The Herbert W. Vanden Brul Entrepreneurial Award was created in 1984 through an endowment fund established by Mr. Vanden Brul in conjunction with RIT's Saunders College of Business. The award is presented annually to an individual or business that has improved the economic life of Greater Rochester or whose innovation management skills have changed the course of an existing business. The award recipient is selected by a committee of area civic and business leaders and RIT faculty.
June 6, 2018, John "Dutch" Summers
John "Dutch" Summers, CEO of Jasco/Graywood Companies, was named the 2018 Herbert W. Vanden Brul Entrepreneurial Award recipient.
Dutch epitomizes the entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to community that built and sustains Greater Rochester. As a young man, Dutch was the third employee in a small tool and die business started by his father. That company over the years grew to include more than 50 businesses in 13 states and 9 countries.
He continues to be actively involved in the business, while sharing his financial success, considerable business knowledge, and wide ranging interests with a variety of community and philanthropic projects.
June 28, 2017, Giovanni "John" LiDestri
Giovanni "John" LiDestri, owner and CEO of LiDestri Food and Drink, was named the 2017 Herbert W. Vanden Brul Entrepreneurial Award recipient.
In 2002, John LiDestri bought Cantisano Foods and changed the name to LiDestri Food and Drink. At that point, they were making spaghetti sauce and salsa and he decided to reinvent themselves. Today, they have expanded into the beverage and spirits industry, with brands such as Bai, an antioxidant infusion drink brand.
His commitment to LiDestri Food and Drink's employees and the Rochester community, while also delivering high quality products is the reason why he is honored with such an award.
April 21, 2016, Thomas Bonadio
Thomas Bonadio, founder and chief executive of The Bonadio Group, was awarded the 2016 Herbert W. Vanden Brul Entrepreneurial Award.
As an active member in the Rochester community and visionary in the accounting industry, Thomas Bonadio encompasses all traits that Herbert W. Vanden Brul set out to recognize.
April 21, 2015, John Smith
Saunders College is excited that the Herbert W. Vanden Brul Award symbolizes the links that join RIT and the Rochester Business community. The 2015 Vanden Brul Award Honoree was John Smith, Chairman and CEO at Brite Computers.
Previous Winners
| 2014 | Ron Ricotta and Mike Nuccitteli | Century Mold |
| 2013 | Robert Morgan | Morgan Management |
| 2012 | Ernest Del Monte | Del Monte Corp. |
| 2011 | Doug and Jim Brush | Sentry Group |
| 2010 | Bill Pollock | Optimation Technology Inc. |
| 2009 | Kitty VanBortel | VanBortel Subaru & VanBortel Ford |
| 2008 | Jim Hammer | Hammer Packaging |
| 2007 | Dick Kaplan | Pictometry International |
| 2006 | Arunas Chesonis | Paetec Communications |
| 2005 | E. Philip Saunders |
Griffith Energy |
| 2004 | Wayne LeChase | LeChae Construction Services LLC |
| 2003 | Joe Lobozzo | JML Optical |
| 2002 | Larry & Dennis Kessler | Kessler Group |
| 2001 | Richard Sands | Constellation Brands |
| 2000 | Christine Whitman |
CVC |
| 1999 | Norman and Nelson Leenhouts |
Home Properties of NY, Inc. |
| 1998 | Dilip Vellodi | The Sutherland Group, LTD. |
| 1996 | Michael Hone & Jay Eastman | PSC. Inc |
| 1995 | Valerie Mannix | Mercury Print Productions, Inc. |
| 1994 | Charles and Burton August | Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. |
| 1993 | Richard Aab | ACC Corp. |
| 1992 | Bal Dixit | Newtex Industries |
| 1991 | Robert Wegman | Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. |
| 1990 | Klaus and Brigitte Gueldenpfennig | Redcom Laboratories Inc. |
| 1989 | Louise Woerner | HCR |
| 1987 | Tom Golisano | Paychex, Inc. |
| 1986 | Max Farash | The Farash Corporation |
| 1985 | Robert Hurlbut | Vari-Care Inc. |
| 1984 | Herman Affel, Jr. and Jeffery Tai | Computer Consoles Inc. |