Thomas d'Aquino

Thomas d'Aquino is a lawyer, entrepreneur, corporate director, educator and author. He is the former chief executive and president of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE), an organization composed of 150 leading corporate chief executives and entrepreneurs. He headed the organization, known prior to 2001 as the Business Council on National Issues (BCNI), since 1981 until December 31, 2009.

Early life

d'Aquino was born Trail, British Columbia and was raised in nearby Nelson. He was educated at Trafalgar and L.V. Rogers Schools in Nelson and the University of British Columbia, Queen's University, and the University of London (London School of Economics and University College). He holds B.A., LL.B., and LL.M. degrees, and an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from Queen's and from Wilfrid Laurier University.[1]

Career

Under his leadership, the Canadian Council of Chief Executives has played an influential role in shaping the direction of fiscal, taxation, trade, energy, environmental, competitiveness and corporate governance policies in Canada. In the international arena, he has worked on a wide range of North American and global issues germane to Canada and to Canadian enterprises.[2] He is acknowledged as one of the private sector architects of the Canada-United States free trade initiative and of the North American Free Trade Agreement. In 1997, he organized and co-chaired the first-ever APEC CEO-Summit which took place in Vancouver. In addition, he has played a leading role in shaping Canada's business relations with the United States, the European Union, China, India, Japan and Mexico.[3]

Mr. d’Aquino assumed leadership of the Council in its formative stages. Upon his retirement from the CCCE as of December 31, 2009, member companies accounted for $850 billion in annual revenues and $4.5 trillion in assets. With a combined Canadian stock market value of $675 billion, the companies are responsible for the majority of Canada’s private sector exports, investment and training. In recognition of his exemplary leadership, he was named by the Canadian Council of Chief Executives Board of Directors, a Distinguished Life Time Member.

Currently, d'Aquino chairs his own venture development and strategic consulting company, Intercounsel Ltd. He is the Lead Director of CGI Group Inc. and is the chair of its Corporate Governance Committee.[4] a Director of Coril Holdings Ltd., and is Distinguished Visiting Professor, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA), Carleton University, and Honorary Professor, Richard Ivey School of Business. d'Aquino also Chairs the National Gallery of Canada Foundation . He is Co-Chair of the North American Forum which convenes leaders of Canada, Mexico and the United States annually. He is Co-Chair of the Australia-Canada Economic Leadership Forum , and Chair of the B20/G20 Canada Committee.

His career combines experience in government, business, and law. He has served as a special assistant to the Prime Minister of Canada, and as an international management consultant in London and Paris. He also has served as an international trade lawyer and as an adjunct professor of law, lecturing on the law of international business transactions, trade and the regulation of multinational enterprise.[5]

Other works

d'Aquino serves on boards and advisory committees in Canada and abroad. He is the author of numerous publications, a regular commentator on radio and television, and a frequent public speaker in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America. He has addressed audiences in 40 countries and in over 100 cities worldwide.

Influence

Canadian historian Jack Granatstein has listed d'Aquino as one of the 100 most influential Canadians of the 20th century. Canadian author Peter C. Newman, in his book Titans, describes d'Aquino as "the most powerful influence on public policy formation in Canadian history". d'Aquino is the co-author of an influential book published in 2001, titled Northern Edge: How Canadians Can Triumph in the Global Economy.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Peter C. Newman (October 12, 2009). "A man of influence: Thomas d'Aquino". Canadian Business. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  2. ↑ Calvin Leung (November 19, 2007). "Live & Learn: Thomas d'Aquino". Canadian Business. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  3. ↑ Peter C. Newman (October 12, 2009). "A man of influence: Thomas d'Aquino". Canadian Business. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  4. ↑ http://www.cgi.com/en/investors/corporate-governance/composition-board-and-committees
  5. ↑ Peter C. Newman (October 12, 2009). "A man of influence: Thomas d'Aquino". Canadian Business. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  6. ↑ Lin Moody (December 3, 2009). "Thomas d’Aquino joins Carleton’s renowned Norman Paterson School of International Affairs". Carleton Newsroom. Retrieved 20 June 2012.

External links

CGI Group Inc. "Board of Directors Biographies - Thomas d'Aquino"

Richard Ivey School of Business "Ivey Business School celebrates d'Aquino's support and accomplishments" December 22, 2009.

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