The Big Picture is proud to have been involved in the nomination of LinkedIn’s Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner, who were this year’s big winners at the Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2011 Awards. We had the privilege of interviewing both Reid and Jeff who prove to be visionaries in innovative business technology, a true example of what it means to be an entrepreneur. It’s exciting to see a company from Northern California make it to nationals and continue forward on their way to Monte Carlo!

It was also a pleasure to catch up with Aubrey McClendon of Chesapeake Energy, who we would like recognize and congratulate on his win.  It was like dragging a horse to water trying to involve him in the program some three years ago. With the help of the folks at EY in Dallas and their nominators not only is Aubrey now knee deep in the water, he’s a celebrated EOY National winner.

Congratulations to those who were recognized in this weekend’s event.  The economic opportunities and entrepreneurial spirit you share with the rest of us help inspire optimism and promise in the face of a declining economy.
Click here to watch video of the award recipients and learn more about their incredible stories and accomplishments.