Michael E. McGuire, Jr. of ARIA Worldwide, Inc. Named Finalist For Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2004 Award

Darien, CT entrepreneur makes the final cut. Michael left corporate America at the age of 25 to launch his own company. Thirteen years later his multiple entrepreneurial successes have gained him this prestigious honor.

Darien, CT (PRWEB) June 12, 2004 --- Michael E. McGuire, Jr. of ARIA Worldwide, Inc. was named a finalist by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2004 Awards in the Metropolitan New York Area. Michael, Managing Director of ARIA Worldwide, was selected by a panel of judges comprised of local community and business leaders. Categories and award recipients will be announced at an awards banquet on June 22, 2004 at the New York Marriott Marquis.

Michael graduated from Babson College where he majored in Entrepreneurial Studies and Finance. He began his professional career with Manufacturers Hanover Trust after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Babson. At the age of 25 he left MHT to launch his own business, ARIA Worldwide, Inc.

ARIA Worldwide, Inc. provides structured trade finance and commodity trading solutions to global 2000 corporations and multinationals. Through years of successful global relationships ARIA has established foreign rep offices in several countries. ARIAs reputation in the marketplace has allowed Michael to launch other successful business models. In 2002 ARIASYS, Inc. was formed to deliver world-class technical capabilities and solutions to its client base and most recently developed the ARIA TV service; a concept company which offers Russian TV and sub-niche sports content, such as cycling, through high-speed internet access.

Besides his commitment to the international business community, Michael is an accomplished Ironman triathlete. He maintains an active race schedule and participates in approximately seven triathlons a year. His athletic endeavors are now on behalf of the non-profit ITP Foundation. Michael and his wife, Maja, formed the foundation to promote awareness of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura, a rare bleeding disorder, with which one of their children has had for thee years.

Metropolitan New York Area winners will be eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2004 national program. Winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, Calif., in November 2004.

About The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards Program

The Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program was created and is produced by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP. As the first award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. The program honors entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in over 100 cities and 35 countries.

About Ernst & Young:
Ernst & Young, a global leader in professional services, is committed to restoring the publics trust in professional services firms and in the quality of financial reporting. Its 103,000 people in more than 140 countries around the globe pursue the highest levels of integrity, quality, and professionalism to provide clients with solutions based on financial, transactional, and risk-management knowledge in Ernst & Young's core services of audit, tax, and transaction advisory services. Further information about Ernst & Young and its approach to a variety of business issues can be found at www.ey.com/perspectives. Ernst & Young refers to all the members of the global Ernst & Young organization.

# # #