EY celebrates gravity-defying entrepreneurs at annual awards gala
VANCOUVER, Oct. 1, 2014 /CNW/ - Thomas Leavitt, President and Chief Executive Officer of Leavitt Machinery — one of the fastest growing materials handling equipment dealers in North America — is this year's Entrepreneur Of The Year Pacific winner.
Thomas founded Leavitt Machinery in 2001 after recognizing the need for a multifaceted equipment provision and services company in the market. In just over a decade, Thomas has grown Leavitt Machinery into one of the leading material handling equipment dealers in Canada and beyond.
"Thomas is a true innovator," says Lui Petrollini, Entrepreneur Of The Year Pacific Program Director. "He's turned a good idea into a successful business that thrives on innovative thinking. From business processes to new technologies, Thomas's desire for continuous improvement is what sets him apart."
That dedication to continuous improvement also extends to the community. In 2010, Thomas and his wife established Harvest for Humanity — a charity that supports children and education in Haiti and the Philippines. Through the organization, Leavitt Machinery has helped create several self-sustaining, income generating, and educational projects in developing or economically struggling areas.
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 make a measurable difference on society.
"Gravity-defying entrepreneurs do more than just grow their businesses — they grow their communities," says Petrollini. "We're thrilled to recognize Thomas and the amazing achievements of Leavitt Machinery in and outside of the boardroom."
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.
This year's gala also honoured the Diamond family with the EY Family Business Award of Excellence in celebration of generations of entrepreneurial achievement.
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Pacific 2014 category award recipients:
Business-to-Business Products and Services
Thomas Leavitt
Leavitt Machinery | Langley
leavittmachinery.com
Provides sales, rental, servicing and operator/safety training of new and used material-handling equipment in western Canada and the US.
Business-to-Consumer Products and Services
Charles Chang
Vega | Burnaby
myvega.com
The leader in the plant-based natural health and performance products industry.
Emerging Entrepreneur
Lisa Tuningley
T-Rail Products Inc. | Surrey
t-railproducts.com
Provides rail source innovations to Canada's rail transportation industry, from sourcing materials to project management.
Energy
Aaron Rokstad
Rokstad Power Corporation | Coquitlam
rokstadpower.com
Constructs high-voltage power lines and related infrastructure for utilities and infrastructure contractors.
Entertainment and Hospitality
Jason McLean, Sacha McLean
The McLean Group of Companies | Vancouver
mcleangroup.com
Comprises of a real estate development and investment division, Vancouver Film Studios film and TV production facility, and Blackcomb Aviation helicopter and jet charters.
Information Technology
Ho Kim
CAMACC Systems Inc. | Saanichton
camacc.com
Designs, builds, installs and services advanced high-definition video and digital storage technology across many sectors.
Mining and Exploration
Mark O'Dea
Oxygen Capital Corp.| Vancouver
oxygencapitalcorp.com
Discovers and advances gold, copper, nickel and uranium deposits worldwide.
Manufacturing
Jake Fry
Smallworks Studios/Laneway Housing Inc. | Vancouver
smallworks.ca
Builds beautiful small homes, proponent and pioneer of laneway bylaw lobbying and consulting.
What's next?
As the Pacific region's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2014, Thomas will compete with top entrepreneurs from the Prairies, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic regions for the national honour of Canada's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 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 50 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 Pacific judging panel consists of Robert Beattie, Managing Director, BMO Bank of Montreal; Fred Davidson, President and CEO, Energold Drilling Corp., and Entrepreneur Of The Year Mining and Metals category winner 2012, Pacific; Joyce Groote, CEO, Crossing Sectors Inc.; Donald McInnes, Executive Vice Chairman, Alterra Power Corp., and Entrepreneur Of The Year Cleantech/Information Technology category winner 2011, Pacific; Shannon Rogers, President and General Counsel, Global Relay Communications Inc., and Entrepreneur Of The Year Business-to-Business Products and Services category winner 2013, Pacific, National Entrepreneur Of The Year Entrepreneurial Leadership Special Citation recipient; and Steve Swaffield, Commercial Advisor, BG Canada.
For more information on the program, FAQs and key dates, please visit ey.com/ca/EOY.
Follow us on Twitter @EYCanada: #EOYPacific.
This year's national program sponsors are National Post, TEC Canada, La Presse, RDI, Merrill DataSite, The Printing House Limited and Kira Talent. In Pacific, Entrepreneur Of The Year is sponsored by BC Business, Hunt Personnel/Temporarily Yours and Four Seasons Vancouver.
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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