Charles Coffey and John Howard will receive honorary degrees from McMaster today at the DeGroote School of Business convocation ceremony.

Charles Coffey recently retired as the executive vice-president of government affairs and business development at the Royal Bank of Canada Financial Group, rounding out his 44-year career with the company. Committed to early childhood development, diversity, Aboriginal and women's issues, Coffey's extensive
community service has resulted in several distinguished appointments.

He was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2004 and was appointed vice-chair of the Ontario Trillium Foundation Board of Directors in 2008. He is recognized as an Honorary Chief by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs for his support of First Nations, and is council champion of the Aboriginal Human Resource Development Council of Canada. In addition, Coffey currently serves as chair of the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews at the Canadian Centre for Diversity, an organization focused on encouraging dialogue between high school students of different faiths.

Coffey's record of work in the public, private and non-profit sectors across Canada is a testament to his reputation as a passionate community leader with high ethical standards.

Coffey will address the graduands at today's convocation.

In 1981, John Howard embarked on a career with Canon that spanned 12 years, before venturing into the winery business in 1993. The former owner of Niagara's Vineland Estates, a company that produces upwards of 50,000 cases of premium wine, Howard now owns part of Chateau La Confession, a development company based in Bordeaux, France. In addition, he runs John Howard Cellars of Distinction, which produces Megalomaniac Wines, a company Howard
started as a retirement project. Megalomaniac Wines received the double gold highest honour at the San Francisco International Wine Competition in 2007 and donates a portion of the sales proceeds to Kids' Health Links, a charity that uses technology to connect children in health care facilities across Canada with their loved ones.

Further, Howard belongs to the Board of Directors at Kids' Health Links. He has also worked with the Rotary Club of Hamilton, encouraging goodwill and providing humanitarian service to individuals in the community. A dedicated supporter of the arts, Howard has been involved with numerous associations, including the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera Hamilton and Art Park, one of North America's most innovative summer art festivals. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees at Niagara University in Buffalo, as well as sits on the Advisory Board at CHCH TV Canwest and the Board of Directors at the Canadian Sportsmen's Show.

An accomplished community and business leader, Howard was awarded the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship in 2004 and has been honoured with several entrepreneurial distinctions, including the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in 2007.