Tom Coble, president of Coble Trench Safety, was named the Ernst Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 in the Carolinas. Coble had been a finalist for the award in 2009 and 2010. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.
Coble was selected as a finalist by a panelist of independent judges and announced as the recipient at a special gala event June 9 in Charlotte.
Coble sees the award as recognition of what Coble Trench Safety has been able to accomplish since 2002, when the company was founded and expressed appreciation to the employees of CTS.
“When Coble Trench Safety first entered the trench safety industry, we had grand dreams and one branch location,” Coble said. “We opened our initial location, the Raleigh, N.C., branch, focused on providing contractors a viable provider for trench safety products and services. We just opened our 11th location this January in Knoxville, Tenn., a testament to the commitment to superior customer service and product quality we bring to customers through the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states. It is our goal to continue to expand the geographic footprint of Coble Trench Safety throughout the East Coast. The recognition of being the recipient of this prestigious award amongst some truly great regional companies is truly an honor.”
The Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards program celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The program now recognizes business leaders in more than 135 cities in 50 countries. Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur of the Year national program.
Founded in 2002 and based in Greensboro, N.C., Coble Trench Safety has branches in Atlanta; Baltimore; Charleston and Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh, N.C.; Richmond and Norfolk, Va.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Washington, D.C.
