Ernst & Young unveils Pacific Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) Award finalists for 2008
VANCOUVER, July 3 - Today's entrepreneurs continue to fill a critical role in the success of the Canadian economy, Ernst & Young said today when unveiling this year's finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards.
"I am amazed by the entrepreneurial determination and perseverance thriving here in British Columbia," said Fred Withers, Director of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program for the Pacific region. "Entrepreneurs drive our region's business success, while motivating others through their unwavering commitment and innovative thinking. And this year's finalists are no exception."
The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards honour the spirit and contribution of entrepreneurs here and around the world. This year, the Canadian program is proudly celebrating a milestone anniversary - 15 years of honouring Canada's most impressive entrepreneurs from all areas of business.
In 2007, Canada's own Guy Laliberté (founder of Cirque du Soleil) brought home top honours, winning the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) Award. This year's finalists embark on the same path, providing great examples of entrepreneurism at its best. The Pacific region winners will be announced at a banquet on October 8, and the overall winner will represent the region at the national banquet in November.
The 2008 Pacific region finalists for Entrepreneur of the Year are:
Business-to-Business Products and Services
John Davis, Lotte Davis
AG Hair Cosmetics
Burnaby
www.aghaircosmetics.com Manufacturer of shampoos, conditioners, styling and finishing products.
Joyce Groote
Holey Soles Holdings Ltd.
Richmond
www.holeysoles.com Designs, markets and distributes innovative lifestyle products featuring
technically advanced closed-cell polymer foam, including shoes, hats, bags, accessories and specialty children's collections.
Luc Bergeron
L.B. Maple Treat Inc.
Vancouver
www.lbmapletreat.com Manufacturer and distributor of maple syrup and products across Canada and the US, and exporter to Asia and Europe.
Business-to-Consumer Products and Services
Brian Hill
Aritzia LP
Vancouver
www.aritzia.com Retailer of women's apparel. Aritzia's boutiques are featured in select cities across Canada and the US.
David K.J. Heffel, Robert Heffel
Heffel Fine Art Auction House
Vancouver
www.heffel.com Auction house for fine American, European and Canadian art.
Rick Baxter
West Coast Air Ltd.
Vancouver
www.westcoastair.com Locally owned and operated floatplane company with more than 35 years of Twin Otter scheduled service experience.
Emerging Entrepreneur
Davis Yung
Fresh Direct Produce Ltd.
Vancouver
www.freshdirectproduce.com Transporter and distributor of produce to retailers and wholesalers across Canada.
Peter C. Dupuis, Sid Landolt
S&P Destination Properties
Vancouver
www.sprealestate.com International full-service real estate company.
Charles Steele, David Udow
Ziptrek Ecotours Inc.
Whistler
www.ziptrek.com Zipline tour company that builds environmental awareness through education, with minimal impact to the environment.
Natural Resources and Energy
Ross Beaty
Pan American Silver Corp.
Vancouver
www.panamericansilver.com Silver mining company with a focused strategy of low-cost silver production growth through exploration, development and construction.
Donald McInnes
Plutonic Power Corporation
Vancouver
www.plutonic.ca Renewable energy producer that promotes, supports and develops sustainable, renewable, green energy projects in British Columbia.
Paul Blythe
Quadra Mining Ltd.
Vancouver
www.quadramining.com A growth-focused mid-sized copper and base metal producing company.
Real Estate/Construction
Ivan Harmatny, Ron McNeil
Lower Mainland Steel Group
Surrey
www.lmsgroup.ca Rebar supply, fabrication and installation company.
Andrew Purdey
Ruskin Construction Ltd.
Prince George
www.ruskinconstruction.com Specialized foundation, marine and industrial bridge construction company.
John C. Scott
Scott Construction Group
Vancouver
www.scottconstructiongroup.com Construction company offering preconstruction and construction services customized to the needs of their clients.
Social Entrepreneur
Tara Cullis, David Suzuki
David Suzuki Foundation
Vancouver
www.davidsuzuki.org Non-profit environmental organization working to find ways for society to live in balance with the natural world.
Samantha Wilson
Kidproof Canada
Surrey
www.kidproofsafety.com Provides preventative child and family safety education, products and services.
Clarence Louie
Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corporation
Oliver
www.oib.ca Wholly owned business operated by the Osoyoos Indian Band with interests in retail activities, vineyards, a winery, construction businesses and tourism-related businesses.
Technology
John Livingston
Absolute Software Corporation
Vancouver
www.absolute.com Provides firm-based, patented technology solutions for regulatory compliance, mobile data protection and computer theft recovery.
John S. MacDonald, George Rubin
Day4 Energy Inc.
Burnaby
www.day4energy.com Solar energy company that designs, manufactures and sells photovoltaic modules, which convert light into electricity.
Kevin Ham
Reinvent Technology, Inc.
Vancouver
www.reinvent.com Internet media company seeking to connect to people through words and visual information.
Turnaround Entrepreneur
Jacqui Cohen
Army & Navy Department Store Ltd.
Vancouver
Department store chain with locations in Vancouver, Langley, New Westminster, Calgary and Edmonton.
Amiee Chan
Norsat International Inc.
Richmond
www.norsat.com Provider of microwave components and portable satellite systems.
G. Bruce Dean
The Whistler Brewing Co.
Vancouver
www.whistlerbeer.com A BC-owned brewing company with a passion for beer and an incredible story to tell.
The national program sponsors are Global Television Network, National Post, La Presse and RDI. Pacific region sponsors are BC Business magazine and the Vancouver Sun.
About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 130,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve potential. For more info, visit
www.ey.com/ca.For further information: Amanda Olliver, (416) 943-7121; Julie Fournier, (514) 874-4308; Ines Gomes, (416) 943-2095
