Jimmy Shoppa, president and Founder of Shoppa’s Material Handling, has been named a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 Southwest Award by Ernst & Young LLP (EY US). Now in its 41st year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program recognizes visionary leaders who are transforming industries, driving innovation, and making a lasting impact on their communities.
An independent panel of judges selected Shoppa as one of 44 Southwest finalists, evaluating candidates on entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, company growth, and long-term value creation. The recognition comes during a milestone year as Shoppa’s Material Handling celebrates its 45th anniversary.
“Being named a finalist by EY is an incredible honor, but more importantly, it reflects the dedication and hard work of our more than 700 team members who have built this company over the past 45 years,” said Shoppa. “What began in 1981 as a commitment to serve our local community has grown into a national intralogistics presence. This recognition reinforces our continued focus on innovation, customer success, and solving the evolving challenges of the modern supply chain.”
Founded in 1981, Fort Worth-based Shoppa’s Material Handling has evolved from a Toyota forklift dealership into a premier provider of automated intralogistics and material handling solutions. Headquartered in Alliance, Texas, the company operates 12 locations across North Texas, Missouri, and Kansas and is a 20-time recipient of the Toyota Dealer of Excellence award.
Under Shoppa’s leadership, the company has paired sustained growth with deep community involvement. Most recently, he and his wife were named chairpersons for the 2026 Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk in Fort Worth.
The Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates founders, CEOs, and business leaders who demonstrate ingenuity, resilience, and entrepreneurial excellence across companies of all sizes, from startups to multigenerational family enterprises.
Regional award winners will be announced June 20, 2026, at a gala event in Dallas. Southwest winners will then advance for consideration at the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, to be held in November.
