Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs who are shaping the future
Lakewood, CO, May 1, 2025 – Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced the finalists for the prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Mountain West Award. Now in its 40th the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and making a profound impact on communities. The program honors bold entrepreneurs whose innovations shape the future and pave the way for a thriving economy and a hopeful tomorrow. The Mountain West program celebrates entrepreneurs from Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
An independent panel of judges selected Clifton Oertli among 41 finalists for their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and lasting impact in building long-term value.
“This recognition is a reflection of the incredible people I work alongside every day. At NEI, our success is built on collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to solving complex problems for our clients and the communities they serve. I’m honored to represent the team and the work we do to help build the energy infrastructure our future depends on.”
—Clifton Oertli, President & CEO, NEI Electric Power Engineering
Entrepreneur Of The Year honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company; transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory; and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.
Regional award winners will be announced on June 20 during a special celebration in Salt Lake City, Utah and will become lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. The winners will then be considered by the National judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum®, one of the nation’s most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa, LLC, Marsh USA, and SAP. In Mountain West region, sponsors also include regional Gold sponsors, Perkins Coie, Strong & Hanni Law Firm and Truss and regional Silver sponsors, Big Picture, Pierpont Communications, and Silicon Slopes.
NEI Electric Power Engineering, Inc.
12600 W. Colfax Ave Suite C-500
Lakewood, CO 80215
303-431-7895
About NEI:
NEI Electric Power Engineering, Inc. is a multidisciplinary consulting firm specializing in high-voltage electrical infrastructure. With over 40 years of experience, NEI delivers engineering services essential to the design, optimization, and maintenance of power generation, transmission, and distribution systems. As decarbonization, renewable integration, and the electrification of transportation and industry reshape global energy systems, NEI’s deep technical expertise and client-focused approach position it as a trusted partner in enabling the transition to cleaner, more resilient power infrastructure. Headquartered in Lakewood, Colorado, and with team members across 38 states, NEI supports clients across North America and around the world, providing solutions through all phases of the project lifecycle.
About Entrepreneur of the Year:
Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 60 countries globally.
The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum® in November where National finalists and award winners are announced. The overall National winner represents the US at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.
About EY:
EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.
Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.
EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.
All in to shape the future with confidence.
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