The University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business has named Brandt Louie, chairman and CEO of H.Y. Louie Co. Ltd. and board chairman of London Drugs, as Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year (DEYA).
“Brandt Louie has carried on the entrepreneurial spirit of his father and grandfather. He believes in treating employees like family, providing exceptional customer service and adhering to core values,” says Peter B. Gustavson, founder and chair of the DEYA committee.
“No other company in Canada has reached the age of 100 and remains in the hands of the same family. Brandt has succeeded in carrying on the family tradition,” says Dr. Saul Klein, dean of the business school. “Brandt is an excellent role model – his family’s business has succeeded for three generations and is moving to the fourth, something few family businesses do successfully.”
Louie grew up in Vancouver in an entrepreneurial family that is still influenced by the wisdom and example of his grandfather, Hok Yat Louie. Louie earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia in 1966 and his designation as a chartered accountant in 1969. He was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC in 1997.
In 1972, Louie started his career with H.Y. Louie Co. Ltd. under the guidance of his father, Tong Louie, and rose through the company ranks, being named president in 1987. He became chairman and CEO of London Drugs in 1998.
Louie’s business philosophy and entrepreneurial spirit is the catalyst driving the ongoing success of the H.Y. Louie group of companies. He has a passionate belief in customer service, fairness in all employee and vendor-partner relationships, and actively encourages creativity and innovation.
Under his leadership, the group of companies has grown and become more diverse, and now includes the charter airline LAS and Sonora Resort, a Relais and Chateau award-winning resort and conference centre. The H.Y. Louie group of companies is also a leader in corporate and civic sustainability, reflecting the businessman’s core value of serving his industry, his community and his country.
Louie will be honoured at a black-tie event on Wednesday May 22nd at the Victoria Conference Centre.
This is the tenth year the award has been given, with previous honourees including JR Shaw, founder of Shaw Communications Inc., and inaugural recipient Jeff Mallett, the former president and chief operating officer of Yahoo! Inc.
