The award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

Dr Harris was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a special gala event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis on June 10, 2015.

“I am honored to be recognized among this elite group of entrepreneurs,” said Dr Hank Harris, CEO of Harrisvaccines.

“As Harrisvaccines celebrates its tenth year of operation, I am humbled by our success. I look forward to the continued growth of our team, our technology, and our impact on the industry.”

Harrisvaccines utilizes its cutting-edge SirraVax technology to produce herd-specific, rapid response vaccines for an array of diseases in swine, poultry, companion animals, and more.

As foreign animal diseases and other viruses, such as Avian Influenza, remain a constant threat for producers and consumers alike, the need for an immediate and effective vaccine response is crucial. Harrisvaccines can quickly meet demand and help to curb the spread of disease.

Now in its 29th year, the program has honored the inspirational leadership of such entrepreneurs as Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee Company, Pierre Omidyar of eBay, Inc., and Mindy Grossman of HSN. Recent US national winners include Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn; Hamdi Ulukaya, founder of Chobani; and 2014 winner Dr David Hung, President and CEO and Chairman of Medivation.

As an Upper Midwest award winner, Dr Harris is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2015 national program.

Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 14, 2015.

The awards are the culminating event of the EY Strategic Growth Forum®, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by EY, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are sponsored nationally by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America. In the Upper Midwest, region sponsors include: Padillacrt, Fagre Baker Daniels, Twin Cities Business, Merrill Corporation, Lockton, Pohlad Companies and Salo.