Tom Jenkins earns top spot as Ontario Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The
Year(R)

Canada's outstanding entrepreneurs propel economy forward

TORONTO , Oct. 22 /CNW/ - Tom Jenkins , Executive Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer of Open Text Corporation - an enterprise software company and leader in enterprise content management - is this year's Ontario Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winner.

" Tom Jenkins ' exceptional vision distinguished him in the highly competitive digital sector. He radically changed the way we use the internet in business," says Colleen McMorrow, National and Ontario Director of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards. "Entrepreneurs like him drive economies and build communities. They make a difference by transforming ideas into reality."

After relying on high marks and scholarships to finance two master's degrees, Jenkins joined Open Text in 1994 as a director and became chairman in 1998. One of the first true internet companies, Open Text was founded in 1991. The company is now a digital technology giant with a $785.7 million revenue base and 3,400 employees.

In addition to leading this cutting-edge organization, Jenkins also works to push the wider digital media industry - and overall Canadian competitiveness - forward through a number of important avenues. He is chair of the federal Centre of Excellence's Canadian Digital Media Network. He is also an appointed member of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada . Jenkins sits on the University of Waterloo Engineering Dean's Advisory Council, and is a director of the C.D. Howe Institute, the Canadian International Council and the Canadian Council of Chief Executives.

"Digital technology has made great advances in the last 20 years," says McMorrow. "Entrepreneurs like Tom Jenkins contribute to the progress with their exceptional vision and ideas. His relentless drive and focus will inspire other entrepreneurs to push technology further in the years to come."

    
    Category winners of the Ontario Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year
    2009 Awards:

    Information technology

    Tom Jenkins
    Open Text Corporation / Waterloo
    opentext.com

    Developer of enterprise content management software, used by corporations
    and government agencies in 114 countries.

    Business-to-business products and services

    Oliver Bock, Gabrielle Chevalier, Mark Smith
    Solutions 2 GO Inc. / Mississauga
    solutions2go.ca

    Video game distributor.

    Business-to-consumer products and services

    Ronnen Harary, Anton Rabie, Ben Varadi
    Spin Master Ltd. / Toronto
    spinmaster.com

    Designer, developer, manufacturer and marketer of consumer products, and
    producer of television and other media properties, for children.

    Cleantech

    Timothy Haig, Kevin Norton
    BIOX Corporation / Oakville
    bioxcorp.com

    Technology and manufacturing company that employs proprietary
    technologies in biodiesel production.

    Emerging entrepreneur

    Robert Deluce
    Porter Airlines Inc. / Toronto
    flyporter.com

    Regional passenger carrier serving Toronto, Ottawa, Thunder Bay,
    Montreal, Quebec City, Halifax, St. John's, New York, Chicago and Boston,
    with seasonal flights to Mont Tremblant.

    Financial services

    Wesley Hall
    Kingsdale Shareholder Services Inc. / Toronto
    kingsdaleshareholder.com

    Provides strategic shareholder communication and consulting services.

    Manufacturing

    Dr. Allan Carswell
    Optech Incorporated / Concord
    optech.ca

    Develops, manufactures and markets support of advanced laser-based survey
    instruments.

    Media and entertainment

    Darren Throop
    E1 Entertainment / Toronto
    entertainmentonegroup.com

    Independent entertainment content owner that acquires film, television
    and music rights, and exploits these rights in all media in more than 190
    countries.

    Mining and metals

    Peter Marrone
    Yamana Gold Inc. / Toronto
    yamana.com

    Gold producer engaged in mining and related activities, including
    exploration, extraction, processing and reclamation. Yamana has
    significant properties in Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Mexico and Central
    America.

    Social entrepreneur

    Diane Dupuy
    Famous PEOPLE Players / Etobicoke
    fpp.org

    Theatre group dedicated to the integration of people who have
    developmental disabilities.

    Technology and communications

    Marzio Pozzuoli
    RuggedCom Inc. / Woodbridge
    ruggedcom.com

    Develops communications networking equipment for use in harsh
    environments.

    Young entrepreneur

    Sam Zaid
    Apption Software Corporation / Ottawa
    apption.com

    Provides artificial intelligence solutions for enterprise modernization
    and business automation.
    

What's next?

As the Ontario's Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009, Tom will compete with top entrepreneurs from the Atlantic, Pacific, Prairies and Quebec regions for the national honour of Canada's Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009, to be presented at a gala celebration November 24, 2009 , in Vancouver . In June 2010 , Canada's Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 will move to the world stage to compete with 50 country recipients for the title of Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year(R). Canada's own Guy Laliberté from Cirque du Soleil was the recipient of the World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2007 Award.

About the awards program

The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards honour the spirit and contribution of entrepreneurs here and around the world. This year, the Canadian program is proudly celebrating 16 years of honouring Canada's outstanding entrepreneurs from all areas of business. For more information on the program, please visit ey.com/ca/eoy.

Nominees are reviewed by an independent judging panel, which is composed of several distinguished business leaders and previous award recipients. The members of the Ontario region judging panel for 2009 were Dr. Piyush Patel , CEO, AllerPharma and 2008 Canadian Entrepreneur Of The Year; Steve Gupta , President and CEO, Easton's Group of Hotels Inc. and 2005 Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner; Sandra Bosela, Partner, EdgeStone Capital Partners Inc.; Kathleen O'Neil, Chartered Accountant and Corporate Director; John Young , Corporate Director; Joe Prosperi , Managing Director, Beringer Capital; and Ginny Dybenko, Dean, School of Business & Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University.

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year is sponsored nationally by Global Television Network, National Post, La Presse and RDI.

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.

For further information: Amanda Olliver, [email protected], [phone]; Brooke McLachlan, [email protected], [phone]; Marie-Ève Graniero, [email protected], [phone]