Today’s top 3 contenders
Discover the finalists currently leading the Leaders’ Choice Award for the Executive of the Year Awards.
LEADERS’ CHOICE AWARD
Celebrate leadership: cast your vote
Join us in celebrating excellence in leadership. Cast your vote for the finalist you believe deserves the spotlight for the Leaders’ Choice Award category for the prestigious Executive of the Year Awards.
Your window to vote is closing
Cast your vote before it’s too late
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OUR PURPOSE
To recognize outstanding leaders and innovators who inspire others through their vision and commitment.
The CEO Magazine’s Executive of the Year Awards is the international business community’s most prestigious awards event. First held in Australia, it has now expanded to the United States and India, with the ceremony celebrating the excellence of leaders across various industries.
NEW AWARD CATEGORY
The CEO Magazine Leaders’ Choice Award
The Leaders’ Choice Award is a special category in the Executive of the Year Awards that puts the power in the hands of the public. While other categories are judged by an expert panel, this award invites you to vote for the finalist who has made the biggest impact in your opinion.
How voting works
Voting for the Leaders’ Choice Award is simple and open to everyone.
View all the finalists and cast your vote
1. Browse the finalists
Get to know the inspiring executives who have made it to the final round. Read their profiles, achievements and leadership stories.
2. Join the CEO Community
To cast your vote, you’ll need to be part of our CEO Community – a trusted network of executives, entrepreneurs and business leaders. Signing up is quick, free and gives you access to exclusive insights, content and event updates.
3. Cast your vote
Once you’ve joined, choose the finalist you believe deserves to be named the Leaders’ Choice Award . You can vote once every 24 hours – so keep the support going and make each vote count!
4. Winner announced
The finalist with the most public votes will be revealed live during the awards ceremony.
Meet the standout finalists and cast your vote
These exceptional leaders have made their mark through innovation, impact and inspiring leadership. Learn more about each finalist and decide who deserves your vote for The CEO Magazine Leaders’ Choice Award
Vote
+1
Barry C McCarthy
President and CEO 
Deluxe Corporation 
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Barry C McCarthy
Barry C McCarthy – CEO, Deluxe Corporation / Barry has transformed Deluxe into a fintech giant processing more than US$2 trillion in annual payments, drawing on his pivotal role in launching Apple Pay and his Wall Street Journal bestseller.
Vote
+1
Brian Sloan
Brian Sloan
Brian Sloan – President, TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical / Since 2017, Brian has scaled TR Miller from 10 employees into an award-winning company, earning multi-year Inc 5000 recognition and three-time honors as Chicago Tribune's Best Place to Work.
Vote
+1
Clay Savoy
Clay Savoy
Clay Savoy – CEO, Mid-State Industrial Maintenance / Clay leads the private-equity backed maintenance firm with a focus on long-term value creation, drawing on his Rice Business MBA and mechanical engineering background to drive operational transformation.
Vote
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Dylan Taylor
Dylan Taylor
Dylan Taylor – CEO, Voyager Technologies / A commercial astronaut and philanthropist, Dylan flew aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard Mission 19 and co-designed the first item 3D-printed in space by a private citizen.
Vote
+1
Gregory Smith
Gregory Smith
Gregory Smith – CEO, Pantheon Electric / A turnaround specialist with four decades in manufacturing, Gregory has expanded Pantheon into a global electrification infrastructure brand through strategic acquisitions.
Vote
+1
Les Hiscoe
Les Hiscoe
Les Hiscoe – CEO, Shawmut Design and Construction / A registered professional engineer with 38 years in the industry, Les scaled Shawmut's revenue from under US$1 billion to more than US$2 billion in under three years, leading 1,500-plus employees across 15 offices.
Vote
+1
Melissa Krueger
Melissa Krueger
Melissa Krueger – CEO, Classic Vacations / Drawing on nearly three decades in travel, Melissa has led Classic Vacations through its four most successful years in its 48-year history, orchestrating its acquisition by TBO Tek.
Vote
+1
Michael Stivala
Michael Stivala
Michael Stivala – CEO, Suburban Propane / A former CFO and PwC alumnus with nearly 25 years at Suburban Propane, Michael leads growth, safety and energy transition initiatives, including renewable propane and natural gas investment.
Vote
+1
Rachel Everett
Rachel Everett
Rachel Everett – CEO, Viderity / Holding a Harvard master's in management information systems, Rachel led Viderity's pivot into defense and AI solutions like ForeTrack AI while maintaining a decade of exceptional performance ratings.
Vote
+1
Ricardo Amper
Ricardo Amper
Ricardo Amper – CEO, Incode Technologies / A serial entrepreneur with 20-plus years of experience, Ricardo built Incode into a global leader in AI-driven identity and fraud prevention after successfully exiting multiple ventures.
Vote
+1
Rich Benninghoff
Rich Benninghoff
Rich Benninghoff – CEO, The Malco Group / With 25-plus years of executive leadership at firms like Pentair and DeZURIK, Rich has scaled Malco into a diversified HVAC and construction platform through strategic acquisitions.
Vote
+1
Sheldon Yellen
Sheldon Yellen
Sheldon Yellen – CEO, BELFOR Property Restoration / Over 35 years at BELFOR, Sheldon has built a people-first culture, personally responding to major disasters alongside his 13,100-person team and earning an Emmy nomination on Undercover Boss.
Vote
+1
Terry Rasmussen
Terry Rasmussen
Terry Rasmussen – CEO, Thrivent Financial / Since 2018, Terry has led Thrivent in serving more than 2.4 million clients, bringing his background as a former DOJ trial attorney to chair the H.B. Fuller and American Council of Life Insurers boards.
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