Gary Walston, co-founder of Dolphin Debit, the full-service ATM management company, has been named a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2016 Award in the Gulf Coast Area.

The awards program, which is celebrating its 30th year, recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Walston was selected as a finalist by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a special gala event June 16 at the Houston Hilton Americas.

Walston co-founded Dolphin Debit in 2005. From the start, Dolphin Debit has focused on helping credit unions and banks get the most out of their ATM operations. The company has seen strong growth since its inception, including 18 percent revenue growth and 24 percent ATM transaction growth in 2015.

“It is a tremendous honor to be selected as a finalist in this prestigious award,” Walston said. “I never dreamed of this when we started Dolphin Debit back in 2005. But we took a good idea, hired good people, and built a company that now manages ATMs for credit unions and banks coast to coast. It has been a pleasure to lead and work with our team for more than a decade.”

Now in its 30th year, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries throughout the world. Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year National program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced at the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 19, 2016. The awards are the culminating event of the EY Strategic Growth Forum®, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Founded and produced by EY, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored by SAP America, Merrill Corporation and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In the Gulf Coast Area, sponsors also include BBVA Compass, Colliers International, DLA Piper, ADP, SolomonEdwards and Pierpont Communications.