Mark Sell, CEO of MDL, was a finalist in the 2008 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards from the Midwest region. He was presented with 36 other finalists at a black-tie event in Chicago in June.
“The finalists are the best of the best, embodying the unique spirit of entrepreneurism,” said Randall Tavierne, Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Markets Leader for the Midwest. “They positively impact our region in a major way, through jobs, community growth and development and innovation. Ernst & Young is proud to salute them.”
The group of outstanding entrepreneurs was selected by an independent judging panel made up of regional business, academic and community leaders.
The EOY executive summary of Mark’s candidacy reads:
“Imagine building a company with your best friend and working side-by- side on a daily basis for 11 years. For Mark Sell and David Kiebach, that has been their life for the past decade. While their career paths crossed many times in the air freight forwarding industry prior to their entrepreneurial adventure, it was seizing an opportunity to institute an agency agreement with a former employer that solidified their friendship and relationship. The formal partnership began on March 4, 1996 when they created MD Logistics, short for Mark and Dave Logistics. The prior experience they had gained, knowledge of their customers’ business and relationships they had built would develop MD Logistics into what it is today and will be in the future.
The key to building the company was and continues to be listening to customer needs. The flexibility MD Logistics maintains and its willingness to adapt to their customers’ needs drive the growth of the company. . .
. . .The success of the company as defined by Mark is to service successful customers, provide successful employment opportunities and allow those factors to grow the company.
As much of a roller coaster as the creation and growth of MD Logistics has been, it all pales in comparison to November 5, 2007 when David succumbed to a sudden massive heart attack. Obviously the personal loss to Mark and the MD Logistics family is unexplainable, but moving forward as the solo leader of MD Logistics is also a challenge. Just as when they started the company with the motto that today is a New Plan and a New Day, Mark continues to face each day anew and one at a time.”
The Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program is in its 23 rd year and has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 135 cities in 50 countries. The program encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. The award celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses.
