HATTIESBURG – Texas business magnate H. Ross Perot has been selected as the recipient of the 2006 Distinguished Entrepreneur award from the College of Business (COB). Events honoring Perot are slated for Tuesday, April 18, with a luncheon and annual Distinguished Entrepreneur lecture.

Perot, chairman emeritus of the board of Perot Systems Corporation in Plano, Texas, founded the technology services company in 1988. He served as chief executive officer until 1992 and again from 1997 until 2000, helping to take the company public in 1999. Perot served as chairman of the board until 2004, when he was elected chairman emeritus.

In 1962, with a $1,000 loan from his wife, Perot started Electronic Data Systems (EDS). Over the next 22 years he built EDS into one of the world’s largest technology services firms. In 1984, he sold EDS to General Motors for $2.5 billion.

Perot ran for president of the United States in 1992 as an independent candidate, winning 19 percent of the vote, one of the largest percentages ever for an Independent. He ran again in 1996 on the Reform Party ticket.

“Mr. Perot is a business icon and a huge part of American culture. One of the most successful entrepreneurs of all time, Mr. Perot has solidified his place in history. We are extremely honored that a person of his caliber will be in Hattiesburg to share some of his life and business insights with the Southern Miss community,” said COB Dean Harold Doty.

The college will present its annual Distinguished Alumnus award in September.

The Distinguished Entrepreneur Lecture Series was launched in the fall of 2001 to promote the spirit of the entrepreneur and to foster that same spirit in Southern Miss business students. The yearly series features a presentation by a nationally recognized entrepreneur whose individual spirit of determination and vision has resulted in an American success story.

Previous recipients are Ronald G. “Buddy” McClain, CEO, McClain, Harvey, Vaughn Sonic Group (2005); Max Draughn, CEO/founder, Cypress Pharmaceutical, Inc. (2004); Bruce Rossmeyer, president, Rossmeyer Family Enterprises (2003); Bill C. Hudson Jr., CEO/president, co-founder of Hudson Salvage, Inc. (2002); and David Oreck, chairman of the board, founder of Oreck Corp. (2001).