John Anderson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of North American fresh produce importer The Oppenheimer Group (Oppy), has been named Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year Pacific 2015.
'John's reputation says it all,' said Lui Petrollini, Entrepreneur Of The Year Pacific Program director, at a 24 September gala event in Vancouver. 'His integrity, work ethic, taste for innovation and commitment to transparency have transformed the company from a small operation in Vancouver to an international, full-service produce marketing force to be reckoned with.'
Anderson went into the evening as one of three finalists in the Entrepreneur Of The Year Pacific region’s food and beverage distribution sector. He was announced the winner of that category, an honour similar to that which he received in 2002 when he was named as the programme’s business-to-business products and services sector award recipient.
Under Anderson's leadership, Oppenheimer has tripled its annual volume and has seen 14 consecutive years of record profitability.
“One of the things that makes Oppy a great company is our bold entrepreneurial culture,” Anderson said. “It’s been a part of who we are since long before I walked in the door in the 1970s. When I was new, I was mentored by others who encouraged me to innovate and address challenges with solutions that would help us grow.
'Over the years, that kind of entrepreneurial approach has contributed to our remarkable success,' he added. 'It’s a way of life at Oppy, and I'm proud to share the recognition I received with the company as a whole.”
