FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Liberty Power, the nation's largest independent retail electric supplier, today announced co-founders David Hernandez, Chief Executive Officer, and Alberto Daire, President, are finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013 Award in Florida. Award winners will be announced at the Florida awards gala on June 13 at the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach, Florida.

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According to Ernst & Young LLP, the awards program recognizes high-growth entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

"These finalists were selected from nearly 80 nominations by a panel of independent judges," says Greg Rosica, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Florida program partner. "Collectively, these finalists grew their employment by 18 percent and their revenues by nearly 36 percent between 2010 and 2012."

Hernandez and Daire co-founded Liberty Power in 2001 and have guided the company on a consistent path of growth and advancement. This isn't the first time the co-founders have been recognized for their entrepreneurship; they were also recognized as finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in 2010.

"We are humbled and honored to be named a finalist for this award a second time. This esteemed distinction is a symbol of our entrepreneurial spirit," said David Hernandez, CEO and co-founder. "The energy industry is constantly changing and every day something new and exciting challenges us to reach even higher."

Over the years, Liberty Power has also been acknowledged by several of their partners for their extensive service and leadership as a supplier. In 2008, Liberty Power received the Bill Alcorn Supplier Diversity Award from JCPenney; Frito-Lay North America recognized them as Supplier of the Year in Energy in 2009. Earlier this year, Liberty Power accepted the Northwest Minority Supplier Development Council (MSDC), Inc. 2013 Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) of the Year Award. They were nominated by long-time customer, Costco Wholesale.

"When we first established the company, it was hard to imagine ourselves in the position we are in today. We could not have reached this stature without the commitment of our Liberty Power team, our channel partners, and of course, our customers," said Alberto Daire, President. "The initiative and drive shared throughout the company has helped to shape the nature of our business and propel us forward."

Hernandez and Daire are also interested in sharing their hard-won knowledge on how to successfully launch new, scalable businesses. The co-founders are currently exploring ways to share their business and leadership experience with the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program celebrates its 27th anniversary this year. The program has expanded globally to recognize business leaders in more than 140 cities in 50 countries.

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Liberty Power's CEO and President Named Finalists for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2013 Award in Florida