Nebraska Distinguished Entrepreneur awards announced

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship has announced the winners of its 2006 Nebraska Distinguished Entrepreneur awards. To reflect the size and scope of entrepreneurial activity across the state, awards were presented in five categories.

Nebraska Distinguished Entrepreneur: Brad Berlin, Software Technology Inc., Lincoln. Software Technology Inc., founded in 1979. is privately owned and dedicated to serving the legal market with Tabs3, a billing software, and PracticeMaster, a documentation tracking system. There are more than 425,000 user licenses for the combined program on the company's annual maintenance program.

Established Entrepreneurial Company: Data Security Inc., Scott Miller, Lincoln. Since 1985, Data Security Inc. has proven that process is better than force to completely and uniformly erase hard disk or magnetic tape media. Their products have National Security Agency approval, which guarantees erased information is unrecoverable by any means. Products also support the financial and health care communities.

Franchise Distinguished Entrepreneur: Allen Hager, Right at Home, Omaha. Right at Home is an in-home care and assistance agency. It provides trained, insured and bonded caregivers for a variety of care giving needs, such as assistance after a hospital stay, help or companionship for an aging parent, or a respite for someone caring for an ailing spouse or relative. There are 84 franchise locations in the United States and the company is ranked in Entrepreneur magazine as one of the top 500 franchising companies.

UNL Alumni Entrepreneur: Dave Vetter, Grain Place Foods Inc., Marquette. Vetter returned to his family's 280-acre farm in 1975 intending to grow grains organically. In 1980, Dave and his father, Don, invested $170,000 to build a small grain-cleaning plant. The operation has grown into Grain Place Foods Inc., employing 13 people full time to grow, clean, process, package and market grains and beans for its own line of products as well as for other food companies.

Young Entrepreneurial Growth Company: Nanonation Inc., Bradley Walker, Lincoln. From kiosks to digital signage, Nanonation's software seamlessly integrates digital media content and monitors, measures and manages each customer interaction. Experienced professionals in marketing, technology and customer experience provide a full suite of services to enhance a client's direct marketing. Annually, Nanonation delivers more than 20 million minutes of customer interaction in a variety of vertical market segments, such as retail, travel, hospitality, education and health care. Clients include companies such as Mazda, Build-a-Bear, Yahoo!, Burger King, SBC, Minnesota Wild, Grand Hotel, Petro Travel Centers, Nebraska Book Co., Alamo Car Rental, Clorox and Amtrak.

CONTACT: Glenn A. Friendt, Director, Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship, (402) 472-3353