Laureates

Art Phillips (1930 – 2013)

Art Phillips created the centrist political party TEAM (The Electors’ Action Movement) in 1968, which had a membership that included former B.C. Premier Mike Harcourt. He served as Mayor of the City of Vancouver from 1973 to 1977.

Jim Pattison, O.C., O.B.C., C.B.H.F.

As one of British Columbia's preeminent businessmen, Jim Pattison built one of the largest privately held companies in the country. His empire began when he purchased the Bow Mac car dealership in 1961, and since then, the Jim Pattison Group has prospered and diversified.

David Oppenheimer (1834 – 1897)

David Oppenheimer left his native Frankfurt for New Orleans in 1848 with his three brothers. In 1853, they moved to California which was just beginning to burn with Gold Rush fever, but by 1857 the fever was beginning to cool, so they looked North.

Dr. Rudy North, C.M., O.B.C., LL.D. (Hon)

Dr. Rudy North has made a career out of investing while giving back to the community through his commitment to social and environmental issues. After retiring from PH&N in 1998, Rudy went on to create North Growth Management Ltd. where he is currently CEO and President.

William M. Mercer (1918 – 1961)

Owing to the foresight of William M. Mercer, founder of William M. Mercer Limited in 1945, benefits packages that are responsive to clients' and employees' needs have become normalized in today's world. As the first Canadian pension consulting business, it challenged the traditional corporate view of standardized employee benefit plans.

George C. Melville, O.B.C., FCA, LL.D. (Hon)

George Melville earned his CA designation in 1968 and received the distinguished Fellowship of Chartered Accountants Co. in Penticton, British Columbia. In June 2013, George received an honorary doctorate designation from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in recognition of his outstanding professional achievements.

G.W. Grant McConachie (1909 – 1965)

Grant McConachie is a pioneer in the commercial airline industry, establishing his first one, Independent Airways in 1927. Through ingenuity and hard work, his business expanded and made valuable contributions to opening up British Columbia's northern regions in the first half of the twentieth century.

H.R. MacMillan, C.C. (1885 – 1976)

Harvey Reginald MacMillan was British Columbia's Chief Forester, developing international markets for British Columbia's lumber and instrumentally assisting in creating the British Columbia Forest Service. In 1919, he established the H.R. MacMillan Export Company Ltd.

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