International business leader and Seneca College alumnus Marc Caira wins Premier's Award

Vice-Chair of Restaurant Brands International recipient of award for Business

TORONTO, Nov. 17, 2015 /CNW/ - Seneca Business alumnus Marc Caira won the province-wide award for outstanding achievement in business by a college graduate. The award was presented last night by Ontario's Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, on behalf of the Premier of Ontario, at the annual Premier's Awards gala recognizing college graduates who have made significant contributions to their communities and achieved excellence in their careers.

Caira is Vice-Chair of Restaurant Brands International, the parent company of Tim Hortons and Burger King, and serves on the Board of Directors for Hydro One and Minto Homes. During his 40-year business career, Caira has served as CEO of Tim Hortons, CEO of Nestle Professional World Wide and CEO of Parmalat North America. He is also a former member of Seneca's Board of Governors.

"The entire Seneca community is extremely proud of Marc," said Seneca President David Agnew. "Marc has been a longtime friend to Seneca, and we are delighted that his Seneca education has acted as the foundation for his distinguished career as a Canadian business leader."   

A graduate of Seneca's Business Administration – Marketing program, Caira was named the Canadian Press "Business Newsmaker of the Year" in 2014 for the $11 billion (U.S.) deal pairing Tim Hortons and Burger King.

"At Seneca, I not only learned the practical tools I needed to be successful early in life but also the critical values and principles that are embedded in me," said Caira. "As a college graduate I was able to succeed in an industry dominated by MBA holders, which goes to show the value of Seneca's Business programs."

The Premier's Awards honour the important social and economic contribution college graduates make in Ontario and throughout the world. The Awards were launched in 1992 to mark the 25th anniversary of Ontario's colleges and are administered by Colleges Ontario.

Presented annually in six categories, the recipients are chosen from nominations submitted by Ontario's 24 colleges. Nominees must demonstrate outstanding career success related to their college experience and have made a significant contribution to their community. Every year, up to six noteworthy Seneca alumni are nominated for this prestigious award. A distinguished panel of leaders from government, arts, community service and business was assembled to judge this year's awards.

Since 1992, nine Seneca alumni have received the Premier's Award, including Caira. Past recipients are: Jo Gomes (Social Service Worker), Seneca professor; Drew Hayden Taylor (Broadcasting), playwright, author and humourist; Andrew Crow (Biotechnology), senior research assistant at Canadian Blood Services Centre for Innovation; Beverly Thomson (Broadcasting), Canada AM co-host; Gary and Joanie McGuffin (Recreation and Leisure Services), conservation photographers; Chuck "Spider" Jones (Broadcasting), motivational speaker, broadcaster and founder of "Believe to Achieve" foundation; Val Azzoli (Business Administration), former co-chair and CEO, Atlantic Records; and Lori-Anne Pennells-Barre (Nursing), healthcare professional.  

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SOURCE Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology

Image with caption: "Hon. Reza Moridi, Ontario’s Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, Marc Caira, Seneca alumnus and Vice-Chair of Restaurant Brands International, and David Agnew, Seneca President at last night’s Premier’s Awards honouring Ontario college graduates. (CNW Group/Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151117_C2433_PHOTO_EN_547346.jpg

For further information: Lisa Pires, Seneca College Media Relations, 416-491-5050 ext. 77018, [email protected]