April 21, 2026 at 1:37 pm
Wally Budgell named Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 Florida finalist by EY US
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jacksonville, FL, April 21, 2026 – Wally Budgell, founder and CEO of Norlee Group has been named a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Florida Award by Ernst & Young LLP (EY US). Now in its 41st year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most groundbreaking companies, revolutionizing industries and uplifting communities. The program honors entrepreneurs whose innovations drive economic growth and help shape the future of business.
An independent panel of judges selected Wally among 35 finalists based on his entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, company growth, and lasting impact in building long-term value.
“This recognition isn’t just about me. It reflects the strength of our team,” said Budgell. “I’m proud of what we’ve built together and the culture that continues to drive our success.”
Norlee Group (NLG), founded in 2021, is a leading construction solutions provider offering comprehensive services across electrical, mechanical, and technology contracting, MEP design engineering, and underground infrastructure. Powered by collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to quality, safety, and trust, NLG serves a wide range of markets, including commercial, healthcare, hospitality, industrial, institutional, multi‑family, and public works throughout the Southeast.
“Wally Budgell is the most enthusiastic and innovative leader I’ve ever worked with”, said Mark Horstman, NLG Board Member. “He sets challenging goals and establishes a strong standard of speed, quality, and customer focus to achieve them — all while bringing his team along for the journey.”
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.
This year’s Florida finalists represent many industries, including technology, consumer products, manufacturing, finance and more.
Regional award winners will be announced on June 12 during a special celebration in Miami 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®, where high-growth CEOs, Fortune 1000 executives and investors converge to shape the future of business.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa, LLC, Marsh USA, SAP, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In Florida, sponsors also include ADP and Selective Insight– regional Silver sponsors.
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 80 countries and territories 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 national overall winner represents the US at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year® competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.
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.
EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.
All in to shape the future with confidence.
EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.
For more information, please contact:
Nicole Calabria, Director of Marketing
P: (904) 815-7061
E: nicolec@norleegroup.com
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