Awards shine the spotlight on Canadian entrepreneurs' ability to create sustainable growth - and jobs
HALIFAX, July 5, 2012 /CNW/ - Ernst & Young is proud to announce the finalists in this year's Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards and once again shine the spotlight on game-changing entrepreneurs who continue to drive sustainable growth and job creation across the country.
"This year's Atlantic Entrepreneur Of The Year finalists reflect the incredible diversity of talent and opportunities that exist today in Atlantic Canada," says Lynn Healey, Atlantic Director of Entrepreneur Of The Year. "Although diverse, they all share a passion to drive positive change, innovate and create a legacy within their communities. Their determination to turn their visions into realities has truly made an indelible impact on our economy."
According to the recent Ernst & Young report, Global job hot spots: help wanted, entrepreneurs expanded jobs in Canada — and globally — by 16% in 2011 and still show signs of growth.
"Entrepreneurs make invaluable contributions to businesses and communities across Canada and around the world," says Healey. "Our survey results reveal that the majority of these business leaders not only stimulate growth, they also actively support community services, and 25% have created or funded an educational program."
These statistics combined are proof points that show how important it is for all stakeholders to support entrepreneurship in Canada and abroad.
"At Ernst & Young, we're proud to recognize Canadian entrepreneurs — but it's time more of us started paying attention to the contributions they make," says Healey. "It's up to each of us to play a part in creating a thriving entrepreneurial environment that enables our business leaders to reach their potential. Our Atlantic Entrepreneur Of The Year finalists for 2012 are wonderful role models and examples of the potential that can be achieved."
Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates the contribution and spirit of entrepreneurs everywhere. The Canadian program is in its 19th year of honouring the country's most impressive entrepreneurs from all areas of business. Award finalists are chosen based on their vision, leadership, financial success and social responsibility.
The Atlantic winners will be announced at a banquet on October 18, and the overall winner will represent the region at the national gala held in Toronto on January 16, 2013.
For more information on Global job hot spots: help wanted, click here.
The 2012 Atlantic finalists for Entrepreneur Of The Year:
Business-to-business products and services
Patrick O'Callaghan
East Coast Catering Limited
eccltd.ca
Specializes in remote workforce catering and accommodations to the oil and gas, marine, mining and industrial construction sectors
Greer Hunt
Hunt's Transport Ltd.
huntstransport.com
A transportation and logistics service provider serving the demands of the oil, gas, mining, drilling, industrial, construction and general contracting industries
Maurice Doucet
Maritime Beauty Supply Company Ltd.
maritimebeauty.com
A leading wholesale beauty products distributor serving spas and salons across the Maritime provinces
Business-to-consumer products and services
Dan Merzetti
DSM Telecommunications Inc.
dsmtel.com
A Halifax-based phone company offering carrier-grade digital phone TruMobility, long distance, conferencing and telephone services
Scott MacEachern
Stark International
starkoil.com
An industry leader in providing oil services for transformers, hydraulic and lubrication oils
John Trainor
Weather Shore Windows Inc.
weathershorewindows.com
A Newfoundland-based vinyl window manufacturer
John Griffin, Peter Griffin
W.P. Griffin Inc.
wpgriffin.com
A family-owned and -operated leading agri-business that produces, packages and markets healthy, easy-to-prepare meal choices
Construction
Lise Bernard
Design Built Mechanical Inc.
dbminc.ca
Provides mechanical work, including HVAC, electricity, structural steel fabrication and erection, and custom steel fabrication to industrial and commercial markets in the Maritimes
Mario Allain
FundyPros Specialty Construction
fundypros.com
Provides specialty construction products and services to the commercial and residential construction industry in New Brunswick
Emerging entrepreneur
Barb Stegemann
7 Virtues Communications Group and 7 Virtues Beauty Inc.
the7virtues.com
Sources fair-trade organic oils for fragrances from suppliers in Afghanistan and Haiti who provide seasonal employment to tribes and communities
Rivers Corbett
Relish Gourmet Burgers
relishyou.ca
A unique franchise reinventing the gourmet burger industry
Aidan Brunn, Jennifer Laughlin
Schoolhouse Gluten-Free Gourmet Ltd.
schoolhouseglutenfreegourmet.com
Provides fresh, delicious and nutrient-packed gluten-free products at farmers' markets, independent retailers, cafes and restaurants
Hospitality/tourism
Dennis Campbell
Ambassatours Gray Line
ambassatours.com
A group tour company operating in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador
Jennie Dobbs
Morris East
morriseast.com
A neighbourhood restaurant in Halifax specializing in gourmet wood-fired oven pizzas
Cecil Stockley
Twillingate Island Boat Tours Ltd.
icebergtours.ca
A Newfoundland and Labrador tourism company specializing in iceberg boat tours
Information technology
Emad Rizkalla
Bluedrop Performance Learning
bluedrop.com
A leader in advanced learning technologies for the workplace
Karl Greenlaw
Brovada Technologies Inc.
brovada.com
A software provider specializing in business process integration, system conversions, legacy system integrations, and broker connectivity
Michael Johnston
TeamSpace Canada
teamspace.ca
A team of strategic technologists and cutting-edge software developers working to find creative ways to bring people together, shaping solutions that transform companies
Manufacturing
Michael Scott
All-Tech Hydraulic & Mechanical Inc.
alltech.ca
Provides mechanical and hydraulic services, including field services, to the mining sector and heavy industry in New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador
Ola Johnson
Atlas Structural Systems
atlasway.ca
Specializes in the manufacture of wood trusses, wood floor truss, kneewalls and pre-fabwalls, and structural design services
Jean-Claude Savoie
Groupe Savoie Inc.
groupesavoie.ca
A leading producer of hardwood products, including pallets, hardwood flooring, cabinet and furniture components, quality hardwood lumber as well as pallet lumber
Real estate/development
Louis Lawen
Dexel Developments Ltd.
444rent.com
A mixed-use property developer focused primarily on residential apartments in the Halifax business district
Keith Brideau
Historica Developments Inc.
historicadevelopments.com
A real estate developing business focused on the Saint John area
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 Atlantic judging panel consisted of Denis Connor, Past-Chair, First Angel Network; Melinda Lee, Partner Frosting Cake and Event Design; Earl Ludlow, CEO, Newfoundland Power; Mike Mallory, New Brunswick Group Chair, TEC Group; Gerry Pond, Partner, Mariner Partners; Duncan Shaw, President, Mullache Corporation; Jo Mark Zurel, President, Stonebridge Capital Inc.
For more information on the program, FAQs, and key dates, please visit ey.com/ca/EOY.
Follow us on Twitter @EYCanada: #EOYCanada, #EOYAtlantic.
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 152,000 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.
Julie Fournier
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514 874 4308
Jennifer Nascimben
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416 943 2487
Sarah Shields
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604 648 3607
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