Vertex CEO Jeff R. Westphal Recognized as
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The YearŽ 2011
Representing finalists in the Greater Philadelphia region, Jeff Westphal will vie for the national award in November
Berwyn, PA – June 17, 2011 – Jeff R. Westphal, chief executive officer, president and co-owner of Vertex Inc., the leading provider of corporate enterprise tax solutions, has been honored with Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year Award® in the Greater Philadelphia region. Westphal received the award at a gala event on Wednesday, June 15, at the Loews Hotel in Philadelphia.
The group of winning entrepreneurs was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous winners of the award, leading CEOs, private capital investors and other regional business leaders.
Along with the other regional honorees, Westphal is now under consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year National Award, to be held in California in November.
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program recognizes business leaders who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Now in its 25th year, the program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 140 cities and more than 50 countries throughout the world.
“Ernst & Young has honored outstanding entrepreneurs like this year’s winners for the past 25 years,” said Andrew Jordan, Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year Greater Philadelphia Program Director. “Business leaders like Jeff Westphal have accomplished so much and contributed a tremendous amount to the community. They give us hope for what the next 25 years of entrepreneurs will bring.”
“Far more than a personal honor, this award underscores the commitment to excellence embodied by the entire Vertex team,” commented Westphal. “Over the years, we’ve encouraged the people of Vertex to participate and create the culture they want and need to creatively collaborate and deliver the solutions our clients require. This inclusive approach has enabled us to achieve the growth and success Vertex has realized over the years, and will fuel our innovation in the years to come.”
Westphal joined the company founded by his father, Ray Westphal, in 1988 and has served as director of marketing, vice president of sales and marketing, and executive vice president. In 1996, he became Vertex’s president, and in 2001 assumed the role of chief executive officer.
Under his stewardship, Vertex has grown to more than 700 employees with offices across the country, the European Union and South America and implemented the sophisticated business processes and strategic planning that enable it to provide enterprise-level solutions to major multi-national corporations.
In the 30-plus years since its beginning as a publisher of tax rate change directories, to its current position as recognized global leader in enterprise tax solutions, Vertex has earned the trust and business of world-class corporations, along with recognition for the value of its progressive corporate culture.
In addition to his role as leader of Vertex, Westphal also serves as Chairman of the Board of Open Connections, Inc., a not-for-profit open educational organization, and is Co-founder with his wife, Jenifer, of Kyle's Treehouse, (kylestreehouse.org), a web-based resource for families seeking hope and guidance for the treatment of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He also is the founding corporate sponsor, of Profitable Pathways to Sustainability, an initiative of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.
About Vertex
Founded in 1978, Vertex Inc. is the leading provider of corporate enterprise tax software and services worldwide.
Vertex helps companies realize the full financial and strategic potential of corporate tax, offering a variety of solutions that streamline, integrate and automate corporate tax processes. Vertex solutions serve multinational corporations in every major line of business tax including; income, sales, consumer use, value added, communications and payroll.
The company’s offerings are showcased by Vertex Enterprise™, a data-driven, open-architecture approach to tax technology that integrates all direct and indirect tax processes and technologies with host financial system applications on a single platform. The result is increased efficiency, control, transparency and strategic decision making for Tax and Finance departments.
Vertex is a privately held company that employs over 600 professionals across the globe, at its headquarters in the U.S. (Berwyn, Pa.) and offices in Europe (London), Brazil (São Paulo), Dallas, Fort Collins, Naperville, Phoenix and Sarasota.
For more information about Vertex, visit www.vertexinc.com
For more information on Vertex Enterprise™ visit: www.vertexinc.com/enterprise
About Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year®
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 140 cities in more than 50 countries.
About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 141,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.
Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited operating in the US. For more information about our organization, please visit www.ey.com.
Press Contact: Garfield Group Public Relations |
Company Contact: Vertex Inc. |
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