Harvard Business School Club of New York To Present 4th Annual America's Entrepreneur Award at September 19 Event

Jonathan Grayer, HBS '90, Chairman & CEO of Kaplan, Inc. To Deliver Keynote Address

(New York, NY - September 3, 2002) - Recognizing the business innovators whose leadership has become increasingly crucial in driving a weakened economy, The Harvard Business School Club of New York (HBSCNY) will hold its fourth annual America's Entrepreneur Awards at the Grand Hyatt at Grand Central Station on September 19, 2002.

"As corporate America seeks to weather the recession and adapt to a dramatically changed post-9/11 business environment, entrepreneurial leadership has become more critical than ever before," said Scott Meyer, president of the HBSCNY, noting the heightened significance of this year's awards. "It's America's entrepreneurs who will be key driving forces for this country's economic turnaround."

Jonathan Grayer, HBS '90, Chairman and CEO of Kaplan, Inc. will deliver the keynote address. Grayer has overseen Kaplan's expansion from an $80 million test preparation company in 1994 to a large and diverse educational conglomerate with over half a billion dollars in revenue today. Under his leadership, Kaplan has pioneered new territory in education as it has entered into businesses such as post-secondary education, professional training, online learning, and K12 programs for schools and families. Kaplan, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO).

Paul Marshall, HBS Professor of Entrepreneurial Management and former Chairman and CEO of Rochester Shoe Tree Company, will present a case study covering core business issues as they relate to a start-up environment. Marshall managed his company during a four-year turnaround and implemented a major reorganization and cost reduction program that improved profitability in the face of declining sales.

Awards will be given in the following categories: America's Entrepreneur, Community Partners Nonprofit Entrepreneur and Early Stage Honor Roll. Nominees can come from any state and any industry in the U.S., and do not need to have attended or be affiliated with the Harvard Business Schools. The honorees will be selected by a panel of HBSCNY officers, HBS faculty and accomplished entrepreneurs on the basis of several criteria, which includes factors such as industry impact, personal leadership and quantifiable results, especially with limited resources.

Past winners include Nina Zagat, co-founder of Zagat Survey, Steve Nicol of Pumatech and David McCourt of RCN.

To attend the event, please visit www.hbscny.org or call (212) 947-RSVP.

About The Harvard Business School Club of Greater New York
The Harvard Business School Club of Greater New York (HBSCNY) seeks to further the professional development of its members, affiliates and guests through offering an extensive arrange of programs, services and opportunities that address the major business trends in New York, the United States and the World. The Club draws from an extensive network of over 10,000 Harvard Business School alumni in the New York area. The leadership of the HBSCNY consists of a cross-section of successful business professionals from a range of industries and fields.

Press Contact:

Julie Neenan
Tel: 212-724-8520
julie_neenan@yahoo.com

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