Warren Goldring, co-founder of AGF Management Ltd., has been named Ernst & Young’s 2002 Ontario Entrepreneur Of The Year.

Goldring launched the American Growth Fund (hence the name AGF) — the first fund of U.S. equities available to Canadian investors in 1957. With approximately $28 billion in total assets under management, AGF now serves more than 1 million investors.

“Warren Goldring is a passionate entrepreneur with a unique and revolutionary business vision. He’s someone who has coupled sound management sense with daring and groundbreaking moves from the very beginning of AGF. His company’s position as an undisputed industry leader — and his successful work on a number of boards and committees — speaks volumes about Warren’s winning approach,” said Bill Demers, national and Ontario region director of the program. “We are proud to honour Warren Goldring as Ernst & Young’s Ontario 2002 Entrepreneur Of The Year.”

As entrepreneur of the year in Ontario, Goldring now advances to the national level to compete with his counterparts from the Pacific, Prairies, Quebec and Atlantic regions for the title of Canada’s Entrepreneur Of The Year, to be announced November 7 in Ottawa.

Goldring’s prize as top Ontario entrepreneur was among nine awards presented Thursday during an awards ceremony in Toronto. Eight industry category winners were also named as part of the Ontario region portion of Ernst & Young’s 2002 Entrepreneur Of The Year program.