Ernst & Young celebrates Pacific finalists for Entrepreneur Of The Year 2010

Firm recognizes high-achieving entrepreneurs who make a difference in the global economy

VANCOUVER, July 6 /CNW/ - 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(R) 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(R) 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 strategic interactive research company that combines
    interactive technology, strategic researchers and global panels. It uses
    a visual approach, panel technology and its own national panels to
    embrace global markets.
    

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 Clarke
    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.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 144,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

For more information, please visit ey.com/ca.

Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of 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 further information: Melissa Prince, [email protected], 416 943 3474; Brooke Morris, [email protected], 604 899 3597; Julie Fournier, [email protected], 514 874 4308