Distinguished Alumni Awards
Steven Barber
Hotel and Restaurant Management, 2001
Steven Barber of Charlottetown graduated from the Hotel and Restaurant Management program in 2001. In the fall of that year, he was accepted under full scholarship to the University of Calgary and graduated in 2003 with a degree in Commerce specializing in Hotel and Resort Management.
After working as a Food and Beverage Manager for the Emerald Lake Lodge in Field, British Columbia, a Canadian Rocky Mountain Resort, he returned to Prince Edward Island where, in 2005, he became Director of Operations and co-owner of Hunter’s Ale House. He has since opened Globe World Flavours on Victoria Row and most recently, in June 2012, The Factory Cookhouse and Dancehall on Kent Street. Within 11 years of graduating from Holland College, Steven is the Director of Operations and co-owner of three high profile food and beverage facilities in Charlottetown under the corporate umbrella of the Red Island Hospitality Group Inc. These accomplishments speak to Steven’s entrepreneurial spirit and his exceptional work ethic.
Steven is a well-known supporter of the local music scene and local musician. He is a past board member of Music PEI whose mandate is to promote, foster, and develop artists and the music industry on PEI as well as a member of the Organizing Committee for the Malpeque Folk Festival. Hunter’s Ale House and The Factory host many local, regional, and national music acts, enhancing the reputation of the music scene on PEI. As a music venue, Hunter’s Ale House has received several nominations and awards from music PEI, the East Coast Music Association, Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Charlottetown Inc, and the CBC. Steven was recently selected by the Music PEI Board of Directors for the Industry Person of the Year Award.
A first-class corporate citizen, Red Island Hospitality Group Inc. employs approximately 150 people in the peak season and readily offers its support to community, sporting, college, and university events through sponsorship or donation of services.
Steven received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012.