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Stars of the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows business community recognized

The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards took place on Saturday in Pitt Meadows
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From left to right, Monica Hampu, Debra Fischer (presenter) Jan Hickman, Bonnie Telep, Ernie Daykin, accept the award for Non-Profit Organization of the Year for the Maple Ridge Community Foundation at the Business Excellence Awards. (Warin Marie Photography)

Stars were the theme of the evening for the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards on Saturday.

Inspired by the Oscars, the 14th annual business awards were called Celebrating Success: Our Stars Shine, and nominees were treated like royalty.

“It was loosely based on the Oscars, obviously,” said chamber president Ken Holland.

“We had the VIP room, where all the nominees stayed, and they were welcomed in and introduced so they were really put on the spot so to speak,” he added.

“They are the stars of the business world and that was what we were trying to do with them.”

More than 185 people attended the awards ceremony, which took place at Meadow Gardens Golf Club. Partial proceeds from a silent auction went to the Canucks For Kids Fund. Proceeds from an auction of the floral centrepieces went towards Cythera Transition House Society.

Special guest Kathy Morse emceed the event.

Initially, there were more than 100 businesses and individuals, both members and non-members, nominated for awards.

A panel of nine judges, made up of chamber members, picked the finalists, who were scored based on a set of questions with weighted marks.

The top three finalists in each of the seven categories then underwent a half-hour interview with the judges, who added their marks to their previous scores to determine the winners.

Winner of the Business Leader of the year went to Josh Penner, who, along with family, manages Meridian Farm Market.

His leadership is based on family values and takes great pride in creating a family atmosphere for employees.

Judges said you can witness this when you walk into Meridian and see how proud the staff are.

“You can tell it is not ‘just a job.’”

Penner is a true professional, they said.

“He is knowledgeable when it comes to business with an always kind demeanor. Giving back to the community is high on his list of values.”

Winner of community Spirit of the Year award went to Deddy Geese, with Hagen’s Travel and Cruises. He won because of his involvement in local events, such as the Caribbean Festival, which have brought the community together for decades with no expectation of acknowledgment, noted the judges.

Winner of Non-Profit Organization of the Year went to the Maple Ridge Community Foundation because of the organization’s amazing leadership and how it brings together organizations and volunteers who want to help out in the community.

The judges noted that the Maple Ridge Community Foundation is not only achieving, but exceeding goals in improving the lives of people, including seniors, children and youth, with programs that feed children and by distributing grants and awarding scholarships.

Agri Business of the Year went to the Golden Ears Cheesecrafters because it is extremely knowledgeable in its field. The judges said that the business has changed the face of Maple Ridge through its products and course offerings and by sourcing local products and educating the community.

Small Business of the Year went to Essential Health Natural Wellness Clinic. The judges mentioned that Dr. Cobi Slater and the staff at the clinic show genuine care to their clients and, in turn, receive high praise with continued growth and excellent referrals primarily through word of mouth.

They also went on to say that Dr. Slater is the author of five books and offers online consultations to people all over the world.

Alouette Animal Hospital won Medium Business of the Year. The judges based their decision on the fact that the team under the leadership of Dr. Michael Orser has been providing pet care for over 30 years and is on the cutting edge using new technology and surgical procedures.

The animal hospital’s reputation of quality service attracts clients from across the Lower Mainland, and it reviews its services often to ensure the best care for both pets and owners.

The Maple Ridge Canadian Tire won Large Business of the Year. The business is managed by Bryan Hutton and credits its success to its employees, the vast variety of products offered and a knowledgeable automotive service centre.

Canadian Tire also set goals for supporting the community, such as its Jumpstart Program, which went from helping 60 local children in 2005 to 365 children in 2017.

Holland said it was great to recognize the achievements of the local business community, especially because they are voted on by their peers.

“The business community needs a voice and we want to be that voice,” said Holland of the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Chamber of Commerce, a proactive network of business-minded individuals that are committed to acting as an accessible, visible and supportive resource, along with helping to shape a prosperous business community.

“[With] 450 members, we can make a change and that’s what we’re looking at doing.”

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Josh Penner with Meridian Farm Market took home Business Leader of the Year at the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. (Warin Marie Photography)
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Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Bob D’Eith, left, Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture Lisa Beare and Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge MP Dan Ruimy at the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. (Warin Marie Photography)
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Chuck Keeling, left, presents Josh Penner with Meridian Farm Market with Business Leader of the Year at the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. (Warin Marie Photography)
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(Warin Marie Photography) Melissa Orser (left) and Dawn Bickle present Bryan Hutton, with Canadian Tire, the Large Business of the Year award.
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Dr. Cobi Slater with Essential Health Natural Wellness Clinic, left, was the winner of the Small Business of the Year award, that was presented to her by Kim Roberts with RBC at the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. (Warin Marie Photography)
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(Warin Marie Photography) Dr. Cobi Slater, with Essential Health Natural Wellness Clinic, was the winner of the Small Business of the Year award.
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(Warin Marie Photography) Deddy Geese, with Hagen’s Travel and Cruises, took home the Community Spirit of the Year award.
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(Warin Marie Photography) Michael Orser with Alouette Animal Hospital won Medium Business of the Year.


Colleen Flanagan

About the Author: Colleen Flanagan

I got my start with Black Press Media in 2003 as a photojournalist.
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