A Surrey businessman was honoured for his contributions to the community by the Douglas College Alumni Association.
Chris Thornley, founder and managing partner of advertising agency Thornley Hayne Creative Communications, was presented the Distinguished Alumni Award by his Alma Mater last month.
Thornley, 60, graduated with an associate of arts diploma in 1986, three years before starting his own advertising agency.
Since then, he has been involved with numerous projects in the community, including rebranding Surrey with the creation of the slogan, "The future lives here."
The longtime business owner has also worked in the not-for-profit sector and has donated services for many community organizations, including the Surrey Food Bank.
“I think it's in us. I think it's part of our makeup,” Thornley said in a release. “You reach a point where you become a little more self-sustaining and you want to give back to the community. It’s just the right thing to do.”