Above and Beyond Award
Raj Manek Above and Beyond Award Past Winners
2010 Winner
John V Cross
John Cross trained as a chemical engineer. He joined the Food Research and Development Department of John Labatt Ltd. in London, Ontario in 1965. His work centered on the development and commercialization of new products in the fermentation, food, beverage, dairy and animal feed industries.
From 1975-1980 he served as founding Executive Director of POS Pilot Plant Corporation in Saskatoon.
In 1980 Mr. Cross was a founding partner, and later President, CEO, and Chairman of Saskatoon-based Philom Bios Inc. This company develops, manufactures, and markets high value inoculants which increase farmers’ profits by enhancing the fertility efficiency of crops in an environmentally benign way.
· Mr. Cross’ Previous Board positions include:
· National Research Council of Canada
· National Biotechnology Advisory Committee
· founding Board member of the Advanced Technology Training Centre at Kelsey Institute
· Chairman of the Saskatchewan Research Council.
Other extra-curricular activities over the years include:
· The Raj Manek Business Mentorship Program
· Many individual mentorship relationships with budding entrepreneurs, young and not-so-young.
· Hundreds of presentations across Saskatchewan and outside our borders to farm groups, professional bodies, students, and community organizations on the general themes of enlightened management, innovation, and organizational success.
Currently Mr. Cross serves as a Board member of:
· RoyalUniversityHospital Foundation,
· POS Pilot Plant Corporation Inc.
· Saskatchewan Research Council, and member of SRC Agriculture, Biotechnology and Food Advisory Committee
· API Labs Inc.
· Board Chair of the Saskatoon & Region Economic Development Authority.
Mr. Cross’ recognitions include:
· Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Prairie Region, in Science and Technology in 1995, and in the Health Science category in 2004.
· The first Agribusiness Leadership Award from the Saskatoon and District Chamber of Commerce in 1998.
· Honorary Life Membership in the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists in April 2002.
· Ag-West Biotech BioScience Award for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Vision in May 2003.
· Silver Spade Award as SYPE or Saskatchewan Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs “Mentor of the Year”, in 2006,
2009 Winner
Ray Ahenakew
President, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies
Ray Ahenakew has emerged as one of the leading spokes people for Saskatchewan's and Canada's First Nations business community. As Chief Executive Officer of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, he has played a key role in establishing a group of successful enterprises and joint ventures. MLTC is the political program and service and corporate organization of the nine Meadow Lake Tribal Councils.
His experience in both the public and private sectors has placed him in high demand by Indian and non-Indian governments. Under his guidance, MLTC has embarked on an ambitious 20-year economic development plan that includes interests in forestry, distribution, petroleum, mining and environmental management.
Mr. Ahenakew has served as Co-chair of a National Labour Training Market Board, Director of Peace Hills Trust, and as President of the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies. Mr. Ahenakew also serves as Chairman of the NorSask Forest Products Inc.
2008 Winner
Kent Smith-Windsor
Executive Director, Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce:
Kent Smith-Windsor was born and raised in Saskatoon. He graduated from the College of Commerce at the University of Saskatchewan, which was followed by several years of experience in the retail and commercial banking sectors. Mr. Smith-Windsor was closely involved with The Partnership, (Saskatoon Downtown Business Improvement District) until assuming his appointment as Executive Director of The Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce in September 1996. The Chamber is Saskatoon's largest business organization, and works to build the best business climate in Canada, thereby creating a city of opportunity.
Mr. Smith-Windsor has served as Chair or Member of the following organizations: the Saskatchewan Institute on the Prevention of Handicaps, the North Saskatchewan International Children's Festival; the Saskatchewan Architectural Heritage Society; the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival Steering Committee; the Downtown Youth Centre; the International Downtown Association; and the River Roar. He is past President of the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada and a past Director of the Board of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. Mr. Smith-Windsor was named Executive of the Year for 2005 by his peers in the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada.
Mr. Smith-Windsor is married with four sons and a daughter-in-law.
2007 Winner
Shirley Ryan
Executive Director, North Saskatoon Business Association:
Shirley Ryan has had an incredible impact on encouraging and supporting business through her work. This has been done through her untiring involvement influencing the environment that business needs to grow and flourish.
Shirley is a member of the Combined Business Group, Member of the Air Services Committee, One of the founding members of the Saskatchewan Business Council, and a Member of the New Market Development Committee.
Shirley has served on the Board of the Saskatoon Airport Authority, numerous business group committees in Saskatoon. She was nominated to the Judicial Advisory Committee of Saskatchewan, She was appointed by the city Council as one of Saskatoon’s 100 Citizen’s Centennial Committee.
She successfully lead the charge against the Provincial governments proposed "most available hours" legislation.
She was the guest of honor at two memorable fund raising roasts one for Junior achievement and one for SIAST.
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