Trey Rome Named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Southwest Finalist
Home Tax Solutions Founder and CEO Trey Rome has been named a finalist for the prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards, a recognition that highlights influential business leaders who are shaping industries through innovation, leadership, and sustained growth. Organized annually by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program is now in its 41st year and remains one of the most respected honors for entrepreneurs across the United States.
Rome was selected by an independent panel of judges from a competitive field of business leaders throughout the Southwest region. Judges evaluated candidates based on several criteria, including entrepreneurial vision, operational excellence, financial performance, innovation, leadership philosophy, and the long-term value their businesses create for customers and communities. This year, only 44 entrepreneurs from Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma were chosen as finalists.
For Rome, the recognition reflects a journey that began with a simple mission: helping Texans manage the growing burden of property taxes. What started as a small operation at his kitchen table has evolved into the largest property tax lending company in Texas. Over the last 15 years, Home Tax Solutions has expanded rapidly while maintaining a focus on assisting homeowners and commercial property owners facing financial pressure from rising tax obligations.
“I’m honored to be recognized as an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist,” Rome said. “This achievement belongs to our customers, our employees, our investors, and everyone who supported us from the beginning. Our mission has always been to help Texans stay in their homes and keep their businesses operating during financially difficult times.”
Texas continues to face some of the highest property tax rates in the country, creating financial strain for many residents and business owners. Home Tax Solutions was established to address this challenge by offering property tax loans and related financial solutions that allow property owners to pay their taxes while avoiding penalties, foreclosure risks, or interruptions to business operations.
Since its founding in 2011, the company has grown into a dominant force in the Texas property tax lending industry. Today, Home Tax Solutions reportedly accounts for nearly one-third of the state’s property tax loan market. The company has originated close to $500 million in loans and has helped more than 15,000 Texans, including residential homeowners, commercial property owners, and small business operators.
The company’s growth trajectory under Rome’s leadership has been substantial. Revenue has increased sixfold over the past several years, supported by operational expansion, technology investments, and growing demand for alternative financing solutions tied to property tax obligations. The firm has also gained recognition in financial markets through its inaugural securitization transaction, which attracted strong interest from institutional investors and became one of the industry’s most oversubscribed issuances.
Industry analysts note that the success of Home Tax Solutions reflects broader economic realities in Texas, where rapidly increasing property values have pushed annual tax bills higher for both residential and commercial property owners. In many counties, rising assessments have created affordability challenges, particularly for retirees, working-class families, and small businesses operating on narrow margins.
By offering financing options that spread tax payments over manageable terms, Home Tax Solutions has positioned itself as a critical resource for many Texans navigating these pressures. Rome has repeatedly emphasized that the company’s role goes beyond lending, describing the business as a partner in helping communities maintain housing stability and economic continuity.
The Entrepreneur Of The Year program itself is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious business award platforms globally. Over the decades, the program has honored founders and executives who have built influential companies from the ground up or transformed established organizations through innovation and strategic leadership.
Finalists for the 2026 Southwest region represent a broad cross-section of industries, including financial services, healthcare, technology, consumer products, manufacturing, mobility, and professional services. The diversity of this year’s group reflects the evolving entrepreneurial landscape across the Southwest and the increasing importance of founder-led businesses in regional economic development.
Regional award winners will be announced during a special ceremony scheduled for June 20 in Dallas. Those selected will join the global Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni network, an influential community of business leaders, investors, and innovators from around the world.
In addition to regional recognition, winners will advance to national judging later this year. National honorees will be celebrated during the Strategic Growth Forum in November, an annual gathering that brings together high-growth entrepreneurs, Fortune 1000 executives, private equity leaders, venture capital investors, and industry experts.
Rome’s recognition as a finalist also highlights the growing visibility of Texas-based financial services firms that focus on practical, community-centered solutions. While many fintech companies prioritize digital disruption or consumer convenience, Home Tax Solutions has built its reputation around solving a specific and pressing issue affecting property owners throughout the state.
As the company looks ahead, Rome says the focus remains on expanding access to property tax relief solutions while continuing to invest in customer service, operational efficiency, and financial innovation. He believes the demand for flexible tax financing options will continue to rise as property values and tax burdens increase across Texas.
The recognition from EY arrives at a pivotal time for both the company and the broader property tax financing industry. With housing affordability remaining a major concern nationwide, businesses that provide financial flexibility to homeowners and commercial property operators are expected to play an increasingly important role in helping communities remain economically stable.
For Home Tax Solutions, the Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist designation serves not only as recognition of past success but also as validation of the company’s long-term mission to support Texans facing mounting financial challenges tied to property ownership.
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