Starting out as a university professor, Dr. Norman B. Keevil would eventually harness his scientific and academic achievements into building a mining empire with interests spanning across Canada, from Newfoundland to British Columbia.
Born and raised in Vancouver, Lucille Johnstone was the Chief Executive Office and Chair of Integrated Ferry Corporation, where the B.C. Super Ferry – the largest ship ever to be built in B.C. – was constructed. Before that Lucille was President of the RivTow Group, in a career that spanned 45 years.
Chester Johnson is an inspirational leader who has accepted daunting challenges in both the corporate and the public sectors, and has always delivered results that exceed expectations.
Bob Hager was a highly ethical and determined man who gave generously of his time, talent and treasure to his family, his friends, his clients, and to numerous community causes.
Following his purchase of CKNW in 1956, Frank Griffiths spent the next four decades acquiring the other radio stations and television interests that in 1983 became Western International Communications (WIC). In addition to these broadcast holdings, Frank Griffiths was also a sports entrepreneur.
Dr. A.E. “Dal” Grauer (1906-1961) was regarded as one of the most brilliant men of his generation. He had an enormous influence on business, education and culture throughout British Columbia and Canada. At his passing in 1961, he was President and Chairman of the British Columbia Power Corporation and its subsidiary, the BC Electric Company, and was serving his second term as Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the University of British Columbia.
Norm Francis dedicated more than 20 years to building high profile technology companies that showcase the entrepreneurial spirit, technology innovation and global leadership that resides in Canada. A computer science graduate and Chartered Accountant, he co-founded Basic Software Group (BSG) in the late 1970’s which developed ACCPAC and Simply Accounting.
Tom Foord is a tireless community volunteer and an exceptional business leader who, forty-six years ago, started Kal Tire in Vernon. Kal Tire is the largest independent tire dealer in Canada, with over 1,500 employees. Foord began his business with the purchase of a small garage, and after providing service to B.C.'s forestry and mining industries in the 1950s and 60s, his operations continued to successfully expand to a present day total of over 150 stores.
Earl Finning is the founder of Finning International. He began the company on January 4, 1933, with a $50,000 bank loan and a staff of six, with the sole distribution rights for Caterpillar Tractor Products and Services in BC.
Born in Ireland in 1854, William Farrell has been credited as consolidating virtually all of the telephone interests throughout BC to create the foundation of the BC Telephone Company/TELUS as we know it today.