Ed Stratton, One of ABM’s Top 50 CEOs…Again!
Atlantic Business Magazine (ABM) held its annual Top 50 CEO Awards Gala in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Wednesday, May 9th. Our very own President & CEO, Ed Stratton, received the honour of being included in ABM’s list of the Top 50 CEOs in Atlantic Canada for the second year in a row.
Ed Stratton accepting the award from Michele Williams, Managing Partner - Nova Scotia, Grant Thronton
“Congratulations to the best CEO I know!”*
According to ABM’s article [Available online here!], the reason these awards exist is twofold:
“Our first and obvious objective was to recognize Atlantic Canada’s most accomplished and civic minded business leaders - individuals who were growing their companies, their industries and their communities. Less apparent was our secondary purpose: by celebrating the region’s best corporate citizens, we hoped to inspire others throughout the region to follow their example.”
The Lemonade Stand
The motif of the gala itself was the lemonade stand, a symbol that simultaneously brings forth memories of youthful entrepreneurship, empasizes how far the award recipients have come, and subsequently inspires others to believe their goals are attainable. The opening reception featured a lemonade station with several varieties of lemonade and the theme carries over to ABM’s article, “Celebrating Yesterday’s Dreamers, Today’s Leaders,” which features photos of the recipients when they were children.
“As always, job well done! Congratulations, Ed!”
Following the opening reception, attendees moved to another ballroom for dinner. Mark Critch, Newfoundlander and comedian, acted as emcee and the keynote speaker was M. Elyse Allan, President & CEO of GE Canada. Later, the awards were presented by the event sponsors and representatives of Atlantic Business Magazine. Gord Noseworthy, VP Sanitation Division, says of the evening, “It was a first class event for a first class CEO!”
“It couldn’t happen to a nicer person!”
Ed is the President and CEO of both Big Erics and our sister company Terra Nova Foods. Here is what ABM had to say about him:
“Ed Stratton says his father conducted business with “the highest principles for honesty, integrity, quality and above all, an intense passion for everything he undertook, with a ‘never quit’ attitude.” He may not realize it, but Ed Stratton is also describing himself.”
The employees of Big Erics and Terra Nova Foods couldn’t agree more. One employee says of him, “Ed somehow manages to be a boss, a teacher, and a friend to his employees. He is very fair, and encouraging where others would lose patience.” “[Ed's] been an inspiration and a gentle soul to us, [his] staff. [He] always treats us with a kind and caring heart,” says another.
“Wow! Two years in a row! Well deserved!”
However deserving of the award, Ed always shows his appreciation to the rest of the Big Erics and Terra Nova Foods teams:
“This Award is more about you than it is about me. I just happen to be driving the bus. I want to thank each of you for your contribution towards this award…Every position in our group is important and the fact that we have been recognized by judges who are senior business leaders throughout Atlantic Canada should be very gratifying to us all.”
“Thank you, Ed, for steering the bus in the right direction!”
From all of your employees, Congratulations Ed!
*All quotations by employees of Big Erics or Terra Nova Foods
Related Links:
Strong N.L. presence on magazine Top 50 CEO’s list - The Telegram