BRISTOL, Conn. — David Hartmann, president of Hornet Marine, is an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2011 New England Award finalist.

According to Ernst & Young LLP, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Award winners will be announced at a gala event on June 15, 2011, at the Boston Renaissance Waterfront Hotel.

Hartmann was selected as a finalist for his success as president and CEO of Tiger Claw, Inc., as well as president of Hornet Marine.

“I am honored to be chosen as a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award and share this recognition with the teams at Tiger Claw and Hornet Marine,” Hartmann said in a statement. “Tiger Claw’s success would not have been possible without everyone’s commitment to innovation and personal development. I now look forward to continuing this focus on turning great ideas into reality with the ambitious and highly motivated team at Hornet Marine.”

Along with business partners Dave and Don Martel, Hartmann founded Tiger Claw in 2001 with the goal of changing the deck building industry through their deck fastening system. In the last ten years Tiger Claw has done just that, becoming the market-leading brand for hidden deck fastener systems.