EY US Unveils John Hanighen of Cloyes Gear & Products as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2025 Southwest Award Finalist

Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs who are shaping the future

FORT SMITH, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced the finalists for the prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Southwest Award. Now in its 40th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and making a profound impact on communities. The program honors bold entrepreneurs whose innovations shape the future and pave the way for a thriving economy and a hopeful tomorrow.

An independent panel of judges selected John Hanighen of Cloyes Gear & Products among the CEOs and founders representing 42 companies for their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and lasting impact in building long-term value.

"I'm deeply honored to be selected as a finalist. The success we've experienced is a testament to the outstanding team and the unique, inclusive, and entrepreneurial culture we've fostered at Cloyes." - John Hanighen.

Hanighen’s leadership has propelled Cloyes to new heights, defined by relentless innovation, operational excellence, and a commitment to empowering both customers and employees. Under his direction, Cloyes has executed strategic acquisitions—including Rotomaster and ATI—that have fueled sustained growth and industry dominance. Innovation at Cloyes extends beyond product development. The company’s robust training initiatives—including popular live webinars and a YouTube training library with over 8 million views—equip customers with the knowledge they need to do the job right the first time.

“This recognition reflects John's forward-thinking vision and dedication,” said Daniel Lewis, Sr. Vice President Product and Marketing. “His people-first approach, deep integrity, and commitment to excellence continue to inspire our entire organization.”

Entrepreneur Of The Year honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company; transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory; and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.

Regional award winners will be announced on June 21^st during a special celebration in Dallas and will become lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. The winners will then be considered by the National judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum^®, one of the nation’s most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa, LLC, Marsh USA and SAP. In the Southwest, sponsors also include Platinum sponsors BGSF and Haynes and Boone and Silver sponsors Big Picture, EOS Worldwide, Pierpont Communications and The Slate.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 60 countries globally.

The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum^® in November where National finalists and award winners are announced. The overall National winner represents the US at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.

About Cloyes

Cloyes, based in Fort Smith, AR, is the North American leader and global designer, developer, manufacturer and distributor of timing drive systems and components for the automotive aftermarket. Its products are mission-critical components for engine performance and function used in high-performance and replacement applications. Cloyes serves a broad customer base, including wholesale distributors, national and local retailers, re-packagers, and production engine builders, and sells its products under the Cloyes® brand throughout North America and Dynagear® in Mexico. To learn more, visit www.cloyes.com.

About EY

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

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All in to shape the future with confidence.

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