Joe Randell, CEO of Chorus Aviation Inc., an organization that offers a full suite of aviation services, is this year’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2017 Atlantic winner.
“Joe has played a vital role shaping the landscape of the Canadian airline industry,” Gina Kinsman, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Atlantic Program Director, said in a statement. “He’s navigated some turbulent times, but his strong management and entrepreneurial mindset has, and will continue, to guide him to success.”
Capping off a gala event in Moncton, EY recognized Randell for his passion for the airline industry. The passion developed when he completed a research study for the startup of a new airline as part of his MBA. This project laid the groundwork for the creation of Air Nova – one of the first classic regional carriers in Canada – serving five destinations in Atlantic Canada with two aircraft.
The airline was bought by Air Canada in 1991, but through the acquisition Randell continued to grow the airline to 22 aircraft serving 19 destinations. Looking to expand further, Randell consolidated Air Nova and Air Alliance, and was subsequently tasked with the consolidation of the other major regional operators in Canada. The newly merged company launched its new brand, Jazz, in 2002. Today, his company is Chorus Aviation – a corporation that owns Jazz Aviation, Voyageur Aviation and Chorus Aviation Capital.
“Joe has seen it all – from startup, growth and restructuring to mergers, acquisitions and rebranding,” said Kinsman. “He soars through with vision and passion to overcome complex challenges and capitalize on opportunities. Joe is the definition of a risk-taker, and we couldn’t be happier to recognize him with this award.”
Randell will now compete with top entrepreneurs from the Pacific, Prairies, Ontario and Quebec regions for the national honour of Canada’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2017, to be presented at a gala celebration in November in Toronto. The winner of that competition will move to compete with more than 50 country recipients for the title of EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year.
EY also presented Gerry Pond, the head of East Valley Ventures and the dean of the tech movement in Atlantic Canada, with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the event Thursday night.
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2017 Atlantic category winners are:
Business-to-Business Products and Services
Coach Atlantic Transportation Group | Charlottetown
Adam Doiron, Michael Cassidy
Business-to-Consumer Products and Services
Supplement King Canada | Dartmouth
Roger King
Emerging Entrepreneur
Metamaterial Technologies Inc. | Dartmouth
George Palikaras
Hospitality and Tourism
PAVIA Gallery - Espresso Bar & Cafe | Herring Cove
Victoria Foulger
Information Technology
Trihedral Engineering Limited | Bedford
Barry Baker, Glenn Wadden
Manufacturing and Construction
MQM Quality Manufacturing Ltd. | Tracadie-Sheila
Serge Theriault
Technology and Communications
Solace Power | Mount Pearl
Kris McNeil
