. magazine as the fastest growing private education company in the United States. For more information, please visit us at www.bridgepointeducation.com or contact: Shari Rodriguez, Director of Public Relations, at 800.798.0584, extension 2513.
About the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards
Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the unique 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, Ernst & Young 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 135 cities in 50 countries.
About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, its 130,000 people are united by shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. For more information, please visit www.ey.com.