Reports: Costco co-founder to be honored at entrepreneurship awards ceremony

NEW YORK — An awards celebration this fall at the University of Missouri-Kansas City will honor the co-founder of Costco Wholesale Corp., according to published reports.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Thursday that Jim Sinegal, who retired as the club retailer's CEO in January 2012, would be among the honorees of the university's 28th Annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards celebration.

Sinegal founded Issaquah, Wash.-based Costco together with Jeff Brotman in 1983. The company now operates 626 stores, including 449 in the United States.