The Richmond Times Dispatch - June 17, 2005

State entrepreneurs receive honors

BY TYRA M. VAUGHN

The founders of Service Center Metals in Prince George County know what it means to sacrifice.

R. Scott Kelley, Lloyd S. "Chip" Dollins and R. Randolph Weis of Prince George County went nearly 17 months without a paycheck when they developed their aluminum extrusion plant in 2001.

But like most entrepreneurs, the trio had a dream and ran with it. In its first four years, the firm has generated $40 million in revenue.

Their hard work and dedication was rewarded last night when they received an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award at a black-tie ceremony at the Richmond Marriott.

The business partners, who won in the Emerging Entrepreneurs category, were among the recipients of statewide awards highlighting excellence in entrepreneurship, the majority of which went to Richmond-area businesses.

Among the winners was Robert Lynch, president and CEO of CyMed Inc. in Richmond, who caught the entrepreneurial bug at an early age by starting a yard service. In the past seven years, he has developed the third-largest medical transcription company in the nation, which earned him an award in the category of Service.

The winners were chosen from 27 finalists from 13 businesses and were selected by a panel of independent judges made up of area leaders from business, academic and civic organizations.

Other Entrepreneur of the Year winners are:

• Master Entrepreneur: Nicholas F. Taubman, director and retired chairman and CEO of Advance Auto Parts in Roanoke;

• Lifetime Achievement: Charles S. Luck III, chairman, and Charles S. Luck IV, president and CEO, of Luck Stone Corp. in Manakin;

• Information Technology: William F. Loving, chief operating officer, and Scott K. Walker, CEO, of Ironworks Consulting LLC in Glen Allen;

• Distribution/Manufacturing: John D. Tickle, president of Strongwell Corp. in Bristol.

The Virginia winners are eligible to compete for the National Entrepreneur of the Year award, which will be announced in November in Palm Springs, Calif. That winner will compete against recipients from 35 countries.