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CME Presents Alexander Award to Rick Hillier
Career included serving as Canada's chief of defence staff
BY REBECCA KENDALL
Retired Canadian general and chief of defence staff Rick Hillier has received the 2008 Lincoln Alexander Outstanding Leader Award from the College of Management and Economics (CME).
Hillier was honoured for his exceptional abilities as a communicator with soldiers, the public and the media at a time of increased activity in the Canadian Forces and for improving the image and sustainability of the Forces both domestically and internationally.
He was also recognized for his efforts to lobby the federal government for increased military funding, says CME dean Chris McKenna.
“Rick Hillier has never been afraid to speak up for what he believes in, which is always a signature of an exceptional leader,” says McKenna. “Throughout his career, he has made some of the toughest decisions imaginable and worked tirelessly to advocate for the men and women who defend our nation. He is an exceptional leader who continues to share his expertise, even after retirement from the military.”
Hillier's 36-year military career included serving as commander of the Stabilization Force multinational division (southwest) and the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Kabul, Afghanistan. He was named chief of land staff in 2003 and two years later became Canada's chief of defence staff, the highest-ranking position in the Canadian Forces. He retired from the Forces in 2008.
Hillier has since brought his leadership skills to the world of business and post-secondary education. He now works for the TD Bank Financial Group supporting the enhancement of client and customer relations and assisting with the bank's leadership development and training initiatives. He also serves as chancellor of Memorial University, his alma mater.
The annual Lincoln Alexander Outstanding Leader Award, established in 2006, is given to someone who has embodied and demonstrated exceptional leadership in the areas of service, advocacy, collaboration, learning and scholarship.
Former Ontario lieutenant-governor Lincoln Alexander, who served as U of G's chancellor for an unprecedented 15 years and is now University chancellor emeritus, was the first recipient of the award. Last year, it was presented to Frank McKenna, deputy chair of the TD Bank Financial Group and former premier of New Brunswick and former Canadian ambassador to the United States.