Jason Raznick, Benzinga’s President and co-founder, took home the first annual JVS Rising Entrepreneur Award at the 15th Annual JVS Strictly Business Networking and Awards Luncheon last summer.
Raznick returns this year to present the second-annual JVS Rising Entrepreneur Award to Pam Turkin, the founder of Just Baked, at the 16th Annual JVS Strictly Business Networking and Awards Luncheon.
The annual event honors several individuals — not just rising entrepreneurs — including job seekers who have overcome significant challenges to find employment with the help of the Jewish Vocational Service.
One such job seeker is a disabled woman hired by Elwin Greenwald, who is famous in Metro Detroit for making the most popular scones. Greenwald hired a woman who has been described as slow but high-functioning. He loves working with her; he told JVS representatives that he has learned more from her than she could have ever learned from him.
Since hiring her, Greenwald has made her a part of his family. She lives on her own but comes to his house to celebrate the holidays. Greenwald has reportedly referred to her as the fastest cookie scooper in the world. He has been so impressed with her that he personally called JVS to nominate her — he really wanted her to get some recognition for her achievements.
Frank Venegas Jr., the founder, Chairman and CEO of IDEAL Group, runs one of the top-ranked automobile suppliers in the world. Venegas started his business more than 30 years ago after winning a Cadillac in a raffle. He sold the swanky vehicle and used his earnings to start his empire.
Now Venegas gives back to the community by hiring people from rival gangs to work side-by-side. He also donates Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) tablets to graduating students.
This year, Venegas will receive the Business Leadership Award at the 16th Annual JVS Strictly Business Networking and Awards Luncheon.
David T. Fischer, Chairman and CEO of The Suburban Collection, will serve as the Honorary Chair and Keynote Speaker.
The event will take place at The Henry in Dearborn, Michigan on Wednesday, June 12 at 11:30 a.m. EDT. For more information, visit jvsdet.org.
Louis Bedigian is the Senior Tech Analyst and Features Writer of Benzinga. You can reach him at 248-636-1322 or louis(at)benzingapro(dot)com. Follow him @LouisBedigianBZ
(c) 2013 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Tags: 16th Annual JVS Strictly Business Networking and Awards Luncheon, David T. Fischer, Elwin Greenwald, Frank Venegas Jr., Jason Raznick, Pam Turkin
Posted in: Entrepreneurship, News, Success Stories, Be Your Own Boss, Startups, General, Best of Benzinga