George Tackaberry Honoured with Lifetime Business Achievement Award Wednesday Morning at the Brockville Chamber’s AGM

The New Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award Went to Linda Eyre!

Brockville – The Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) Wednesday morning at the Brockville Country Club.

The meeting included a summary of 2023 and what’s to come in 2024, the President’s Report, the Financial Report, and a recognition ceremony for their Achievement Award recipients. They also welcomed the new Board of Directors

Part of the agenda was two achievement awards that were given out during the meeting.

The Chamber’s 2024 Lifetime Business Achievement Award was given to George Tackaberry.

Tackaberry is a highly successful entrepreneur, widely respected philanthropist, and decades-long community leader. Most prominently known as the founder and President of G. Tackaberry & Sons Construction Company Limited, he has devoted himself to improving the lives of others through his professional and personal endeavours.

George Tackaberry launched the company in 1957 and it has grown from humble beginnings into a thriving enterprise providing fast, efficient, quality work for municipal, commercial, and residential clients. It operates dozens of sites throughout Eastern Ontario and employs 100 full-time plus 200 seasonal workers, many of whom have been with the company for several decades.

Through the years, G. Tackaberry & Sons Construction has donated to countless community groups, offering significant financial and in-kind contributions. Recently, the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville announced that the Maple View Landings Redevelopment Project in Athens will be named the G. Tackaberry and Family Home following a donation of $500,000 from Mr. Tackaberry and his family.

The recipients of the Lifetime Business Achievement Award are chosen by an independent committee of judges following a review and assessment of multiple criteria including community involvement, mentorship, economic impact, job creation, volunteerism, longevity, and personal/corporate generosity.

The new Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award recipient was Linda Eyre who was also honoured this morning.

Eyre is a well-known and highly respected member of our community who has contributed thousands of hours of volunteer time in support of many important causes and fundraising campaigns.

A professional training consultant by trade, she was the first woman in a “non-traditional” employment position at St. Lawrence College where she helped countless local businesses access the expertise and financing necessary to better ensure a well-trained workforce. This helped to strengthen our economy and prepare our community to address the unique challenges of the day.

She is a fearless trailblazer who was Brockville’s Centennial Queen in 1967. She was one of the first women ever elected to Brockville municipal council, serving four consecutive terms from 1991 to 2006. In the 1990s, she became one of the very first female Brockville Rotarians, opening the door for all those who followed.

Among her many prominent positions, Linda was the first female president of the Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce (1988-1991) where she was an early innovator helping to resurrect the Awards of Excellence Gala which now welcomes hundreds annually to celebrate the very best of our community.

The new Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award recipients are chosen by an independent committee of judges following a review and assessment of multiple criteria including volunteer history, years of service, community impact, mentorship, and personal generosity.