Mr. Kenneth C. Rowe inducted into the Order of the Business Hall of Fame
12-May-2010
On Tuesday, May 11, 2010 Mr. Kenneth C. Rowe was recognized as a Canadian business leader for outstanding achievement and merit by the Order of the Business Hall of Fame. Companions to the Business Hall of Fame are business leaders honoured for their life achievements and service to the economy, community and our nation. These individuals have been chosen for their significant contributions to Canada’s success, its citizens and the examples they have set for others. All the Inductees exemplify a vision of prosperity and their legacies motivate young entrepreneurs and future executives to achieve their dreams and create lives that enrich us all.
Kenneth C. Rowe founded I.M.P. in 1967 and, as Executive Chairman, remains active in guiding the vision for the Group, one of the largest privately-owned businesses in Nova Scotia. The strength of its core operating divisions -- aerospace, aviation, airline, healthcare and commercial – has made I.M.P. Group one of Canada’s most successful companies. Today, I.M.P. employs over 3,500 people across Canada and the United States and has been named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies for the past six years. I.M.P. also operates a very substantial industrial marine supply business, the largest Canadian-owned aerospace and general aviation service company, one of Canada’s largest charter airlines (CanJet), an IT enterprise solutions company and two hotels.
In 1993, Mr. Rowe was appointed Honourary Colonel by the Canadian Defence Department; in 2000, received an Honourary Diploma from Nova Scotia Community College; and, in 2002, was bestowed by Dalhousie University with an Honourary Doctor of Laws degree. By profession he is Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and the Institute of Corporate Directors. Mr. Rowe is past director of a number of public companies, which included the Royal Bank of Canada and Nova Scotia Power Inc., and the recipient of numerous awards including the Order of Canada. In 1992, Mr. Rowe received the Governor General of Canada’s Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada recognizing significant contribution to community and to Canada. In 2005, Ernst & Young presented him with Entrepreneur of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards. In 2009, Mr. Rowe was recognized as one of Canada’s outstanding aerospace visionaries by the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada. As a former Board of Governors member at Dalhousie and current member of the School of Business Advisory Committee, he has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to post-secondary education. He has also served as chairman, director or president of numerous organizations and charitable groups. Mr. Rowe and his wife Dorothy have generously supported many worthy causes.
The Order of the Business Hall of Fame was established by Junior Achievement of Canada in 1979. Companions are nominated by their peers and are chosen by an independent selection committee representing Canada’s foremost business, academic and media institutions. Since 1979 there have been just over 160 inductees into the Business all of Fame.