As Tarpon completed 2006 with outstanding results, we demonstrated our position as a growth company by taking top honours in two prestigious competitions – Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies and Alberta Venture’s Fast 50. “Exceeding expectations for our clients continues as our paramount goal,” says Kevin Fleury, Tarpon’s President and CEO. “However, to be recognized as a leader in the business community provides us with the credibility and profile that demonstrates we have what it takes to succeed.”

To qualify and be recognized as one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies, the criteria and judging is an all-encompassing program that focuses on four strengths: Strategy, Capability, Commitment and Financials. “We knew we would be under scrutiny by entering such a competition,” says Fleury. “Again, there was no hesitation by our management team as we went up against the nation’s best to show how our people really make the difference as we grow our company with sustainable value.”

This esteemed award, sponsored by Deloitte & Touche, CIBC, Queen’s School of Business, and National Post recognizes Canadian-owned companies. Since its inception in 1993, the 50 Best Managed Companies award has come to symbolize success – companies that are built on a solid foundation and that stand out in the marketplace; companies that know how to establish long-term customer relationships and create value in innovative ways; companies with committed people that are always evolving yet stay focused on a core vision.

“The success of these companies – the best of the best – is an inspiration to all Canadian businesses,” says James McSherry, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, CIBC Commercial Banking. “Only the fittest succeed in making the giant leap from small entrepreneurial operations to multi-million dollar enterprises, avoiding the many pitfalls along the way.”

All winners of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies are featured in a National Post special report and a gala is held in their honour on February 12 in Toronto. They are also eligible to apply for requalification status, and Platinum Club members are those designated as active participants for six consecutive years.
To measure our achievements and our people’s outstanding contributions, we lined up against the best in Alberta Venture’s over $20 million category. Using a span of three years – the judges looked at assets, profits, our workforce, goodwill, and intellectual property. When the results were tallied Tarpon ranked a prestigious fifth out of the Fast 50 in the province.

“For our annual list, we solicited applications and otherwise beat the bushes to come up with a list of companies that grew faster than the rest,” says Michael McCullough, Editor of Alberta Venture. “Then our partners at KPMG ran them through the wringer using several criteria, not just sales. In the context of today’s galloping growth, these companies’ achievements are truly inspiring.”

Each Fast 50 winner is listed in Alberta Venture’s January 2007 issue and the CEOs attend an Innovation Breakfast in March to share their insights for innovation and growth.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our employees and our stakeholders for helping our company grow as we continue to take on new challenges and compete to the best of our ability while helping our clients achieve their goals,” says Fleury. “We still have lots of work ahead of us in 2007, but to know we are making a difference in our province and our nation helps us continue on with a strong sense of pride for jobs well done.”