CHIU CHARITY RECOGNIZED
Alberta Order of Excellence
After being appointed Member of the Order of Canada in 2015, the founder and CEO of Trico Homes is being recognized for his social responsibility once again.
Wayne Chiu, a Calgary-based homebuilder and philanthropist, is one of eight people who will become members of the Alberta Order of Excellence in 2018.
A release from the provincial government calls this “the province’s highest honour a citizen can receive.”
Chiu joins fellow Calgarians k.d. lang and David Manz, along with Reg Basken, Solomon Rolingher, Allan Wachowich and Ralph Young of Edmonton, and Rosella Bjornson of Sherwood Park.
“Each member of the Alberta Order of Excellence has contributed something truly unique and lasting to our province,” says Lt.- Gov. Lois E. Mitchell. They are trailblazers who share the best of themselves and who encourage us all to join in the goal of building the brightest possible future for Albertans and all Canadians.”
The honour will become official during an investiture ceremony in Edmonton on Oct. 18.
“I was very surprised and humbled to learn that I received this honour,” Chiu says. “It means so much to me that as an immigrant to this great country, I am fortunate to be able to give back and make a contribution to this province.”
Chiu and his wife Eleanor started the Trico Charitable Foundation in 2008, which has since supported many community and charitable organizations and events. Accessible education is another priority for Chiu, who sat on the board for Bow Valley College in Calgary for eight years and donated $3 million to the school of business in 2014. This marked the largest single donation in the school’s history. Recognizing the contribution, Bow Valley College named its business school the Chiu School of Business.
Chiu has also been a board member for United Way of Calgary and Area, Telus Community Board, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta’s Strategic Advisory Board, Trico Charitable Foundation, Strathcona Tweedsmuir School, UNICEF, West Island College and ResVerlogiX Corp.
“Philanthropy is a part of our Trico culture,” says Chiu. “Compassion and empathy are so important for us as human beings. If we are fortunate enough to be in good circumstances, we should share what we have and make this part of our culture as people of doing well and doing good.
“They say, ‘Giving is its own reward,’ ” he adds. “My passion is to create a lasting impact on the local and global community.”
Wanda Palmer, vice-president of marketing, for Trico Homes, says Chiu’s award is much deserved.
“Wayne is a visionary leader whose contributions have not only impacted the communities where we live and work but have extended to a provincial and even a national level,” Palmer says.
“Through sharing Trico’s success with the community and by helping our neighbours in need to build a better life, the team has been able to create value and success for the business,” she adds. “Trico’s reputation for investing into the community has also helped to open doors and create new business opportunities through helping others. Wayne has shown us that even a small business like Trico is able to create a positive and meaningful impact to the community.”
Guy Huntingford, CEO of BILD (Building Industry and Land Development) Calgary Region, is pleased with the recognition for Chiu.
“It comes as no surprise that Wayne Chiu would continue to be recognized for his personal and professional philanthropy,” he says. “Wayne has moulded Trico Homes to echo his own exceptional principles. The man and the company are leading examples of the standard of ethics our association so highly values in our members. We could not be more proud of him.”