Canadian Institute of Retailing and Services

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2008 Henry Singer Award

Past Award Recipients:

Edward Kennedy
President & CEO
The North West Company
2007
Photos

Christine Magee and Stephen Gunn
Sleep Country Canada
2006
Photos

Robert Dutton
RONA President & CEO
2005
Photos

Jim Treliving & George Melville
Chairmen & Owners
Boston Pizza
2004
Photos

Brian Hesje
CEO & Chairman
Fountain Tire
2003

Steve Matyas
President
STAPLES Business Depot
2002

Harry Buddle
CEO
Capital City Savings
2001

John Forzani
Chairman & CEO
The Forzani Group Ltd.
2000

Don James
CEO & Vice Chairman
Deeley Harley Davidson
1999

David Bloom
Chairman & CEO
Shoppers Drug Mart
1998

John Stanton
President
Running Room
1997

J. Lorne Braithwaite
President & CEO
Cambridge Shopping Centers
1996

Hugh Smythe
President
Resort Operations Group
of Intrawest Corporation
1995

Bill Comrie
Chairman of the Board
The Brick & Owner
BC Lions
1994

Margo Franssen
President
The Body Shop Canada
1993

Jefferson J. Mooney
CEO
A&W Food Services
1992

About the Award

The Henry Singer Award was established in 1992 by The Canadian Institute of Retailing and Services (CIRAS) to recognize an exceptional leader in the retailing and services sectors. The Award honours the memory of another remarkable individual, the late Henry Singer.

The Henry Singer Award recipient is as committed to building their community as they are to building their business. The recipient possesses the gifts of fairness, humour, empathy, and respect for and acceptance of all people. He shows a deep commitment to family, friends, associates and the community.

In the past, over 500 business leaders came together for the award presentation, keynote address by the recipient, and a networking dinner.

In 2007, three new awards were also presented: Outstanding School of Business Alumni with a Career in the Retailing Sector, Outstanding Researcher with Work in Retailing, and Outstanding Contribution to the Retailing Industry by a Company.

If you have any questions, please contact the School of Retailing office at (780) 492-6797.

To nominate an individual for the 2008 Henry Singer Award, please fill out the nomination form and fax it to (780) 492-4631.

To watch videos of the past two Henry Singer Awards, click here.

2007 Henry Singer Award

Edward Kennedy
President & C.E.O
The North West Company

Awards Brochure

For over 300 years, The North West Company has been committed to being the leading provider of food, products, and services to remote communities across northern Canada and Alaska. Originally a Montreal based partnership of traders in 1779, The North West Company has never lost sight of the fact that good business means knowing your customers and meeting their needs. Northern stores operate in markets with populations from 500-5000 people. Today there are over 158 retail outlets located all over Alaska, western Canada, Ontario, Quebec, Northwest and Yukon Territories, and the Nunavut.

Edward Kennedy joined The North West Company in 1989. He has served in a number of senior management positions; he assumed his present position in 1997

Edward holds an Honours Degree in Business from the Ivey School at the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. Prior to joining North West, Edward practiced law briefly in Toronto and then worked in investment banking.

In 1999, Edward was named a recipient of Canada’s “Top 40 Under 40” award, an annual program that recognizes young leaders across the country. In 2000, he was awarded an Honorary CMA designation by CMA Canada and, in 2003, he was recognized as a finalist for the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Citizenship Award. In June 2006, Edward was presented with the Retail Council of Canada’s “Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year” award.

On Tuesday, October 23, Edward Kennedy was honoured at an awards ceremony at the Westin Hotel followed by a networking dinner.

Sponsors of the event...

To become a sponsor of future events, please contact Paul McElhone at 492-9381 or paul.mcelhone@ualberta.ca

Edward Kennedy
2007 Henry Singer Award Recipient

Mike Percy brings greetings
Dean, School of Business

Premier Ed Stelmach greets award Recipient
Edward Kennedy

Sudha Chinniah
Outstanding Business Alumnus
with a Career in the Retailing Sector

Gerald Häubl
Outstanding Researcher with Work in Retailing

Don Ghermezian of Triple Five Group
Outstanding Contribution to the
Retailing Industry by a Company