2011 DeGroote's Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient

Gary Kain, MBA '73

DeGroote | On March 3, 2011, the DeGroote School of Business awarded its 11th consecutive Wayne C. Fox Alumni of Distinction to Gary Kain - a graduate who has achieved an impressive level of accomplishments and success in his career. Since graduating from McMaster with an MBA in 1973, Kain, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Regional Cablesystems Inc. (retired), has become a leader in the Canadian business community.

After graduation, Kain earned both a CA and a CBV designation, which allowed him to work for various Toronto based investment firms. Kain spent eight years specializing in business valuations, mergers, acquisitions and corporate finance.

"The time I spent earning my B.A. and MBA at McMaster was very special to me," added Kain. "I developed a strong and fundamental sense of how business and economics works in Canada and abroad, which definitely helped me in later years."

In 1984, Kain switched careers to join Cancom as Vice President (Finance) and subsequently moved internally to become the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Four years later, Kain left Cancom to begin his own venture – a Canadian and Bahamian television and internet provider named Regional Cablesystems.

"Working with Cancom for four years was an exciting time in my life because the technologies that we take for granted today, such as cable television and internet, were just emerging in the market," said Kain. "I saw a void for cable and internet providers and I capitalized on it quickly. It was very risky to leave a senior executive position with Cancom, but I was excited about the challenge."

As CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Regional Cablesystems prospered with revenue in the hundreds of millions. In addition to his responsibly within his own company, Kain has sat on, or been a member of, over a dozen executive boards – such as The Community Foundation of Oakville, Oakville Hydro, Sheridan College (where he was Chairman of the Board of Governors) and the Local Network Convergence Committee (as appointed by the Canadian Government).

"I truly enjoy the working with other companies and not-for profit organizations because I am able to share my experience with others, as well as, learning a lot from them in the process," added Kain. "The thrill of collaboration and also the joy of learning has kept me involved for many years."

In 2007, McMaster University inducted Kain into their Alumni Distinction gallery and currently, he is a member of the McMaster’s Board of Governors.