Business Excellence Dec 2010

Abbotsford News I Tuesday, December 7, 2010 B1

PRESENTED BY

Chamber of Chamber of CommerceCommerceabbotsford

Honouring outstanding

organizations and individuals in

Abbotsford who strive for

excellence in the community.

Dan StefansonTourism Abbotsford

Rob LeppLepp Farm Market

Doris Woodman-McMillanNumbers Unlimited Bookkeeping

EXCELLENCE

See inside for

Top 100Most Infl uencial

People in Abbotsford!

B2 Abbotsford News I Tuesday, December 7, 2010

And tthhee award goes to…CLAYBURN COMFORTS SOAP

& BODYWORKS

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Rick Rake of Click Media Works presents the award for Home-Based Businessto Sue Kavelman of Clayburn Comforts Soap & Bodyworks.

PRESENTED BY

Chamber ofChamber ofCommerceCommerce abbotsford

Sue Kavelman found a niche in linking small business with local history -- and her success has landed her a trophy.

Kavelman’s Clayburn Comforts Soap and Body Works was the recipient of the Home-Based Business Excellence award at the 15th Abbotsford Business Excellence Awards.

“I was totally surprised and very pleased and honoured,” Kavelman said. “You could have knocked me over with a feather.

“When you work really hard for something for a long time, it’s nice to be appreciated and acknowl-edged, that’s for sure.”

Located in the historic village of Clayburn, originally a brick-plant town established in 1905, Kavelman’s home-based store is the refurbished cottage of a former plant foreman.

In a small building separate from her residence Kavelman makes and sells her line of self-made soaps and other aro-matherapy products -- which includes a soap bar designed to replicate the old Clayburn company’s bricks.

Business has grown steadily since her store opened six

years ago, she said, especially through tourism. She hired her fi rst part-time assistant this year. Next up is an updating of her website, which will include the addition of an online shopping feature.

Kavelman believes a commitment to top quality, all-nat-ural products as well as the hands-on character of

her shop have been keys to her success.

“People can put a face to the person who made the product, I make it all right here,” she said.

Kavelman said her business evolved from fi rst taking courses in soap-making 12 years ago as a new hobby to enjoy with her daughter. Meantime she and her husband bought their century-old Clayburn home in 2000 and painstakingly refurbished it, liter-ally brick by brick -- she estimates she had to clean 8,000 bricks in the process.

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“...it’s nice to be appprreecciiated and acknoowwlledged,

thaatt’’s ffor sure.”Th e Home-Based Business Award

is granted to a home based business that has demonstrated excellence and quality in their

product and/or service.

EXCELLENCEAWARD

Sponsored byCLICK MEDIA WORKS

CINDERELLA SLIP-ONSGAIL WINCHESTER SALONS

GINGERBREAD HOUSE PRESCHOOLTHERESA CHEVALIER

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OTHER NOMINEES

IN THIS CATEGORY:


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It was a record-setting evening for the Abbotsford Business Excellence Awards on Nov. 24, as close to 500 people attended the prestigious event staged by the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce and the Abbotsford News.

Among the special guests were local MLAs Mike de Jong and John van Don-gen, as well as Mayor George Peary and a complement of Abbotsford councillors.

Local singing sensation Victoria Duf-

fi eld performed several songs as guests mingled prior to an excellent dinner served by CTC Catering. Décor at the Tradex venue at the Abbotsford airport was provided by Valley Weddings.

Opening the ceremonies was MC Allan Asaph, chair of the business excel-lence committee, who noted the excel-lent quality of the 120 nominated busi-nesses and entrepreneurs, from which the winners were chosen by a panel of

judges, who conducted interviews with the nominees.

Abbotsford News publisher Andrew Franklin announced the winning busi-nesses, inviting representatives to the stage, along with the category sponsor.

A brief profi le of each winner was read by Abbotsford News editor Andrew Holota.

Aft er the fi rst seven award recipients, the receptive audience was entertained

by musician/comedian Todd Butler, who had everyone in stitches with his witty revised lyrics to popular tunes, which poked fun at politicians and pro-vided humorous takes on current events.

From AC/DC to Willie Nelson, Butler also had the crowd rocking with his amazing guitar licks, which included a rendition of Duelling Banjos, played behind his head, and accompanied by kazoo!

your life your community.

‘Reflecting life in Abbotsford since 1922’

facebook.com/myabbynews twitter.com/abbynews abbynews.com 1.604.853.1144

Showcasing success

To watch a video clip visit facebook.com/myabbynews


Congratulations to all Business Excellence Awards winners and nominees!

PROSPERA IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THE ABBOTSFORD BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

At Prospera, community is at the heart of what we do. No, really. We mean it. It’s our aspiration to support the neighbourhoods in which we live and work.

For more information contact 1.888.440.4480 or visit prospera.ca


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Bruce Howell, President and CEO of Prospera Credit Union presents the award for Retailer Excellence to Brent Valder of The Mad Butcher.

Andd tthhe award goes to…THE MAD BUTCHER

PRESENTED BY


A hands-on approach to operating his store as well as a quality staff are what Brent Valder believes were the keys to his success at the 15th Abbotsford Business Excellence Awards.

Valder’s Th e Mad Butcher was the recipient of the Retailer Excellence Award. It was the fi rst such award for the busi-ness, which has an affi liation with a chain of the same name in Valder’s native New Zealand.

“It was a great achievement, I thought it was excellent,” he said.

Asked about the major factors in Th e Mad Butcher’s success, Valder said he is an active participant in his store’s daily operations, which include grocery products and a deli as well as a wide range of meats.

“I think customers like to be able to speak to the owner when they come to a shop,” he said. “When you put in the hours like that, not just being in and out every two or three days, I think it pays off .”

He also gave much of the credit to his staff , which has more than doubled in size in the shop’s 10 years of operation in Abbotsford. “Th ey are defi nitely a big asset,” he said.

Valder and his business are involved in a number of chari-table community programs such as those for youth, women and schools. It has also participated in Access Abbotsford‚

and 10 x 10 Challenge, a program pro-moting the employment of individuals with disabili-ties.

Valder fi rst ran a Mad Butcher franchise in New Zealand for fi ve years be-fore moving to Canada

and setting up shop in Abbotsford, establishing the only affi liated store in North America. Th e business moved to its current location, 33344 South Fraser Way, about two years ago, increas-ing its fl oor space. It now has a customer base of about 2,500 per week.

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“It was a great achievement, I thhoought

it was exxccelllent”

Th e Retailer Excellence Award, sponsored by Prospera Credit Union, is granted to a

business that has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the

retail sector.

EXCELLENCEAWARD

Sponsored byPROSPERA CREDIT UNION

HOMESTEAD NURSERYLAND & FLORIST

KINGSTON FLOORINGKITCHEN & BATH CLASSICS

LIFE CYCLES BIKE SHOP

ROSES & RUTABAGASSIMPLY PERFECT FLOWERS

THE VALLEY FEED BAGTIME MASTERS JEWELLERS

VALHALLA PURE OUTFITTERS


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• Tutoring • Math Tutoring • Science Tutoring • Language Arts Tutoring • ESL Tutoring • Exam Preperation • College – University – AdultExam Preperation dult

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We are honoured to be recognized this way and are grateful for the chance to work with our families to make a difference in the lives of their students.

Offi ce 604-746-1199 Cell 778-549-0750www.yourtutordoctor.com/fraservalley

NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR!

T hank you to everyone who nominated us as:

Tutor Doctor provides affordable one-on-one in-home tutoring for all grades and all subjects. Our experienced and qualifi ed tutors provide indi-vidualized instruction which helps students build confi dence and get better grade.

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OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Thank you Abbotsford for awarding us Retailer Excellence!

Thank you also to our great staff and loyal customers.

We appreciate your support.

We were delighted to be nominated for Established Business of the Year, together with such outstanding businesses. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners. Thank you for your excellent service to our community!

Two Beautiful Parkside Locations - Call 604-859-0053 to book a tour! - www.hallmarkretirement.com

Share a little magic with a young person

Volunteer to be a mentor today. www.sharealittlemagic.ca

Th e soft er side of Clayburn Brick s

In Historic Clayburn Village

34866 Clayburn Road, Abbotsford

604.746.2633 • www.clayburncomforts.comurncomfffffffooorrrttttts com

Proud tobe recognizedas this year’s“Home-BasedBusiness”award winner.

CLAYBURN

c o m f o r t ssoap & body works


Andd tthhe award goes to…UNITEX SALES LTD.

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Wendy Schultz, General Manager of Sevenoaks Shopping Centre presents the award for Manufacturing & Producer to Bob Kaszonyi of Unitex Sales Ltd.

PRESENTED BY


A year that began with a major deal at the 2010 Winter Olympics is ending with another feather in the cap for Uni-tex Sales Ltd.

Th e Abbotsford-based uniforms supplier was chosen as the recipient of the Manufacturing and Producer Excellence trophy at the 15th Abbotsford Business Excellence Awards.

“You could say I’m honoured but humbled,” said Unitex owner Bob Johnson. “It’s extremely gratify-ing to be recognized.”

Unitex, which specializes in supplying uniforms for the grocery industry, security companies and pharmacies, started 2010 on the right foot when it landed the uniforms contract for volunteers at Vancouver Inter-national Airport during the Olympics in February.

“Being chosen for that for our expertise without paying any licensing fees, it’s pretty unique for Abbotsford to have a company to be able to pull that off ,” Johnson said.

Unitex employs a staff of 10 at its Simpson Road base, up from just three employees when the business was purchased 15 years ago. Johnson said it is enjoying retail volume in-

creases of about 10 per cent per year.Doing “a lot of little things correctly” is among the keys to

the company’s successes, Johnson said. It owns its own build-ing and equipment, and has a “unique niche” in the market-place, he said.

Unitex supplies uniforms for a large proportion of secu-rity fi rms in the Lower Mainland, and its grocery

clients include the Th rift y Foods supermarket chain. Other clients come from across Canada, includ-ing security for the Saskatchewan Roughriders football team.

Johnson said his business relies greatly on working relationships developed over his 30 years in the

industry. It was also the master merchandiser at the Abbotsford Air Show, responsible for promo-tional items such as hats and sunglasses.

Johnson added that thanks were due to his staff and the Abbotsford business commu-nity for their contributions to receiving the business excellence award.

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Th e Manufacturing & Producer Excellence Award, sponsored

by Sevenoaks Shopping Centre, is granted to a business that

has demonstrated outstanding achievement manufacturing or

producing a product.

EXCELLENCEAWARD

Sponsored bySEVENOAKS SHOPPING CENTRE

ABSTRACT ALLOY MANUFACTURING

VALLEY MASTER MASON MARBLE AND GRANITE


IN THIS CATEGORY:

“You could saayy I’m honnooured buutt hhumbled”


TD Canada Trust in Abbotsford is working togetherwith the Abbotsford Business Excellence Awards

to a make a difference in our communities.

TD Canada Trust congratulatesNutriva Group on winning the

“Agricultural & Agri-Business Excellence” Award.


Anndd the award goes to…NUTRIVA GROUP

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Bill Vanderkooi of Nutriva Group accepts the Agricultural & Agri-Business Excellence Award from sponsor, Karen Landon, District Manager Agriculture Services with TD Canada Trust.

PRESENTED BY


An innovative approach to developing new, healthier dairy products has earned special recognition for Abbots-ford’s Nutriva Group.

Nutriva was named the recipient of the Agricultural and Agri-Business Excellence award at the 15th Abbotsford Busi-ness Excellence Awards.

“I was honoured and humbled at the same time,” said chief executive offi cer Bill Vanderkooi, who operates Nutriva’s three business units with his brothers.

“We’re in pretty good company be-cause Abbotsford is a progressive city with a lot of progressive businesses.”

While some of its operations date back to 2000, Nutriva was formed as a group in 2009. Its rapid expansion is marked by a staff increase to 50 from only 10 to 15 when it was established about two years ago.

While the group off ers a range of agri-foods services such as trucking and specialty-ingredient distribution, Vanderk-ooi said the company intends to increase its focus on devel-oping healthy food products.

“We’ve found our mission which is to bring healthy foods

to the world, and now it’s about dialling in on that,” he said. “We have a real focus on innovation, and part of that is being the incubator and taking those ideas close to commercializa-tion.”

Th rough its Vitala brand, Nutriva produces milk and egg products that are nutritionally enriched by way of the diet

fed to the animals. More re-cently it has added a new low-sugar yogurt product, and is also developing a new sport-recovery beverage.

Vanderkooi said Nutriva does about 80 per cent of its trade in B.C., but has also en-

tered strategic partnerships with fi rms in Ontario and Quebec, and aims to “go global” with some of its new products.

He added that attracting high-calibre employ-ees has been a key to success.

“It’s very important having the right peo-ple in the right positions,” Vanderkooi said.

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“I was honouredd and humbblleedd at the ssaamme time”

Th e Agricultural & Agri-Business Excellence Award that is sponsored by TD Canada Trust is granted to a

business that is considered a leader in their industry and has made a positive

contribution to agriculture in Abbotsford.

EXCELLENCEAWARD

EXCELLENCCEEEX

Sponsored byTD CANADA TRUST

CAMPBELL’S GOLD HONEY FARM AND MEADERY

MT. LEHMAN WINERYCONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OTHER NOMINEES

IN THIS CATEGORY:


DVA APPROVED

“Dedicated to excellence in hearing care.”

ABBOTSFORD 604.852.9188201-2151 McCallum Rd (McCallum Medical Towers)

MISSION 604.820.21102A-32540 Logan Ave (Across From Safeway on Lougheed Hwy)

WHITE ROCK 604.531.2661 LANGLEY 604.530.6107 CHILLIWACK 604.792.1186

Thank you to our valued customers for nominating us for the Chamber of Commerce Customer Service Excellence Award!

Thank you Abbotsford!

As part of our EXCELLENT CUSTOMER

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Mike KellerHearing Practitioner/Manager

“There is more to hearing than just great prices. It’s the quality

of care and service that sets us apart. It is a privilege to have been nominated. ”

THANK YOU ABBOTSFORD FOR AWARDING US

SERVICE INDUSTRY EXCELLECE

Experience the difference of a true, high-end, automotive centre.Award winning cars, trucks and bikes with full custom paint shop.

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So You Th ink You Can Dance!Mayor George Peary smiling after completing his dance routine with “Business In Black” dance troupe at the 2010 Business Excellence Awards.

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And thee aaward goes to…360 FABRICATION INC.

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Chris Johnston, Customer Relations Manager for Firstbase Services presents the award for Service Industry Excellence to Daryl and Rick Francoeur of 360 Fabrication Inc.

PRESENTED BY


It wasn’t the fi rst award for Abbotsford’s fast-growing 360 Fabrication Inc., but it was the biggest so far -- and it took the company’s owners by surprise.

Rick and Daryl Francoeur’s vehicle customizing and col-lision services fi rm was the recipient of the Service Industry Excellence trophy at the 15th Abbotsford Business Excel-lence Awards.

“I honestly think Daryl and I were a little shocked,” Rick Francoeur said. “Some very impressive companies were nominated and it was one of the big-gest categories.

“We’ve won lots of awards, but this is the biggest one, for sure. It was an honour just to take part in the event and we’re very grate-ful.”

Th e award caps a highly successful year for 360, which opened only four years ago.

Th e Francoeur brothers’ business moved to its own prop-erty at 31450 Peardonville Road, which is roughly double the size of its old facility on nearby Wheel Avenue. It also reached a landmark agreement with CARSTAR vehicle col-

lision service, which will see 360 open nine more collision-specifi c locations throughout B.C.

“Th e expansion will allow 360’s new Abbotsford base to focus more on vehicle customization,” Rick Francoeur said. Th e 360 group customizes a variety of vehicles for other companies’ marketing purposes: Toyota and Red Bull are

two of the high profi le companies. 360 Fabrication also specializes in building custom cars and restoration for the public. Anything you can think of they can handle!

Th e fi rm now employs 22 staff , up from just three when

it opened its doors in 2006, and Francoeur envi-sions that number could rise to 30 by next summer.

“We’ve had our failures too, but we just keep go-ing, and we’re willing to learn from others’ mistakes as well,” he said. “We’ve had a clear business plan from the start and have just kept pushing forward. I think it shows that hard work and determination still equal success.”

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“We’ve won lots of awards, but this is tthhee biggest one, ffoorr sure”

Th e Service Industry Excellence Award is granted to a business

in any sector that provides outstanding services to

individuals or businesses.

EXCELLENCEAWARD

EXCELLENCNC

Sponsored byFIRSTBASE SERVICES

FRASER VALLEY HEARINGJ’S PIZZA (IMMEL STREET)

LITTLE FARMHOUSE IN THE CITYMAGGIE REIMER

(RBC DOMINION SECURITIES)MERLE NORMAN

PRISM PC

OCEAN STATIONERY & OFFICE SUPPLIES

PETROCAN SERVICE STATION (WHATCOM ROAD)

RELEVENTION MARKETINGRESTAURANT 62

SHELLEY GOSSETT, PREC

SERVICEMASTER CLEAN OF THE FRASER VALLEY

SUMAS MOUNTAIN PROJECTS

THE BARON BAR & GRILL

WESTVIEW EXECUTIVE SEARCH

WILD ORANGE SPA

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OTHER NOMINEES IN

THIS CATEGORY:


A B B O T S F O R D ’ S T O P A B B O T S F O R D ’ S T O P 1 0 01 0 0 M O S T I N F L U E N T I A L P E O P L E M

T H E A -R E S E R V E D F O R A

Bryce TowsonAbby Flames, Soccer Coach

Amandeep K. BathRemax Realtor

Barry MarsdenCascade Aerospace/Conair, Abbotsford Heat

Keith IzattEducator

Suzanne Greening Executive Director, Reach Gallery & Museum

Kathy Doerksen Manager of Addictions, Abbotsford Community Services

Dr. Elizabeth Watt Corrections/Community Services

Barbara Suek School Secretary, Community Volunteer

Mary Boonstra APD, Community Volunteer

Laura Menagh Educator

Daneen Jensen Abbotsford Child & Youth Mental Health

Stan Petersen Former Educator, Community Volunteer

Bruce Nicholson Former Educator, Community Volunteer

Deborah Lehmann Executive Director, Abbotsford Hospice Society

Marion Keys AHS Capital Campaign Manager

Dan Ratzlaff Builder, Community Supporter

David Sheach Executive Director, BBBS

Alexandra Mitchell Community Volunteer

Angela Montgomery Kindergarden Teacher, Matsqui Elementary School

Baraa Safaa Ali Musician, Community Volunteer, UFV

Aird Flavelle MSA Computers

Ken Hildebrandt Gallery 7 Theatre & Performing Arts

Dan Stefanson Executive Director, Tourism Abbotsford

Darryl Plecas Criminology Dept. UFV

Dr. Marilyn Hamilton Past President, Abbotsford Community Foundation

Leona Fountain Fraser Valley Child Development Centre

Irene Peterson Irene Peterson & Associates

Rod Santiago Executive Director, Abbotsford Community Services

Janna Dieleman Abbotsford Community Services

Ken Funk Abbotsford Rotary Club

Laurie Shopland Campaign Manager, Canuck Place

Jane Cooper Executive Director, Volunteer Abbotsford

Julie Macrae Superintendent School District

Gerry Palmer Lawyer

David Robinson Rotary Club of Abbotsford

Paul Esposito Sr. Esposito Group

Dave Holmberg Bobcat Country

Dave Stephen Communications Manager, School District

Musleh HakkiMulticultural Society

John SmithCity Councillor

Bob BosPresident, Abbotsford Downtown Business Assoc.

Diane M Delves Quantum Properties

Gerri CharlesChampagne & Lace

Dave KandalAbbotsford Airport

Brian LeeLee’s Fine Jewellery

Dorothy DyckAbbotsford Printing

Christine WiebeCommunity Volunteer

Angelo ReaAHS Board Chair

Manpreet GrewalCommunity Services

T H E N A M E S

Barry Marsden was one of the founding princi-pals of Conair Aviation 30 years ago, and has gone from flying water bombers to becoming company president and CEO in 1991. He is now chairman of the board for Conair and Cascade Aerospace, with more than 800 employees. He has been a leader in the field of aerial firefight-ing methods and procedures, held numerous high profile positions in the aviation indus-try, and in 2009 was inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame. In 2008 he was appointed to the B.C. premier’s economic advisory coun-

cil. He has been chairman of the Abbotsford eco-nomic develop-ment commis-sion, director of the Abbotsford A i r p o r t A u t h o r i t y , and in 2004 received an honourary Doctor of Technology degree from UFV for contributions to the Canadian aerospace industry.

B A R R Y M A R S D E N

Deb Lowell is best known in Abbotsford for her work with the Salvation Army, and that has been her life passion. The Abbotsford PR director has served the Sally Ann in Nova Scotia, Yellowknife, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Prince George and Chilliwack, before arriving in Abbotsford eight years ago. She comes from a family with a strong belief in volunteerism, and Lowell has given her time to numerous local causes. She is a director on the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, a Rotarian and a founding mem-

ber of the City of Refuge group – Christian people working to fill gaps in the city’s social services. She still finds time to take her family to Abbotsford Heat hockey games, and is a season ticket holder.

D E B L O W E L L

Patricia Ross is one of the most popular members of Abbotsford city council. Each municipal elec-tion, she is one of the city’s top-polling politicians. She has had six terms on council, and takes an avid interest in environmental issues. Her appointments include chair of the Fraer Valley Regional District, and of the FVRD air quality and environment committee. In 2009, she was selected Woman of the Year by the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Abbotsford and Mission, and she was also the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce newsmaker of the year.

In 2007, she was granted the Paul Harris Fellow award from the Rotary Club for her dedication to her commu-nity. She speaks with community groups about environmental issues and politics, and in 2004 spoke at the International Climate Change conference in Buenos Aires.

P A T R I C I A R O S S

W E A S K E D O U R R E A D E R

W E R E T H E M O S T I N F L U E N

Whether it be politicians, coaches, business profession

we wanted to know their names. The readers h

top 100 most infl uential people as chose


A B B O T S F O R D ’ S T O P 1 0 0 M O S T I N F L U E N T I A L P E O P L EO S T I N F L U E N T I A L P E O P L E

- L I S T . . . B B O T S F O R D ’ S B E S T

Deb LowellPR Director, Salvation Army

Patricia SapielakPresident, Abbotsford Chamber of

Commerce

John van Dongen, Liberal MLA, Abbotsford South

Tom MauthePresident, Abbotsford Heat

Chief Bob RichAbbotsford Police Dept.

George PearyMayor of Abbotsford

Shirley WilsonSchool Board Trustee

Jatti Sidhu Businessman, Volunteer

Ed FastConservative MP

Mike de JongLiberal MLA, Abbotsford West

Richard KorkowskiJoshua House

Const. Ian MacDonald Abbotsford Police Dept.

Dr. Mark EveredPresident, UFV

Tanya CurtisNutriva Group

Suzanne Blakley-Oaks Business Advisor, Community Futures

Les BarkmanCity Councillor

Pastor Jeff BucknamNorthview Community Church

Pat ChristieAbbotsford Community Services

Barb SchimnowskyWestView Executive Search

Lane SweetingRamada/Abbotsford Heat

Dr. Dalip Singh GillEducator Retired, Community Volunteer

Allan AsaphSunLife Financial/Chamber of

Commerce

David D. HullCEO, Chamber of Commerce

Andrew FranklinPublisher, The Abbotsford News

Balbir KamboPresident, Fraser Valley Indo-Canadian

Business Assoc.

Deputy Chief Rick LucyAbbotsford Police Dept.

Harry De JongPresident, Agrifair

Judy WhyteExecutive Director, Abbey Arts Centre

Jack GoesonPresident, Abbotsford Pilots

Jay TeichroebEconomic Development Manager

Enrica HustonAbbotsford Neighbourhood Ball

Andy HolotaEditor, Columnist, Abbotsford News

Milt WalkerExecutive Director, Kinghaven

Dianne CommonProfessor, UFV

Bev BrownCEO, Envision Credit Union

Bruce BeckManulife Securities

Chief Don Beer Abbotsford Fire Dept.

Pamela BrennerGM, Agrifair

Mark TaylorAbbotsford Parks & Recreation

Deborah BullockExecutive Director, Abbotsford

Community Foundation

Janet BarrieHub Financial

John WittenbergCommunity Volunteer

Christine LaneRamada & Conference Centre

Frank PizzutoCity Manager

Moe GillCity Councillor

Madeleine HardinProfessor, UFV, Community Volunteer

Gord HustonCommunity Volunteer

Patricia RossCity Councillor

Joanne FieldAbbotsford School Board

Lynne HarrisCity Councillor

Ron PricePresident, Abbotsford Airshow

T H E N A M E S

Jatinder Sidhu is a longtime resident of Abbotsford and a successful business-man of 30 years. He settled in Mission after immigrating to Canada in 1974, and started his farming career in Abbotsford in 1977. In 1987, Jatinder started build-ing single family homes and soon found himself involved in residential develop-ment. He is a member of the Abbotsford Police Board, has served as a director of the Agrifair Board, and as commissioner of the B.C. Vegetable Marketing Board. He

was also presi-dent of Pacific R a s p b e r r y Co-op, direc-t o r w i t h A b b o t s f o r d Chamber of C o m m e r c e , and director of the New Cultural Center of Abbotsford.

J A T I N D E R S I D H U

Bryce Towson is a much-loved soccer coach. His nomination carried with it numerous letters from parents of the children on the Flames U-10 soccer squad, whom he men-tors on the pitch. He is involved in coaching three teams this year, which means there is only one night per week, Friday, when there is no soccer in his schedule. Towson said he simply emphasizes fun, and it has worked. The Flames were unbeaten for two and a half seasons, until they suffered a loss this year. The son of an avid coach, his father

Dave Towson, Bryce has been a coach for 11 years, and says he still loves it, and would never give it up.

B R Y C E T O W S O N

Milt Walker has taken on volunteer posi-tions in Abbotsford that involve a high demand for professionalism and compe-tence. This community advocate was the president of the B.C. Summer Games which Abbotsford hosted in 2004, as he mobilized a team of thousands of volunteers. He is the chairman of the Reach Gallery Museum board, and played a key role in bringing the $10 million art museum to fruition. He was recently honoured by his peers in the arts community with a service award recogniz-

ing his tireless efforts. Walker has lived in Abbotsford for 26 years. He has been con-nected with the Kinghaven a d d i c t i o n treatment facility for much of that time, and presently serves as executive director.

M I LT W A L K E R

R S T O L I S T W H O T H E Y F E LT

T I A L P E O P L E I N O U R C I T Y. . .

nals, teachers or just someone you feel makes a difference,

have spoken. The following is a list of Abbotsford’s

en by you. The list is in no particular order.


The Rotary Club of Abbotsfordsince 1950

The Rotary Club of Abbotsford-Matsquisince 1985

The Rotary Club of Abbotsford-Sumassince 1996

Service Above Self

Good luck to all those nominated for a Business Excellence Award.

www.timemaster.ca | Sevenoaks Mall 604.556.7740

TimeMasterJ E W E L L E R S

Thank You AbbotsfordThank You Abbotsford for nomination of Retailer Excellence.for nomination of Retailer Excellence.

Master Goldsmith on site. We service what we sell & more.

25%off

Jewellery

Th e “Bravest”Man of the EveningDouglas MacAdams of MacAdams Law Firm, introducing entertainer Todd Butler at the 2010 Business Excellence Awards.

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Ron Howardson and Lenora McQueen, Rotary Club Representatives presents the award for the Eric Vanderham Young Entrepreneur to Kelsy Vanerhorst of KV Bijou.

And tthhe award goes to…KV BIJOU

Abbotsford’s Kelsey Vanderhorst was just a kid when she started making bracelets for her mother and friends.

Now the jewelry she designs through her company, KV BIJOU, can be seen worn by Hollywood stars and fashion models.

Th is rapid rise hasn’t escaped the notice of the local busi-ness community, which chose her for the Eric Vanderham Young Entrepreneur of the Year award at the 15th Abbotsford Business Excel-lence Awards.

Despite her high-profi le successes, Vanderhorst said she was “very shocked” when her name was called for the local award.

“I wasn’t expecting to win, so it was defi nitely an honour,” she said.

Vanderhorst, 27, started her business on a part-time basis in September, 2008, then going full-time just four months later.

With word-of-mouth help via internet sites like Face-book and Twitter, by this summer the demand for her jew-elry designs -- which include rings, necklaces, earrings and

bracelets -- had surged to the point where she had to put in 90-hour work weeks.

Some big-name exposure also contributed to this success. She has been invited to contribute work to award shows and fi lm festivals, and most recently her jewelry is being worn by the star of “Th e Bachelorette,” an American reality-TV show.

“Th at got me into the U.S. market and since then sales have been unbelievable,” she said.

Vanderhorst says she feels she’s now at a crossroads, considering off ers to invest in her business and deciding

whether to hire staff for the fi rst time. Meantime she’d like to keep the workload within manage-able proportions.

It’s all a rather heady experience for a young woman who was told she was crazy for quit-ting her full-time job during a recession to pursue her dream just a couple of years ago.

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“I wasn’t expectiinnggto win, soo iitt was

defi niitteelly an honour

PRESENTED BY


Th e Eric Vanderham Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award is granted to a young

individual, age 30 or under, who has demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial skills in building his/her own business, or

as part of an existing business.

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On behalf of the Abbotsford Community Services Food Bank On behalf of the Abbotsford Community Services Food Bank and Christmas Bureau we would like to thank everyone who nominated us for the honour of receiving the 2010 Non-Pro t Business of the Year award. We are truly blessed to be a part of a great organization that has the privilege of serving such a great community.

We want to express our appreciation as well to all our donors and volunteers. Without their support we would not be able to accomplish what we do.

Sincerely,The Abbotsford Food Bank Staff

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And thee aaward goes to…ABBOTSFORD FOOD BANK

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Kathy Doerksen of the Abbotsford Food Bank accepts the Non-Profi t of the Year Awardfrom sponsor, Ron Kelly, partner of Baker Newby.

PRESENTED BY


It’s the not the sort of business in which one likes to see the yearly numbers to go up, necessarily, though Dave Mur-ray allows that his organization’s own initiatives have con-tributed to a sharply increased client count.

Whatever the case, the Abbotsford Food Bank’s extended reach through the community has helped make it the recipi-ent of the Non-Profi t Organization of the Year award at the 15th Abbotsford Business Excellence Awards.

“We’re blessed fi rst by the nomina-tion, then to be selected,” said Murray, the food bank’s director. “Every char-ity there was deserving and I’m quite humbled in a sense, but thrilled for my staff .

“Th ey work really hard so it’s nice to see them get a pat on the back. It’s a real team eff ort.”

Murray said the food bank served 800 clients a month when he fi rst arrived about a decade ago. Now that number is up to about 4,500.

“Some of that is our own fault, so to speak, because we’re

more than just a food bank,” he said.Part of the Abbotsford Community Services organization,

the food bank added a free dental clinic last year aft er fi nd-ing through surveys that about half of its clients had never been to a dentist. It also runs the Christmas bureau, extreme-weather shelters, a school-supplies program and more.

Th ose eff orts along with broader economic issues have caused the dramatic increase in the numbers. Th e food bank now has 10 full-time staff as well as more than 350 volunteers to assist in the cause.

“We just look for needs in the community and try

to meet those needs,” Murray said.Th e local food bank is also the only one of its

kind in Canada, he added, in that it receives no government funding. It relies entirely on fund-raising for its budget, likely also a factor in being chosen for the excellence award.

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“Every charity there was deservingg aanndd

I’m quite hhuumbled”

Th e Non-Profi t of the Year Award is granted to a Non-Profi t

organization, charity or society that has made a signifi cant contribution

to make our community a better place to live, work or do business.

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Rudy Paxian, Associate Partner with KPMG presents the award for New Business of the Year to Charlotte and Rob Lepp of Lepp Farm Market.

Andd tthhe award goes to…LEPP FARM MARKET

PRESENTED BY


Th e green corn shack remains, by popular demand. But it’s the Lepps’ new store next door that has earned special recognition.

Th e Lepp Farm Market was named New Business of the Year at the 15th Abbotsford Business Excellence Awards.

“We were humbled that we were nominated to start with, so to win it, we were just elated,” said Rob Lepp, who runs the operation with his wife Charlotte.

Th e Lepps opened their 1,300-sq-metre (14,000-sq-foot) store one year ago on the corner of their farm, at Clay-burn Road and the Abbotsford-Mission Highway, on the same spot they’ve had a small corn stand for 15 years.

Th e dream to evolve the stand into a full-blown store with a genuine farmers’-market feel began about nine years ago, he said. Th e little green shack is still up to sell corn because many of their long-term customers kept asking for it, Char-lotte Lepp said.

“We tell them it’s the exact same corn that’s inside the

market, but they say it just tastes better,” Charlotte said with a laugh.

Still there’s been no shortage of interest of what’s inside the new market, which sells a wide range of meat, fruit and vegetables as well as featuring a deli and bakery. Th e Lepps have had to increase their staff from 25 at opening to more than 40 full- and part-time employees now to keep

up with the demand.In April they acquired a

multi-fruit orchard in Os-oyoos to supply their market with Okanagan fruit. Most of the rest of their produce,

though, is locally grown.Th e Lepps credit their staff for much of their

success.“Th e dream doesn’t get realized without an

incredible staff and amazing support from the community,” Charlotte Lepp said. “We couldn’t do this by ourselves.”

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“...to win it,,we were jjuusstt elated”

Th e New Business of the Year Award is granted to a “new business”

established within the last 3 years, that has demonstrated outstanding characteristics in all areas such as

performance, leadership, innovation, management, marketing and service.

OF THE YEARAWARD

Sponsored byKPMG ENTERPRISE

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All Smiles at the Business Excellence AwardsDavid D. Hull, CEO at the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce enjoying the evening’s festivities with Allison Longshore, Manager of Tourism Abbotsford.

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And thee aaward goes to…NUMBERS UNLIMITED

BOOKKEEPING

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Dan Stefanson, Executive Director for Tradex presents the award for Established Business of the Year Award(1-19 Employees) to Doris Woodman-McMillan and staff from Numbers Unlimited Bookkeeping.

PRESENTED BY


It started as a modest, one-person undertaking in her base-ment 11 years ago. Now Doris Woodman-McMillan’s busi-ness has a trophy to display proudly in its street-level offi ce.

Woodman-McMillan’s Numbers Unlimited Bookkeeping was chosen as the recipient of the Established Business of the Year (1-19 employees) award at the 15th Abbotsford Busi-ness Excellence Awards.

“It was very exciting and an honour, actually,” she said. “Th at’s high praise from your peers.”

Numbers Unlimited now has a staff of six at its Walsh Avenue offi ce, near South Fraser Way. Th ere was only Woodman-McMillan and one employee when it moved there in 2005.

Much of the fi rm’s workload involves income-tax fi lings, and most of its clientele is from the Abbotsford area. But Woodman-McMillan said her company also sometimes works from distance via computer, for example getting a call in October from a community in Manitoba.

“We can do remote help so it doesn’t really matter where

they are,” she said. “We get income-tax returns from just about everywhere.”

Woodman-McMillan said her fi rm enjoys a very high level of retention of clients, sometimes continuing to receive in-come-tax work from former Abbotsford residents even aft er they have moved to other parts of the country.

As for the key factors in receiving the business excellence award, cited her company’s involvement in the community as well as the work of her staff .

“It’s not just me, there’s a real attitude of integrity and

ownership throughout the staff ,” she said. “We’re really working together as a team.”

So is the new trophy on display in the Num-bers Unlimited offi ce yet?

“You bet,” Woodman-McMillan said with a laugh. “We’re pretty proud. My staff were pumped, they all went up to receive the award.”

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“Th at’s high praiissee fr om your ppeeers”

Th e Established Business of the Year Award with less than 20 Employees is granted to a business established more

than 3 years, that has demonstrated outstanding characteristics in all areas such

as performance, leadership, innovation, management, marketing and service.

OF THE YEARAWARD

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OurShining StarVictoria Duffi eld, Abbotsford singing sensation, entertaining guests as they arrive for the 2010 Business Excellence Awards.

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Andrew Franklin from The Abbotsford News presents the award for Established Business of the Year (20+ Employees) to Dan Stefanson, Bill Tavares, Vali Marling and Linda Moore of Tradex.

Andd tthhe award goes to…TRADEX

PRESENTED BY


Anyone looking to book a weekend event next year at the Fraser Valley Trade and Exhibition Centre had best act fast. Th ere are only three weekends still open for all of 2011.

It’s this level of activity at the centre, better known as Tra-dex, that helped it receive the award for Established Business of the Year (over 20 employees) at the 15th Abbotsford Business Excellence Awards.

“We’re really excited about it,” said Vali Marling, director of operations at Tradex.

Next year marks the 20th anniversary for the centre, whose 11,000-square-metre (120,000 square feet) facility is a popular choice for trade shows, banquets and other large events.

Operated by Tourism Abbotsford, Tradex has reached $2.5 million in annual revenues and has a full-time and part-time staff of more than 140. Part of its mandate is to fi ll local hotel rooms and generate fl ights in and out of Abbotsford International Airport, Marling said, and the estimated im-pact of Tradex on the local economy is estimated at $55 mil-

lion a year.Th e annual number of events at Tradex has doubled in the

past eight years, Marling added, as it has successfully com-peted with the likes of the Vancouver Convention Centre.

More personalized service and lower rates have helped draw groups away from its illustrious com-petitor in downtown Vancou-ver, Marling said.

“At a large facility like that you cannot work with the same people throughout your event

experience,” Marling said.Owing to its rapid development, which Marling

said forces the centre to turn away a large amount of potential business each year, Tradex is now out-growing the current facility. Plans are in the works for an expansion including an on-site hotel and ad-ditional parking at the centre, which is owned by the City of Abbotsford.

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Th e New Business of the Year Award is granted to a business established more

than 3 years that has demonstrated outstanding characteristics in all areas such

as performance, leadership, innovation, management, marketing and service.

Sponsored byTHE ABBOTSFORD NEWS

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IN THIS CATEGORY:

OF THE YEARAWARD

(20+ EMPLOYEES)

“We’re reallyexcited about iitt””

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Tradex is proudly operated by the Tourism Abbotsford Society

Check out our trade and consumer show event calendar at:

1 (866) 853-1533 | www.fvtradex.com

Business Excellence AwardCongratulationsCongratulations

to all the

Winners & Nominees

Whether you are an event planner, exhibitor or one of our more than 400,000+ annual guests, we welcome you to experience our convenient location, 120,000

square foot facil i ty and fr iendly customer service.

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Business Excellence Dec 2010

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