Calgary Business Hall of Fame Laureate

JR Shaw, O.C.

Biography

JR Shaw was born in Brigden, Ontario in 1934, moving to Alberta in 1961. Mr. Shaw founded Shaw Communications in 1966 and continues as the company’s Executive Chair. He is the President and Director of the Shaw Foundation; a philanthropic organization founded by his father, Francis E. Shaw and is Director and Chairman of Suncor Energy, Inc.

Throughout his career, JR Shaw has been recognized for his achievements as an entrepreneur and community leader. Mr. Shaw has received the Entrepreneur of the Year award presented by the Alberta Opportunities Company and in 1988 was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. He has also received the Ted Rogers, Sr.- Velma Graham Award for his contribution to the Canadian Broadcasting system, as well as the Friend of the Industry Award presented by the Alberta Motion Pictures Industries Association. More recently Mr. Shaw was the recipient of the Canadian Association of Broadcaster’s 2000 Gold Ribbon Award for Broadcast Excellence. In 2003 Mr. Shaw was inducted as an Officer of the Order of Canada and has also been presented with the Confederation of Canada Award.

Mr. Shaw holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University. He has also received three Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Alberta, University of Calgary and Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. He is also the recipient of the NAIT 2007 Honorary Diploma.

Mr. Shaw and his wife Carol, have four children, Jim, Heather, Julie and Brad and twelve grandchildren. All of the couple’s children are involved in the Shaw business.