EY Announces Don DiCostanzo of Pedego Electric Bikes Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2018 Award Finalist in Orange County Region

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., May 15, 2018 — EY today announced that Don DiCostanzo, CEO of Pedego® Electric Bikes, is a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year^® 2018 Award in the Orange County Region. The awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who are excelling in areas such as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. DiCostanzo was selected as a finalist by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a special gala event on Friday, June 22, at the Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, Calif.

“It is an honor to be named a finalist in the prestigious Entrepreneur Of the Year program. As co-founder and CEO of Pedego Electric Bikes, I’m very proud we have created the category of electric bikes here in the U.S., bringing delight to our customers and new careers to our nearly 125 Pedego-branded store owners.”

A lifelong love of bicycles and a dislike of hills and headwinds prompted serial automotive industry entrepreneur DiCostanzo to co-found Pedego Electric Bikes in 2008 with his best friend Terry Sherry. Starting with his own capital and no experience in the bicycle industry, DiCostanzo parlayed his automotive industry experience and entrepreneurial know-how to build the best electric bicycle company.

Today, there are nearly 125 Pedego-branded stores worldwide selling Pedego’s 15 models of unique, high-quality electric bikes. The bikes are also sold in hundreds of independent electric bike stores. Pedego was named the Number 1 electric bike brand in the United States by Navigant Research. Pedego has been ranked on the Inc. 5000 for four years (2014–2017). DiCostanzo was awarded the Orange County Business Journal’s Excellence in Entrepreneurship in 2016.

Now in its 32nd year, the program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 145 cities and more than 60 countries throughout the world.

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National competition. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced at the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 17, 2018. The awards are the culminating event of the Strategic Growth Forum^®, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by EY, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored in the US by SAP America, the Kauffman Foundation and Merrill Corporation.

In the Orange County Region, sponsors also include Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, Hollencrest Capital Management, Lockton Companies,Tangram Company and Woodruff?Sawyer & Company.

About Pedego

Pedego®  Electric Bikes is the Number 1 electric bike brand in the United States, according to Navigant Research. Sold at more than 120 Pedego-branded stores and hundreds of independent electric bike dealers worldwide, Pedego electric bikes have 250- to 500-watt motors that empower riders to conquer hills and breeze through headwinds, cruising distances up to 60 miles on a single battery charge. The twist-and-go throttle gives riders instant manual control over their speeds while Pedal Assist automatically adds power to their pedaling. Available in hundreds of color combinations, Pedego’s high-quality, innovative “pedal or not” models include cruisers, tandems, commuters, fat-tire bikes, mountain bikes, cargo bikes and a convenient electric folding bike. Pedego electric bikes deliver fun, exercise and a green alternative for transportation — transforming lives with fun and delight.  Free test rides are available at every Pedego store. Founded in 2008, Orange County, Calif.-based Pedego inspires riders to say, “Hello, Fun!”

About Entrepreneur Of The Year^®

Entrepreneur Of The Year^®, founded by EY, is the world’s most prestigious business awards program for entrepreneurs, chosen from an independent panel of judges including entrepreneurs and prominent leaders from business, finance, and the local community. The program makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global awards program of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities and more than 60 countries. ey.com/eoy

About EY’s Growth Markets Network

EY’s worldwide Growth Markets Network is dedicated to serving the changing needs of high-growth companies. For more than 30 years, we’ve helped many of the world’s most dynamic and ambitious companies grow into market leaders. Whether working with international mid-cap companies or early stage, venture-backed businesses, our professionals draw upon their extensive experience, insight and global resources to help your business succeed. For more information, please visit us at ey.com/sgm or follow news on Twitter @EY_Growth.

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

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. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a member of the global EY organization that provides services to clients in the US.

For more information, please visit ey.com.

PR CONTACTS:
Teri Sawyer, T&Co.
714-801-1687
TeriSawyer@me.com

Sandra Eckardt, T&Co.
949-400-2258
Sandra@EkardtStrategies.com