Entrepreneur Of The Year Celebrates Ambitious Entrepreneurs Who Are Shaping the Future
TOLEDO, Ohio, May 9, 2024 – SSOE Group (www.ssoe.com), an internationally ranked architecture and engineering firm, recently announced that Vince DiPofi, PE, CEO of SSOE, was named a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2024 Michigan and Northwest Ohio Award. Now in its 38th year, Entrepreneur Of The Year is the preeminent competitive business award for audacious leaders who disrupt markets, revolutionize sectors, and have a transformational impact on lives. Over the past four decades, the program has recognized daring entrepreneurs with big ideas and bold actions that reshape our world. DiPofi is one of 34 regional entrepreneurs from 30 companies selected as finalists by an independent panel of judges. The candidates were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth, and impact, among other core contributions and attributes.
DiPofi joined SSOE in 2002 and boasts more than 40 years of professional experience. He has risen through the ranks as a Business Leader, Corporate Director of Business Development, and Chief Strategy Officer prior to becoming CEO of the Top 100 Design Firm (ENR, 2024). Through the years, he has been instrumental in developing numerous new accounts for SSOE and starting up the company’s ever-growing operations in Mexico. Today, he has the company focused on a technology-driven strategic plan that is positioning SSOE as one of the fastest-growing firms in the country and a leading-edge thought leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and design automation.
DiPofi holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toledo and is a licensed Professional Engineer in both Ohio and Michigan. He is active in the Toledo Society of Professional Engineers and was named the 2022 Engineer of the Year. DiPofi is also active in several non-profit organizations and serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the University of Toledo College of Engineering where he was named a Distinguished Alumni in 2019.
SSOE’s Catherine Myers, PE, President, commented on DiPofi’s recognition, stating, “Under Vince’s leadership as CEO, SSOE has been able to solidify its strategic position in key market sectors by both landing new clients and expanding work with current clients in emerging and growth industries, such as semiconductor and global battery / electric vehicle. To support this growth, Vince, with the support of the Board of Directors, has guided SSOE through recent acquisitions, along with a significant technology focus, such as AI and automation, and substantial direct hiring. These actions have resulted in SSOE emerging as a Top 100 Design Firm in 2024. I can think of no one more deserving of this honor.”
Doug Goare, an Outside Director of SSOE’s Board, commented, stating, “During his time as CEO, Vince has demonstrated the best of qualities including the highest level of integrity and trustworthiness, a passion for excellence, and true commitment to his clients, colleagues, and the communities in which SSOE serves. He lives the values of the organization, and the continued success of SSOE is evidence of his fine leadership. It is a privilege for me to work with Vince and the fine group of leaders he has developed. He is certainly deserving of this prestigious recognition.”
Regional award winners will be announced on Thursday, June 20, 2024 during a special celebration, becoming lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. The winners will then be considered by the national judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum®.
About Entrepreneur Of The Year®
Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year® has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the U.S., and it has since expanded to nearly 80 countries and territories globally.
The U.S. program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum® in November where National finalists and award winners are announced. The overall National winner represents the US at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year® competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy to learn more.
