Winners Of Pushor Mitchell LLP Thompson Okanagan Business Excellence Awards Unveiled At June 6 Gala In Kelowna
GRM Inc. won the Excellence Award in the Enterprise Category ($10M+ Revenue). Left to right: Ashley McGrath, CEO; John Borsa, GM, Okanagan; Paul Tonita, Partner at Pushor Mitchell (sponsor); Ken Johnston, Business Development Manager, Okanagan and Travis Rance, Operations Manager, Okanagan. Photo credit: BriannaPage Photography
KELOWNA – GRM Inc. of West Kelowna was named Enterprise Business of the Year category winner at the Pushor Mitchell LLP Thompson Okanagan Business Excellence Awards June 6 at the sold-out Coast Capri Hotel.
The event featured 88 Finalists in 16 categories for this celebration of the finest and most successful businesses in the Thompson Okanagan region – from Kamloops to Penticton.
Pushor Mitchell LLP was the Title Platinum Sponsor for the event, with MBA Chartered Professional Accountants and Snap Printing as Gold Sponsors. Category sponsors included Hero Security, TRS Building Envelope, Financial Dream Solutions/Sun Life, BDO Canada, Vantage West Realty, Secure-Rite Mobile Storage, the Kelowna International Airport and Bob Gaglardi School of Business & Economics at Thompson Rivers University. The event was coordinated by Business Examiner Thompson Okanagan.
“It was another wonderful event,” says John MacDonald, Business Examiner owner stated. “It is great to see a full house filled with people who deserve to be applauded for the wonderful vision and celebrate what they have done to make their businesses thrive in the Thompson Okanagan region.”
Radio personality Brad Karp of The K Wake Up Show was outstanding as the Master of Ceremonies.
GRM Inc. was named the top company in the final category, Enterprise Business of the Year, for firms posting over $10 million in annual revenue.
Built on 30 years of the highest service standards and expertise, GRM Inc. has grown to serve more than 2,000 commercial businesses every year. With dedicated, highly skilled teams across Western Canada, they’re proud to offer proactive, four-season property maintenance services that grow with their customers and act as an extension of the companies they serve.
Other winners are, by category:
Big Business of the Year ($5-10 Million per year in sales): Columbia Bottle Depots of Kelowna.
Columbia Bottle Depots won Big Business ($5-$10 Million in revenue) sponsored by BDO.
Columbia Bottle Depot was started by Clare Cassan and his mother Ola Cassan in 1975 with a single location on Dease Road. During the last 45 years, Columbia Bottle Depots has expanded to three locations in Kelowna and one in Kamloops. Columbia Bottle Depots also services customers from West Kelowna and Lake Country by providing depositable container returns through automated returns and Express and Go services.
Medium Business of the Year: Skyview Closets, Cabinetry and Blinds of Penticton.
Skyview Closets, Cabinetry and Blinds of Penticton won the Medium Business of the Year sponsored by MBA CPA. Left, Elizabeth Cucnik of Skyview and Erik Solbakken of MBA CPA.
Skyview is a comprehensive and exclusive, one-stop-shop for interior and finishing trade needs, tailored to accommodate all commercial and residential projects throughout the Okanagan and the province. They will oversee all projects from start to finish – from the budget, to the design and intention, to the quoting and ordering, to the manufacturing and installation.
Small Business of the Year: Bin There Dump That of Kelowna.
Bin There Dump That of Kelowna was awarded Small Business (less than $1 Million in revenue), sponsored by Hero Security. Left, Dafyd Haase of Hero Security, Bin There Dump That team: Jaskiran Khun Khun, Inderpal Khun Khun and Charn Khun Khun.
Bin There Dump That is a disposal company in which they drop off a dumpster for the customer to fill. Their products are dumpsters that come with a service like no other. They have delivery experts who deliver the bin using their driveway protection system and upon pick up they do a magnetic sweep followed by a broom to ensure the job site is cleaner than the way they found it.
Automotive Business of the Year: Leading Edge Glass of Kelowna
Leading Edge Glass of Kelowna was awarded Excellence in Autotmotive sponsorsed by MBA CPA. From left of Leaning Edge Glass team is; Mike Crawford, Liam McDonald, Tyler Fuller, Cindy Van Arnam, Jayme Schall and MBA CPA Managing Partner, Peter McFadden.
Leading Edge Glass opened in 2014, with a physical location as well as mobile service in automotive and residential glass. They have grown significantly every year, and now just purchased their third mobile installation van. They are a full service auto glass shop, with same day service, rock chip repairs and mobile service available.
Construction & Development: Genesis Kitchens Inc. of Penticton
Genesis Kitchens received Excellence in Construction & Development sponsored by Financial Dream Solutions. From Genesis Kitchens, left, Anita Syvret and Ben Kuypers.
Genesis Kitchens is a kitchen and bath renovation company in Penticton. They have been in business since 2008 and they provide full millwork design and renderings to customers. They also supply all the millwork and counter tops and have contacts for their customers who purchase their cabinets through them to receive discounts on all parts of their project (flooring, appliances, tile, plumbing fixtures etc.
Entrepreneur Business: Konnected Technology of Penticton
Konnected Technology of Penticton received an award for Excellence in Entrepreneur Business sponsored by Secure-Rite Mobile Storage. Left, Lucas Griffin of Secure-Rite, Tanya and George Speirs of Konnected Technology.
Konnected Technology is comprised of a large team of engineers and software developers specializing in all facets of software development focusing on productivity and quality solutions for the manufacturing and volume processing industries.
Green & Sustainability: GreenStep Solutions of Kelowna
GreenStep Solutions was awarded Excellence in Green & Sustainability and sponsored by Thompson Rivers University. Left, Jodi Cochrane, CFO; Angela Nagy, President and CEO and Joe Reid, CRO.
GreenStep Solutions is a social enterprise that helps businesses and organizations measure, report on, and improve their sustainability performance and take climate action. GreenStep’s passionate team of sustainability experts has worked across various industries and with thousands of businesses, governments, utilities, and non-profits across Canada, and internationally.
Health Care: The Hamlets At Vernon
The Hamlets at Vernon, an Optima Living community, is at the forefront in providing Independent Living, Assisted Living, Residential Long Term Care, Acquired Brain Injury, and Mental Health services for individuals and couples in Vernon and the surrounding communities. The Hamlets at Vernon is a unique place where people, place and community all come together.
Hospitality/Tourism: Wells Gray Tours of Kamloops
Wells Gray Tours won the Award of Excellence in Hospitality/Tourism sponsored by Snap Printing. Left, Miranda Schulz, Marketing Coordinator Kerrie Niemeier, Director of Sales & Marketing and Joan Niemeier, Marketing Consultant.
In May 1972, amidst the verdant landscapes of BC, Roland Neave embarked on a mission that would transform into a legacy. With a fervent spirit, he launched Wells Gray Tours, initially conceived to advocate against a proposed dam project in the Clearwater Valley. Little did he know, this summer endeavour would blossom into the largest tour operator in the B.C. interior. Wells Gray Tours was born not out of a desire for profit, but out of determination to safeguard the treasures of the land.
Indigenous Business of the Year: First Nations Finance Authority of Westbank
First Nations Finance Authority was presented with the Award of Excellence in Indigenous Business sponsored by Kelowna International Airport. Left, Geoff Ritchie, Director of Commercial & Air Service from the Kelowna Airport, Jo-Ann Derrickson and Sybil Campbell of FNFA.
The First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA) is a statutory non-profit organization without share capital. FNFA’s purposes are to provide First Nation governments investment options, capital planning advice, and perhaps most importantly, access to long-term loans with preferable interest rates. FNFA is not an agent of Her Majesty or a Crown corporation and is governed solely by the First Nation communities that join as Borrowing Members.
Non-Profit Organization: Okanagan Village Housing Society of Vernon
Okanagan Village Housing Society of Vernon won Excellence in the Non-Profiit Organization category. Left, John MacDonald of the Business Examiner, Okanagan Village Housing representatives, Kara Reynolds, Building Manager and Cindy Masters, Executive Director.
The Okanagan Village Housing Society (OKVHS) is a non-profit organization founded in 2007, dedicated to providing affordable rental housing in the Vernon area. OKVHS focuses on creating a permanent inventory of managed, safe, and comfortable rental units below market rental rates.
Professional Services: Ecora Engineering and Environmental Ltd. of Kelowna
Ecora Engineering and Environmental Ltd. of Kelowna was awarded Excellence in Professioinal Services sponsored by Vantage West Realty. Left, David Meyers and Mike Young.
Ecora is a multi-disciplinary professional services firm that has seen significant growth since its founding in 2010 in Kelowna. Now in its 14th year, Ecora has emerged as a major force in the engineering and environmental consulting sectors, catering to a wide array of industries and client needs across the province. With seven strategically located offices including Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon and Kamloops.
Retail: Cyclepath Kelowna Inc.
Left, Garry Norkum, owner of Cyclepath Kelowna, presented with the Retail Award of Excellence in Retail by Josh Higgins of the Business Examiner.
For nearly three decades, Cyclepath Kelowna has been more than a bike store – they’re a community hub dedicated to getting Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country and the broader Okanagan region on two wheels. They’re a full-service shop, offering a wide selection of regular bikes and electric-assist bikes, accessories, and the highest quality repairs.
Technology: TerraSense Analytics of Kelowna
Terrasense Analytics of Kelowna received the Award of Excellence in Technology. Left, Mike McGinty, CEO of Ecora and Paul Tonita, Partner at Pushor Mitchell (sponsor).
Terrasense Analytics is a defense and security focused technology company based in Kelowna since 2018. They manufacture AI to assist Canadian Armed Forces and allied personnel in successfully recognizing and tracking objects.
Trades: Joe and Sons Concrete Ltd. and Joe and Sons Ready Mix Ltd. of West Kelowna
Joe and Sons Concrete Ltd. and Joe and Sons Ready Mix Ltd. of West Kelowna received the Award of Excellence in Trades. Left, Danielle and Kris Courtoreille and Chris Meyer of Joe and Sons.
At Joe & Sons Concrete and Joe & Sons Ready Mix they redefine excellence in concrete construction. As the premier provider of on-demand concrete supply, precise placement, and impeccable finishing services in BC they are dedicated to delivering superior results with every project.
To view the official program for the 2024 Thompson Okanagan Pushor Mitchell LLP Business Excellence Awards, visit: https://www.calameo.com/businessexaminer/read/00688551721162c941d1e