2008 Recipient

2008 Entrepreneur of the Year

On June 12, 2008 Michael DeGroote Senior was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Mr. DeGroote Sr. has played a vital role in the Burlington business community. He owned Laidlaw Inc. in Canada for 31 years, and owned Republic Industries while it became the 7^th largest accounting company in the United States. Mr. DeGroote Sr. enjoyed a varied and distinguished business career. Throughout his endeavors, he has actively shared his investment prosperity with the communities in which his businesses have operated.

"Innovation and entrepreneurial energy have been drivers of Burlington's economic development success. Burlington is a concentration of economic power and our entrepreneurial leaders are motivated, and continue to drive investment and employment opportunities." - James Peters, Past Chairman of the BEDC Board