Piers McDonald, president of Northern Vision Development and a former left-wing government leader, can now add the title of Business Person of the Year to his resume.

McDonald was named the 2007 Business Person of the Year by the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce at its annual general meeting Tuesday.

'He has been very successful in bringing money to Whitehorse,' chamber president Rick Karp said this morning of McDonald's role as president of Northern Vision.

Karp pointed to Northern Vision purchases over the past year including the High Country and Gold Rush inns, the Yukon Centre mall and development of Spook Creek Station among other initiatives the company is working on.

While it was a volunteer role, Karp said the chamber also considered McDonald's involvement with the 2007 Canada Winter Games as president of the host society when he was selected for the award.

In both positions, McDonald has helped stimulate the city's economy, Karp said.

McDonald not only served as the NDP government leader from 1996 to 2000, but was also a senior cabinet member who held the Finance portfolio in the NDP government of Tony Penikett during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

McDonald, meanwhile, was a little more modest about his contribution to the economy, noting there's a lot more people behind the developments and initiatives than himself.

'Of course, I was honoured by the recognition,' he said.

As a company, McDonald added, Northern Vision has worked hard to show it has confidence in the territory's economy.

That's probably also a reflection of a growing trend in investment in the Yukon, he said.

When the company sees a good opportunity, they try to take it.

It's always puzzled him in his public life as to why people always seemed to be saving to invest elsewhere when Whitehorse seems secure, McDonald said.

Northern Vision has worked to balance a mix of new developments (Spook Creek, for example) while also purchasing solid, existing businesses (the two hotels and mall) and securing a good cash flow from other properties it owns.

It's nice to have a mix, McDonald said.

While he admits it's a lot to take on, McDonald noted it's 'all about people' and Northern Vision has a good team which can work on balancing its various initiatives.

Over the next year, Northern Vision will focus more on development of its purchases, such as improving the hotels. It's also doing some market studies for potential projects, he said.

The chamber will focus its attention over the next year on continuing the partnerships its been developing in the last few years.

'It's a wonderful way to do things,' Karp said, pointing to partnerships that have seen projects like new highway signs developed.

The theme of yesterday's meeting was Partnering For Success, with Highways minister Archie Lang, Tourism minister Elaine Taylor and Justice Minister Marian Horne each addressing the crowd of about 150 on the partnerships between their departments and the chamber. Economic Development deputy minister Eugene Lysy also spoke.

Partnerships are important in keeping the economy moving forward, Karp said.

Sean Finn, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, was on-hand as the guest speaker for the AGM and spoke on the economy.

As senior vice-president of public affairs for CN Rail, Finn also pointed to the interest in the potential rail-link from Alaska to the south.

Among the 150 people there, Meg Horn was honoured as the chambers' Volunteer of the Year with the award for customer service and satisfaction going to Alpine Bakery.

Aroma Borealis, Hair Sensations (owned by Karp's wife Joy) and Plantation Flowers and Gifts were also certified by the chamber as experts on customer service and satisfaction. The three businesses sent employees to the chamber's course on customer service. To be certified, 90 per cent or more of employees had to take the course and there were unannounced visits to the businesses by the chamber to test their skills.

Finally, What's Up Yukon received an award for their contribution to the community, Karp said.

Elected to serve on the board for the upcoming year is chair Andre Roothman (for his second term), first vice-chair Erik Hoenisch, second vice-chair Jason Rayner, secretary Michael Thorpe, treasurer Muriel Chalifoux and directors Dan Charlebois, Olga Kopriva, Doug Hayward, Stephane Aucoin and Kyle Marchuk.