VICTORIA, B.C. – Cable TV pioneer JR Shaw has earned the 2011 Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the University of Victoria’s Peter B. Gustavson School of Business for his vision and entrepreneurial leadership.
First established in 1966 as Capital Cable Television, JR grew Shaw Communications into one of Canada’s largest communications companies. Today, it’s a diversified media and communications company with 13,300 employees providing consumers with broadband cable television, high-speed Internet, home phone, telecommunication services, satellite direct-to-home services, and programming content to 3.4 million customers.
The University’s DEYA acknowledges an inspirational entrepreneur who has significant and positive impact on the community through his or her business leadership.
“JR’s passion for choice and service is at the heart of the Shaw vision,” says Dr. Ali Dastmalchian, dean of the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business. “Those twin values, plus a strong work ethic, established JR as one of our country’s most successful entrepreneurs and makes him a wonderful role model for our students.”
Shaw has received multiple awards and honours including an appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada and as a Member of the Alberta Order of Excellence. He has also received the Gold Ribbon Award for Broadcast Excellence, three honorary doctors of law degrees and the Confederation of Canada Award from the Government of Canada. He was recently inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame, a North American wide recognition for his lifetime of service and achievements from his industry peers.
His vision and entrepreneurial accomplishments will be celebrated at the annual DEYA gala on April 27 in Victoria.
