Ernst & Young celebrates Pacific finalists for Entrepreneur Of The Year 2010
(Vancouver, 6 July 2010) Canada’s most successful entrepreneurs improve the quality of life for people across the globe, Ernst & Young said today as the firm announced the finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2010 Awards.
“This year’s exceptional Pacific finalists all share a commitment to innovation, an inherent ability to spot opportunities and the perseverance to keep trying,” says Fred Withers, Director of the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards for the Pacific region. “They have the ability to help drive the economic rebound and propel growth throughout Canada and beyond.”
According to a recent Ernst & Young publication, A world of opportunity: Entrepreneurial perspectives on the impact of globalization, entrepreneurs have been quick to seize opportunities presented by the opening of new markets.
“Because of advanced communications and technology, Canadian entrepreneurs can acquire greater insight and information into global markets,” notes Withers. “While this helps them pursue opportunities abroad, it’s also much more feasible for worldwide competitors to enter Canadian markets.”
In a recent Ernst & Young report, Ambitious, adept and agile, just over two-thirds of entrepreneurs surveyed agreed that globalization has opened the door to new and unforeseen competitors. Companies are suddenly finding a new generation of rivals from both local and international markets.
“Entrepreneurs should draw on the intellectual and cultural strength of their people, suppliers and partners to boost creativity and design better products and services,” says Withers. “Companies that step up their innovative abilities can take their businesses to new heights and change our lives for the better.”
Entrepreneur Of The Year recognizes high-achieving entrepreneurs in Canada and around the world who drive growth, transform industries and build communities. The Canadian program is in its 17th year of honouring the country’s most impressive entrepreneurs from all areas of business.
The names of the Pacific winners will be announced at a gala banquet in Vancouver on September 28, and the overall winner will represent the region at the national banquet in Toronto on November 17. For ticket information regarding the regional and national banquets, please contact Sandie Atkinson at 604 643 5486.
The 2010 Pacific finalists for Entrepreneur Of The Year:
Business-to-business products and services
Olivier Vincent
Canpages Inc. | Burnaby
canpages.ca
Canpages is Canada’s fastest-growing local search company. They offer online, mobile and print search options focused on delivering relevant, local search results.
Robert Burns
Canpro Global Services Inc. | Coquitlam
canproglobal.com
Canpro Global is an international leader in delivering professional risk mitigation services, including risk solutions, investigations, HR services, training resources, and labour risk management.
Charles Kim
Trans Pac Group of Companies | Vancouver
transpacfibre.com
Trans Pac, primarily a wood products business, specializes in log and lumber exports to Asian markets.
Business-to-consumer products and services
Samir Manji
Amica Mature Lifestyles Inc. | Vancouver
amica.ca
Amica is a leader in the management, marketing, design and development of luxury housing and services for mature lifestyles.
Arash Fasihi
Cymax Stores Inc. | Vancouver
cymax.com
Cymax is one of the fastest-growing e-retail furniture businesses, with more than 100 specialty online stores and one of the largest selections of products on the web.
John Nicola
Nicola Wealth Management | Vancouver
nicolawealth.com
Nicola Wealth Management is a boutique financial planning and wealth management firm servicing high-net-worth clients across Canada.
Cleantech
George Rubin
Day4 Energy Inc. | Burnaby
day4energy.com
Day4 Energy designs and manufactures high-performance solar electric modules, with the goal of revolutionizing solar power used in residential, commercial and utility power generation.
James Tansey
Offsetters | Vancouver
offsetters.ca
Offsetters is Canada’s leading carbon management provider, helping individuals and companies understand, reduce and offset their climate impact.
Nicole von Stefenelli
Urban Impact Recycling Ltd. | Richmond
urbanimpact.com
Urban Impact is a commercial transportation and processing company specializing in recycling, shredding and waste management services.
Hospitality/tourism
Yuri Fulmer
FDC Brands Inc. | Vancouver
mrmikes.ca
FDC Brands has various holdings in the food and beverage industry, including a substantial equity stake in Mr. Mikes® Steakhouse & Bar, and is one of Canada’s largest A&W franchisees.
Emad Yacoub
Glowbal Restaurant Group Inc. | Vancouver
glowbalgroup.com
Glowbal aims to provide customers with a satisfying restaurant experience on every level. The group comprises six restaurants, two lounges and a full-service catering company.
A. Craig Widsten
Shearwater Marine Limited | Richmond
shearwater.ca
Shearwater Marine Group is a diversified organization that offers marine services, freight service, eco-tourism, a fishing resort, bars and restaurants, an RV campground, a marina, and hardware and grocery stores.
Information technology
Christopher Krywulak
iQmetrix Software Development Corp. | Vancouver
iQmetrix.com
iQmetrix is a leading provider of retail management solutions for the cellular and wireless retail and telecommunications industries.
Elton Pereira
ParetoLogic, Inc. | Victoria
paretologic.com
ParetoLogic creates a wide range of user-friendly computer security and utility programs, including anti-virus, registry cleaner, child protection, driver updater, file extension repairer and data recovery software.
Andrew Reid
Vision Critical Inc. | Vancouver
visioncritical.com
Vision Critical is a technology driven research company helping global brands gather quality insights on a continuous basis. Our industry focused researchers understand the business issues that can be solved with research, technology and panel expertise.
Manufacturing
Dan On
Dan-D Foods Ltd. | Richmond
dan-d-pak.com
Dan-D Foods is a fine food importer, manufacturer and distributor of snack foods and spices from around the world.
Chad Wasilenkoff
Fortress Paper Ltd. | North Vancouver
fortresspaper.com
Fortress paper is an international manufacturer of specialty and security papers.
Karen Flavelle
Purdy’s Chocolates | Vancouver
purdys.com
Purdy’s Chocolates is a manufacturer and retailer of premium-quality chocolates.
Mining and metals
John Whittington
Farallon Mining Ltd. | Vancouver
farallonmining.com
Farallon is a Canadian company with a zinc-rich polymetallic mine in the State of Guerrero, Mexico.
Rick Clark
Red Back Mining Inc. | Vancouver
redbackmining.com
Red Back is a leading gold mining company, with an extensive exploration portfolio in Ghana and Mauritania.
Peter Barnes
Silver Wheaton Corp. | Vancouver
silverwheaton.com
Silver Wheaton has quickly positioned itself as the largest metals streaming company in the world. It currently has 13 silver and two precious metals purchase agreements.
Social entrepreneur
Janice Abbott
Atira Property Management Inc. | Vancouver
atira.ca
Atira Property Management offers quality property management services for strata corporations, developers, rental properties, non-profit housing, and housing cooperatives in Greater Vancouver. The company uses all profits to fund the Atira Women’s Resource Society’s housing and support programs for women and children who have been impacted by violence.
Tim Cormode
Power To Be Adventure Therapy Society | Victoria
powertobe.ca
Power To Be provides outdoor recreation programs that enrich the lives of disadvantaged children, young adults, their families and the communities to which they belong.
Daphne Nederhorst
Sawa Global | Vancouver
sawaglobal.com
Sawa Global supports local heroes who have found their own solutions to extreme poverty in their communities, and helps them tell their stories of leadership.
The Pacific regional judges:
Ryan Beedie, President
The Beedie Group
Bev Briscoe, President
Briscoe Management Ltd.
Jim Case, CEO
Travelers Financial Group
Amar Doman, Chairman and CEO
CanWel Building Materials Ltd.
Tracey McVicar, Managing Director
CAI Capital Management Co.
Jim Moore, President
Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc.
Grant Weaver, Partner
Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year is sponsored nationally by Global TV, National Post, La Presse and RDI. Pacific region program sponsors are the Vancouver Sun and BCBusiness magazine. The Pacific region banquet sponsor is Hunt Personnel/Temporarily Yours, and the program patron is Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver.
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