A number of prominent local business people will be inducted into the Order of Ottawa later this month.
On Friday, the City of Ottawa announced the 2024 inductees into the order, which “recognizes exceptional residents who have made a significant contribution in a professional capacity to city life.”
“The best thing about Ottawa is our people,” said Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe in a news release. “We are a kind, generous, caring, and compassionate city. And we are home to amazing individuals who have done incredible work in their careers and in the community.”
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Notable business people among the 2024 inductees include:
Jeff York
York is well known for his involvement as CEO of Farm Boy from 2009-2020 and president of Giant Tiger from 1989-2009, helping the grocery chains expand. Recently, York embarked on a new role as CEO of Altea Active gym, which will open in the next few weeks on Carling Avenue.
Andrew Waitman
Named this year’s CEO of the Year by OBJ and the Ottawa Board of Trade, Waitman recently brought Assent to “centaur” status, cracking the US$100-million mark in recurring annual revenues.
Devinder Chaudhary
Chaudhary is the owner of the Aiāna Restaurant Collective and a director with the Ottawa Board of Trade, who has also been involved with the development of SoPa project. His philanthropic efforts include work with multiple charities, such as the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
Robert Merkley
Merkley’s many contributions to Ottawa are part of the reason he has been named the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award by OBJ and the Ottawa Board of Trade. The Merkley Supply president and CEO made a name for himself through decades of work in Ottawa’s construction industry and with his philanthropic efforts.
Leonard Potechin
Founder and first CEO of Regional Group, Potechin is often credited with shaping the Ottawa skyline. His firm now has more than $5 billion in commercial, mixed-use and residential real estate.
Other inductees include:
- Alexandra Badzak, director and CEO of the Ottawa Art Gallery
- Ken Craig, veteran concert promoter and producer, vice-president of Live Nation, Ottawa Region
- Tina Fedeski, founder of Leading Note and OrKidstra
- Catherine Mensour, founder of Mensour talent agency and the Mensour Foundation
- Louisa Taylor, journalist and co-founder of Refugee 613
- Christina Tessier, president and CEO of Ingenium
- Lisa Weagle, Olympian in curling and founder of the Lisa Weagle Curling Academy
- Jospehine Etowa, author and professor of health sciences at the University of Ottawa
- Paul Fournier, artist
- Franklin Epape, CEO and founder of Ben’s Home Health Service
Council established the Order of Ottawa in 2012. Recipients are chosen by a selection committee comprised of the mayor, city clerk, chief of police, chief of protocol, city archivist and chief executive officer of the Ottawa Public Library.
The award ceremony will take place at City Hall on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.
