2009-2010

News Release

REF NO.: 183

SUBJECT: Business celebrates partners

DATE: April 27, 2010

The Faculty of Business presented the Alumni Honour Award and Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the annual Partners Celebration on April 27, 2010.
Ed Martin, president and chief executive officer of Nalcor Energy and graduate of the bachelor of commerce program, was the recipient of the Alumni Honour Award in recognition of his career success and contribution to the community. Dr. Wilfred Zerbe, dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, said that Mr. Martin’s exceptional career success and commitment to the faculty and the wider community made him the ideal recipient for the award. “Ed Martin embodies many of the characteristics that we hope our students develop throughout their time with us – an entrepreneurial spirit, an innovative mind, a community focus, and an appreciation for balance. He’s an excellent choice for the Alumni Honour Award.”
 “I am honoured and humbled by this award,” said Mr. Martin. “A strong education is so important for success and Memorial’s business school is providing a world-class education for our young people as they embark upon their careers around the world. My commerce degree and co-op experience were the foundation for success in my career and I am proud to be associated with Memorial University.” 
The Gardiner Centre’s 2010 Newfoundland and Labrador Entrepreneur of the Year award was given to Jamie King, Brendan Brothers and Raymond Pretty, co-founders of Verafin Inc., a software company that specializes in fraud and money laundering detection solutions.
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the provincial Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development and Memorial University of Newfoundland were each recognized for reaching a milestone in the co-operative education program. ACOA and the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development have each hired more than 300 business students, while Memorial was recognized for hiring more than 700 business students.
Dr. Zerbe, dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, said the event is an important touchstone for the Faculty of Business. “The relationship between the business community and our faculty is extremely important. Partners is an opportunity for us to celebrate that relationship and recognize individuals who are making a difference within our faculty and community.”
Previous Entrepreneur of the Year Award winners
 
2009 – Charlie Oliver, Martek Morgan Finch Inc
2008 – Brian Dalton and Roland Butler, Altius Minerals
2007 – Leonard Pecore, Genoa Design International
2006 – Paul Burt, The Paint Shop
2005 – Noel O’Dea, Target Marketing
2004 – Jean Chatman, Chatman’s Bakery                                                                    2003 – Hilary and Marie-France Rodrigues, Markland Cottage Winery
2002 – Chris Griffiths, Garrison Guitars
2001 – Robert, Peter and Chris Belbin, Belbin’s Grocery
2000 – Jacques Guigné – Guigné International Ltd
1999 – Lloyd Hillier, Hillier’s Trades Limited
1998 – Danny Williams, Cable Atlantic and Williams, Roebothan, McKay and Marshall
1997 – Barbara Genge, Tuckamore Wilderness Lodge
1996 – Lorne Janes, Continental Marble Industries
1995 – Dennis and Brenda Murray, Murray’s Meats
1994 – Lloyd Wells, Robert Richards and Michael Barrett, Genesis Organic Ltd
1993 – Karl Kenny, Matrix Technologies
1992 – Janet Kelly, Aunties Crae’s
1991 – Derrick Rowe and Rod White, Ultimateast Data Comm.
1990 – Francis Kelly, Trinity Loop Park
1989 – John Hutton, Charles Hutton Music
1988 – Ches M. Blackwood, Clarenville Ocean Products
1987 – Cyril and Pamela Bulgin, The Jean Shop
1986 – Cosmos Ho, Terra Nova Fishery Co.
 
Previous Alumni Honour Award winners
 
2008 – S. Jane Rowe, class of 1981
2007 – D. Bradford L. Wicks, MBA class of 1989
2006 – Ken Marshall, class of 1984
2005 – Sharon Duggan, MBA class of 1993
2004 – Karl Smith, class of 1981
2003 – Robert S. Crosbie, class of 1979
2002 – Gail Hamilton, class of 1977
2001 – Brendan Paddick, class of 1986 and MBA class of 1994
2000 – Mark Dobbin, class of 1981
1999 – Paul Mills, MBA class of 1983
1998 – Dean MacDonald, class of 1981
1997 – Patricia A. Hearn, MBA class of 1987
1996 – James G. Barnes, class of 1966
1995 – Gerald Smith, class of 1972
1994 – Vic Young, class of 1966
1993 – Rex Anthony, class of 1968
1992 – Robert J. Healey, class of 1965
 
Alumni Honour Award
 
Ed Martin, B.Comm. (co-op)’80
MBA ’88 (University of Calgary)
 
Ed Martin is the president and CEO of Nalcor Energy. He graduated from St. Michael’s High School in Grand Falls and completed his bachelor of commerce (co-op) from Memorial University in 1980 and a master of business 
administration from the University of Calgary in 1988. Prior to joining Nalcor in 2005, Ed had 25 years experience in onshore and offshore oil and gas with Mobil Oil, Hibernia Management and Development Company and Petro-Canada.
            Ed is leading Nalcor Energy in a new direction focused on safety leadership, operational excellence, performance and growth. He currently serves as a board member of the Canadian Electricity Association and an Advisory board member for Memorial University’s Faculty of Business. He is a founding member of the Newfoundland and Labrador CEO Safety Charter. Ed is also past president of the St. John’s Minor Hockey Association and contributed many years as a board member for St. Bonaventure’s College and the Health Care Foundation.
 
About the award
Memorial’s Faculty of Business Administration established the Alumni Honour Award in 1992 to recognize the accomplishments of our graduates and their support and contribution to the faculty, university and community.
 
Newfoundland and Labrador
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
 
Jamie King, B.Eng. ’99
Brendan Brothers, B.Eng. ’02
Raymond Pretty, B.Eng. ‘01
                                                                                                                        
Jamie King, Brendan Brothers and Raymond Pretty are the co-founders of Verafin Inc., a leading provider of anti-money laundering (AML) and anti-fraud solutions for financial institutions. Graduates of Memorial University, they have computer engineering degrees with a specialization in artificial intelligence and have also completed several years of graduate studies.
Verafin was incorporated in 2003 and has grown to become a leading provider of AML and fraud solutions with more than 500 customers in North America. The company currently employs 90 people in St. John’s and was recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in Atlantic Canada in 2008.
Jamie King is an industry expert in the application of technology to the detection and prevention of money laundering and fraud. As the president and CEO he is leading the product development efforts and establishing the long term vision of the company.
Brendan Brothers is focused on the customer-related aspects of the business, from customer support and training to sales and marketing. He has an in-depth understanding of customer needs and how the technology helps to solve the growing and changing problems they face.
Raymond Pretty is dedicated to incorporating advanced technologies into the Verafin application and has a passion for understanding how customers interact with the Verafin solution. This has fueled the constant effort to improve the user experience and deliver applications that are truly user-friendly.
Their combined vision of creating a better solution for financial institutions is what motivates them to always work to discover new processes and new ideas.
 
About the award
Memorial’s Faculty of Business Administration, through the Gardiner Centre, established the Newfoundland and Labrador Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 1986 to recognize the achievements of the province’s entrepreneurs and to highlight the benefits that entrepreneurs bring to the economy.

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