EY, the global accountancy and business consultancy firm, issued the following press release, announcing the winners of the 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year award:
Robert Crosbie of Crosbie Group Limited named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Atlantic 2014
EY celebrates gravity-defying entrepreneurs at annual awards gala
HALIFAX, Oct. 4, 2014 - Robert Crosbie, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Crosbie Group Limited — a privately held family business involved in the offshore oil and gas, onshore industrial, real estate and construction sectors — is this year's Entrepreneur Of The Year Atlantic winner.
Crosbie Group Limited is a fourth generation family business that dates back to the mid-1800s. Rob took on the role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Crosbie Group Limited in 1991 — a strenuous time for the company amid a strained Newfoundland and Labrador economy. He acted quickly to stabilize the company and identify opportunities for growth in the emerging oil and gas industry.
"Gravity-defying entrepreneurs make the impossible, possible. That means fearlessly tackling challenges head-on," says Jim Lutes, Entrepreneur Of The Year Atlantic Program Director. "That's exactly what Rob did. And what's more, he saw opportunity in adversity. It's that kind of forward-thinking that paved the way for Crosbie Group Limited's success and made Rob a stand-out in our program."
Rob continues to deepen the Crosbie family's legacy of entrepreneurial ambition, public service and philanthropy throughout the province.
"He's set a standard of excellence that's translated into a leading company culture focused on innovation," says Lutes.
Under Rob's leadership, the company has implemented a number of processes and metrics to encourage innovation. The results speak for themselves. New products and methodologies developed by Crosbie Group Limited are currently being used across industries.
EY partnered with the World Economic Forum on a recent report, The Bold Ones: high-impact entrepreneurs who transform industries, to uncover the qualities that define high-impact entrepreneurs. The report found that high-impact entrepreneurs not only disrupt industry through innovative products and services. They also make a measurable difference for society.
"Crosbie Group Limited supports numerous charitable organizations and all employees are encouraged to give back to their communities," says Lutes. "We're proud to recognize Rob and Crosbie Group Limited for their contributions to building a better working world — and even prouder to celebrate them as our EY Entrepreneur of The Year Atlantic 2014 award winner."
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates the contribution and spirit of entrepreneurs around the world. The Canadian program is in its 21st year of honouring the country's most impressive entrepreneurs from all areas of business. Award finalists are chosen based on their vision, leadership, financial success and social responsibility.
This year's gala also honoured Atlantic Canada's Stanfield family with the EY Family Business Award of Excellence in celebration of generations of entrepreneurial achievement.
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Atlantic 2014 category award recipients:
Business-to-Business Products and Services
Paul Antle
Pluto Investments Inc. | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
The private holding company of Paul Antle, Pluto has grown from a small investment in an environmental company into a large diversified portfolio.
Business-to-Consumer Products and Services
Michael Whittaker
Trucorp Investments | Moncton, New Brunswick
trucorp.ca
Comprised of Bonte Foods, the region's largest processor of quality deli meats and Grinner's Food Systems, as well as the franchisor of three fast food brands: Greco Pizza, Capt Submarine and the newly launched Frozu frozen yogurt chain.
Emerging Entrepreneur
David Alston, Jody Glidden, Stewart Walchli
Introhive | Fredericton, New Brunswick
introhive.com
Solves the question of who knows who for businesses by using relationship analytics software to uncover the relationships a company has with customers and prospects.
Hospitality and Tourism
Ben Cowan-Dewar
Cabot Links Venture Inc. | Inverness, Nova Scotia
cabotlinks.com
Owns and operates Cabot Links, Canada's first and only true links golf course.
Information Technology
Cindy Roma, Sydney Ryan
Telelink | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
telelinkcallcentre.com
A leading provider of multi-channel 24/7 live safety and inbound customer support solutions to North America's energy sector.
Manufacturing
Terry Malley
Malley Industries Inc. | Dieppe, New Brunswick
malleyindustries.com
Manufactures specialty vehicles, including advanced life support ambulances, police and security vehicles, vehicles for persons with disabilities, and produces thermo-formed plastic products for automotive, aerospace and food industry industries.
Media and Entertainment
John Wesley Chisholm
Arcadia Entertainment Inc. | Halifax, Nova Scotia
arcadiatv.com
An independent TV content production company, operating with commissions for TV series and specials from National Geographic, Discovery Channels and other global broadcasters.
Real estate and Construction
Robert Crosbie
Crosbie Group Limited | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
crosbiegroup.com
Currently involved in offshore oil and gas services, onshore industrial services, real estate and construction.
What's next?
As the Atlantic region's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2014, Rob will compete with top entrepreneurs from the Pacific, Prairies, Ontario and Quebec for the national honour of EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Canada 2014, to be presented at a gala celebration on 25 November 2014 in Toronto. In June 2015, Canada's Entrepreneur Of The Year 2014 will move to the world stage to compete with more than 50 country recipients for the title of EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year.
About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.
The 2014 Atlantic judging panel consists of Philip Fraser, President and CEO, Killam Properties Inc.; Scott McCain, Chairman and CEO, Saint John Sea Dogs; Iris Petten, President, Petten Holdings Inc.; Robert Youden, Partner, Savarin Consulting Limited; and Jo Mark Zurel, President, Stonebridge Capital Inc.
