Michael Potter will be awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the 2 p.m. ceremony on Thursday, June 13, “in recognition for outstanding commitment to philanthropic endeavors and contribution to the high-technology industry in the National Capital Region.”
Michael Potter was born in London, England and immigrated with his family to Canada at age seven. After graduating from high school, he joined the Royal Canadian Navy and subsequently earned a B.Sc. from the
Royal Military College in Kingston in 1966, and a M.Sc, from the University of British Columbia in 1967,
After working as a naval officer and federal public servant in Ottawa, he became involved in the establishment of the Ottawa-based software services campany, Cognos. Under his leadership, Cognos embarked on a path of rapid international growth, became a publicly traded firm, and emerged as the largest company in its sector in Canada with annual revenues over $1 billion. He led Cognos as its chief executive officer from its inception until 1995.
Today, as a division of IBM, the organization remains an important component of the software technology sector in Canada. Since his retirement from active business, Mr. Potter has devoted his time to a number of philanthropic causes, most significantly the creation of Vintage Wings of Canada, a charitable foundation engaged in the restoration, Preservation and display of historic aircraft for the purpose of educating and inspiring young Canadians.