Pioneers

In 2004, Xerox announced a cash infusion of $1 million to McMaster toward the construction of a new centre for innovation and entrepreneurship within the School for Engineering Practice. The funding, a joint donation from Xerox Canada and The Xerox Foundation, established the Xerox Centre for Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation, to be run by about 15 to 20 faculty members from McMaster and eventually house about 100 to 120 students in the program.

In 2006, Bell Canada announced a $1-million investment in the Master of Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MEEI) program over five years. The partnership focuses on systems and technology development initiatives. MEEI students work collaboratively with Bell employees to research and evaluate business breakthroughs.

Mr. Walter Booth

In 2004, Mr. Walter Booth donated $1 million to establish the Walter G. Booth Chair in Engineering Entrepreneurship Innovation. This Chair led the development of the Engineering Entrepreneurship Innovation Centre, and has a management focus that emphasizes the creation of new enterprises through innovative, opportunity-oriented leadership.

Mr. Walter Booth is Chairman and CEO of the Timberland Group, a group of three companies that specialize in winching and hoisting products that are sold around the world. Booth graduated from McMaster with a bachelor of engineering in mechanical engineering in 1962 and obtained his master's in engineering in 1965.

This gift is Booth's way of saying thanks to two McMaster professors - former engineering dean, Jack Hodgins, and Jim Siddall - honouring their willingness to be academic leaders of innovation. Mr. Booth said both men were instrumental in his academic life and pursuit of a meaningful and successful career as an entrepreneur.

"Both men took a chance on me at crucial times in my life, and entrepreneurship and innovation are about taking chances and taking risks," he said. "I see the need in our own organization and in Canada for this type of engineering person who has an entrepreneurial bent and strength."

Mr. Doug Lord

In 2004, Mr. Doug Lord announced a cash infusion of $1 million to McMaster toward the construction of a new Centre of Innovation and Entrepreneurship within the School for Engineering Practice at the university.

Mr. Doug Lord holds an Honours degree in Economics and Political Science from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario that he received in 1973. Upon graduation, Lord was appointed special assistant to the Federal Minister of Labour on Parliament Hill. He remained in Ottawa in this assignment through 1976.

Doug Lord joined Xerox Canada in 1976 as a sales representative in Hamilton, Ontario. He completed a variety of progressively more senior sales assignments culminating in being named district sales manager for Manitoba and Saskatchewan from 1984 - 1987.

Lord joined the Xerox Canada headquarters in 1987 and completed a variety of roles in many cross functional assignments including Marketing, Human Resources, Supply Chain, Administration, Customer Service and Quality. He was appointed vice president of Xerox Canada in 1990.

In 1996, Lord was appointed vice president and general manager of the GTA Customer Business Unit where dramatic growth in profit, revenue, and market share was recorded during his tenure.

Relocating in 1998 to Xerox corporate headquarters in Stamford, Conn., Lord was appointed vice president, Marketing, America's Customer Operations, which became Developing Markets Operations (DMO) in 2000. DMO included Mexico, Central America and South America, China/Hong Kong, Russia, India, Eurasia and the Middle East and Africa. Lord's role within the new organization was vice president, Industry Solutions Operations.

Lord has volunteered in numerous not-for-profit organizations. Currently he is Chairman of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal and Minority Procurement. He is married to Michelle with three children, Frances, Julie, and Andrew. They live in a village near Toronto.

Mr. Don Pether

Don Pether, former CEO and president of Dofasco Inc., and recent chair of McMaster's Board of Governors, made a gift of $1 million to the University's Faculty of Engineering in 2010. The gift supported the creation of the Don Pether Incubation Centre (DPIC).

Converting solid ideas into viable new enterprises is one of the greatest challenges in all of business," said Don Pether. "Canada's future prosperity relies on successful inventors and entrepreneurs receiving the support they need to close the gap between invention and marketplace.

The DPIC is strategically situated on the third floor of the Atrium building at McMaster Innovation Park (MIP). The centre will provide office facilities and access to the guidance, experience and knowledge of the University's Xerox Centre for Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation (XCEEi). The goal is to provide students emerging from this program with space at MIP where they can get help and training in launching their new businesses, and develop the partnerships that will greatly increase their chances for success. The DPIC will have access to technical and commercialization expertise at McMaster, offered through the XCEEi, the McMaster Industrial Liaison Office (MILO) and the growing community of commercialization companies and services locating at MIP.