20 December 2010
Ottawa, Ontario
DON MEREDITH
The Reverend Don Meredith is the Executive Director and co-founder of the GTA Faith Alliance, an interfaith group that is dedicated to finding solutions to youth violence. An active community and anti-crime advocate, the Reverend has been tireless in his work to counter gun and youth violence. He has partnered with churches, police, politicians and communities to organize or participate in rallies and community events that work to find solutions to senseless violence. His community activism has been honoured with awards such as the Urban Leadership Award from the Canadian Urban Institute (2006) and the Toronto Police Service 13 Division Community Service Award, from the Ontario Government (2008).
The Reverend Don Meredith has served as co-chair of the Black Community Police Consultative Committee, a member of the York Region Police Chief's Advisory Council, a member of the York Regional Community Police Liaison and as a member of the RCMP Consultative Committee. He is a member of the Toronto Police Service Chief’s Advisory Service and is a long-standing member of the B’Nai Brith Canada Special Advisory Council to the League for Human Rights.
Don Meredith has been an entrepreneur and businessman for over 19 years. He is the owner of Donscape Landscaping Services.
The Reverend attended Ryerson University and holds a master’s degree from California State Christian University. He is the Pastor of the Pentecostal Praise Centre in Maple, Ontario. He is married to Michelle and they have two children.
LARRY SMITH
Larry Smith is a widely-recognized and respected figure in Quebec. He graduated from Bishop’s University with a bachelor of arts in economics in 1972, and a bachelor of civil law degree from McGill University in 1976. He is well-known in Montreal from his days as a fullback with the Montreal Alouettes from 1972 to 1980, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of the same team from 1997 to 2001 and again since 2004. Working tirelessly to promote professional and amateur football, Mr. Smith also served as Commissioner of the Canadian Football League (CFL) prior to his first term as Alouettes’ President.
Outside of football, Mr. Smith has served on a number of civic charitable boards, including as Co-President of the 2001 Montreal Centraide Campaign and on the board of the Canadian Olympic Committee. He also has extensive experience in the business world, including positions with Industrial Life Technical Services, John Labatt, Ltd., and Ogilvie Mills, Ltd., before becoming CFL Commissioner. In addition he served as president and publisher of The Montreal Gazette in 2002 and 2003.
He has received numerous awards over the course of his careers, including the Commissioner’s Award for outstanding service and dedication in promoting and preserving the CFL (2001), the 1994 American Marketing Association-Toronto chapter Marketer of the Year (consumer products) and Sports Personality of the Year at the Quebec Sports Gala (1998).
Mr. Smith resides in Hudson, Quebec, with his wife Leesa. They have three children and two grandchildren.
