July 2007               return to newsletter contents page

Vasquez Named 2007 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Kevin R. Vasquez, Chairman, President & CEO of Butler Animal Health Supply, Dublin, Ohio, was named winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2007 award in the South Central Ohio & Kentucky Corporation region during a special gala event at the Cincinnati Duke Energy Center with more than 400 people in attendance. 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. Award winners were selected by an independent panel of judges composed of area business leaders.

"It is indeed a tremendous honor to be recognized with such distinction," states Kevin Vasquez. "The

credit belongs to the employees of Butler Animal Health Supply whose unbridled dedication and commitment to excellence lifted our company to be recognized as the largest, most reliable and respected distributor of veterinary products in the animal health industry. Without their undying support, attaining this accolade could not have been possible."

Vasquez has over 28 years of experience in the animal health industry. He has held a number of senior executive positions during his career with Fermenta Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. and The Butler Company. In addition, he has served the industry as a member of the board of directors of the National Cattlemens Association, the American Feed Industry Association, and the American Veterinary Distributors Association. He is also a past chairman of the AFIA Animal Health Committee and has been an industry panelist during a number of industry association meetings. He currently serves on the board of Velcera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Butler Animal Health Supply. Vasquez holds a B.S.B.A. in Marketing from Western Carolina University as well as an MBA from Central Michigan University.

"For 21 years, Ernst & Young has recognized outstanding entrepreneurship through our Entrepreneur Of The Year® program," said Alan Greenwell, Ernst & Young South Central Ohio & Kentucky Entrepreneur Of The Year Program Director. "This year's winners are truly an inspiration to all. We salute them for their drive, determination and hard work and congratulate them on their success"

The South Central Ohio & Kentucky award winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2007 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 17, 2007. The overall national Entrepreneur Of The Year® award recipient is then considered for the worldwide event held in Monte Carlo.