ENCON Equipment’s Jordan Mitchell Named Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 East Central Finalist by Ernst & Young U.S.
Jordan Mitchell, president and co-owner of ENCON Equipment, has been named a finalist for the Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 East Central Award by Ernst & Young LLP.
Now in its 41st year, Entrepreneur of the Year is one of the nation's most prestigious business awards programs, recognizing ambitious entrepreneurs and leaders whose innovation, vision, and execution drive economic growth and create long-term value.
An independent panel of judges selected Mitchell among 32 finalists representing 28 companies across Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Candidates were evaluated on entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth, and lasting business impact.
“This recognition is truly an honor, but it’s really a reflection of the people behind ENCON,” said Mitchell. “Our success has always been driven by a team that cares deeply about our customers and our mission of helping keep people safe. I’m grateful to our employees for their dedication and to our customers for the trust they place in us every day. This recognition belongs to all of them.”
Under Mitchell’s leadership, ENCON Equipment has become one of the fastest-growing equipment rental companies in North America. The Kentucky-based company has achieved more than 500 percent growth over the past three years, expanded to three locations, and earned national recognition as the American Rental Association’s #1 Market Mover for two consecutive years. Serving contractors, industrial facilities, municipalities, and infrastructure projects throughout the region, ENCON has built its reputation on responsive service, dependable equipment, and a commitment to helping customers keep their people safe and operations running efficiently.
Entrepreneur of the Year honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage, and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates founders, transformational CEOs, and multigenerational family business leaders who are redefining industries and shaping the future of business.
This year's East Central finalists represent companies across technology, manufacturing, consumer products, finance, and other industries throughout Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Regional award winners will be announced June 25 during a special celebration in Pittsburgh. Winners will advance for consideration at the Entrepreneur of the Year National Awards, which will be presented in November during the Strategic Growth Forum, one of the nation's premier gatherings of high-growth business leaders, investors, and executives.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa, LLC, Marsh USA, SAP, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In East Central, sponsors also include regional Platinum sponsor VRC (Valuation Research Corporation) and regional Silver sponsor ADP.
About the Author
Michael Roth
Editor
Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.