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Berner International Corp. Wins 2004 Entrepreneur Of The Year Award from Ernst & Young
Berner International Corp. Wins 2004 Entrepreneur Of The Year Award from Ernst & YoungGeorgia Berner of Berner International Corp. accepted on behalf of the company the top prize in the Manufacturing category during the gala Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards Banquet for Western Pennsylvania. Berner International Corp., located in New Castle, PA, was selected from over 50 nominations in the Western Pennsylvania area by a panel of independent judges comprised of local community and business leaders.
Georgia Berner assumed the role of president and chief executive officer of Berner International Corp. after her husband's unexpected death in 1984. Since that time, Ms. Berner has lead the company to unprecedented success with sales that have climbed by more than 400 percent becoming the country's second largest manufacturer of air doors and air curtains.
Her management style, best described as 'Independent', evolved from a self-study crash course in finance and is seen in her newest ventures in consolidating Berner's manufacturing and assembly efforts. She single handedly directed the construction of a 60,000 square-foot manufacturing and office complex, drastically reducing subcontracting costs and tripling the size of Berner's operating space.
With a background that includes advanced degrees in English Literature and social psychology, Ms. Berner sees the company's culture as a reflection of the "fun and challenging" nature of the business, maintained by weekly staff meetings and a substantial benefit package, including 401(k) contributions and full health care coverage.
Georgia Berner and the Berner International Corp. are now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2004 national program. Winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, Calif., in November 2004. The overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner is then considered for the world event held in Monte Carlo.
