Story: London & District Business Hall of Fame
Photo (L-R) Dale and Mark Hunter, courtesy Canadian Hockey League

The London and District Business Hall of Fame is proud to announce the 2025 inductees who will be honoured at this year’s signature gala event on October 23rd at RBC Place London. Jo-Ann Fisher of Hangar9 and Dale and Mark Hunter of the London Knights and have been selected for induction into the Hall of Fame based on their outstanding contributions to business, entrepreneurship, ethics, and philanthropy.

The London and District Business Hall of Fame supports Junior Achievement South Western Ontario and honours respected members of the London and area business community, past and present, for their exceptional achievements in business and community leadership.

Each year, in recognition of outstanding contributions and ethics in business, Hall of Fame Laureates are nominated and selected by respected members of the London and District business community.

Established in 1990, the London and District Business Hall of Fame supports the work of JA South Western Ontario. It was created to honour respected members of the London and area business community, past and present, for their outstanding contributions to business, entrepreneurship and philanthropy.

This annual signature gala event showcases the lives of the Inductees allowing us to learn about their achievements and how they have developed and nurtured their legacies. The 2024 London and District Business Hall of Fame Inductees will join a distinguished list of previous Laureates whose portraits are showcased in the London and District Business Hall of Fame Gallery located in the London Public Library, downtown London.

DALE HUNTER
President, Head Coach, Owner
London Knights

Dale Hunter is from Petrolia, Ontario and played for the Kitchener Rangers and the Sudbury Wolves, subsequently being drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in 1979. He played in the NHL from 1980 to 1999 playing the majority of his career with the Quebec Nordiques, Washington Capitals, and briefly for the Colorado Avalanche in his final season. He also was named the head coach of the Capitals during the 2011-2012 season before returning to the London Knights. Dale has coached the team since the 2001-2002 season and has led the team to five of the franchises six OHL Titles and has won three Memorial Cup Championships in 2005, 2016 and 2025. Dale won the CHL Coach of the Year in the 2003-2004 season, won the gold medal coaching the men’s U18 Canada team in the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Tournament, and coached Canada to Gold in the U20 World Junior Championships held in Czechia.

MARK HUNTER
Vice President, General Manager, Owner
London Knights

Mark Hunter is from Petrolia, Ontario and was drafted first overall to the Brantford Alexanders in the 1979 OHL Priority Selection. He was drafted to the Montréal Canadiens, playing four seasons with the club. He played in the NHL for twelve seasons, also representing the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Hartford Whalers, and Washington Capitals, and the Calgary Flames where he won a Stanley Cup in 1989. He was the head coach for the Sarnia Sting for nearly two seasons, as well as the St. John’s Maple Leafs. He has worked with the Toronto Maple Leafs as Director of Player Personnel as well as Assistant General Manager, and was Canada’s General Manager in the 2019-2020 World Junior Championships where he won Gold with his brother Dale behind the bench. Mark has served as the General Manager and Vice President of Hockey Operations for the London Knights since 2000, helping the team achieve six OHL Titles and three Memorial Cup Championships.

JO-ANN FISHER
Founder & Principal
Hangar9

Jo-Ann Fisher’s entrepreneurial journey began with a passion for empowering women, first sparked through her work as a Mary Kay beauty consultant. She quickly discovered that her true calling was helping women feel confident through personal style.
In 1985, Jo-Ann opened her first boutique in London, Ontario, laying the foundation for what would become Hangar9—a trusted name in Canadian fashion for over 40 years, expanding to a location in Toronto and building an eCommerce presence. From the start, Jo-Ann’s philosophy has been simple yet powerful: relationships always come before sales. She believes in putting clients first, building trust through authentic connection and personalized care.

A pioneer in her field, Jo-Ann was an early adopter of the capsule wardrobe concept. She developed the Hangar9 Formula—[H9] + 9 = 36—designed to simplify wardrobe decisions through nine essential pieces that create 36 versatile looks. The formula reflects her commitment to helping women save time, invest wisely, and enjoy fashion without stress.
Four decades later, Jo-Ann remains actively involved with Hangar9—as a stylist, strategist, leader and the heart of Hangar9’s community. She shares her passion for fashion and entrepreneurship with her three daughters, who now lead the family-run business and carry on its mission.

Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades over the years, including the Business Integrity Award, Enterprising Family of the Year, eCommerce Business of the Year, Best Places to Work, and Best Women’s Clothing Store in London.

At the core of it all is Jo-Ann’s unwavering mission: to help women uncover a style that reflects who they are, and gives them the confidence to take on each day. Through Hangar9, she continues to inspire women to see fashion not as a trend to follow—but as a powerful expression of self.