CALGARY, AB-- Jeff Granberg, Owner and CEO of Park Derochie (PD) Group of Companies Inc., the largest privately-held industrial coating company in Canada, is this year’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2017 Prairies winner.

“Jeff has proven that by being open to challenges from your best people, a business will find incredible success even in a down market,” says Rob Jolley, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Prairies Program Director. “Operating with a conscience and being open to change isn’t second nature to everyone but, when done right, it leads to ‘best-in-class’ results. With Jeff leading the way, PD Group of Companies Inc. is seeing unprecedented growth and is well on its way to doubling 2015 revenues by 2020.”

While going to university to be a social worker, Jeff started working for PD to help pay for his education. After graduating, he went to work for Social Services in Calgary but eventually went back to PD fulltime where he applied his education in an unexpected way.

Jeff’s social services background provided a unique understanding of people and how to help them achieve success which, in turn, elevated PD’s performance. In 1997, he was promoted to Vice President of Operations where his ideas, dedication and commitment led to the success PD enjoys today. In 2007, Jeff bought the company and has been at the helm ever since.

Guided by their corporate compass, T.E.A.C.H., PD has set itself above the competition through exceeding expectations, maintaining high standards around quality and safety, encouraging respect for co-workers, creating a work environment that attracts quality and diversity and giving back to the community in which it operates.

“Jeff’s ability to understand and foster his employees is setting PD up for continued growth,” says Jolley. “For the direction he is taking his company, in recognition of him giving back to the community and for his natural leadership skills, we are proud to see Jeff take home this award.”