Imhoff Awarded Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of Year

June 4, 2007, Austin, TX--Bill Imhoff, president and CEO of full-service commercial flooring company Intertech Flooring, has been awarded the 2007 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Community Impact in the Austin Region.

According to Ernst & Young, the awards program was designed to recognize outstanding entrepreneurs on a regional, national and global level who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. This is the first time Ernst & Young has recognized an individual for the Community Impact award.

An independent panel of judges selected Imhoff for the Community Impact Award in recognition of his career-long commitment to workforce development. In 1991, Imhoff established Intertech Flooring's Apprenticeship Program for Certified Flooring Mechanics. It is the only one of its kind in the floor covering industry nationwide that can assist young workers in getting a college education and creating the foundation for a lifelong career. In 2003, Imhoff secured the program’s selection as the core curriculum for an Austin Community College two-year associate degree program, a first in the flooring industry. In San Antonio, it is administered through Saint Phillips College.

“When we set up our training program 16 years ago, it was an attempt to be able to keep up with the demands of our great customers,” Imhoff said. “What in fact we found was that the investment in our people created a culture of excellence in our firm that is the essence of who we are today.

“Workforce development works. I believe in it, and know it pays big dividends,” said Imhoff, who also chairs the 27-member board of directors of WorkSource, – the Greater Austin Area Workforce Board. WorkSource is one of 28 regional workforce boards established by the Texas Legislature in 1995. As chairman, Imhoff plays a key leadership role in setting policy and directing a $35 million annual budget for workforce programs in the Austin area.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards program celebrates its 21st anniversary this year. Awards are given to entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2007 national program.