Tom Coble, president of Coble Trench Safety is a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Award in the Carolinas.

Greensboro, N.C.-based Coble Trench Safety last week announced that its president, Tom Coble is a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Award in the Carolinas. 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 from nearly 75 nominations by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a special event on June 18, at the Westin Charlotte.

“When Coble Trench Safety first entered the trench safety industry, we had grand dreams and one branch location,” said Coble. “We opened our initial location, the Raleigh, N.C., branch, focused on providing contractors a viable provider for trench safety products and services. Through a steadfast commitment to superior customer service and product quality, we have been able to grow to nine branch locations in four states with customers throughout the Southeast and along the East Coast.”

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards program celebrates its 23rd anniversary this year. The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 135 cities in 50 countries throughout the world.

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur of the Year national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, Calif., on Nov. 14. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

For more information about Coble Trench Safety, visit www.cobletrenchsafety.com.