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DEAA Past Recipients
The Distinguished Entrepreneurial Achievement Award (DEAA) was created by the GW Entrepreneurs Round Table (GWERT), a university-wide group of individuals who support the advancement of entrepreneurship at GW.
GWERT and the GW Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship award this honor to a successful GW entrepreneur whose accomplishments inspire and motivate our aspiring entrepreneurs. The award is traditionally presented during the GW New Venture Competition Finals.
Previous Recipients:
- 2018 - John Rollins, Former GW Staff, Founder - GW New Venture Competition
- 2017 - Vicki and Karl Gumtow, SEAS ‘91 and ‘92, co-founders of CyberPoint
- 2016 - Fadi Ghandour, CCAS '81 - Founder and Vice Chairman, Aramax International and Managing Partner, Wamda Capital
- 2015 - Michael Quinn, ESIA '84 - Partner, Q Advisors
- 2014 - Roland Schumann, MSc '97 - Co-Founder of SwapDrive, Inc.
- 2013 - T. Richard Stroupe, SEAS MS '01 - President and CEO, Sequoia Holdings
- 2012 - Dr. Terry Collins, SEAS DSc '76. -Vice President and General Manager, Electronic and Mission Systems, Boeing Network and Space Systems
- 2011 - Edward R. Barrientos, GWSB MBA '90 - President and CEO, Brazen, Inc.
- 2010 - Linda Rabbitt, GSEHD MA '72 - GW Trustee; Founder and CEO, Rand Construction Corporation
- 2009 - Asghar Mostafa, SEAS BS '82 - President & CEO/Founder, Rubriq Corporation
- 2008 - Richard Scott - Richard Scott is the 45th Governor of the State of Florida, as well as a successful entrepreneur. Governor Scott and the First Lady of the State of Florida, Annette Scott, are the founding sponsors of the GW New Venture Competition.
Photo Gallery

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GW Elliott School of International Affairs, Ambassador Reuben Brigety (left), presenting the 2016 DEA Award to Fadi Ghandour, Founder and Vice Chairman of Aramex
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GW School of Business Dean, Linda Livingstone (right), presenting the 2015 DEA Award to Michael Quinn, Q Advisors Partner.
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GWSB Interim Dean Christopher Kayes (left) presenting the 2014 DEA Award to Roland Schumann (right), Co-Founder of SwapDrive, Inc.
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SEAS Dean David Dolling (left) presenting the 2013 DEA Award to T. Richard Stroupe (right), President and CEO of Sequoia Holding
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Office of Entrepreneurship Executive Director Jim Chung (left) and VP for Research Leo Chalupa (right), presenting the 2012 DEA Award to Terry Collins (center), Boeing Company Executive.
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GWSB former Dean Doug Guthrie (left) and Peter Weissman (right), presenting the 2011 DEA Award to Ed Barrientos (center), President and CEO of Brazen Careerist, Inc.
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GW President Steven Knapp (right) presenting the 2010 DEA Award to Linda Rabbitt (left), GW Trustee; Founder and CEO, rand* Construction.
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GW President Steven Knapp (right) presenting the 2009 DEA Award to Asghar Mostafa (SEAS BS '82), President & CEO/Founder, Rubriq Corp.
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Governor Rick Scott was the first recipient of the DEA Award in 2008.
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