Car Keys Express founder and owner Mark Lanwehr has made the cut as a finalist for EY’s 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Ohio Valley region, the company announced. 

A panel of independent judges chose Lanwehr a finalist for the regional award, whose winners will be named during a special gala event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cincinnati on June 15.

“I’m truly honored,” Lanwehr said in a news release. “It’s a testament to how far we’ve come since starting from scratch in my one-bedroom apartment. But, it wouldn't have been possible without an extremely talented team behind me — I never forget that.”

He also added, “There are so many new opportunities opening up before us. We’ve grown to become the largest company in the industry, but there’s still a ground-floor, startup feel here.”

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur of the Year national competition. 

The Entrepreneur of the Year National Overall Award winner, as well as award winners in several national categories, will be announced at a gala in Palm Springs, Calif., on Nov. 18.

The EY Entrepreneur of the Year program nominations currently extends to business leaders in more than 145 cities and over 60 countries.