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Local CEO Earns New Englands Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award

Karen Bressler of Taunton-based AGAR Supply Co Earns National Recognition

Taunton, MA: December 17, 2007: Ernst & Young LLP has awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2007 Award in the New England region to Karen Bressler, CEO of AGAR Supply based in Taunton, MA. Ms Bressler has been awarded this prestigious recognition in the manufacturing and distribution category.

Ms. Bressler, while at the national ceremony in Palm Springs this past November, was inducted into the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Hall of Fame. The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Hall of Fame is an elite group of men and women who have been recognized for their extraordinary entrepreneurial achievements.

Ms. Bressler as with all nominees was interviewed by a panel of independent judges. The independent panel of judges was comprised of past award recipients and successful business leaders from the community. The judging criteria included a thorough assessment of financial performance, company growth, leadership, profitability, strategic direction, innovation, personal integrity, values, and originality.

Bresslers company, AGAR Supply was recently recognized by the Commonwealth Institute as one of the Top 100 Women-led businesses in Massachusetts coming in at number two (2) on the prestigious list of Massachusetts-based businesses. AGAR Supply also recently received the Vendor of the Year award during the 2007 Stars of the Industry Awards ceremony from the Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association.

Karen Bressler took over the role of CEO at AGAR Supply in 2001 and has led the company through double-digit growth since taking the top position. The efforts of her and her team have secured Agars top position in the foodservice industry in the region. Bressler has spearheaded the building of the company's new facilities in Taunton, added new product offerings all with the purpose of adding broadline foodservice to Agars core business. The result has been significant growth over the past several years. A hard-working CEO, Bressler devotes much of her time to growing AGAR through unique customer relationships and managing a dedicated team of more then 390 talented people.

About AGAR Supply:

AGAR Supply Co, Inc., based in Taunton, Massachusetts is New Englands largest independent food distributor and the thirteenth largest in the United States. AGAR Supply offers a wide range of solutions for the food service industry. The company is New Englands premier supplier of meats, poultry, seafood and grocery items as well as dairy products, non-perishables, non food items and janitorial supplies.

AGAR was founded by Karl Bressler in 1940 as a Boston meat distributor, supplying meats to the Chinese community. And while the company still maintains their roots, AGAR continues to offer additional food items becoming a leader in providing Center of the Plate solutions to a wide range of food establishments and retailers. AGAR continues to serve the New England foodservice industry under the third-generation leadership of Karen Bressler, Mr. Bresslers granddaughter. AGAR also is the second largest women-led business in Massachusetts ranked by revenue.

Contact AGAR Supply Co., Inc at 800-669-6040 or http://www.agarsupply.com/

About the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards:

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, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year award 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.