Archives: Harmony Airways founder David Ho named business leader of the year

Wednesday, June 29 2005

David Ho, the maverick Vancouver entrepreneur who founded Harmony Airways, was to be honoured this morning as the Vancouver Junior Board of Trade/Jaycees business leader of the year at the organization's 25th annual Awards of Excellence.

Ho was scheduled to receive his award at the Junior Board of Trade/Jaycees at a special breakfast presentation at the Hyatt Regency hotel.

"I'm very honoured that they picked me, but I'm sure there are a lot of other people who worked hard and also deserve the award," a humble Ho said Tuesday.

He added that he is most proud of having gotten Harmony off the ground as quickly as the company did. He founded the company in February of 2002 and had planes in the air by October.

"I'm very proud of of the people who worked with me and for me," he added.

The airline had its skeptics who didn't believe Harmony would be able to stick it out, but the airline "did come through, it's there and it's doing well."

Ho was honoured along with the city's police officer of the year, retired Vancouver police Const. Dave Dickson; and firefighter of the year Steve Nordin, who is manager of Vancouver Fire and Rescue's emergency medical department.

"It sounds a bit corny, but the title says it all: We're rewarding excellence," Bill Diamond, chairman for the Awards of Excellence program said.

Diamond added that each recipient was not only a leader in business or at their place of work, but an active member in his own part of the community.

For the business leader award, Diamond said the selection committee looks for someone who has a track record of success in business, not "somebody who's come in and done a great deal once."

Ho, who is chairman of David T.K. Ho Enterprises -- with businesses such as Vancouver's MCL Motor Cars, DTKH Robson Developments and South Alder Greenhouses in its fold -- stood out not just because he founded Harmony Airways and made quick success of it, but because of his willingness to support community events.

As an example, Diamond pointed to the special Harmony Airways Grey Cup charter to Ottawa in November in support of the Spirit of Vancouver community pride campaign.

"Harmony Airways is a new company, and [Ho has] stepped up to the table as a strong sponsor," Diamond said. "They've just put their money where their mouth is."

Likewise, the police officer of the year and firefighter of the year recipients embodied the concept of selflessness.

Diamond said the recently-retired Dickson was honoured for his commitment to community policing in Vancouver's downtown east side, which was so strong that upon his retirement, received 50 letters of support from within the embattled neighbourhood.

"[That is] an area that doesn't often offer support to the police department," he added, "so he was able to get out of the mould and do true community policing."

Nordin, who is not a uniformed member of Vancouver Fire and Rescue, came highly recommended from within the department because he is always willing to lend his support to fellow employees, and is an avid volunteer in the sports community as well.

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