London and District Business Hall of Fame
October 23rd, 2025 | RBC Place London |

Former Laureates Attending the 2025 Gala
The London & District Business Hall of Fame has recognized an impressive list of community leaders over the years, creating a legacy network of peers. Laureates currently confirmed to be attending this year’s event include:
- Bill Brady
- Allan Drewlo
- Wayne Dunn
- Carol Stephenson
- Jill Wilcox
The London and District Business Hall of Fame is proud to announce the 2025 inductees who will be honoured at this year’s signature gala event on October 23rd at RBC Place London. Jo-Ann Fisher of Hangar9 and Dale and Mark Hunter of the London Knights and have been selected for induction into the Hall of Fame based on their outstanding contributions to business, entrepreneurship, ethics, and philanthropy.
The London and District Business Hall of Fame supports Junior Achievement South Western Ontario and honours respected members of the London and area business community, past and present, for their exceptional achievements in business and community leadership.
If you have questions about the event please contact Alicia at agall@jaswo.org or 519-439-4201 x 231.
NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN for the Alumni Award of Achievement to be awarded at the 2025 Gala. The deadline for submissions is September 1st.
Each year, in recognition of outstanding contributions and ethics in business, Hall of Fame Laureates are nominated and selected by respected members of the London and District business community.
Established in 1990, the London and District Business Hall of Fame supports the work of JA South Western Ontario. It was created to honour respected members of the London and area business community, past and present, for their outstanding contributions to business, entrepreneurship and philanthropy.
This annual signature gala event showcases the lives of the Inductees allowing us to learn about their achievements and how they have developed and nurtured their legacies. The 2025 London and District Business Hall of Fame Inductees will join a distinguished list of previous Laureates.
About the 2025 Laureates

JO-ANN FISHER
Founder & Principal
Hangar9
Jo-Ann Fisher’s entrepreneurial journey began with a passion for empowering women, first sparked through her work as a Mary Kay beauty consultant. She quickly discovered that her true calling was helping women feel confident through personal style.
In 1985, Jo-Ann opened her first boutique in London, Ontario, laying the foundation for what would become Hangar9—a trusted name in Canadian fashion for over 40 years, expanding to a location in Toronto and building an eCommerce presence. From the start, Jo-Ann’s philosophy has been simple yet powerful: relationships always come before sales. She believes in putting clients first, building trust through authentic connection and personalized care.
A pioneer in her field, Jo-Ann was an early adopter of the capsule wardrobe concept. She developed the Hangar9 Formula—[H9] + 9 = 36—designed to simplify wardrobe decisions through nine essential pieces that create 36 versatile looks. The formula reflects her commitment to helping women save time, invest wisely, and enjoy fashion without stress.
Four decades later, Jo-Ann remains actively involved with Hangar9—as a stylist, strategist, leader and the heart of Hangar9’s community. She shares her passion for fashion and entrepreneurship with her three daughters, who now lead the family-run business and carry on its mission.
Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades over the years, including the Business Integrity Award, Enterprising Family of the Year, eCommerce Business of the Year, Best Places to Work, and Best Women’s Clothing Store in London.
At the core of it all is Jo-Ann’s unwavering mission: to help women uncover a style that reflects who they are, and gives them the confidence to take on each day. Through Hangar9, she continues to inspire women to see fashion not as a trend to follow—but as a powerful expression of self.

DALE HUNTER
President, Head Coach, Owner
London Knights
Dale Hunter is from Petrolia, Ontario and played for the Kitchener Rangers and the Sudbury Wolves, subsequently being drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in 1979. He played in the NHL from 1980 to 1999 playing the majority of his career with the Quebec Nordiques, Washington Capitals, and briefly for the Colorado Avalanche in his final season. He also was named the head coach of the Capitals during the 2011-2012 season before returning to the London Knights. Dale has coached the team since the 2001-2002 season and has led the team to five of the franchises six OHL Titles and has won three Memorial Cup Championships in 2005, 2016 and 2025. Dale won the CHL Coach of the Year in the 2003-2004 season, won the gold medal coaching the men’s U18 Canada team in the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Tournament, and coached Canada to Gold in the U20 World Junior Championships held in Czechia.

MARK HUNTER
Vice President, General Manager, Owner
London Knights
Mark Hunter is from Petrolia, Ontario and was drafted first overall to the Brantford Alexanders in the 1979 OHL Priority Selection. He was drafted to the Montréal Canadiens, playing four seasons with the club. He played in the NHL for twelve seasons, also representing the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Hartford Whalers, and Washington Capitals, and the Calgary Flames where he won a Stanley Cup in 1989. He was the head coach for the Sarnia Sting for nearly two seasons, as well as the St. John’s Maple Leafs. He has worked with the Toronto Maple Leafs as Director of Player Personnel as well as Assistant General Manager, and was Canada’s General Manager in the 2019-2020 World Junior Championships where he won Gold with his brother Dale behind the bench. Mark has served as the General Manager and Vice President of Hockey Operations for the London Knights since 2000, helping the team achieve six OHL Titles and three Memorial Cup Championships.
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors
Marketing & Design Partner

Accelerate Partners





Incubate Partners







Silent Auction Partner

Venture Partners
Canada Life
Talbot Marketing
Spriet Investments
Award Partner
Floral Partner
Nothers The Award Store
Boxwoods London
London and District Business Hall of Fame Laureates
1990
John Labbatt II
Henry J. McManus
1991
Col Thomas F.G. Lawson
J. Allyn Taylor
1992
Walter J. Blackburn
William Mowbray Sifton
1993
Sir Adam Beck
Edwin R. Jarmain
1994
A.M. (Mac) Cuddy
Colonel D.B. Weldon
1995
Donald J. Smith
Col. J. Gordon Thompson
1997
Jack W. Adams
Earl H. Orser
1998
Merv L. Lahn
Ron Logan/ Gord Patton
1999
Richard G. Ivey
T. Fred Kingsmill
2000
Tony J. Crncich Sr.
J. Allyn Taylor*
2001
Ronald C. Dawson
Norton P. Wolf
2002
John (Jake) H. Moore
Andrew M. Spriet
2003
Mitchell A. Baran
Warren R. Schram
2004
Cpt. Joseph Jeffery
David Patchell-Evans
2005
T. Brayl Copp
Peter J. Ivey
2006
Henry J. Jones
H.J. (Hank) Vander Laan
2007
Gen Alexander R. McIntosh
John C. Nash
2008
Gloria Dona
Dr. Geno Francolini
2009
Sheldon Aaron
Donald J. McDougall
2010
Bill Brady
Bob Siskind
2011
Perry Ferguson
John Strybosch
2012
Paul Cocker
Carol Stephenson
2013
Tony Marsman
Howard Rundle
2014
Denis Crane/ Wayne Dunn
Terry Zavitz
2015
Vito Frijia
Col. James G. Thompson
2016
Don Crich
Paul Seed/ Ken Kalopsis
2017
John Drake
Mike Smith
2018
Bill Gray
Claude Pensa
2019
Jeff M. Macoun
Richard Sifton
2020
Kyle MacDonald
Ewart and Edwin McLaughlin
2021
Karen Fryday-Field
Joel McLean
2022
Tina Bax
Michelle Quintyn
2023
Allan Drewlo
Jill Wilcox
2024
Steve Copp
Ryan Finch
* Laureate of the Century

I’m going to use this information I learned today to help me make my overall decision on what career option I want to pursue. I’m also using this information to improve on how I present myself to potential employers and others.
– JA Student