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Horler named Whistler Business Person of the Year

During a heartfelt ceremony at the Whistler Chamber of Commerce’s annual general meeting Wednesday, Tom Horler received the 2007 Business Person of the Year award.
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Tom Horler

During a heartfelt ceremony at the Whistler Chamber of Commerce’s annual general meeting Wednesday, Tom Horler received the 2007 Business Person of the Year award.

“I am very honoured and very flattered to be recognized by the people who voted for this… it is very, very gratifying,” said Horler.

He added, “I would encourage any individual of the Whistler community — young, old, whatever — to follow your passion. There are a lot of avenues that people can get involved in to make Whistler a better place.”

Horler is the owner and operator of McDonald’s franchises in Whistler and Pemberton, which employ over 50 people in the valley, including many First Nations and Filipinos.

Since moving to Whistler in 1992 he has been active in the community, including work with the chamber board and its executive committees, the Whistler Museum and Archives Society, the Rotary Club, Canada Place Corporations, and the Vancouver Olympic Bid Corporation.

“Tom is not only a really hard worker, but he’s super passionate about everything that he gets involved in,” said Chamber President Louise Lundy.

“He follows through, he gets things done, he drives everyone around him, he is always cheery, always happy,” she said.

Previous winners of the Business Person of the Year Award include David Demers, Scott Carroll, Doug Forseth, Bob Lorriman, Kathy Barnett, Bob and Sue Adams, David Kirk, Dave Davenport, Doug Perry, Ann Chiasson, John Grills, David Roberts, Joel Thibault, Mervyn Kennedy, Rick Clare, Dave Murray, Jan Holmberg, Lome Borgal and Gary Raymond.

The results of the chamber’s first-ever online election were also announced during the meeting. The election had 10 nominees vying for eight board positions.

The five new members elected are Scott Carrell with 82 votes, Kimberley Hughes with 74 votes, Kendra Mazzei with 62 votes and Beth Shaw with 46 votes. Returning members are Dave Davenport with 82 votes, Pat Kelly with 75 votes and Tom Horler with 74 votes.

This year’s election saw voting by 112 chamber members, a substantial increase from 25 members last year.

Meanwhile, The Pemberton & District Chamber of Commerce honoured their Citizen and Business of the Year recipients at their 75th Anniversary on Dec. 7.

The Citizen of the Year award was presented to The Pemberton Child Care Society and the Businesses of the Year award was presented to the Pemberton Valley Supermarket – Mark & Carolyn Blundell. Presenting the awards were Mayor Jordan Sturdy and Chamber President Paul Selina.