NEWS RELEASE
For Release 8 a.m. PST
June 20,
2005
HORIZON TECHNOLOGY CEO, KURT JOHNSON RECEIVES
2005 ERNST & YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD
LAKE FOREST , Calif. -- June 20, 2005 -- Horizon Technology, a leading independent distributor specializing in information storage and display products, today announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Kurt Johnson has been named a winner of the 2005 Ernst & Young Orange County Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Technology category. Johnson was one of 25 finalists selected by a panel of judges comprised of local community and business leaders recognizing excellence in business leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. The award was presented at a black-tie awards banquet on Thurs., June 16 at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine, Calif.
“While I am thrilled to receive such a prestigious award, I accept it on behalf of the entire dedicated Horizon team,” said Johnson. “This nomination not only recognizes our company’s progress, but the shared vision we have with a growing base of customers who have placed their trust in us. To be recognized in the company of such a respected and elite list of industry visionaries and entrepreneurs is an honor.”
Johnson founded Horizon Technology in 1996 and successfully guided the company to eight years of consistent growth and profitability. He has been instrumental in building Horizon Technology into one of the industry’s leading independent distributors of storage and LCD products. With over 16 years in the electronics distribution industry, Johnson transformed Horizon from a narrowly-focused service organization dedicated to refurbishing PCs into a globally-recognized independent distributor representing some of the world’s largest OEMs.
Under his leadership, Horizon Technology established a new U.S. headquarters, achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification, opened five new regional offices in the US and Asia to support key customers and give the company a strong presence in the industry’s top markets.
Horizon Technology originally established a name for itself by providing LCD display, storage, CPU and board level industrial distribution solutions. Horizon has since risen through the ranks to become one of the largest independent distributors specializing in information storage and display products. The company provides display solutions for industrial automation, kiosk, ATM, military and digital signage applications. In addition to its standard display product line, the Display Solutions Group designs, engineers and manufactures a full spectrum of custom LCD solutions. The company provides a wide range of enhancement and customization services including LCD kitting; LCD test and repair; flat panel integration; touch screen integration; engineering support; ruggedization; optical enhancements; and parts fulfillment. Product offerings include LCD Kits, LCD Screens, Industrial & Rackmount Displays, Open Frame Displays, Sunlight Readable & High Brightness Displays, Controller Boards, Inverters, Panel PCs, and Touch Screen Monitors.
This award makes Johnson eligible for consideration in the 2005 National Entrepreneur Of the Year program. Winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, will be announced at the annual awards gala to be held this November in Palm Springs, Calif.
Recipients of the National award automatically become lifetime members of the Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame. Past national winners include Michael Dell of Dell Computer, Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com, Howard Schultz of Starbucks, Wayne Huizenga of Blockbuster and Herb Kellerer of Southwest Airlines.
About The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) Program
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program was created and is produced by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP. As the first award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. The program honors entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in over 100 cities and 35 countries.
About Horizon Technology
Horizon Technology is a leading independent distributor
specializing in storage and display products for the OEM, EMS and ODM markets.
Founded in 1996, Horizon's ISO 9001:2000 certified worldwide headquarters are
located in Lake Forest , California with sales, purchasing and logistics support
provided through offices in Boston , Miami , Oklahoma City, and Seoul , Korea .
Services include strategic proactive and reactive worldwide sourcing,
fulfillment services, test and repair, Proactive Part Match, and display
solutions.
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For more information, press/analysts only:
Shari Gold,
GOLD PR for Horizon Technology, (949) 764-9488, sgold@goldpr.com
