Parago CEO Juli Spottiswood Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) 2009 Award Winner in Southwest Area-North

Award Recognizes Entrepreneurial Excellence in Business Services Category

LEWISVILLE, Texas, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Parago, a leader in providing rewards-based incentive programs to many Fortune 500 companies, today announced that President and CEO Juli Spottiswood received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) 2009 Award in the business services category in Southwest Area-North. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. Spottiswood was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a gala event at the Majestic Theater on June 27.

"Receiving the regional Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in the business services category is an enormous honor to both me and my wonderful team of employees and partners," said Spottiswood. "Parago's constant commitment to innovation is the driving force behind our growth. To be recognized for that success by such a prestigious award is extremely gratifying. We are celebrating in Texas!"

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards celebrate their 23rd anniversary this year. The program honors entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptionality in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

"We are proud to recognize the achievements of Juli Spottiswood," said Chris Abston, Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year Program Director for Southwest Area-North. "Winners of the Entrepreneur Of The Year award build leading businesses and contribute significantly to the strength of our region's economy. Their success helps our area grow stronger."

As a Southwest Area-North award winner, Spottiswood is now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced on November 14, 2009 at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation's most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America as national sponsors. In Southwest Area-North, local sponsors include Smith, Frank & Partners, Stagen, First United Bank & Trust Company, D CEO Magazine, Fort Worth Business Press and The Journal Record.

About Parago

Parago is the innovative provider of reward-based incentives solutions that deploy technology to drive better results from consumers, employees and sales channels. Parago provides a full range of corporate and consumer incentive programs to Fortune 500 companies. Its offerings include incentive solutions targeted at customer acquisition and retention, employee performance improvement and recognition programs and sales and channel incentives solutions. Parago has distinguished itself in the rewards-based incentives field for more than ten years by consistent reinvention of legacy approaches, introducing 27 industry firsts and receiving three patents. Parago is based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. For more information visit www.parago.com

About Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) Awards Program

Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) Award is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) award celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.

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Juli Spottiswood

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