Lynton Ronald Wilson
Encyclopedia
Lynton Ronald 'Red' Wilson, OC
(born 1940) is a Canadian
business executive.
Born and raised in Port Colborne, Ontario, Wilson was educated at Port Colborne High School
and obtained an undergraduate degree from McMaster University
before entering the foreign service. After postings in Vienna and Japan, he became a teaching assistant at Cornell University
where he earned an M.A.
in Economics
.
Entering the corporate world, Red held the position of Corporate Economist and Director of Economic Research with John Labatt Ltd. from 1969-71 before becoming Co-ordinator-Industrial Research and Development Policy for the Federal Government
.
Red left the government again in 1974 to take up a Vice-Presidency and Directorship with MacMillan Bloedel
, but returned to the civil service to become the Excutive director (1977-78) and then Deputy Minister (1978-1981) of Industry and Tourism for the Government of Ontario
.
Returning once more to the corporate world in 1981, Red became the President and CEO of Redpath Industries Ltd.
, later becoming Chairman in 1988. In 1989, he was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Bank of Nova Scotia
. Red became President and COO of BCE Inc.
, Canada's largest telecommunications company, in 1990, was appointed President and CEO in 1992, and added the responsibilities of Chairman in 1993. Red stepped down from all but his position as chairman in 1998, but continued to serve as Chairman of the Board until 2000.
Red holds numerous honorary degrees, and was appointed Officer of the Order of Canada
in 1997. Red continues to be involved with companies such as Nortel Networks
, CAE Inc., and Daimler Chrysler Inc.
, and also serves as Chancellor of his alma mater, McMaster University
.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(born 1940) is a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
business executive.
Born and raised in Port Colborne, Ontario, Wilson was educated at Port Colborne High School
Port Colborne High School
nicholaskadwell is the best Port Colborne High School, or Port High is a high school located in Port Colborne, just north of the eastern edge of Lake Erie, Ontario, Canada. It is part of the District School Board of Niagara and has been serving the communities of Wainfleet and Port Colborne since...
and obtained an undergraduate degree from McMaster University
McMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
before entering the foreign service. After postings in Vienna and Japan, he became a teaching assistant at Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
where he earned an M.A.
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
.
Entering the corporate world, Red held the position of Corporate Economist and Director of Economic Research with John Labatt Ltd. from 1969-71 before becoming Co-ordinator-Industrial Research and Development Policy for the Federal Government
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
.
Red left the government again in 1974 to take up a Vice-Presidency and Directorship with MacMillan Bloedel
MacMillan Bloedel Limited
MacMillan Bloedel Limited, sometimes referred to as "MacBlo", was a Canadian forestry company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. It was formed through the merger of three smaller forestry companies in 1951 and 1959. Those were the Powell River Company, the Bloedel Stewart Welch Company,...
, but returned to the civil service to become the Excutive director (1977-78) and then Deputy Minister (1978-1981) of Industry and Tourism for the Government of Ontario
Government of Ontario
The Government of Ontario refers to the provincial government of the province of Ontario, Canada. Its powers and structure are set out in the Constitution Act, 1867....
.
Returning once more to the corporate world in 1981, Red became the President and CEO of Redpath Industries Ltd.
Redpath Sugar
Redpath Sugar was an important company in the economic history of Canada.-History:Redpath Sugar was established as the Canada Sugar Refining Company in 1854 in Montreal, Quebec by Scots-Quebecer entrepreneur, John Redpath . Located on the bank of the Lachine Canal, the giant complex was the first...
, later becoming Chairman in 1988. In 1989, he was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Bank of Nova Scotia
Scotiabank
The Bank of Nova Scotia , commonly known as Scotiabank , is the third largest bank in Canada by deposits and market capitalization. It serves some 18.6 million customers in more than 50 countries around the world and offers a broad range of products and services including personal, commercial,...
. Red became President and COO of BCE Inc.
Bell Canada
Bell Canada is a major Canadian telecommunications company. Including its subsidiaries such as Bell Aliant, Northwestel, Télébec, and NorthernTel, it is the incumbent local exchange carrier for telephone and DSL Internet services in most of Canada east of Manitoba and in the northern territories,...
, Canada's largest telecommunications company, in 1990, was appointed President and CEO in 1992, and added the responsibilities of Chairman in 1993. Red stepped down from all but his position as chairman in 1998, but continued to serve as Chairman of the Board until 2000.
Red holds numerous honorary degrees, and was appointed Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
in 1997. Red continues to be involved with companies such as Nortel Networks
Nortel
Nortel Networks Corporation, formerly known as Northern Telecom Limited and sometimes known simply as Nortel, was a multinational telecommunications equipment manufacturer headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada...
, CAE Inc., and Daimler Chrysler Inc.
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
, and also serves as Chancellor of his alma mater, McMaster University
McMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
.