Ernst & Young recognizes local game-changing entrepreneurs' leadership and innovation
VANCOUVER, Oct. 5, 2012 /CNW/ - Ashley Cooper, President and Chief Executive Officer of Paladin Security Group Ltd. — a leading Canadian security service company — is this year's Pacific Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® winner.
"Ashley Cooper embodies the Canadian entrepreneurial spirit to its fullest extent," says Ron Voyer, Pacific Director of Entrepreneur Of The Year. "Ashley's vision and unwavering drive to improve client and employee experience has taken Paladin to new heights in British Columbia, Alberta and across the country."
Ashley has cemented Paladin's presence in Alberta, and overseen the company's expansion into Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia. Paladin is now the largest privately held security company in Canada — a direct result of Ashley's forward-thinking and innovative approach to security services.
"Innovation isn't a strategy, it's a way of being, and one that each of our winners embraces," says Voyer. "Ashley's innovative employment screening, training programs and use of technology is not only carving out a competitive advantage for Paladin, it's changing the face of the Canadian security market."
But innovation doesn't happen randomly. Ernst & Young's recent report, Innovating for growth, finds that leading innovators take advantage of changes in their external environment, continually revamp their business models and innovate with an end goal in mind. More than anything, it takes a long-term view.
"Year after year, our Entrepreneur Of The Year winners prove that taking a long-term view pays off," says Voyer. "Ashley Cooper is no exception, joining a group of accomplished individuals who embody that entrepreneurial spirit that continues to drive their success."
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year recognizes the spirit and contribution of entrepreneurs here and around the world. The Canadian program is in its 19th year of honouring the country's most impressive entrepreneurs from all areas of business. Award winners are chosen based on a number of factors, including their vision, leadership, financial performance and social responsibility.
Also honoured by Ernst & Young was Dr. Norman B. Keevil, Chairman of Teck Resources Limited, who received the 2012 Pacific Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of his outstanding leadership, support of BC's business community and his significant accomplishments as an entrepreneur.
For more information on Innovating for growth, click here.
Category winners of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2012 Pacific Awards:
Business-to-business products and services
Ashley Cooper
Paladin Security Group Ltd. | Burnaby
paladinsecurity.com
A leading security company, with services and superior expertise that span all types of protection.
Business-to-consumer products and services
Sylvie Rochette
Epicure Selections | North Saanich
epicureselections.com
Designs, develops, manufactures and sells premium spice blends, spices, food products and cookware employing a direct sales model, with consultants throughout Canada.
Emerging entrepreneur
Greg Blake and Andre Kroecher
Daiya Foods Inc. | Vancouver
daiyafoods.com
Manufactures, markets and distributes non-dairy, allergen-free cheese alternatives.
Information technology
Kenshi Arasaki, Wilkins Chung and Eric Diep
A Thinking Ape Technologies | Vancouver
athinkingape.com
A technology startup focused on changing the way people socialize and play on mobile.
Manufacturing
John Bacher, Steven Gula and Paul Jean
NII Northern International Inc. | Coquitlam
candleimpressions.net
Designs and manufactures patented flameless candles and decorative garden lighting.
Media and entertainment
Ryan Holmes
HootSuite Media, Inc. | Vancouver
hootsuite.com
Helps teams engage with audiences and analyze campaigns across multiple social networks like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+ Pages from one secure web-based dashboard.
Mining and metals
Frederick Davidson
Energold Drilling Corp. | Vancouver
energold.com
The largest frontier specialty contract commodity drilling company in the world operating across metals, energy and manufacturing.
Real estate/construction
Ted Pickell
Arctic Construction Ltd. | Fort St. John
arctic-const.ca
Provides a full range of services to the oil and gas industry, from resource site development and civil construction to mine and energy facility commissioning and land reclamation.
Special citation — Social entrepreneur
Social entrepreneur is a unique category that awards a special citation to an entrepreneur whose achievements have driven large-scale social change and improved people's lives or quality of life.
Michael Fergusson
Ayogo Games Inc. | Vancouver
ayogo.com
Creates games that nurture human connection, motivate, educate, and promote health and wellness.
What's next?
As the Pacific region's 2012 Entrepreneur Of The Year, Ashley will compete with top entrepreneurs from the Prairies, Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic region for the national honour of Canada's Entrepreneur Of The Year 2012, to be presented at a gala celebration January 16, 2013, in Toronto. In June 2013, Canada's Entrepreneur Of The Year 2012 will move to the world stage to compete with more than 50 country recipients for the title of Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year®.
About Entrepreneur of The Year
Entrepreneur Of The Year honours the spirit and contribution of entrepreneurs here and around the world. Nominees are reviewed by an independent judging panel composed of several distinguished business leaders and previous award recipients. The 2012 Pacific judging panel consisted of Peter Barnes, 2010 Pacific Entrepreneur Of The Year mining and metals category winner, Founding Shareholder, DeepGreen Resources; Ryan Beedie, 2009 Pacific Entrepreneur Of The Year winner, President, The Beedie Group; Jim Case, CEO, Travelers Financial Group; Wanda Costuros, Corporate Director; Amar Doman, 2005 Pacific Entrepreneur Of The Year business-to-business products and services category winner, Chairman and CEO, CanWel Building Materials; Mary Jordan, Corporate Director and Chair, Vancouver Airport Authority; Catherine Osler, President, TEC Canada; and Chad Wasilenkoff, 2010 Pacific Entrepreneur Of The Year winner, CEO, Fortress Paper.
For more information on the program, FAQs, and key dates, please visit ey.com/ca/EOY.
For ticket information about the National Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards Gala on January 16, 2013, please contact Katelyn Jarosz at 416 941 1810 or [email protected].
Follow us on Twitter @EYCanada: #EOYCanada, #EOYPacific.
This year's national program sponsors are National Post, La Presse and RDI.
About Ernst & Young's Entrepreneurial Services Practice
Ernst & Young LLP's Entrepreneurial Services Practice guides Canadian entrepreneurs by delivering integrated services tailored to their goals and needs at every stage of the business lifecycle. We are the world's leader in advising, guiding and recognizing the entrepreneurs who propel the economy - and community - forward.
For more information, please visit ey.com/ca/Entrepreneurs.
About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 167,000 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 their potential.
For more information, please visit ey.com/ca.
Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.
SOURCE: Ernst & Young
Sarah Shields
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Julie Fournier
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Erika Bennett
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