Certified Management Accountants of Ontario recognize an "Olympic" idea at
the CMA Creative Leadership Awards

TORONTO, June 18 /CNW/ - Certified Management Accountants (CMA) Ontario recognized the creative vision of an Ontario CMA at its annual Creative Leadership Awards last night.

The 2010 Creative Leadership Award recipient is George McClean, CMA, MBA, LL.B, Vice President and General Counsel of Acklands-Grainger. George led a multi-faceted strategy to bring Acklands-Grainger to the world stage during the economic downturn. The company has acquired new businesses, established an award winning company culture, and became an official supplier of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"The visionary strategy George demonstrated through his leadership of the 2010 Olympic Games program at Acklands-Grainger epitomizes what this award is all about," said Merv Hillier, FCMA, MBA, C.Dir., President and CEO, CMA Ontario. "Great success can be achieved when CMAs break from convention and tackle business challenges creatively. The importance of innovation in business today cannot be overstated and I'm delighted to recognize George and his success in taking the CMA principles and creatively applying them to real business issues."

Acklands-Grainger is Canada's leading distributor of industrial and safety supplies and George's strategic leadership contributed significantly to the company's continued success through the economic downturn. In a year of economic uncertainty, Acklands-Grainger grew market share, successfully integrated three acquired companies and was the first industrial company named as one of Canada's 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures by Waterstone Human Capital.

CMA Ontario's Creative Leadership Award recognizes creative, holistic thinking that fosters success through the use of imagination, innovation, intuition, and/or big ideas. The award recipient was selected by a panel of experts: Victoria Davies, CMA, CFO, Knightsbridge Human Capital Solutions and 2009 Creative Leadership Award winner; Murray Lindo, CMA, Director, Provincial Controller's Office, Ontario Ministry of Finance; Steve Maich, Editor of Canadian Business Magazine and Kevin Stolarick, Research Director, The Martin Prosperity Institute.

Please note that a video of George McClean is available online at http://cmacreativeawards.org/

About the Certified Management Accountants of Ontario (CMA Ontario):

The Certified Management Accountants of Ontario is a self-governing professional organization that awards the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation to qualified candidates in Ontario. With some 24,000 members, CMA Ontario is an integral part of a profession that is 50,000 members strong across Canada and around the world. CMA Ontario maintains rigorous standards of accreditation and professionalism in management accounting to protect the public interest.

About Acklands-Grainger, Inc.

Founded in 1889, Acklands-Grainger is Canada's largest distributor of industrial, safety, and fastener products, with over 100,000 in-stock products available from 165 branches and five distribution centres. The company is a subsidiary of Grainger, the leading distributor of industrial and safety supplies in North America with a growing international presence. For more information about the companies, please visit www.acklandsgrainger.com and www.grainger.com.

    

    The 2010 CMA Creative Leadership Awards are sponsored by:

    CANADIAN BUSINESS       Microsoft Dynamics        TD Insurance
                                                      Meloche Monnex

    The Mason Group         RESOURCES                 Robert Half
                             GLOBAL PROFESSIONALS

    (strategic search partners)
    

For further information: Melita Vega, Consultant, Hill & Knowlton Canada, [email protected], O: [phone]; Sara Granack, Director, International Communications, Acklands-Grainger, [phone] (Office), [phone] (cell), [email protected]; Angie Brennand, Director of Public Affairs and Communications, CMA Ontario, [email protected], O: [phone], C: [phone]