CONCORD, February 2007: The finalists for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, Atlantic Canada were on hand October 5, 2006 at the Marriott Harbour Front Hotel in Halifax for an evening gala celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit of Atlantic Canadians. Pat and Lily Durepos captured the Entrepreneur of the Year award in the Service category.
Over the past 30 years the Durepos� have built an insurance, IT, and real estate empire that now employs more than 130 people working in 12 offices throughout Canada. In his acceptance speech, Pat Durepos stated �I am accepting this award on behalf of all the team members of Keal Technology, Alliance Assurance, and Broadway Place.�
In addition to this award, the Durepos� were chosen by the national judging panel to receive a special citation in honour of Regional Leadership. Ernst & Young awards six of these honours throughout Canada �in recognition of the tremendous entrepreneurial vision, seamless teamwork and relentless pursuit of success� that marks Canada�s great entrepreneurs. The Durepos� accepted this award in Ottawa at the Canadian finals of the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards on November 3rd, 2006.
�Receiving these accolades is a tribute to great teams working passionately day by day, making small strides, towards the end goal of perfection. We are continuously working to ensure our clients receive the services they need. Our three businesses work off of each other to achieve this. Our brokerage Alliance Assurance for example, tests Keal software before going to market. It�s these synergies, driven by our customers� needs and relentless team members that created the level of service recognized by Ernst and Young. It�s an immense honour!� said Pat Durepos on receiving the Ernst and Young award.
Now in its 20th year, The Entrepreneur of the Year program is an annual event honoring entrepreneurs who create and sustain successful, growing business ventures. These awards are presented in Canada, the United States, Europe, Australia and South Africa.
About Keal
Keal Technology produces software for insurance and financial services brokers that optimizes financial performance and maximizes time savings. Keal partners with Microsoft to deliver up-to-date, robust, software applications. Amongst their products, sigXP acts as the CRM and personal/auto/habitational policy management system, integrating with comXP, a CMS (commercial policy management system), and dokXP, a document management and scanning solution. Keal is a distributor for nexisys, providing single entry multiple company interface (SEMCI); lifeXP, life insurance management; and premiumXP, premium financing management. Keal services its clients from offices throughout Canada and is headquartered in Concord, Ontario. For more information visit www.keal.com
