St. John's, NL, Thursday, December 14th, 2017, Junior Achievement (JA) of Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to announce the 2018 JA Business Hall of Fame inductees. These outstanding business leaders will be recognized at the May 31st, 2017 Gala Dinner and Induction Ceremony at the St. John's Convention Centre:
- Zita Cobb, founder and CEO, Shorefast Foundation
- Mark Dobbin, founder and president of Killick Capital Inc
- Brendan Paddick, founder and former chairman and CEO of Columbus International Inc.
Since 1990, Junior Achievement has recognized and honoured entrepreneurs who have inspired others through their investment and success in business and community. In addition to celebrating business excellence, the Business Hall of Fame event is JA’s signature fundraiser, supporting work that focuses on financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship for youth.
Background Information – JA Newfoundland and Labrador Business Hall of Fame inductees
Zita Cobb. After completing high school on Fogo Island in 1975, Zita pursued a business degree at Carleton University. During her career, she took on increasingly senior financial roles in the high-tech industry. She is most recognized for her work with JDS Fitel, subsequently JDS Uniphase, where she contributed to building the company into one of the most successful hightech innovators in history. Zita then returned to Fogo where she dedicates her full time and energies to the active direction and management of Shorefast. She is the founder and CEO of the Shorefast Foundation. The mission of Shorefast is to build cultural and economic resilience on Fogo Island. A number of social enterprises and charitable programs have been created by Shorefast including: the Fogo Island Inn, Fogo Island Fish and Fogo Island Shop. Micro lending, Boatbuilding, Geology on the Edge and Academic residencies are some of the Foundation’s charitable programs.
Zita’s vision, innovativeness and social entrepreneurship has been recognized in this province and beyond. In 2016, Zita was awarded the Order of Canada. As well, Memorial University, McGill University and Carleton University have conferred honorary degrees upon Zita.
Mark Dobbin. Mark graduated from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Commerce and obtained an MBA from Dalhousie University. From there, Mark worked for 17 years with CHC Helicopters rising to the position of senior vice-president. Mark was instrumental in starting Vector Aerospace, a globally recognized aviation repair and overhaul company. He served as CEO and chairman from 1998 to 2003. In 2004 Mark founded Killick Capital Inc., a private equity firm that invests primarily in the following three target sectors: technology-driven startups within Newfoundland and Labrador; supply chain management companies in the aerospace sector; and companies operating in the province that demonstrate potential for future growth.
Mark, a philanthropist and volunteer, is a long-standing supporter of Memorial University and was also a driving force in the foundation of Business and Arts NL. He is chair of the InnovateNL Advisory Council whose goal is to advance the innovation agenda in Newfoundland and Labrador. Mark was Memorial University’s 2016 alumnus of the year and named one of Canada’s top 40 under 40. Mark is also the Irish Honorary Consulate General for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Brendan Paddick. Born and raised in Grand Falls, Brendan Paddick entered the telecommunications industry in 1986 when he started his career as a door-to-door salesman, selling cable TV services in more than 200 rural communities in Newfoundland. From working in Canadian markets, Brendan shifted his focus to emerging markets in the Caribbean. He invested in Cable Bahamas and this was the beginning of Columbus International Inc. Brendan is the founder and former chairman and CEO of Columbus International Inc., a diversified telecommunications company that operated in the Caribbean, Latin American and North American markets. In 2015, Columbus merged with London based Cable & Wireless Communications. In 2016, Liberty Global acquired the newly merged company for an enterprise value of approximately CDN $ 11.1 billion. Brendan holds a Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA from Memorial University.
Brendan is the chair of the board of directors of Nalcor Energy. He is a past president of the Victorian Order of Nurses; a sponsor of Team Broken Earth in Haiti; and a Member of Rainbow Riders “Raise It Up” capital campaign cabinet. Brendan was named one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40; was included in Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEO’s (five times) and inducted into the Top 50 CEO Hall of Fame; Memorial’s Alumnus of the Year; and received Ernst & Young’s Atlantic Canadian Business-to-Business Entrepreneur of the Year award. Brendan was also named honourary Consul of Canada to the Bahamas.
These individuals are being recognized for their excellence in business leadership, outstanding professional achievements and enduring contributions to society. They are all role models for youth, the next generation of leaders.
For more information on Junior Achievement and the JA Business Hall of Fame contact Sandra Patterson, president & CEO, at spatterson@janl.org or 753-9533 or visit: www.janlbusinesshalloffame.org