Finalists named for 2025 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards

The finalists for the 23rd annual Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards have been chosen. Thirty-two entrepreneurs were selected from a pool of more than 300 nominees following a reception on October 3 where 53 semifinalists met with judges according to a statement from the Randall W. Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship (RLCE) at Cal State San Bernardino.

“The finalists represent a talented group of entrepreneurs who exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit that defines the Inland Empire region,” said Spirit Awards founder and RLCE Director Mike Stull. “Being selected from such a deep field of outstanding businesses is a significant achievement—congratulations to all the finalists!”

The finalists for the event will compete for the Spirit of the Entrepreneur award in seven (7) different categories at the black-tie gala on November 18th at the Riverside Convention Center in Riverside.

The 2025 finalists are:

DESIGN, ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION ENTREPRENEUR

• High-Light Electric Inc – Erwin Mendoza – Colton
• K.A.R. Construction Inc. – Kurt & Peggy Rothweiler – Ontario
• RSVC Company – Mark Aldaco – Riverside
• Shell Roofing Solutions Group – Rudy Gutierrez – Chino
• Urban Habitat – Brett Brennan – Palm Desert

EMERGING INNOVATOR

• BluCore Minerals LLC – Raymond Moorehead Jr. and Jacob Estrada – San Bernardino
• From The Land – Gina Oliver – Yucaipa
• Stored Power Technology Inc. – Jenny Zhang – Riverside
• Super Foam Corp – Zef Neemuchwala – Riverside

FOOD/HOSPITALITY/ENTERTAINMENT ENTREPRENEUR

• Adventure RV California – Marisol Hill – San Bernardino
• Coffeecito House – Brittnee Chavarria – Riverside
• TKB Bakery and Deli – Melina Maza – Indio

GENERAL ENTREPRENEUR

• Affordable Avionics Inc. DBA Araina Aviation – Deepun Desai – Chino
• Complete Coach Works – Kallie Arevalo – Riverside
• Inland Leaders Charter Schools – Mike Gordon – Yucaipa
• Oak Tree Learning Center – Jennifer Carter – San Bernardino
• Ridgeway Vison, Inc DBA Idyllwild Realty – Shane Stewart – Idyllwild
• Threshold Aviation Group – Mark DiLullo – Chino

HEALTHCARE ENTREPRENEUR

• 360 Human Services – Harry Jackson – Apple Valley
• Cedar House Life Change Center – Jamie Lamb – Bloomington
• Visionaire Optometry Spa – Sana Shakil-Ansaro – Riverside
• Visitinghome LLC – Dyiana Donaldson Comeau – Corona

MANUFACTURING ENTREPRENEUR

• A19 Artisan Lighting – Cinnamon Alvarez – Ontario
• Ecko Ice Products – Eric Rogers – Ontario
• Metroll – Ashneel Chand & Diorem Marchan – Fontana
• Plastics Plus Technology – Kathy L. Bodor – Redlands

SERVICE-BASED ENTREPRENEUR

• Arrowhead United Way – Dr. Gwen Dowdy Rodgers – San Bernardino
• CMAX Commercial Maintenance Inc – Frank Gutierrez – Ontario
• District & Charter Patrol – Zuriah McKnight – Ontario
• HR Direct Services Inc. – Gabriela Mendoza – Ontario
• Oili – Colton Telford – Temecula
• Post and Jam – Warren Burley – Temecula

Tickets for the 2025 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards gala will be available online starting October 10. Ticket prices for the black-tie event start at $165.