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Dale Pollak, vAuto founder and chairman, received the 2010 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year award for Emerging Companies in the Midwest region.

“When I began this journey five years ago, I never dreamed that my vision for designing new methodologies and technologies for the used-car marketplace would evolve into vAuto — the product, the people and the remarkable success story,” says Pollak, a former auto dealer.

His firm's primary product is inventory-management software that allows used-car manager to use local market conditions and supply-and-demand data to stock and price vehicles. The system has altered the used-car industry.

The Ernst & Young award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who build and lead dynamic businesses.

“It has been a remarkable experience to watch Dale's passion for the automotive industry transform into a successful company,” says Keith Jezek, vAuto's president and CEO. “We are so proud of Dale and honored to be part of his team.”