John Michael Paz, president of Bridgeport, N.J.-based Godwin Pumps, was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP last week. Paz was selected from 20 finalists in the Greater Philadelphia & Central Eastern Pennsylvania region by an independent panel of judges comprised of local business, academic and community leaders.

Paz began his career in the construction industry at an early age, working summers as an equipment operator and estimator. After earning his B.A., Paz joined Godwin Pumps. The company, founded in 1976 by Paz Brothers Construction, Bridgeport, N.J., rented portable dewatering pumps to the construction market and held the exclusive rights to manufacture and sell the Godwin Dri-Prime pump in North America. Paz became president in 1985. He opened the first Godwin Pumps rental center in 1990 in Upper Marlboro, Md.

Today Godwin maintains a fleet of more than 5,000 portable rental pumps and related accessories. Godwin has 20 rental locations in North America, home offices on two continents, and distributor locations worldwide, employing more than 500 people with total sales of more than $130 million.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year program was created and is produced by Ernst & Young and recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. The program honors entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in more than 100 cities and 35 countries.