Jane Gowing Receives 2003 Rotman Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award

The University of Toronto's Joseph L. Rotman School of Management has announced the winners of the 2003 Rotman Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Among this year's winners is Jane Gowing, Gowing Contractors Ltd., Brantford, Ontario, for her mechanical engineering work in the field of water and wastewater treatment.

Jane began her career in mechanical contracting working for Bennett Mechanical Installations while attending university. Upon graduation she was hired full-time and worked on a variety of projects.

In May 1998, Jane registered Gowing Contractors Ltd., which focused on the field of water and wastewater treatment. For the first three years, Jane ran the business as a sole manager out of a home office and built a strong reputation throughout Southwestern Ontario. In the fall of 2001, Jane was hired by Earth Tech. Inc., an international consulting firm based in the United States, to consult on their Design/Build team for a $100 million wastewater treatment plant and $280-million water treatment plant for the City of Phoenix. In spring 2002, she was approached by MacViro Consultants to assist in reviewing $400 million in water and wastewater designs for the Region of Peel in Ontario. Recognizing an opportunity for expansion, she began offering consulting services for design/build and value engineering work as part of her portfolio.

Since its inception, Gowing Contractors has been renowned for providing solid mechanical engineering in a sector that is heavily guided by regulation and lowest bid. Jane never grows tired of finding creative, cost-effective ways to engineer water treatment solutions.

Gowing's award will be presented during a gala dinner on Thursday November 13 in Toronto. The Awards are an annual initiative of the Rotman School and BMO Financial Group.

Source: Joseph L. Rotman School of Management