Langley’s business community came together to honour entrepreneurs and employers on Thursday night, with the annual Business Excellence Awards gala.
The dinner saw prominent lawyer Rebecca Darnell named George Preston Memorial Businessperson of the year.
“This award tonight is extra special to me, because as many of you may know, I had a close relationship with George,” Darnell said.
As a new lawyer in Langley, Darnell met Preston through Rotary, and he became her mentor. When she had a problem, she would head over to see Preston and put her feet up on his coffee table and they would talk it out, she said.
She said she still gets choked up when she thinks of how George’s wife Iris asked her to speak at his memorial service.
“I know George is here with us today, and I think Iris is as well,” she said.
She thanked the community and the Chamber of making it possible for her to provide her legal services, including pro bono work, over the years.
Tim LaHay of The Barley Merchant Taproom and Kitchen took home the Entrepreneurial Excellence Award winner, for a restaurant venture that opened in 2021.
“Building a restaurant during a pandemic, when everyone else was closed… it was not for the faint of heart,” LaHay said as he thanked the Chamber.
A Langley resident for 47 years, LaHay started in the restaurant business as a 15-year-old flipping burgers at the Aldergrove McDonald’s.
He worked at Sammy J. Peppers and managing the restaurant at Redwoods Golf Course, before starting his own restaurant in Walnut Grove, the Barley Merchant.
“We are 100 per cent B.C. exclusive behind the bar,” he said, with a tap for every brewery located in Langley. “Nothing but local.”
Orion Construction, a Langley-based design-built contractor, took home top honours for Business of the Year with over 25 employees, and Murrayville Plumbing and Heating was Business of the Year with 24 or fewer employees.
The full list of winners:
• Langley Community Spirit Award: Grant Sauer Notary Public
The chamber noted that Sauer was deeply committed to supporting the community, including as incoming president of Rotary Club Langley Sunrise, working towards that group’s fundraising efforts while also supporting community groups working on youth issues, health, sports, and agriculture.
• Employer of the Year Award: EV Logistics
One of the largest firms in the Fraser Valley with almost 900 employees in two distribution centres, EV Logistics helps move fresh and frozen grocery products across western Canada.
• Entrepreneurial Excellence Award: The Barley Merchant Taproom and Kitchen
An independent, locally owned restaurant that supports B.C. craft breweries, cideries, and wineries with an all-B.C. drinks menu. Opened during the early phases of re-opening from the pandemic in 2021, they became a dining destination in North Langley.
• Environmental Leadership Award: Willowbrook Shopping Centre
The growing mall, with 730,000 square feet of space, is working to reduce energy consumption and overall environmental footprint, with a goal of slashing emissions by 50 per cent by 2030, and to net zero before 2050.
• Charitable or Non-Profit Organization of the Year: Township of Langley Firefighters’ Charitable Society
When not putting out fires and responding to medical emergencies, the firefighters have been raising funds via events that include the Chip in Golf Tournament and the Spark of Hope Gala, creating their own community programming as well as making significant financial contributions to other local charities around Langley.
• George Preston Memorial Business Person of the Year Award: Rebecca Darnell, Darnell Law Group
Starting as a solo practice in family law, Darnell has expanded to a team of more than 15 legal professionals. Darnell has put an emphasis on training young lawyers and law students throughout her career, and has been deeply involved in community events, supporting many local organizations over the years.
• Business of the Year Award (up to 24 employees): Murrayville Plumbing and Heating
Started just seven years ago Murrayville Plumbing and Heating has become a household name in Langley and has expanded the scope of its services, but maintains a family perspective and approach to both employees and customers.
• Business of the Year Award (over 25 employees): Orion Construction
A leading design-build firm, Orion specializes in creating industrial and commercial spaces, and is recognized for seamlessly integrating design and construction expertise under one roof. It was founded in 2018 and has seen tremendous growth since then.
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