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The Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship at Cal State San Bernardino has announced the finalists for the 2010 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards program. Award winners will be announced on Nov. 10 at the 8th annual black-tie gala at the Riverside Convention Center in Riverside.

The program will also feature the presentation of the 2010 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Lifetime Achievement award to the Bourns Family, who for multiple generations have owned and operated Bourns, Inc. , a Riverside-based global manufacturer of electronic components such as automotive electronic components, circuit protection and magnetic & resistive products.

Entrepreneurial finalists for 2010 include:

Emerging Entrepreneur

• Sara Johnson-Hector – Visiting Angels – Redlands
• Dan McNairy & Jay Rentz – Docu- Trust – San Bernardino
• Leah Post & Brandon Weimer – Brandini Toffee – Rancho Mirage Technology Entrepreneur
• Ammar Bazzaz – Bazzaz, Inc. – Chino Hills
• Jong S. Lee – Monoprice, Inc. – Rancho Cucamonga
• Biren Shukla – Forum Info-Tech, Inc. – Corona

Supporter of Entrepreneurship

• Hilda Kennedy - AMPAC Tri State CDC – Grand Terrace
• Mike Napoli – Tech Coast Angels – Palm Springs
• Dennis Sonney – California Manufacturing Technology
Consulting – Inland Empire General Entrepreneur
• Don Ecker – March Healthcare Development, LLC – Riverside
• Angie Lustrick – Angie’s World – Riverside
• Eve Yen – Diamond Wipes International, Inc. – Chino Social Entrepreneur
• Kara Lubin – 100 Mile Club – Norco
• Ruth Moir – The Steinway Society of Riverside County – Palm Desert
• Steve Reneker – SmartRiverside – Riverside

Innovator Entrepreneur

• Pockets Alvarez – Newport Cottages/Summer Tree Interiors, Inc. – Riverside
• Chris Cole III – Five Ten – Redlands
• Bud, Carmen & Ken Weisbart – AR Industries – Fontana

Family Business Entrepreneur

• Cheryl & Hardy Brown and Paulette Brown-Hinds – Black Voice News and BPC MediaWorks – Riverside
• Cecilia Vest – Midpoint Bearing – Ontario
• Bill Wilson – Wilson Creek Winery – Temecula

The finalists and award recipients are selected by an independent panel of judges, including Garner Holt, Garner Holt Productions, Inc. (2006 Spirit Award recipient); Ben Cook, Hangar 24 Craft Brewery LLC (2009 Spirit Award recipient); Amro Albanna, Avisio, Inc. (2005 Spirit Award Recipient) and Alan H. Lewis, entrepreneurial coach and leadership trainer.

The finalists represent the culmination of a nomination and evaluation process that included more than 150 nominees. Individual tickets for the Nov. 10 event are $100 per person and tables of 10 can be purchased for $900.

For more information or to make reservations, call (909) 537-3708 or visit www.inlandspiritawards.com

Commencing at 6 p.m. , the gala includes a VIP cocktail reception, dinner, entertainment and the awards presentation. All proceeds benefit the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Scholarship at Cal State San Bernardino.