Quinte West, ON: The Quinte West Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 2021 President’s Dinner and AGM on Thursday, April 29 through a great virtual platform that is as close as you can get to a real event. This is a special night in Quinte West where the business community comes together to recognize the accomplishments of its Chamber, the success of its business community and to pay their respects to this year’s Honorary Life Time Membership recipient Lanny Huff.
“It is our honour this year to recognize Lanny Huff with a Honorary Lifetime Membership,” said Quinte West Chamber president Carrie Gregoire. “The industrial sector in Quinte West has benefitted greatly over the years from the efforts of Lanny Huff and his wife Catharine. Lanny was born and raised in Prince Edward County and has called it home ever since. A chemical engineer by trade, Lanny has spent a great deal of his life in the plastics industry. He has also always had a passion for travel and fine wine; and did not hesitate to combine these interests to create Huff Estates in Prince Edward County.”
Lanny has a canny knack to see an opportunity and a natural ability to make things work. He knows the risks but puts in the hard work to establish, build and grow businesses. In 1980, he established Drossbach here in Trenton with partner Max Drossbach, which expanded into a second location in Ohio and was later sold but still operates out of Trenton. He started Enjex and built that company until 1992 when he sold it and operations moved to the United States. In 1999, he started GlobalMed here in Trenton and later he and Catharine moved her company, Anetec of Belleville into the operations. The company has grown over the past 20 years and this company of 35 employees has grown to 300 and exports medical tubing around the globe.
“While growing the businesses, Lanny and his family have always generously supported the community,” said chamber CEO Suzanne Andrews. “They are community builders – wherever they see a need, they help where they can. The list of charities, hospitals, sports & arts organizations they have supported is extensive.”
The Association of Fundraising Professionals South Eastern Ontario recognized them for the second time last year as Outstanding Philanthropists. They have also been big supporters of Loyalist College with the automotive centre supported in memory of their son Peter. Peter first involved the family in Junior Hockey when he brought the league back to the community with the Trenton Stings. After his passing, Lanny continued to support the team financially and by attending games and continues to be a supporter of the Trenton Golden Hawks and their local rival the Wellington Dukes.
Lanny’s generosity to the community continues in the workplace; he is well known for the great way he supports his employees. “Without them I would have nothing,” states Lanny, “it has always been so important to me to take good care of my co-workers.” Over the last 40 years, Lanny has been a great ambassador for the Quinte Region and the success of his companies has helped to attract other companies to Quinte West.
The Honorary Life Time Membership is awarded to local business people that have given freely of their time and expertise over the years to contribute to the growth of our community. Past recipients of this award are: Lt. General Howard Graham; Dr. W.A.L. McDonald; Wilf Wilkinson; Ian Darling; Doug Whitley; Eben James Sr.; Phil Panelas; Paul Tripp; Peter Davis; Rob Brown; Hugh O’Neil; Tom Kotsovos, John Williams, John Smylie, Paul Whitley, Mike Cowan, Mark Phillips & Kelly Scott.
If you would like to attend the virtual celebration, event tickets are available which features a full course dinner catered by Occasions by the Bay that is available for pick-up or delivery. Tickets are $75 per person ($60 if you are having a watch party with the same screen/ camera) Please go to www.quintewestchamber.ca or call the Chamber office 613-392-7635 for ticketing purchasing.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Centre for Workforce Development, Loyalist College, Quinte First Credit Union/Now Alterna Savings, Riley Financial Services, Wilkinson Financial Services, Wilkinson & Co LLP
