William Twaits
Encyclopedia
William Osborn Twaits, (June 12, 1910 – April 3, 1985) was a Canadian
businessman who was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Imperial Oil
Limited.
Born in Galt, Ontario
, the son of William and Laura Josephine (Osborn), Twaits received his B.Comm.
from the University of Toronto
in 1933.
In 1950, Twaits joined the Board of Directors of Imperial Oil. He was appointed a Vice President in 1952, Executive Vice-President in 1955, and President in 1960. In 1970 he became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. He retired in 1974. He was a director and a Vice-President of the Royal Bank of Canada
.
Twaits was a member of the Board of Governors of the University of Toronto and of the Board of Regents of the University of Ottawa
.
In 1973, Twaits was made a Companion of the Order of Canada
"for his many services to industry and government, and in the field of social welfare".
Twaits received honorary doctorates from Acadia University
and the University of Ottawa
.
Twaits married Frances Begg and had two daughters.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
businessman who was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Imperial Oil
Imperial Oil
Imperial Oil Limited is Canada's largest petroleum company. The company is engaged in the exploration, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas. It is controlled by US based ExxonMobil, which owns 69.6% of its stock...
Limited.
Born in Galt, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, the son of William and Laura Josephine (Osborn), Twaits received his B.Comm.
Bachelor of Commerce
A Bachelor of Commerce is an undergraduate degree in commerce and related subjects. The degree is also known as the Bachelor of Commerce and Administration, or BCA...
from the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
in 1933.
In 1950, Twaits joined the Board of Directors of Imperial Oil. He was appointed a Vice President in 1952, Executive Vice-President in 1955, and President in 1960. In 1970 he became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. He retired in 1974. He was a director and a Vice-President of the Royal Bank of Canada
Royal Bank of Canada
The Royal Bank of Canada or RBC Financial Group is the largest financial institution in Canada, as measured by deposits, revenues, and market capitalization. The bank serves seventeen million clients and has 80,100 employees worldwide. The company corporate headquarters are located in Toronto,...
.
Twaits was a member of the Board of Governors of the University of Toronto and of the Board of Regents of the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
.
In 1973, Twaits was made a Companion of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
"for his many services to industry and government, and in the field of social welfare".
Twaits received honorary doctorates from Acadia University
Acadia University
Acadia University is a predominantly undergraduate university located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada with some graduate programs at the master's level and one at the doctoral level...
and the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
.
Twaits married Frances Begg and had two daughters.