Celebrating Innovation: John Witchel Named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Finalist 2025

Celebrating Bold Entrepreneurship in the Mountain West

In an exciting announcement, Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) recognized John Witchel of King Energy as a finalist for the distinguished Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Mountain West Award. This award honors visionary innovators who are redefining industries through their trailblazing efforts and impactful contributions to their communities.

The Entrepreneur Of The Year program has a prestigious legacy spanning 40 years, celebrating leaders who disrupt the market with groundbreaking ideas and solutions. The Mountain West Award specifically focuses on entrepreneurs across regions including Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Witchel's selection from a pool of 41 contenders underscores his entrepreneurial spirit and the significant role King Energy plays in transforming the energy landscape. Based in Durango, Colorado, King Energy has emerged as a leader in multi-tenant solar solutions, remarkably optimizing unused commercial roofing spaces to generate clean energy. Since its inception in 2020, the company has executed solar projects across nine states, amassing over $250 million in project equity and providing energy solutions to more than 200 buildings. Such accomplishments illustrate Witchel's commitment to not only advancing sustainable energy but also to creating accessible financial opportunities for commercial property owners and tenants.

In a heartfelt statement, Witchel remarked, "Being named a finalist for Entrepreneur Of The Year is an incredible honor. At King Energy, our mission is to make solar energy financially viable and accessible, and this recognition reflects what we've tirelessly worked towards. We started with a bold idea: clean energy should economically benefit everyone. Our small-town startup now aspires to make a global impact, and being recognized among the finalists is a significant milestone for us."

The Entrepreneur Of The Year program acknowledges business leaders who display exceptional ingenuity and business acumen. It is dedicated to honoring original founders, transformational CEOs, and generational family business leaders who strive to innovate and evolve traditional business models.

The Mountain West regional award winners will be announced on June 20 during a celebratory event in Salt Lake City, Utah. These winners will gain lifetime membership in an esteemed global community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni. Subsequently, these regional honorees will compete for national recognition at the annual Strategic Growth Forum® in November, where the National winners will be able to showcase their transformative businesses. The overall National winner will then represent the U.S. at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ competition.

EY's commitment to recognizing entrepreneurial spirit is showcased through partnerships with distinguished sponsors including PNC Bank, Cresa, LLC, Marsh USA, and SAP, among others.

Since its establishment in 1986, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program has celebrated over 11,000 ambitious leaders in the U.S. and has extended its reach to nearly 60 countries around the world. This successful program consists of 17 regional initiatives, with independent panels of judges evaluating participants and selecting regional award winners each June.

Witchel's journey represents a tremendous narrative of innovation and perseverance, and King Energy's rapid growth is a testament to the potential within the renewable energy sector. The spotlight on Witchel illuminates the idea that impactful entrepreneurship can stem from any location, and that with determination and creativity, significant achievements can result.

As we approach the announcement of regional award winners, the anticipation builds for those engaged in the energy sector, hoping to see more innovation and entrepreneurial spirit thrive across local and national landscapes.