Kentucky Entrepreneurs Hall of Fame Honors Several With UK Ties
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 20, 2014) — The Fifth Annual Kentucky Entrepreneurs Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Mellwood Arts and Entertainment Center in Louisville last night had a definite University of Kentucky 'flavor' to it.
Three of the four individuals who entered the hall of fame in the class of 2014 have strong UK ties, while one of the three younger executives celebrated as an 'emerging entreprenuer' serves in an advisory role to UK's Gatton College of Business and Economics.
The hall of famers inducted are:
- James Booth, a current member of the UK Board of Trustees. Booth, a native of Martin County, is the chief executive of Booth Energy Group and owns several other businesses.
- Chris Sullivan, UK graduate and member of the Gatton College Alumni Hall of Fame. Sullivan, a resident of Florida, is co-founder and former president and CEO of the Outback Steakhouse restaurant company.
- John A Williams Sr., UK graduate and also a member of the Gatton College Alumni Hall of Fame. Williams, of Paducah, is the founder and chairman of CSI, providing customers with integrated and streamlined technology solutions. Currently, he serves as co-chair for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Leadership Institute for School Principals.
- Ulysses Lee "Junior" Bridgeman, former star basketball player for the University of Louisville who went on to a successful career in the NBA. Bridgeman is the president and CEO of Bridgeman Foods Inc., which owns and operates more than 160 Wendy's restaurant franchises across the country, as well as more than 118 Chili’s restaurants.
Among those honored as an emerging entrepreneur was Nate Morris, co-founder and CEO of Morris Industries in Lexington. A social entrepreneur, he is the co-founder of Rubicon Global, North America’s leading provider of sustainable waste and recycling services. Recently named to Fortune Magzine's '40 under 40,' Morris is a member of the Dean's Advisory Council at the Gatton College.