EY announced that Founder and CEO David Gilbert of National Funding received the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2017 Award in the Finance category in San Diego. The award recognizes entrepreneurs who are excelling in areas such as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. David Gilbert was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a special gala event at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar on June 12, 2017.

“It’s a distinct honor to win the Entrepreneur Of The Year – Finance award. EOY is the only competitive awards program in the world for entrepreneurs and leaders of high growth companies,” said Gilbert. “It’s great to be in the company of men and women who see passed the present to create the future. Through their leadership, they help the economy and our local communities grow. This recognition reflects the efforts of our entire National Funding team, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Since 1986, EY has honored entrepreneurs whose ingenuity, spirit of innovation and discipline have driven their companies’ success, transformed their industries and made a positive impact on their communities. Now in its 31st year, the program has honored the inspirational leadership of such entrepreneurs as:

• Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee Company
• Pierre Omidyar of eBay, Inc. 
• Mindy Grossman of HSN 
• Robert Unanue of Goya Foods 
• Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn 
• Andreas Bechtolsheim and Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks 
• Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani 
• James Park of Fitbit

As a San Diego award winner, Gilbert is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2017 national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced at the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 18, 2017. The awards are the culminating event of the Strategic Growth Forum™, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Founded and produced by EY, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored in the US by SAP America, Merrill Corporation and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

In San Diego, the sponsors of Entrepreneur Of The Year include Cooley LLP and Lockton Insurance Brokers, LLC.