EY US Names Gabriel Rio of Milestone Environmental Services as Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2025 Gulf South Award Winner
Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) has proudly announced that Gabriel Rio, President and Chief Executive Officer of Milestone Environmental Services, LLC (“Milestone”), has been named the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2025 Gulf South Award winner. This honor places Rio among an elite class of innovative business leaders recognized for driving forward growth, transformation, and purpose within their industries and communities. The recognition marks a significant milestone not only for Rio himself but also for the evolving role of environmental infrastructure in shaping a more sustainable future.
Celebrating Entrepreneurial Excellence
For the past four decades, EY US’s Entrepreneur Of The Year program has stood as one of the most prestigious and competitive platforms for recognizing outstanding entrepreneurs and business innovators across the country. Founded in 1986, the program has grown into a hallmark of excellence, honoring the ambition, innovation, and resilience that define entrepreneurial leadership. Winners of this program represent a wide spectrum of industries and business models but are united by a shared commitment to building long-term value and creating a positive impact on the world around them.
Each year, regional award panels—comprised of prior winners, successful executives, and prominent leaders from the business community—evaluate nominees across several key criteria. These include entrepreneurial spirit, strategic growth, commitment to purpose and values, and the measurable impact of their businesses on communities and industries. Gabriel Rio’s selection by this distinguished panel affirms the transformative leadership he has brought to Milestone and the broader environmental sector.
Gabriel Rio: Driving Sustainable Innovation in Environmental Infrastructure
Gabriel Rio is not a newcomer to the complexities of waste management and environmental responsibility. Under his leadership, Milestone Environmental Services has grown into one of the most respected and dynamic players in the environmental infrastructure space. The company is known for providing integrated waste management solutions, with a particular focus on the energy sector—where handling hazardous and non-hazardous waste safely, efficiently, and responsibly is paramount.
“It is an honor to receive this prestigious award,” said Rio upon learning of the accolade. “This achievement would not have been possible without the people who have persevered with me over the years—my incredible team, partners, mentors, and most of all, my family. I’m grateful to share this award with them. Together, we have built a company that is not only transforming waste management but also driving meaningful environmental progress for our clients across critical sectors.”
Rio’s leadership style is grounded in long-term vision and a clear sense of purpose. At Milestone, the mission extends far beyond operational efficiency or revenue growth. The company is firmly committed to sustainability—helping clients reduce environmental risk and improve compliance while managing waste in ways that support cleaner operations and healthier ecosystems. Milestone’s services range from reliable and cost-effective energy waste solutions to a growing portfolio in industrial waste management and carbon solutions, further expanding its influence across the broader environmental infrastructure market.
A Broader Vision for Sustainable Industry
Milestone Environmental Services is widely recognized for its strong legacy in managing waste generated by the energy industry. However, under Rio’s guidance, the company is rapidly expanding its capabilities to serve a broader range of clients and industries. The strategic move into industrial waste management and carbon solutions reflects both the changing needs of the marketplace and the urgency of climate action.
“At Milestone, we are committed to delivering reliable, cost-effective, end-to-end waste management solutions with agility and flexibility, enabling our customers to achieve their environmental goals while mitigating risk,” Rio explained. “Building on our strong legacy and deep expertise in energy waste solutions, we are expanding into industrial waste management and carbon solutions, further cementing our commitment to sustainable growth and leadership in the environmental infrastructure sector.”
This evolution is especially significant at a time when the environmental services sector is undergoing rapid transformation. As industries across the globe seek to align with net-zero targets and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) standards, companies like Milestone are critical partners in navigating the complexities of regulatory compliance, waste stream optimization, and carbon mitigation. By leveraging innovative technologies, operational excellence, and a purpose-driven culture, Milestone stands at the forefront of this transformation—helping clients move beyond traditional waste disposal toward a more circular and sustainable economy.
Advancing to the National Stage
Gabriel Rio’s recognition as a Gulf South winner places him in contention for the prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 National Awards. These awards, to be announced in November at the Strategic Growth Forum®, bring together the nation’s most accomplished and visionary business leaders. This invitation-only event is regarded as one of the premier gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies in the United States. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then represent the United States at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ event scheduled for June 2026, where business leaders from around the globe will convene to celebrate entrepreneurial excellence on the world stage.
The path to this recognition is highly selective and competitive. Entrepreneurs who make it to the national and global levels are not only successful business operators but also trailblazers who are reimagining the future of their industries. Their stories are often those of perseverance, bold vision, and the ability to adapt to change while staying grounded in values.
A Legacy of Celebrated Entrepreneurs
Over the years, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program has celebrated the leadership of many renowned business figures. Among past honorees are:
- Sheila Mikhail of AskBio, whose groundbreaking work in gene therapy has helped reshape the future of medicine.
- Caryn Seidman Becker and Ken Cornick of CLEAR, pioneers in biometric security solutions.
- James Park, co-founder of Fitbit, which redefined health and wellness through wearable technology.
- Arthur Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot, who transformed retail and philanthropy.
- Kendra Scott, founder of Kendra Scott LLC, celebrated for her leadership in fashion and community engagement.
- Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn, who revolutionized the way people connect professionally.
- Saeju Jeong of Noom, a leader in digital health and behavior change.
- Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee Company, a symbol of brand-driven growth and global impact.
- Jodi Berg of Vitamix, whose innovations have reshaped healthy living.
- Michael Happe of Winnebago Industries, leading with purpose in the recreational vehicle sector.
- Amanda Baldwin and Holly Thaggard of Supergoop!, changing the game in skincare and sun protection.
These individuals represent the diverse talent, innovation, and purpose that the Entrepreneur Of The Year program seeks to honor. By joining their ranks, Gabriel Rio affirms his place as a leader of vision and consequence—not just in business, but in the broader journey toward environmental responsibility and societal progress.
