Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Bob Skene honoured with chamber's lifetime achievement award

High-tech industry veteran and life-long community volunteer Bob Skene has been singled out for a lifetime achievement award by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.
xxxskene3.jpg
Barbara Abercrombie, secretary to the Royal Roads University board of governors, invests Bob Skene with the robes of office when he became chancellor in 2003.

High-tech industry veteran and life-long community volunteer Bob Skene has been singled out for a lifetime achievement award by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.

The award, which recognizes Skene’s three decades of work and service in the city, will be handed out at the Chamber’s annual Business Awards in April.

“This feels very satisfying and quite a surprise,” said Skene, 73.

“My wife and I moved here in 1979 and we never thought we’d be as satisfied as we are. I’ve always been a volunteer and I have been lucky enough to volunteer for a number of great organizations in Victoria, and this is very gratifying that this has been recognized.”

Over his time in Victoria, he has volunteered his time and expertise with organizations including Royal Roads University, the Victoria Airport Authority, the Association for Community Living, the Greater Victoria Hospital Society, Uplands Golf Course and the chamber itself.

His working life has been varied, though his calling was in the technology sector.

After attending the University of British Columbia, he worked in the tech departments and as an executive of various firms before establishing Hi-Tech Systems in Victoria in 1983.

He left Hi-Tech in 1989 and was a key player in the creation of what is now the Victoria Advanced Technology Council, where he spent the next 10 years.

“For me, the highlight is the work in the tech sector in Greater Victoria,” Skene said.

“Ever since I graduated from university, I have been involved in tech one way or another — and I brought that with me to Victoria. And seeing the results of it, well, Victoria is a sensational place for technology development.”

Technology is now a $3-billion industry in Greater Victoria, and Skene admits to taking some pride in helping the sector to grow.

Skene said he has now stepped away from work, and is focused on his eight grandchildren and travelling and enjoying life with his wife, Judy.

Said chamber CEO Bruce Carter: “We strive to recognize excellence in business and Bob is being recognized for a lifetime of excellence.”

Carter also announced the finalists for this year’s business awards, which will be given in April.

“Every year, we like to recognize the outstanding achievement of many individuals and businesses in Greater Victoria,” he said.

“This year, our finalists show a diverse group of businesses that work hard every day not only to make their business successful but also contribute to the vibrancy of our community. We look forward to recognizing all our finalists and winners at our April awards gala.”

The gala will be held April 24 at the Fairmont Empress Hotel. Tickets go on sale March 3 at victoriachamber.ca.

[email protected]

2014 Chamber of Commerce Business Award finalists

Business Leadership

Chard Development

Lifetime Networks

New Business

Innovative Fitness Victoria

PBX Engineering Ltd.

Innovation

AOE Accumulated Ocean Energy Inc.

B.C. Cancer Agency – Vancouver Island Centre

Outstanding Customer Service

Balance Home Cleaning

ICE – Island Centre of Hockey Excellence

Business of the Year (1-10 Employees)

Atomique Productions Ltd.

Cedarwood Productions Inc.

Business of the Year (11-25 Employees)

National Courier Service

Triangle RV Centre Ltd.

Business of the Year (26-75 Employees)

Outset Media Corp

Spinnakers Brewpub & GuestHouses

Business of the Year (76+ Employees)

Epicure Selections

Wilson’s Transportation Ltd.

Sustainable Business Practices

Big Wheel Burger

Oughtred Coffee & Tea Ltd.

Employer of the Year

Accent Inns

Seaspan Victoria Shipyards

Business Person of the Year

Dan Dagg, Hot House Marketing

Sybil Verch, The Verch Group at Raymond James

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Andrew Higginson, Higginson Consulting

Janna Malo, Fired Up! Paint Your Own Ceramics Studio

Employee of the Year

Chris Loran, The Q! and The Zone

Paul Rudd, Adrena LINE Zipline Adventure Tours