Ernst & Young announced e-Cycle CEO, Chris Irion, as a finalist for the 2011 Entrepreneur Of The Year award in the South Central Ohio and Kentucky region. This award program recognizes entrepreneurs demonstrating excellence and success in areas such as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. An elite panel of judges selected Irion as a finalist from nearly 100 nominees.

“I am honored to be considered for this prestigious award,” Irion says. “At e-Cycle, we are committed to developing best practices for the wireless recycling industry. We are dedicated to outstanding customer service, education, environmental stewardship and giving back to the community and I feel truly privileged to be recognized."

e-Cycle works with nearly 7,000 organizations nationwide, including some of the largest companies in the world, and has purchased or recycled more than seven million devices since 2005. e-Cycle provides businesses and organizations complimentary mobile phone recycling and data security services, while at the same time increases their revenue with a wireless buyback program. To date, e-Cycle has paid its clients more than 12-million dollars through its mobile buyback services.

Since Irion and his wife, Tonia Irion, founded e-Cycle in 2005, the company grew from two employees to 63 employees by the end of 2010. Irion chose not to utilize outside investors but instead, with a tremendous amount of time, energy and commitment, developed the company organically. In a time of economic challenges, e-Cycle brought new opportunities for growth and employment to the central Ohio region.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. This program recognizes business leaders in more than 140 cities and more than 50 countries around the world. Irion is one of 25 finalists chosen throughout the South Central Ohio and Kentucky region. Award winners will be announced at the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year gala on June 30, 2011.

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.

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