"Entrepreneurs contribute so much to our economy and the fabric of this nation," says Mike Brennan, Ernst & Young partner and Florida Host of the Entrepreneur Of The Year program. "These finalists help our region create jobs, while encouraging community growth, development and innovation. We are pleased to honor them."

The Florida Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer, CSX Corporation, Jacksonville.

Florida Entrepreneur Of The Year finalists, selected by an independent panel of judges comprised of regional business, academic and community leaders, are:

Central Florida

Technology: Waymon Armstrong, president and chief executive officer, Engineering & Computer Simulations, Inc., Orlando

Technology: Daniel Devine, chief executive officer, Compass Knowledge Group, Orlando

North Florida/Panhandle

Distribution and Manufacturing: David A. Smith, chairman and chief executive officer, PSS World Medical, Jacksonville

Emerging: Michael Murdoch, president and chief executive officer, AppRiver, Gulf Breeze

Real estate and construction services: Charles C. Appleby, chairman and chief executive officer, Advanced Disposal Services, Inc., Jacksonville

South Florida

Distribution and Manufacturing: Valerie Holstein, president and chief executive officer, CableOrganizer.com, Fort Lauderdale

Distribution and Manufacturing: Michael J. Kasbar, president and chief operating officer and Paul H. Stebbins, chairman and chief executive officer, World Fuel Services Corporation, Miami

Emerging: Zalmi Duchman, chief executive officer, The Fresh Diet, Surfside

Health services: Rafael P. Perez, president and chief executive officer, Medica HealthCare Plans, Inc., Coral Gables

Real estate and construction services: Joel L. Altman, chairman and chief executive officer, The Altman Companies, Boca Raton

Real estate and construction services: Marc Ganzi, chief executive officer, Global Tower Partners, Boca Raton

Retail and consumer products: Menderes Akdag, chief executive officer and president, PetMed Express, Inc., Pompano Beach

Retail and consumer products: Christian de Berdouaré, founder and chief executive officer, Chicken Kitchen USA, LLC, North Miami Beach

Services: Abdol Moabery, president and chief executive officer, GA Telesis, LLC, Ft.