CIRAS was formed by the School of Business at the University of Alberta in 1991.
The institute's vision is to be Canada's leading centre of retailing and sevices expertise through excellence in education and research.
One of CIRAS's primary missions is to enhance the professionalism of the retailing and services sector, one of the primary reasons behind the development of the CIRAS Henry Singer Award.
CIRAS Henry Singer Award
Objectives
To recognize a unique individual whose contributions to society go hand in hand with business; an individual whose vision encompasses the blend of community service with business
Criteria
The recipient will possess the gifts of fairness, humour, empathy, respect for and acceptance of all persons, and show expressed commitment to family, friends, associates, and the community.
In short: unforgettable.
The CIRAS Henry Singer Award has been established to honour the memory of a remarkable individual, through an award for exceptional leadership in retailing and services.
Recipients
2004
Jim Treliving & George Melville
Chairman, Boston Pizza International
2003
Brian Hesje
CEO and Chairman, Fountain Tire
2002
Steve Matyas
President, STAPLES Business Depot
2001
Harry Buddle
Chief Executive Officer, Capital City Savings
2000
John Forzani
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Forzani Group Ltd.
1999
Don James
Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman, Deely Harley-Davidson
1998
David R. Bloom
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Shoppers Drug Mart
1997
John Stanton
President, The Running Room
1996
J. Lorne Braithwaite
President and Chief Executive Officer, Cambridge Shopping Centres
Ltd.
1995
Hugh Smythe
President, Resort Operations Group of Intrawest Corporation
1994
Bill Comrie
Chairman of the Board, The Brick; Owner, BC Lions
1993
Margot Franssen
President, The Body Shop Canada
1992
Jefferson J. Mooney
Chief Executive Officer, A & W Food Services