Canada's outstanding entrepreneurs propel economy forward

TORONTO - Tom Jenkins, Executive Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer of Open Text Corporation - an enterprise software company and leader in enterprise content management - is this year's Ontario Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winner.

"Tom Jenkins' exceptional vision distinguished him in the highly competitive digital sector. He radically changed the way we use the internet in business," says Colleen McMorrow, National and Ontario Director of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards. "Entrepreneurs like him drive economies and build communities. They make a difference by transforming ideas into reality."

After relying on high marks and scholarships to finance two master's degrees, Jenkins joined Open Text in 1994 as a director and became chairman in 1998. One of the first true internet companies, Open Text was founded in 1991. The company is now a digital technology giant with a $785.7 million revenue base and 3,400 employees.

In addition to leading this cutting-edge organization, Jenkins also works to push the wider digital media industry - and overall Canadian competitiveness - forward through a number of important avenues. He is chair of the federal Centre of Excellence's Canadian Digital Media Network. He is also an appointed member of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Jenkins sits on the University of Waterloo Engineering Dean's Advisory Council, and is a director of the C.D. Howe Institute, the Canadian International Council and the Canadian Council of Chief Executives.

"Digital technology has made great advances in the last 20 years," says McMorrow. "Entrepreneurs like Tom Jenkins contribute to the progress with their exceptional vision and ideas. His relentless drive and focus will inspire other entrepreneurs to push technology further in the years to come."

Category winners of the Ontario Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year
2009 Awards:

Information technology

Tom Jenkins
Open Text Corporation / Waterloo
opentext.com

Developer of enterprise content management software, used by corporations
and government agencies in 114 countries.

Business-to-business products and services

Oliver Bock, Gabrielle Chevalier, Mark Smith
Solutions 2 GO Inc. / Mississauga
solutions2go.ca

Video game distributor.

Business-to-consumer products and services

Ronnen Harary, Anton Rabie, Ben Varadi
Spin Master Ltd. / Toronto
spinmaster.com

Designer, developer, manufacturer and marketer of consumer products, and
producer of television and other media properties, for children.

Cleantech

Timothy Haig, Kevin Norton
BIOX Corporation / Oakville
bioxcorp.com

Technology and manufacturing company that employs proprietary
technologies in biodiesel production.

Emerging entrepreneur

Robert Deluce
Porter Airlines Inc. / Toronto
flyporter.com

Regional passenger carrier serving Toronto, Ottawa, Thunder Bay,
Montreal, Quebec City, Halifax, St. John's, New York, Chicago and Boston,
with seasonal flights to Mont Tremblant.

Financial services

Wesley Hall
Kingsdale Shareholder Services Inc. / Toronto
kingsdaleshareholder.com

Provides strategic shareholder communication and consulting services.

Manufacturing

Dr. Allan Carswell
Optech Incorporated / Concord
optech.ca

Develops, manufactures and markets support of advanced laser-based survey
instruments.

Media and entertainment

Darren Throop
E1 Entertainment / Toronto
entertainmentonegroup.com

Independent entertainment content owner that acquires film, television
and music rights, and exploits these rights in all media in more than 190
countries.

Mining and metals

Peter Marrone
Yamana Gold Inc. / Toronto
yamana.com

Gold producer engaged in mining and related activities, including
exploration, extraction, processing and reclamation. Yamana has
significant properties in Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Mexico and Central
America.

Social entrepreneur

Diane Dupuy
Famous PEOPLE Players / Etobicoke
fpp.org

Theatre group dedicated to the integration of people who have
developmental disabilities.

Technology and communications

Marzio Pozzuoli
RuggedCom Inc. / Woodbridge
ruggedcom.com

Develops communications networking equipment for use in harsh
environments.

Young entrepreneur

Sam Zaid
Apption Software Corporation / Ottawa
apption.com

Provides artificial intelligence solutions for enterprise modernization
and business automation.

What's next?

As the Ontario's Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009, Tom will compete with top entrepreneurs from the Atlantic, Pacific, Prairies and Quebec regions for the national honour of Canada's Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009, to be presented at a gala celebration November 24, 2009, in Vancouver. In June 2010, Canada's Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 will move to the world stage to compete with 50 country recipients for the title of Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year(R). Canada's own Guy Laliberté from Cirque du Soleil was the recipient of the World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2007 Award.