Ernst & Young's 2002: entreprenuer of the year finalists.

• Author: Kimball, Suzanne
• Position: Feature Story

There's more to an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist than meets the eye. Naturally, the usual admirable attributes expected of a business leader are what first seem obvious: dogged determination, unclouded vision and, of course, large doses of daring. But with the spotlight that the Ernst & Young competition shines on each of the finalists, it can be hard to see the individuals who stand beside them -- spouses, business partners, employees, investors -- people who help keep each entrepreneur's dream alive.

It clear from their expressions of gratitude for family members, employees and associates that each of this year's finalists is cognizant of the strength such people have in their lives. Rod Morley is one of them. As he struggled to launch Axiom Financial he says a valued colleague "left a good-paying management position at Novell to [help] start [the] company and didn't take a dime for six months because she belived in what we were doing" Donald Pierce of Enable Industries is another finalist who understands the power of good people, observes individuals with severe disabilities being fed and assisted by their co-workers.

All of the finalists' achievements are worthy of an entire feature story. Following is a glimpse of their remarkable accomplishments. Though standing in the spotlight now, each entrepreneur will be the first to tell you they didn't get there alone.

Video captures courtesy media Works.

Altiris, Inc.

Greg Butterfield

IT Systems Management Solutions

Altiris President and CEO Greg Butterfield believes an entrepreneur is someone who can lead the charge. "Entrepreneurs motivate other people to believe in what they're doing," he says. Known as a powerful motivator, Butterfield certainly seems to match his own entrepreneurial definition, having persuaded some of the best people in the high-tech industry to join him in his charge so build a stronger Web-enabled systems management company.

Butterfield joined Altiris in 2000 with a vision for a powerful new sales model that would turn profits for the company. Since then, he has taken the company public and sales have tripled, jumping to $34 million in 2001.

Arctic Circle Restaurants

Gary J. Roberts

Fast Food Restaurant Operations

When Gary Roberts assumed role as president and CEO of Arctic Circle in 1988, the fast food chain's long-term future was in jeopardy and its public acceptance waning. Roberts stepped in with his characteristic enthusiasm and established a new strategy for the chain, emphasizing a commitment to quality ingredients. He also spread his passion for people among the management, franchisees and employees with the watch cry, "We are not in the food business, we're in the people business."

Roberts' energy has helped turn around public perception of Arctic Circle. In 2001, the company achieved $44 million in sales and, since 1999, has experienced 7 percent sales growth. When people find Roberts flipping burgers, they ask why the president of the company would be caught behind the counter "I'm just doing my job," he says. "I'm satisfying customers!"

ARUP Laboratories

Carl R. Kjeldsberg, M.D.

National Full-service Reference Laboratory

Growing up in Norway, all Carl Kjeldsberg really wanted to do was make the Olympic ski team. But his father had other plans, insisting that his son apply for medical school. "I'm fortunate that my dad guided me in the right direction," Dr. Kjeldsberg admits. Eventually, he joined the Department of Pathology at the University of Utah where he and other faculty members created ARUP Laboratories in 1984.

Appointed president and CEO in 1993, Kjeldsberg has helped develop ARUP into a prestigious laboratory that provides support to more than 60 percent of university hospitals in the country. The laboratory is considered a model for bringing academic medicine and successful business enterprise together.

Part of ARUP's success can be attributed to Kjeldsberg's desire to provide the company's 1,367 employees with an atmosphere of health and well-being, Still an avid skier, Kjeldsberg promotes physical exercise among the ARUP workforce and heads the company bicycle team.

Axiom Financial, Inc.

Rod I. Morley

Full-service Mortgage Lender

Ask Rod Morley what prompted him to form Axiom Financial, and he claims, with a twinkle in his eye, that it was to gain more credibility. With a face that makes him look younger than he is, Morley says he wasn't hung taken seriously, so at age 28 he started a new mortgage lending company. Today, at 36, Morley is still mistaken for a younger man but certainly not one lacking credibility.

Morley transformed Axiom Financial from a mortgage broker to a mortgage lender in just three years, a feat usually requiring at least a decade. The company currently has 19 branches and was recognized at MountainWest Venture Group's 2001 Utah 100 Awards as Utahs second fastest growing company. Morley's intense focus or total customer satisfaction has been instrumental in Axiom's growth. "Our goal is to absolutely thrill the customer," he says. Customer response surveys rating the company on a scale from one to 10 indicate a 9.42 overall satisfaction score.

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Michael Mountain

Sanctuary for Abused and Abandoned Animals

Upon first meeting Michael Mountain, it is obvious he is a thoughtful, caring man. When asked a question, Mountain pauses for a moment and then answers with a calm reserve. Such reflection seems fitting for the president of the nation's largest sanctuary for abused and abandoned...