JA PEI announces laureates to be inducted at 27th Annual PEI Business Hall of Fame Gala
JA PEI announces laureates to be inducted at 27th Annual PEI Business Hall of Fame Gala
Charlottetown, PE - Junior Achievement Prince Edward Island (JA PEI), along with presenting sponsor Provincial Credit Union, are pleased to announce the 2026 inductees into the JA PEI Business Hall of Fame.
- Harvey Stewart
- Kathy Hambly
- Robert K. Irving
The PEI Business Hall of Fame was established in 1998 by JA PEI to provide a forum to pay tribute to Island business leaders who have made outstanding and enduring contributions to business development and their communities. Inductees are chosen by an independent, arms-length selection committee comprised of leaders in the Island business community.
Inductees will be officially honored at the JA PEI Business Hall of Fame Gala on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Delta Hotels Prince Edward by Marriott. This year, we honor 27 Years of Celebrating Today & Inspiring Tomorrow. It is the aim of JA PEI that by celebrating the achievements of outstanding business leaders of today, Island students will be inspired to follow their example.
Tickets are now available by emailing info@japei.org or calling the JA PEI office – 902-892-6066. Tickets are $225 per person and tables of 8 are $1,800.
About the 2026 JA PEI Business Hall of Fame Laureates
Harvey Stewart
Harvey Stewart is the founder of H.F. Stewart and Sons and Trout River Industries, two businesses that have made significant contributions to Prince Edward Island’s manufacturing and construction sectors. He founded H.F. Stewart in 1989, followed by Trout River Industries in 1999, when he and a business partner designed and built their first live bottom trailer as an alternative to traditional dump trailers.
Today, Trout River Industries is one of Canada’s established manufacturers of live bottom trailers, exporting across North America and to international markets including the Middle East, Jordan, Iceland, Mexico, and Australia. The company remains headquartered in Coleman, PEI, employing Islanders year-round and continuing to operate and grow from rural West Prince.
Raised on a farm in western PEI as one of twelve children, Harvey developed a strong work ethic at an early age. He pursued hands-on training, completing a welding program at Holland College before starting his first business. Harvey built his companies through practical skills, determination, and a willingness to take calculated risks, overcoming challenges related to market acceptance, logistics, and international expansion.
Harvey has remained deeply involved in his community throughout his career. He has been a member of the West Point Fire Department for more than 40 years and currently serves as Chief. He has also served with the West Point Development Corporation, sat on the board of Resources West for five years, and served five years on the O’Leary Community Sports Centre’s Board of Directors.
His professional and community contributions have been recognized through several honours, including the Governor General of Canada’s Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal, selection as one of Atlantic Business Magazine’s Top 50 CEOs, and a Holland College Distinguished Alumni Award. Harvey Stewart’s career demonstrates how a business founded in rural Prince Edward Island can achieve sustained growth while remaining rooted in its local community.
Kathy Hambly
Kathy Hambly is the former Executive Director of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce. Previously, Kathy served as the Director of Business Development with Innovation PEI, as Director of Marketing and Development for the Confederation Centre of the Arts, founder of the Small Business Centre at Holland College, and owner of her retail clothing business, Katherine's Ltd.
Kathy is an active community volunteer. Since her retirement from the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, Kathy served on the Board of Directors and as Chair of the Human Resources and Corporate Governance Committee of Maritime Electric Company Ltd., as a member of the Board of Governors of the University of Prince Edward Island, and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Charlottetown Airport Authority.
She is past-Chair of the Board of Governors of Holland College; past-President of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce; recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award for her work on the Board of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of PEI; a former board member of Junior Achievement of PEI; and has volunteered with many other community groups and industry associations.
Kathy graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration Degree. She was recognized by the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada with the Executive of the Year Award in 2015.
Kathy has spent her career involved in the Island business community as a business owner, advocate and champion of entrepreneurship. She places a high value on education as demonstrated by her volunteerism in the post-secondary sector. She has served as a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs and the next generation of business leaders.
Kathy has three daughters, Kelly, Becky and Emily McMillan and is married to Sandy Gillis.
Robert K. Irving
After graduating with a Business Degree from Acadia University, Robert Irving started working in the J.D. Irving, Limited family business. He is co-CEO of J.D. Irving, Limited and is responsible for consumer products both in tissue and diapers, frozen food processing, transportation and courier, as well as industrial human resource services.
Mr. Irving is also President of Cavendish Farms. Cavendish Farms operates four frozen potato processing plants in North America including two on Prince Edward Island. The company also operates an appetizer plant in Ontario.
Highly involved in the community, Mr. Irving supports a wide variety of youth education and literacy programs and is an active fundraiser and champion for community health and development. Mr. Irving is also involved with the Moncton Wildcats Hockey team.
Mr. Irving co-chaired the Holland College Learning. For Life. capital campaign, chaired the Healthy Returns, Centennial and Extraordinary Care campaigns for the Friends of the Moncton Hospital, as well as the Capitol Theatre Encore, Spotlight on the Future campaign.
In 2011, Mr. Irving received the Builder of Youth Lifetime Achievement award from the Boys & Girls Club of Moncton in recognition of his leadership and contributions. In July 2014, Mr. Irving was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by The Rotary Clubs of the Greater Moncton area in recognition of his longstanding charitable work.
In November 2014, Robert was inducted into the New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame. In 2016, the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick honored him with its Champion of Literacy Award. In 2020 he received the Order of Moncton and in 2023 he was inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame. In 2024, he was invested into the Order of New Brunswick.
Mr. Irving lives in Moncton, New Brunswick with his wife Jill. They have four adult children and four grandchildren.
For further information:
Ben Macintosh, Digital Communications Coordinator
JA Prince Edward Island
P: 902-892-6066 | E-mail: bmacintosh@japei.org
About JA Prince Edward Island
Junior Achievement Prince Edward Island (JA PEI) helps Island youth build transferable skills in the areas of work readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. JA PEI collaborates with educators, volunteers, and organizations across the Island to deliver hands-on, immersive, and digital learning experiences to 7,000 students in grades 3-12. JA’s mission is to inspire and prepare students to succeed in a global economy.
