EY Announces Robert Ceravolo of Tropic Ocean Airways Named Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2019 Award Winner in Florida

ORLANDO, Fla., June 17, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- EY today announced that Rob Ceravolo, CEO of Tropic Ocean Airways, the world's leading amphibious airline, received the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2019 Award in the Consumer Services category in Florida. The award recognizes entrepreneurs who are excelling in areas such as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities, while also transforming our world. Mr. Ceravolo was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a special gala event at the June 13, 2019 at the Hilton Orlando.

Mr. Ceravolo, a former Navy fighter pilot and TOPGUN instructor, founded the airline to help solve airlift problems in congested and remote regions. The company has grown consistently since 2011, carrying over 35,000 guests in 2018. Additionally, the airline provided disaster relief throughout the Caribbean during the major hurricanes of 2015, 2016, and 2017. The backbone of the company is its dedication to employee development and training.

"I'm so honored to win this award considering the lineup of amazing finalists," Ceravolo said. "Entrepreneurship is more than just running a business...I have over 100 entrepreneurial-minded teammates who help Tropic succeed every day. This award is for them."

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 33rd year, the program has honored the inspirational leadership of such entrepreneurs as:

    --  Howard Schultz of Starbucks Corporation
    --  Pierre Omidyar of eBay, Inc.
    --  Jodi Berg of Vitamix
    --  Robert Unanue of Goya Foods
    --  Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn
    --  Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani
    --  Kendra Scott of Kendra Scott LLC
    --  Andreas Bechtolsheim and Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks
    --  James Park of Fitbit
    --  J.W. "Bill" Marriott, Jr. of Marriott International, Inc.
    --  Lonnie Moulder and Mary Lynne Hedley, PhD, of TESARO, Inc.

As a Florida award winner, Mr. Ceravolo is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2019 National Awards. 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 16, 2019. The awards are the culminating event of the Strategic Growth Forum®, the nation's most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored by SAP America and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

In Florida, regional sponsors also include Platinum sponsors Greenberg Traurig, LLP and PNC Bank and Silver sponsor the Orlando Business Journal.

About Tropic Ocean Airways
Tropic Ocean Airways, a U.S. certificated commuter air carrier founded by a U.S. Navy TOPGUN fighter pilot, is focused on the use of professionally-operated amphibious aircraft to create airlift solutions for congested and remote regions. The airline, which has grown over 35% year over year, safely transported over 35,000 guests in 2018 throughout destinations in Florida, the Northeast U.S., The Bahamas, and the Caribbean. Tropic Ocean Airways is the recipient of the highly coveted ARGUS Gold rating for safety and enjoys a five-star customer service rating on TripAdvisor and social media. Ceravolo and his team of over 100 experienced aviation professionals have developed and implemented standard operating procedures modeled after the U.S. military, which ensure the highest levels of safety and service aboard each flight. For more information, please visit http://www.flytropic.com.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year®
Entrepreneur Of The Year®, founded by EY, is the world's most prestigious business awards program for entrepreneurs. The program 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 awards program of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries. ey.com/eoy.

About EY's Growth Markets Network
EY's worldwide Growth Markets Network is dedicated to serving the changing needs of high-growth companies. For more than 30 years, we've helped many of the world's most dynamic and ambitious companies grow into market leaders. Whether working with international mid-cap companies or early stage, venture-backed businesses, our professionals draw upon their extensive experience, insight and global resources to help your business succeed. For more information, please visit us at ey.com/gm or follow news on Twitter @EY_Growth.

About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

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SOURCE Tropic Ocean Airways