NEA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The National Entrepreneurs Association's Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded to entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence in entrepreneurship. Through hard work and dedication these individuals have built profitable organizations that contribute to the economic growth and development of the communities in which they serve. In addition, our awardees are philanthropists who give back in an effort to make the world a better place for all. They serve as examples of what is possible.
Joseph B Anderson, Chairman and CEO of Tag Holdings, LLC
Mr. Anderson began his business career with General Motors in 1979 and served as a plant manager and business unit director. After 13 years of service, he resigned to become President and CEO of a privately held company, Composite Energy Management Systems Incorporated. In October 1994, he acquired a controlling interest in another privately held entity and held the position of Chairman of the Board and CEO before divesting his interest in 2002. Mr. Anderson is currently the majority owner, Chairman and CEO of TAG Holdings, LLC which owns several manufacturing service and technology based entities based in North America. These entities serve a variety of industries including automotive, heavy equipment, aerospace and defense. Firms run by Anderson were in the top five on the Black Enterprise 100 List, a list of the nation's largest Black businesses, for several years with roughly $800 million in revenue at one point.
Greg Bennett, Founder of Luna Bacardi Group, O! Branded Entertainment and Iconoclast Brand Marketing & Entertainment
Greg Bennett has pioneered some of the most memorable marketing campaigns of the past 35 years. He has worked with icon brands including CBS, Disney, Unilever, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Walmart, M&Ms, Nissan, Lincoln Motor Cars, GMC, BMW, Virgin, Sony, Nestle, FOX, Nike. His work has been recognized within the communications industry through awards such as Globes, Addys, Emmys and Diamonds for creative and marketing excellence. In 1990, he founded Los Angeles based Luna Bacardi Group (LBG). Within a decade, LBG became the third largest privately held integrated marketing agency in the world, as selected by Brand Week and Promo Magazine.
In 2000, Greg founded O! Branded Entertainment which worked with leading brands, film studios and television networks in the development and production of branded entertainment centric projects. Greg joined CBS Television Distribution in 2007 and launched the network’s Branded Entertainment & Digital division. He developed and produced branded content for hit shows such as Oprah, Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray, Entertainment Tonight and Inside Edition. In 2010, he formed Iconoclast Brand Marketing & Entertainment. Over the years Greg employed several hundred amazing individuals, over three thousand parttime employees and an exit value of 47 Million Dollars. Greg launched his foundation ... “the Genius stage” in 2019. A non - profit platform that is placing brilliant academic thinkers and powerful entrepreneurs on a global stage solving global challenges while moving humanity forward. He is the author of “I Can Make Caffeine Nervous”
Paul Glantz, Founder/Former Chairman of Emagine Entertainment
Since 1989 Mr. Glantz has focused his efforts on building entrepreneurial businesses. Particularly noteworthy was his decision, in October 1990, to assume the position of Vice President of Finance & Administration with Proctor Financial, Inc. (“PFI”), a leading provider of specialized insurance services to mortgage servicers nationwide. Mr. Glantz has also been the driving force behind the development and operation of metropolitan Detroit’s Emagine theatres. Serving as chief executive of Emagine Novi, Emagine Canton, Emagine Rochester Hills, Emagine Royal Oak, and Emagine Macomb, he raised over $55 million in capital to initiate those ventures, and in doing so, brought his concept of an exemplary entertainment experience to reality. Emagine’s theatres were recognized by the readers of The Detroit News as the “Best Theatres in Michigan” for three years running. WDIV Detroit viewers also voted Emagine as Detroit’s best theatres for two years in a row in the mid2000s and again in 2011. In June, 2008, the editors of Corp! Magazine honored Emagine as one of Michigan’s Economic Bright Spots. In April, 2010, Emagine was recognized by the Edward Lowe Foundation as one of the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch.
Michael McFall, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of BIGGBY COFFEE
Michael McFall is the co-founder and co-CEO of BIGGBY COFFEE, the U.S.’ third-largest coffee franchise. Having originally started with BIGGBY in 1996 as a minimum-wage barista, Mike has held just about every role within the company over the last 26 years. Mike has been on a transformational journey from that of a bootstrapping entrepreneur to a leader of a sophisticated organization. The backbone of that transformation has been learning the value and power of authentic relationships within the organization. Two decades later, BIGGBY COFFEE has over 330 stores open across 12 states. Mike is the author of the Inc. Original book, Grind, and the second book in his trilogy series, Grow, will be released this June. Mike lives in Ann Arbor with his wife Elizaveta and four children.
Monica Morgan, International Photojounalist
Monica Morgan is a globally recognized photojournalist with nearly four decades of experience. Her portfolio, a testament to her exceptional skills and diverse range, documents world leaders, icons and celebrities such as King Charles, Muhammad Ali, Oprah, Tony Bennett, Sophia Loren, Prince, Michael Jackson, seven seated U.S. Presidents, and over 50 heads of state. In addition to photojournalism, Monica specializes in event documentation and corporate headshots, providing a wide array of professional photography services. Her work, including the iconic re-enactment image of Rosa Parks, is available through Getty Images. Beyond her photography, Monica inspires others through global speaking engagements, workshops, seminars, and mentoring programs. She uses her experiences to motivate, transform, and teach self-discovery, self-determination, and self-esteem. Her passion and dedication make her a luminary in photojournalism.
Linda Schlesinger-Wagner, Founder and Owner of Skinnytees
After more than 30 years in the apparel industry, Michigan native Linda Schlesinger-Wagner, was inspired to create a brand that filled a void she felt existed in the women's apparel industry. In 2009, skinnytees (TM) started with a single one-size-fits-most silhouette, the seamless camisole. Schlesinger-Wagner didn't stop there and quickly rolled out a complete line of essential styles that helped redefine the smoothwear industry. Through the years, skinnytees has grown, and is now firmly rooted in the belief of offering a product for all women, all sizes, all colors, and all ages. Prior to the launch of skinnytees, Schlesinger-Wager successfully ran several fashion brands. Through her dedication, skinnytees was named to Corp. Magazine's Economic Bright Spot Award in 2017, Inc. Magazine's 5000 Greatest Entrepreneurs of 2017, MichBusiness's Retail Sensations of 2018, and has made numerous appearances on Good Morning America's Deals & Steals. Schlesinger-Wagner is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program and the Edward Lowe Foundation.
Carla Walker-Miller, Founder and CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Service
As founder and CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services (WMES), Carla Walker-Miller is a savvy entrepreneur and a visionary leader determined to change lives through energy. With decades of energy industry leadership, her 18-year old, values driven Detroit-based firm creates and manages customized energy waste reduction programs that help electric and gas utilities, meet mandated energy savings goals. Walker-Miller Energy Services, generated $28 million in revenue last year. An engineer by education, Carla earned the respect of energy industry colleagues during her 18 years in the large utility equipment manufacturing sector. In 2000, she used her industry expertise to launch WMES, a non-stocking distributorship for medium and high voltage utility equipment, with average annual revenues of more than $10 million through 2009. During the economic collapse, she pivoted to energy efficiency, a growth industry, and lead her business to double-digit growth, earning both local and national recognition as a scrappy, innovative company to watch. Since 2014, her firm has experienced more than 700% revenue growth and operates in three states.
Dave Zilko, Partner and Vice Chair of Garden Fresh Gourmet
Makers of the Number One Brand of Salsa in North America
Dave Zilko founded his first specialty food company more than 25 years ago. While today Dave remains an equity partner in several food-oriented enterprises, he recently exited active involvement in the industry when he engineered the sale of Garden Fresh Gourmet, makers of the number one brand of fresh salsa in North America, to the Campbell’s Soup Company for nearly a quarter of a billion dollars. Dave was a partner at Garden Fresh for 13 years, serving as Vice Chairman with primary responsibility for strategy and sales. In early 2016 Dave published a book, via Wiley & Sons, detailing his experience as an entrepreneur in general and his experiences with Garden Fresh in particular. Entitled Irrational Persistence: Seven Secrets That Turned A Bankrupt Startup into a $231,000,000 Business. The book became an instant national best seller. Today Dave has invested in and has assumed the role of CEO at FUEL Leadership, a digital media property that also organizes exclusive business events. He has started another food company, Skinny Butcher brand ready to serve meals.
