From the Indianapolis 500 winner’s circle to landmark construction projects and multi-state enterprises, the 2026 class of Northwood University Outstanding Business Leaders includes five honorees whose careers exemplify innovation, ethical leadership, and a deep commitment to community advancement.
“These Outstanding Business Leaders represent the very ideals at the heart of The Northwood Idea,” said Northwood University President Kent MacDonald. “Through free enterprise, personal responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to integrity, they have built organizations that create opportunities and strengthen the communities they serve. Their lives demonstrate to our students that earned success is not accidental. It is the result of character, discipline, and a belief that leadership carries both opportunity and responsibility.”
The 2026 honorees are:
• Paul A. Glantz, chairman and CEO, EH Real Estate LLC; chairman emeritus, Emagine Entertainment Inc.
• Jennifer Tenaglia Panning ’92, president, Artisan Tile Inc.
• Danny Sullivan, 1985 Indianapolis 500 champion; 1988 IndyCar World champion; and 1994 Rolex 24 at Daytona champion
• Linzie Venegas, chief operating officer, Ideal Group
• Warren Henry Zinn ’77, founder and executive chairman, Warren Henry Auto Group
Since 1981, Northwood University has recognized visionary leaders whose accomplishments reflect the principles emphasized within The Northwood Idea, including freedom, personal responsibility, earned success, moral law, and the importance of free enterprise. This year’s honorees exemplify those values through professional achievement, industry advancement, and philanthropic commitment.
Meet the Honorees
Paul A. Glantz is chairman and CEO of EH Real Estate LLC and chairman emeritus of Emagine Entertainment Inc. He co-founded Emagine Entertainment in 1989, growing the company from a single screen into the 10th-largest theater operator in North America, with 27 theaters across six states. A graduate of Wayne State University and Walsh College, Glantz has received numerous honors, including the Ernst & Young Michigan and Northwest Ohio Entrepreneur of the Year Award and Distinguished Alumni Awards from both alma maters. He serves on the executive committee of the Detroit Regional Chamber and on several other community boards.
Jennifer Tenaglia Panning is president of Artisan Tile Inc., a Michigan-based tile and terrazzo company she founded in 1995. Under her leadership, the company has completed projects at Little Caesars Arena, the Shinola Hotel and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, among others.
Panning has served on the board of the Tile Contractors’ Association of America for more than a decade, including a term as president from 2014 to 2015. She currently serves as chair of the Northwood University Board of Trustees. A 1992 Northwood graduate, she remains actively involved in daily operations at Artisan Tile while leading the company’s strategic direction.
Danny Sullivan is one of America’s most celebrated motorsports drivers. Best known for his “spin and win” victory at the 1985 Indianapolis 500, Sullivan earned 17 wins in the CART IndyCar World Series and secured the 1988 IndyCar World Championship.
He also competed in Formula One with the Tyrrell team and won the 1994 Rolex 24 at Daytona. Following his racing career, Sullivan served as a television commentator for ABC/ESPN and CBS and played a key role in the Red Bull Driver Search program. He was inducted into the Motorsports Walk of Fame in 2010 and currently serves as senior adviser at Aviation Partners Global Services.
Linzie Venegas is chief operating officer of Ideal Group, where she oversees accounting, human resources, administration and marketing across multiple divisions. A partial owner of Ideal Contracting, Shield, Surplus and Setech, Venegas has helped shape the strategic direction of the organization across its portfolio of companies.
She completed executive education at Harvard Business School and the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, where she also serves as an instructor in the Digital Excellence Program. Venegas serves on the boards of Detroit Public Television, Cranbrook Institute of Science and the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council.
Warren Henry Zinn is founder and executive chairman of Warren Henry Auto Group, a South Florida automotive group with seven franchise locations and more than 400 employees. A 50-year industry veteran, Zinn continues a family legacy in the automotive business that began when his father opened Florida’s first Toyota dealership in 1965.
Under his leadership, the company has earned the Time magazine Quality Dealer Award, the J.D. Power Dealer of Excellence Award and recognition among Automotive News’ “100 Best Dealerships to Work For.” A 1977 graduate of Northwood, Zinn supports numerous philanthropic organizations, including Mount Sinai Medical Center, Alzheimer’s Association, March of Dimes and the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.
Honorees to be Celebrated During April 18 Gala in Dearborn, Michigan
Northwood University will formally recognize the honorees during the 2026 Outstanding Business Leader Awards Gala on Saturday, April 18, at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan.
In advance of the gala, honorees will participate in a virtual panel from noon to 1 p.m. March 18. The event will be moderated by Professor Jim Hop, who chairs Northwood’s Entrepreneurship degree program. It is open to students, faculty, staff and community members. Click here to tune in.
“Honorees will share stories about their journey to success and virtual attendees will have the chance to ask questions in a live session,” said Director of Signature Events Jen Carpenter. “It’s a unique opportunity to get to know this year’s honorees and to arrive at April’s Outstanding Business Leader Awards Gala already feeling connected to the people we’re celebrating.”
For sponsorship and ticket details for the April 18 Outstanding Business Leaders Awards Gala, visit www.northwood.edu/advancement/signature-events/outstanding-business-leader-awards/
