BROCKVILLE CHAMBER ANNOUNCES THE FIRST OF TWO RECIPIENTS FOR THE 2023 LIFETIME BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Contact: Pam Robertson, Executive Director                                              February 24, 2023

Phone: (613) 342-6553 ext. 101                                                         FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Email: pjrobertson@brockvillechamber.com

BROCKVILLE CHAMBER ANNOUNCES LIFETIME BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Mr. Joe Hudson as the first of two recipients of the 2023 Lifetime Business Achievement Award. Two individuals will be honoured this year to address a backlog of worthy candidates. Previous recipients include Paul Fournier, Hunter Grant, Gord Brown, David Beatty, Bob Runciman, Al Smith, Dave Sheridan, Don Green, Sherri Simzer, John & Steve Mazurek and Dave Jones.  

Since 2017, this award has been sponsored annually by the 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation. Recipients are chosen by an independent committee of judges following review and assessment of multiple criteria including community involvement, mentorship, economic impact, job creation, volunteerism, longevity and personal/corporate generosity.

Mr. Joe Hudson is a highly successful entrepreneur, widely respected philanthropist, and decades long community leader.  Most prominently known as co-founder (with his brother Grant) and President of Burnbrae Farms Limited, Mr. Hudson, now retired, has devoted himself to improving the lives of others through his professional and personal endeavors. 

Under Mr. Hudson’s leadership, Burnbrae Farms has grown into Canada’s largest integrated producer and marketer of eggs and egg products. From humble beginnings, the company is now a thriving participant in Canadian agri-business, selling eggs and egg products to major grocery chains, food service operations and large bakery customers throughout Canada and the United States.

Recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed companies, Burnbrae Farms continues to be owned and operated by the Hudson family.  Among its 1700 employees working in farming and manufacturing facilities across several Canadian provinces, the company proudly employs over 400 people in the Brockville and Lyn areas.

Through decades of building this agri-business giant, Mr. Hudson received multiple honours and awards, including the “We Care Hall of Fame Award” which is the most prestigious in the Canadian food service industry and the “Golden Pencil Award” recognizing individuals who have made a significant and worthwhile contribution to improving the Canadian food industry as well as their own communities.  He is a member of the Canadian Grocery Business Hall of Fame honouring the highest achievers in Canada’s grocery industry and he has been inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame for his leadership, vision and contribution to agriculture.  Mr. Hudson was also named Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce “Business Person of the Year” in 2005.

Mr. Hudson’s family established the Hudson Burnbrae Foundation in the early 1970’s to provide financial support to multiple charitable causes in Eastern Ontario and across the country.  He and his family have always recognized the importance of community leadership and commitment by contributing their time, energy and money to such important initiatives as Brockville & District Hospital Foundation, YMCA of Eastern Ontario, Aquatarium, Frontenac Arch Biosphere, Terry Fox Foundation, United Way of Leeds & Grenville, the Ottawa Cancer Centre, Queen’s University, St. Lawrence College, Canadian Red Cross and many others. 

Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce President, Mr. Orlando Spicer, expressed his appreciation by noting that “Mr. Hudson has reached legendary status in his industry and in his community.  We are very grateful for the generosity he and his family have shown to so many in need.” 

The 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation sponsors this award annually and is actively involved in the recipient selection process.  The corporation’s Executive Director, Mr. Tom Russell, offered his congratulations by stating “Mr. Hudson has always been a ‘larger-than-life’ figure in the local area and it is a privilege to honour him in this way.  Few have done more for our community than Joe and his family.”

Mr. Hudson will be celebrated during a special ceremony following the Chamber’s Annual General Meeting and breakfast at the Brockville Country Club on Thursday, March 30th.

Those interested in attending can RSVP at the Chamber of Commerce website here or call 613-342-6553 by March 17th.

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The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce represents more than 300 members and has been the community’s business advocate since 1906. Our mission is to support and grow business to build a strong economic community through proactive leadership in advocacy and relevant programming.