The Herbert W. Vanden Brul Entrepreneurial 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” (https://saunders.rit.edu, 2019) by Saunders College of Business at RIT. Mr. Mandina, President of Optimax Systems, and Mr. Plympton, CEO of Optimax and Vice Chair of the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board, Inc., were presented with the 2019 award, having been credited with being an inspiration to local aspiring entrepreneurs.
Optimax was founded in 1991, Mr. Mandina was the first full time employee and Mr. Plympton joined in 1995. Since then the two have strived to grow the economic health of the Finger Lakes region and even have a program within Optimax to fund new companies that are started by employees with entrepreneurial spirit.
The Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board and staff are proud to work closely with both Mr. Plympton and Mr. Mandina in strengthening our region. Congratulations!