Local Businessman Peter Gault Nominated for Premier's Award
A local businessman with a long track record of community service was recently nominated for a 2011 Premier’s Award for Outstanding College Graduates.
Peter Gault, a graduate of the Cornwall campus of St. Lawrence College and founder of Busitech, was nominated in the Business category along with 18 other individuals . Presented annually, the Premier's Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions made by college graduates in Ontario and around the world.
“It’s nice to think that it all started with a diploma from St. Lawrence College here in Cornwall,” said Mr. Gault. "It is an honour to be nominated, especially when you consider the accomplishments of the thousands of St. Lawrence College alumni, and beyond that, the hundreds of thousands of Ontario college graduates."
A native of Cornwall, Mr. Gault graduated from St. Lawrence College in 1976 after completing a three-year Business Administration program with a major in Data Processing. He then spent the next 11 years working in the Systems team at local paper manufacturer Domtar before establishing his own business, Busitech, in 1987.
Looking back, Mr. Gault said his College education gave him with the necessary tools and confidence to enter the workforce and eventually start his own business.
“The College provided me with a diverse education and helped prepare me for a career in business,” he said. “There were companies waiting to talk to you (upon graduation). They liked college graduates, and that continues to be the case. St. Lawrence College continues to garner high marks in employer satisfaction.”
Today, Busitech has six employees who serve clients in 70 different countries. The Cornwall-based software company’s flagship product, Quality Window, is in use in hundreds of manufacturing facilities around the world. Many of the products people use every day, such as toothpaste, paper towels and even coffee are made using Busitech software.
Beyond his work with Busitech, Mr. Gault has also been actively involved with both the College and his community over the years. Mr. Gault currently serves as Co-Chair of The Difference We Make fundraising campaign for the revitalization of the Cornwall campus of St. Lawrence College. Mr. Gault has previously served as Chair of the St. Lawrence College Foundation and President of the Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce. He is a founding member of Team Cornwall.
“It is great to see a graduate of our local college being recognized with this nomination,” said Paul Fitzpatrick, CAO of the City of Cornwall and Chair of the Board of Governors of St. Lawrence College. “Mr. Gault's expereince and accomplishments serve as an excellent role model for today's students as they plan their future.”
The Premier’s Awards were presented in conjunction with Colleges Ontario’s 2011 Higher Education Summit. Nominations for the award are submitted by Ontario’s Colleges in six categories: Business, Creative Arts and Design, Community Services, Health Sciences, Technology and Recent Graduate.
