Gray Wheeler (right) celebrates E&Y award with his father, Joe Wheeler (left)

Ernst & Young LLP has named Yale Carolinas, Inc. President C. Gray Wheeler as 2013 Entrepreneur of the Year for the Southeast region.

The award was announced at a black tie gala in Atlanta on June 6th. The program was the conclusion of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year program for the Southeast region, which included Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

The independent judging committee was impressed by Yale Carolinas' revenue and profitability dramatically outpacing the broader material handling industry, and by the company's "no layoffs" policy throughout the deep recession.

Wheeler, 45, has worked at Yale Carolinas for nine years, first as CFO, then as COO, and the last five years the company's President. He holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School, where his classmates elected him to be their graduation speaker, and a B.A. from University of Virginia, with highest distinction.

"We knew in 2007 that we were about to face an economic downturn of legendary proportions," said Wheeler. "So we pared down the company's debt, and I repeatedly visited each of our branches, presenting our team members was the same deal: create value for the company in the downturn and devote your lost time to internally-managed professional training, and you will keep your job. We emerged from the recession with more knowledgeable managers, administrators, salespeople, and technicians. Not to mention that we had the workforce that our customers demanded when they started buying and servicing their equipment again."

Wheeler, who was nominated for the award by PNC Bank, now advances to the 2013 National Entrepreneur of the Year gala held in November at the Strategic Growth Forum in Palm Desert, CA.

"The award recipients are truly dynamic leaders who strive for business excellence and market leadership, and we are lucky to celebrate their tireless and inspirational efforts," said Connie Austin, Southeast Entrepreneur Of The Year partner at E&Y.

Yale Carolinas, Inc., was founded in 1988, and currently is a ten-branch operation serving customers' material handling needs in six states.


For more information, please contact:
Scott A. Moe
Executive Vice President, Managing Partner
Email: send an email
Ph: (704) 588-6930
Toll Free Phone: 866-979-2038

Web: www.yalecarolinas.com