Veterans United founders win Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award

June 7, 2012

Veterans United founders recognized for entrepreneurship with Ernst & Young award.

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Brant and Brock Bukowsky, founders of Veterans United Home Loans, won the 2012 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of Year Award in the financial services category for the Central Midwest on Tuesday night in Kansas City, MO.

The award recognizes entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in a respective field. Winners are selected in a number of industry categories by a panel of independent judges, including previous winners, leading CEOs and private capital investors. The award, now in its 26th year, has expanded to recognize leaders in more than 140 cities and more than 50 countries.

"Winning this award is not just for us as individuals, it's recognition of the work of everyone at Veterans United Home Loans," Brant Bukowsky said. "Being able to work with such great people who strive to enhance the lives of others on a daily basis is inspiring. We are so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this team and are fortunate to be on this amazing journey."

The brothers have always had a passion for entrepreneurship. Before founding Veterans United, the two started a ticket brokerage company while still attending the University of Missouri. That enterprise was eventually sold to a subsidiary of Ticketmaster.

With the rush of building a business from scratch still fresh, the brothers took the same concepts that made for a successful ticket brokerage business into the mortgage industry and Veterans United was born.

Today, Veterans United employs more than 900 in more than a dozen states. The company has served more than 30,000 military families and veterans in their search for a dream home. The company's growth has earned recognition in Inc. 500 as one of the fastest growing companies in the country and has been honored as one of Columbia's best places to work.