Co-founder of the Columbus, Ohio based mobile phone buyback, data protection and recycling company to be honored as a visionary at Columbus Young Professionals “Celebrating Visionaries” event.

Tonia Irion, co-founder of mobile phone buyback and recycling company e-Cycle LLC will be one of three woman and two men, each under the age of 40, to be honored during the 2nd Annual “Celebrating Visionaries” Awards Gala on November 4, 2011.

Along with Irion, this year’s eclectic panel of honorees include: Jackie Dorman, Founder and President of Jane TV; Matt Crumpton, President of Music Loves Ohio; TyKiah Wright, Founder of WrightChoice; Adam Brouillette, Co-founder of Wonderland Columbus; and Meredith Joy, Executive Director of Yay Bikes!

“I am incredibly honored to be one of local business professionals recognized by the CYP Club,” said Irion. “It is a truly a privilege to be included with such an amazing group of dynamic, young entrepreneurs. e-Cycle’s success is due solely to the passionate team that has worked incredibly hard throughout the years to realize our vision. I look forward to attending the event, supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and learning more about my co-honorees.”

“Celebrating Visionaries” is presented by the Columbus Young Professionals Club and will be held at Creekside Conference & Event Center in Gahanna, Ohio. The event features a cocktail reception followed by an inspiring multi-media production that tells the compelling stories of each honoree. A champagne toast, dessert reception, and a high-energy party commence immediately after the awards program. Proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

For more information about the “Celebrating Visionaries” awards ceremony, visit www.centralohioevents.com/visionaries.

About e-Cycle LLC
Ranked the #5 fastest growing environmental services company in the U.S. by Inc. 500|5000, e-Cycle helps organizations take a more responsible, secure and cost-effective approach to wireless recycling. The company collects wireless phones from businesses and major organizations, reimbursing them for devices that retain value and recycling all others at no charge through an ISO Certified, EPA-registered facility. The information on every phone is either deleted or destroyed through the industry’s most rigorous data security measures. e-Cycle is the market share leader among the Fortune 1000, serving financial institutions, manufacturers, healthcare organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, and technology companies, among others.

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

 

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

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 at the Ernst & Young Award Gala in Cincinnati, Ohio. View all award winners here.

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. Chris 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.

“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."

Chris, 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.

Chris and his wife Tonia founded e-Cycle with their 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.

Since its inception in 2005, e-Cycle has purchased or recycled more than seven million devices, paid clients more than $12 million 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. Millions of gallons of drinking water each year are contaminated 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 25^th 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.

 

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.