Haliburton’s Andrew Hodgson has earned many accolades throughout his career as a political staffer and real estate agent, but none carried as much meaning as when he was named 2025 Highlander of the Year last week.
Hodgson beat out seven others to claim the award at the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce annual business excellence awards, held at the Haliburton Legion Oct. 26.
“There have been wonderful leaders of this community recognized with this award going back years – I’m honoured to be a part of that list now,” Hodgson told The Highlander. “I thought the whole night was exciting and wonderful, it was great seeing so many young people doing business here.”
Born and raised in Haliburton, Hodgson said his very first volunteer post was as president of the student council at Hal High. He moved away after high school, but upon returning in the mid-2000s he started to get involved with many community organizations.
Hodgson has been a Haliburton Rotarian for 19 years, serving as president in 2012-13 when the club constructed the bandshell in Head Lake Park; sat on the board for the Haliburton County Development Corporation for 19 years, currently serving as chair; was the County representative on the Sir Sandford Fleming college board for several years; and was a part of the flood relief committee in Minden in 2016.
Most recently, Hodgson was named to one of two civilian positions on the new Haliburton County Police Detachment Board.
“I grew up in Haliburton and really love this community. My family has been in this area since 1865, they’ve been involved in so many volunteer efforts and been elected to many positions in the County,” Hodgson said. “I’m so humbled to have gotten this award.”
Hodgson beat out Barb Smith-Morrison, David and Betty Mills, Lee Train, Jessica Slade, Mathew Renda and Shay-Lynn Hutchings for the gong.
The chamber’s executive director, Amanda Conn, congratulated Nicole Mee of Forest Lane Counselling for winning businesswoman of the year – beating out Brandi Hewson, Britt Thomas, Chelsea Adamson, Deborah Banks, Kelsey Sharpless, Sandra Prozak, Hutchings and Tamara Skoretz.
Celebrating Haliburton County businesses
“We are extremely proud of the strong women in business that we have… [Nicole] exhibits outstanding performance, a definite career progression and demonstrated incredible results, while also active in the community and committed to making a positive impact,” Conn said.
Mee said it was an honour to be recognized.
“When I first became a therapist, I had lofty dreams and big ideas. But mainly, all I wanted to do was help people thrive in the world. I wanted to build something that made a real difference, a place where people could find hope, healing and courage to move forward.
“Seeing that vision come to fruition is the greatest reward. This award is a reminder that meaningful work matters and that when we lead with purpose and compassion, we can create lasting change,” Mee said.
Hewson, founder of WAI Products and Kohara and Co., took home the individual leadership business achievement award after building her companies from the ground up over the past 15 years.
“From where we started to where we are today, it’s things like this that force us to take a step back and appreciate who we are, what we are, and the people that surround us,” Hewson said. “I’m not standing up here as an individual – this is a team award. It’s because of them I’m able to reach for everything that I have and stretched WAI Products into four companies, not just one.”
Award winners
Warden’s Award: Brooksong Retreat & Cancer Support Centre
Customer Service – Business: Northern HVAC
Customer Service – Employee: John Watson
Young Professional: Chelsea Adamson
Not for Profit: Youth Unlimited
New Business: Haliburton Village Pharmacy
Established Business: Wind in the Willows Spa
Tourism and Hospitality: Haliburton Post House
Businesswoman: Nicole Mee
Professional Services: Haliburton Chiropractic
Industry and Skilled Trades: Hodgkinson Builds
Retail: Coneybeare’s Butcher Shop
Individual leadership achievement: Brandi Hewson
Employer: Boshkung Brewing
Highlander of the Year: Andrew Hodgson
