Entrepreneurs Dr. Greg Roberts and Kim Paddon will be honoured by Memorial University’s Faculty of Business Administration at its 37th annual Partners Celebration on Wednesday, April 24, at the Emera Innovation Exchange, Signal Hill Campus.

Business students Precious Dela Cruz and Elizabeth Hanrahan will also receive awards for their contributions to student and university life through volunteerism and their demonstrated ability to apply academic experience in a real-world context.

Career cornerstone

Dr. Roberts (B.Comm.’96, LLD’23), will receive the 2024 Alumni Honour Award.

Hailing from Triton Island, Dr. Roberts started his first business, Pilley’s Island Enterprises Ld., in 1998, and grew his ventures to span health care, real estate, retail and restaurants.

However, it was in restaurants and hospitality that he found his passion. He founded MBI Brands, including Mary Brown’s Chicken, the fastest-growing restaurant chain in Canada, and Fat Bastard Burrito. Together, the restaurants and brands employ more than 6,000 people and open a restaurant every 5-7 days.