The Towbes Group and Montecito Bank & Trust today announced that Chairman Michael Towbes is a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2010 Award in the Greater Los Angeles Region. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Michael Towbes was selected as one of 19 finalists from 38 semi-finalists by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a special gala event on June 22, 2010 at the Beverly Hilton.
"The selection by Ernst & Young is a great honor. It is only because of the great leadership at both The Towbes Group and Montecito Bank & Trust which has given me the opportunity to give back to the community in a meaningful way," Michael Towbes remarked.
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program celebrates its 24th anniversary this year. The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 135 cities in 50 countries throughout the world.
Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year® 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 at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 13, 2010. 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.
Sponsors
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 the Greater Los Angeles Area, sponsors include Marsh, Scherzer International, Union Bank, Bowne, and Montgomery & Co.
The Towbes Group, Inc.
The Towbes Group is a Santa Barbara based development, construction and asset management company with over fifty years of professional experience in all aspects of real estate development. The company has developed over 6,000 residential units and 1.4 million square feet of commercial properties. Almost all of this development has been in the tri-county area, and a majority has been in Santa Barbara County. The company currently manages over 2.0 million square feet of commercial space, including offices, light industrial and retail uses, and approximately 2,100 residential units.
Montecito Bank & Trust
Montecito Bank & Trust, an S Corporation community bank, with assets of over $900 million, is owned by Michael Towbes. As the bank celebrates its 35th anniversary, it continues to demonstrate strong earnings, is well capitalized, and is actively making loans in the communities it serves. Montecito Bank & Trust has been designated a Super Premier or Premier Performing Bank for the last ten years by The Findley Reports, an independent service which rates the financial performance of California banks. It provides ongoing support of the community through unique giving programs like Anniversary GrantsSM and Community Dividends®, which annually donates $1 million to more than 100 local nonprofits.
About Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Yea® Awards Program
Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the unique 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, Ernst & Young 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 135 cities in 50 countries.
Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited located in the U.S.
For more information, please contact Carolyn C. Tulloh, Director of Marketing at (805) 564-0252 or ctulloh@montecito.com