The Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program announced its 2009 class of entrepreneurs for its program this year. Among the members of this year’s class is Connie Cook, CEO of EMR Inc. Infrastructure and Environment.

HEMP, founded in 1995, was inspired by Helzberg’s 23-year mentoring relationship with Ewing Kauffman. HEMP matches seasoned, successful entrepreneur mentors with less-experienced entrepreneurs. The organization has helped more than 140 entrepreneurs during the past 13 years and currently has more than 36 active mentor/mentee pairs. HEMP is designed to be a three-year, facilitated program beginning in the latter part of each year.

EMR Inc. is a Native American and woman-owned company with headquarters in Lawrence.