Fountain Tire Ltd. Executive Chair Brent Hesje will be inducted to the Northern Alberta Business Hall of Fame this fall, in recognition of his lifetime achievements in business and community leadership.

He was recently named a 2023 inductee by Junior Achievement (JA) Northern Alberta & NWT, which has granted the award annually since 1980.

The JA Northern Alberta Business Hall of Fame honours the region’s distinguished business leaders for their lifetime achievements and service to communities, the local economy and to the collective future of Albertans. Inductees are selected for their entrepreneurial vision, proven leadership, integrity and legacy of philanthropy or community-based initiatives.

“It is an honour to be named alongside this esteemed group of leaders who have created incredible legacies in our community,” says Hesje. “Throughout my career, one thing has consistently rung true: the key to one’s own success is helping others find theirs.”

Hesje is known for his relationship-focused approach to business. During his 17-year tenure as CEO of Fountain Tire, he led the company through a period of significant growth. He cites strategic partnerships as a major factor in the company’s success; Goodyear Canada has a minority ownership position in the company and most store managers have 50 per cent ownership of their stores.

Hesje also championed Fountain Tire’s mentorship-based programs that develop associates into managers and owners, as well as the company’s commitment to giving back to the communities in which it operates.

As Executive Chair, he continues to work closely with Fountain Tire CEO Jason Herle in achieving the company’s core purpose: “Helping people get there safely, sustainably and successfully.”

In addition to his role with Fountain Tire, Hesje has a long history of contributing to businesses, non-profit organizations and the automotive industry. He sits on the boards of The Fraser Institute, Alberta Blue Cross, the Edmonton Elks, Great Western Brewing Company and The Canadian Brewhouse.

His previous board chair roles include the Automotive Industry Association of Canada, Western Canada Tire Dealers and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). He was awarded the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce Northern Lights Award of Distinction (2018), inducted into the Tire Industry Association (TIA) Hall of Fame (2019), named a Distinguished Friend of NAIT (2021), and awarded the MacGregor Cup by The Roy Group (2022).

Other 2023 Northern Alberta Business Hall of Fame inductees include: Yasmin Jivraj, Co-Owner, Director Dexcent Inc.; Blaine MacMillan, President & CEO, Cowan Graphics Inc.; and, Angus Watt, Senior Investment Advisor, National Bank Financial, Angus Watt Advisory Group.

The four will be recognized at a gala celebration in Edmonton this October.

About Fountain Tire

Established in 1956, Fountain Tire is one of Canada’s premier tire and automotive service networks with 163 locations spanning Central and Western Canada from Vaughan, north of Toronto, to Victoria, British Columbia.

The company is also a leading provider of tires and tire-related services to commercial truck fleets and off-road vehicles used in the agriculture, oil and gas, mining, and construction sectors.

The majority of Fountain Tire managers own equity in their stores. This partnership-based business model combines community-invested store management with corporate intelligence to provide service that truly puts the customer first.

The company’s shared ownership business model has enabled it to be named among Canada’s “Best Managed Companies” every year since 1994.