FORT WAYNE, IN (May 10, 2017) – Mark Music, CEO and owner of Ruoff Home Mortgage, has advanced as a finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award program in the Ohio Valley Region. He joins 26 other business leaders in contention to advance to the national program. Music is the only finalist from northern Indiana and one of only seven in Indiana.

The awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who are excelling in areas such as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. These business leaders were selected by a panel of independent judges. Now in its 31st year, the program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 145 cities and more than 60 countries throughout the world.

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur of the Year national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur of the Year Overall National Award winner, will be announced at the Entrepreneur of the Year National Awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 18, 2017. The awards are the culminating event of the Strategic Growth ForumTM, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur of the Year Overall Award winner then moves on to compete for the World Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Monaco in June 2018.