Twenty-five area entrepreneurs will receive Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards from The Business Ledger at the eighth annual awards presentation on Sept. 19.

Those being honored—from three “Young Entrepreneurs” under age 40 to five accomplished executives receiving service, spirit or lifetime achievement awards—run the gamut of entrepreneurship in the suburban area, encompassing such fields as high-tech, consulting, manufacturing, publishing, catering, recruitment and food processing.

They will be recognized at an evening reception at the Oakbrook Terrace headquarters of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association.

Offering keynote remarks at the event will be Michael Birck, chairman and a founder of Tellabs, Inc.

Diamond sponsors for the awards program are AT&T and Selden & Fox. Gold sponsors are Pepper Group, Tasty Catering, WIND News Talk 560AM and B. Gunther & Company, Inc. Marketing partners are the College of DuPage Foundation, the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and the Illinois Small Business Development Centers.

“We are again pleased to recognize the important role of entrepreneurs in our dynamic suburban community through this awards program,” said James E. Elsener, president and publisher of The Business Ledger. “That we are honoring 25 men and women who have contributed greatly to the economic strength of this area is in keeping with our mission of telling the stories of successful business owners and executives.

“It’s further testimony to the great diversity of our area that so many different industries and businesses are represented by our honorees, showing why our suburban area is in the forefront of entrepreneurship and the formulation of ideas for new businesses.”

The award recipients, by category, are:

Early Stage Award: David Contorno, U-Build It, Mokena; Alyse Lasser and Colleen Buck, Insight Executive Search Partners, Inc., Oak Brook

Growth Award: Jennifer Didier, Directions Training Center, Oak Brook; Carolyn Gerard, Gerard Design, Inc., Warrenville; Doug & Bryan Grane, Central States Trucking, Bensenville; Russ & Tina Hoefer, Chicago Windy City Guide Magazine, Northbrook; Tom Walter, Tasty Catering, Elk Grove Village; Bruce Leon, Tandem Professional Employer Services, Oak Brook

Innovation Award: Vincent Camporeale, Orin USA, Inc., Roselle; Brian Clark & Arthur Zards, XNet Information Systems, Lisle; Greg Jiede, Synergistic Networks, Inc., Elmhurst

Lifetime Achievement: Jack Mensching, Itasca Bank & Trust Co., Itasca; Michael Williams, Williams Architects Ltd., Carol Stream

Minority Entrepreneur Award: Johnny Campbell, Speak On It! LLC, Carol Stream;

Michele Hoskins, Michele Foods, Inc., Calumet City

Regional Spirit Award: Sandra Westlund-Deenihan, Quality Floatworks, Schaumburg;

William Winston, Living Word Christian Center & Joseph Business School, Forest Park

Service to Entrepreneurs: William Bartlett, Corporate Strategies & Solutions, Naperville

Today’s Young Entrepreneurs: Kevin Clark, Quintessential Retirement Services, Inc., Lockport;

Kim Kleeman, Shakespeare Squared, Glenview; Natasha Lehrer, Esther’s Place, Big Rock

Tickets for the event are available at $45 each, which includes hors d’oeuvres and dessert. Call 630-428-8788 to register.