Our 2009 Laureates

Glenn Cooke
Glenn Cooke is co-founder and CEO of Cooke Aquaculture in Blacks Harbour, NB. Glenn, along with his brother Michael and father Gifford, established the salmon farming company in 1985 with only a single marine cage site containing 5,000 salmon. Over the years, Cooke Aquaculture has grown to become a multi-million dollar business with divisions including Kelly Cove Salmon, True North Salmon, GMG Fish Services Ltd., Shoreland Transport, Charlotte Feeds and Northeast Nutrition. Cooke Aquaculture has operations in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Maine and Chile, and currently processes and sells 170 million pounds of Atlantic salmon and trout each year. The company also plays an important role in the communities where it operates. Contracts are awarded to local businesses whenever possible, a sponsorship committee funnels funding and contributions to local events and employees volunteer with local charities and school mentoring programs such as PALS.

Claude F. Savoie
The late Claude Savoie born in Saint-Maurice, NB, was foremost a dedicated family man who was extremely committed to his wife and children. He was a tremendous business and community advocate, leading several successful organizations in Moncton and across the region. In 1972 at age 29, he became president of Acadian Construction, the company founded by his father, Adelin. After only five years as its leader, Mr. Savoie founded Acadian Properties. He also established Minibar Quebec, Atlantic Minibar, Dieppe Auto, Nova Doors and Windows, Moncton Saturn Saab Isuzu and Fredericton Saturn, all within a 15-year span. He was one of the first graduates of l’Université de Moncton to commit to a career in business and later led a highly successful capital campaign for his alma mater. Mr. Savoie inspired many young Acadians to enter the business world by playing a pivotal role in Moncton’s economic renaissance. He was instrumental in bringing the English and French speaking communities in New Brunswick closer together and was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1999.

Robert Zildjian
Coming from a renowned cymbal making family, Robert Zildjian founded SABIAN Ltd. in 1981 in Meductic, NB. Guided by his vision to create ‘the world’s finest cymbals’, expert craftsmen introduced myriad innovations, earning SABIAN award-winning success as ‘the most innovative cymbal company’ and ‘most outstanding cymbal’ while extending brand popularity to over 120 global markets. SABIAN is also committed in other areas, including supporting its local community and educational initiatives through scholarships. Today Mr. Zildjian presides over the brand of his vision, with leading orchestras and major bands including Genesis, Nickelback, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rush, and Great Big Sea making SABIAN their choice of cymbal.

Past laureates include: