e-Cycle CEO Chris Irion Named 2011 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year

CEO of Columbus, Ohio based wireless mobile buyback, data protection, and recycling company honored with prestigious Cleantech Award

Cincinnati, OH, July 1, 2011 - On June 30, e-Cycle LLC CEO Chris Irion was announced as the winner of the Ernst & Young 2011 Entrepreneur Of The Year award in the Cleantech category for the South Central Ohio and Kentucky region. The award was presented at the Ernst & Young Award Gala on June 30, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

“I am truly honored to be chosen among such a distinguished group of business leaders,” said Irion. "I owe e-Cycle's success not only to the amazing team of professionals we have developed throughout the years, but also our corporate clients that understand the importance of wireless recycling and data protection. I would not be here today without their continual support and dedication to environmental stewardship."

 An elite group of judges, consisting of previous winners, CEOs and regional business leaders, selected Irion based on his demonstration of excellence and success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to his business and community. Irion credited the success of the company to his outstanding internal team and the growing list of e-Cycle clients dedicated to environmental protection through mobile phone recycling.

Irion, along with the other regional honorees, will represent the South Central Ohio and Kentucky region at the Entrepreneur of the Year National Awards Gala on November 12, 2011 in Palm Springs, California. This gala will be the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, a weeklong gathering of the nation’s most prestigious high-growth, market leading companies.

Irion said that he and his wife Tonia co-founded e-Cycle with a passion for technology, environmental protection, and charitable giving.  Recognizing the growing problem of cell phone e-waste and mobile data protection, they acted upon a unique opportunity to channel these passions toward a new venture that would address an emerging issue of corporate responsibility.

Irion said that since its inception in 2005, e-Cycle has purchased or recycled more than seven million devices, paid clients more than 12-million dollars through its mobile buyback services and kept more than 240,000 pounds of e-waste out of landfills through the company’s complimentary recycling services to businesses. Irion said that millions of gallons of drinking water each year are contaminated each year due to the harmful toxins from e-waste in landfills.

About e-Cycle LLC:
Ranked the #8 fastest growing environmental services company in the U.S. by Inc. 500|5000, e-Cycle helps organizations take a more responsible, secure and profitable approach to wireless recycling. e-Cycle buys used iPhones, BlackBerrys, smartphones, iPads and other cell phones that still retain value and recycles all others at no charge through an EPA-registered facility. The company has a 100 percent zero landfill policy. The information on every device is either deleted or destroyed through rigorous mobile security measures.  e-Cycle is also an official enterprise recycling partner of Verizon Wireless.

About the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards:
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the annual Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program recognizes business leaders in more than 140 cities and more than 50 countries around the world.

 
Visit www.e-Cycle.com or contact gogreen@e-Cycle.com or (877) 215-5255.