HALIFAX — Atlantic Business Magazine honored the Top 50 leading entrepreneurs in eastern Canada this week, including one trucker.

Jack Kelly, president and CEO of Bulk Carriers in Cornwall, P.E.I., was among several Atlantic business owners to receive the award at the World Trade & Convention Centre in Halifax.

In addition to business leadership, the Top 50 CEO awards also celebrate community involvement and civic pride. This year’s Top 50 CEOs donate more than $20-million to charity, volunteer with 488 professional and not-for-profit organizations, generate close to $14-billion in annual revenue and create over 40,000 jobs.

Hubert Hutton, Publisher of Atlantic Business Magazine, says he has considerable confidence in the region’s business prospects despite the economic downturn, and that this can be attributed to the heightened civic awareness of the Top 50 CEOs.

Nominees are judged on their proven managerial ability, reaction to challenging situations, leadership philosophies, organizational growth over a three-year period, and commitment to industry and community development. Winners were selected from hundreds of nominations.