Entrepreneur of Year announced

J.D. (Dave) Power III

J.D. (Dave) Power, III, founder and chairman of the board of Westlake Village-based J.D. Power and Associates, was recently recognized as the 2004 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the "Master" category for the Los Angeles area at an awards banquet in Beverly Hills.

The Ernst & Young Master Entrepreneur of the Year recognition is awarded to an individual who has maintained management excellence over a sustained period of time. Recipients are selected by an independent judging panel of business and civic leaders.

Power has spent more than 35 years as a pioneer in customer satisfaction research. He started J.D. Power and Associates in Los Angeles in 1968 to assist companies in improving their products and services by providing information and solutions based on feedback from their customers. Under Power’s leadership, the firm has since become a major global marketing information firm, providing independent customer satisfaction research across a wide range of industries.

"I am honored to be a part of this distinguished group of successful entrepreneurs," said Power. "I’ve always believed in the principles of integrity, independence and impact, which have guided our business throughout the years. But the most important elements of the firm’s growth and success are the hard work and dedication of our associates around the world who have helped make our vision a reality. I know our people have the passion to ensure that the voice of the customer continues to be heard for many years to come."