Tom Gildred, founder and chief executive of Emerald Textiles, an industrial laundry based in Otay Mesa, received an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award earlier this month, the company said June 20.
The award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and success in areas of innovation and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. The winners in this stage are entered into a national awards program.
Launched two years ago, Emerald operates a highly efficient and environmentally responsible laundry service aimed at commercial customers that now serves about 70 percent of the hospital beds in San Diego, and delivers about 1 million pieces of laundry each week, the company said.
Emerald Textiles also received the SDG&E Showcase Award and the Savings by Design Award for its water and energy saving systems.