The Quinte West Chamber of Commerce hosted their 2021 President’s Dinner and AGM on Thursday, April 29 through a great virtual platform that was as close as you could get to a real event. The special night in Quinte West allowed the business community to come 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 was an 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.”
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.
