EY celebrates gravity-defying entrepreneurs at annual awards gala
MONTRÉAL, Oct. 24, 2014 /CNW/ - José Boisjoli, President and Chief Executive Officer of BRP — a world leader in the design, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorized recreational vehicles and power sports engines — is this year's Entrepreneur Of The Year Québec winner.
The sky is the limit for gravity defying entrepreneurs like José. Over the last 10 years, and through the economic downturn, BRP has tripled in value under his leadership. Today, the company's products are distributed in over 100 countries by more than 4,200 dealers and distributors.
"Leading entrepreneurs pursue their passion relentlessly," says Daniel Baer, Entrepreneur Of The Year Québec Program Co-Director. "José's love for power sports is what makes him such a standout. And it's that passion that resonates with employees, consumers, dealers and distributors."
José is dedicated to offering consumers the ultimate power sports experience. That means embracing innovation at every opportunity. It's that innovative mindset that's led to the development of unique, market-leading environmentally friendly products that put customer safety first.
EY partnered with the World Economic Forum on a recent report, The Bold Ones: high-impact entrepreneurs who transform industries, to uncover the qualities that define high-impact entrepreneurs. The report found that high-impact entrepreneurs not only disrupt industry through innovative products and services. They also make a measurable difference on society.
"Entrepreneur Of The Year recognizes business leaders whose impact goes beyond the boardroom and into the community," says Luc Charbonneau, Entrepreneur Of The Year Québec Program Co-Director. "José has created a dynamic corporate culture with community engagement at its core."
In Canada, the company supports not-for-profit organizations such as the Red Cross, United Way and the Fondation du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS Foundation).
José also supports educational programs. In 2008, he founded the Centre des technologies avancées in collaboration with the Université de Sherbrooke. The research and innovation centre promotes the development of state-of-the-art technologies related to motorized recreational vehicles. In 2010, José was appointed Grand Ambassadeur by the university for his enduring support.
"We're proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of José and BRP, and look forward to celebrating the company's success for years to come," says Charbonneau.
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates the contribution and spirit of entrepreneurs around the world. The Canadian program is in its 21st 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 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Québec 2014 category award recipients:
Business-to-Business Products and Services
José Boisjoli
BRP | Valcourt
brp.com
A world leader in the design, manufacturing, distribution, and marketing of motorized recreational vehicles and power sports engines.
Business-to-Consumer Products and Services
Bassel Atallah, Firas Atallah, Rami Atallah
SSENSE | Montréal
ssense.com
A leading online luxury clothing boutique, carrying over 200 men's and women's wear collections, including shoes and accessories, from world renowned designers.
Emerging Entrepreneur
Noémie Dupuy, Michael Elman, David Lipes
Budge Studios | Montréal
budgestudios.com
Creates entertaining apps for kids for smartphones and tablets featuring high profile properties such as Strawberry Shortcake, Garfield, and Caillou.
Frédéric Bastien
mnubo | Montréal
mnubo.com
Lowers barrier of entry for connected object manufacturers and accelerate their time-to-market by enabling them with a comprehensive SaaS-based IoT applications platform.
Health Sciences
John Sampalis
JSS Medical Research Inc. | Saint-Laurent
jssresearch.com
A global clinical research organization.
Information Technology
Danny Chazonoff, Joel Leonoff
Optimal Payments | Montréal
optimalpayments.com
A leading provider of online and mobile integrated payment technologies for millions of consumers and thousands of businesses around the world.
Manufacturing
Serge Gendron
Groupe AGF Inc. | Longueuil
acieragf.com
A Canadian leader in the design, fabrication and installation of concrete reinforcing steel (rebar) and post-tensioning.
Media and Entertainment
Richard Speer
Attraction Media | Montréal
attraction.ca
Brings together six companies from a range of fields, including advertising, film, television, emerging media, radio broadcasting and distribution.
Real estate/construction
Johanne Bousquet
Chagall Design | Sainte-Julie
chagalldesign.ca
Specializes in commercial development, providing turnkey services, from construction to installation of décor and furnishings to optimize the retail shopping experience.
Technology and Communication
Pierre Racz
Genetec | Saint-Laurent
genetec.com
A global leader in Video Management Systems used to protect large and small scale critical infrastructure, government, transportation, retail, and campus environments.
Young Entrepreneur
Wayne Burke, Steve Shoiry
Dominion New Energy | Montréal
dneresources.com
Helps customers purchase energy and related products in deregulated energy markets.
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.
Manon Barbeau
Wapikoni mobile | Montréal
wapikoni.ca
A travelling studio that visits native communities, offering audio-visual training workshops in film and music.
What's next?
As the Québec region's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2014, José will compete with top entrepreneurs from the Pacific, Prairies, Ontario and Atlantic regions for the national honour of EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Canada 2014, to be presented at a gala celebration on 25 November 2014 in Toronto. In June 2015, Canada's Entrepreneur Of The Year 2014 will move to the world stage to compete with more than 60 country recipients for the title of EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year.
About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.
The 2014 Québec judging panel consists of Chris Arsenault, Associé directeur, iNovia Capital; Isabelle Bettez, Entrepreneur Of The Year Technology Solutions category finalist 2011, Québec, and Présidente, 8D Technologies Inc.; Jean-Françoys Brousseau, Entrepreneur Of The Year Technology and Communications category winner 2013, Québec, and Président et chef de la direction, Outbox Holding CRB Inc.; Michel Gendreau, Entrepreneur Of The Year regional winner 2012, Québec, and Président, Garaga inc.; Nathalie Marcoux, Vice-présidente aux finances, Capinabel inc.; and Sam Scalia, Entrepreneur Of The Year Real Estate/Construction category winner 2009, Québec, and Président, Samcon inc.
For more information on the program, FAQs and key dates, please visit ey.com/ca/EOY.
Follow us on Twitter @EYCanada: #EOYQuébec.
This year's national program sponsors are National Post, TEC Canada, RDI, La Presse, Merrill DataSite, Kira Talent, Pandora Jewellery and The Printing House Limited. In Québec, Entrepreneur Of The Year is sponsored by Fonds de solidarité FTQ.
About EY's Strategic Growth Markets Network
EY's worldwide Strategic Growth Markets Network is dedicated to serving the changing needs of high-growth companies. For more than 30 years, we've helped many of the world's most dynamic and ambitious companies grow into market leaders. Whether working with international mid-cap companies or early-stage venture-backed businesses, our professionals draw upon their extensive experience, insight and global resources to help your business succeed.
For more information, please visit ey.com/ca/Entrepreneurs.
EY was recently named 2014 Professional Services Organization of the Year for Advancing Entrepreneurship by Startup Canada. The Startup Canada Awards celebrate and distinguish the individuals, communities and institutions in Canada that have demonstrated innovation, excellence, outstanding achievement and impact in advancing Canadian entrepreneurship.
About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.
EY is proudly celebrating 150 years in Canada. For more information, please visit ey.com/ca. Follow us on Twitter @EYCanada.
EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the 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. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.
SOURCE: EY (Ernst & Young)
Erika Bennett, [email protected], 416 943 5497; Sarah Shields, [email protected], 604 648 3607; Julie Fournier, [email protected], 514 874 4308
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