Michael C LaRocco, president of American Made LLC, was named Entrepreneur of the Year at the annual Ernst & Young ceremony June 28. La Rocco was honored in the Manufacturing category for the western Pennsylvania region. Winners in seven categories were selected, chosen from 100 nominees. The event was held at Pittsburgh PA's Westin Convention Center before a crowd of 550.
LaRocco founded American Made Inc in 1983 as a manufacturer of bedliners for dump bodies and trailers using HMW and UHMW plastics. Soon after, the company spawned the US Liner Co division as it entered the composites market with protection materials to eliminate damage in dry vans and refrigerated trailers. LaRocco will attend the National Entrepreneur of the Year Awards competition, set for Nov 21-24, 2002, in Palm Springs CA.