Arnold Frieman, O.M.

Arnold Frieman, a holocaust survivor and former pilot in the Israeli Air Force during their War of Independence, came to Winnipeg more than 60 years ago seeking a fresh start in life. Today and he is the president of Advance Electronics, the largest independently-owned retail electronics store in Western Canada, and a pillar of the community.

Arnold's successes go beyond business. He was recently honoured by the Jewish National Fund, was past president of Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate. His charity extends beyond the Jewish community. He is a former director and vice-president of programming for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and member of the board of the Manitoba Conservatory of Music. He's also given time and resources to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and his alma mater, the University of Manitoba, the latter of which in serving on the U of M's Medical Advisory Board. Arnold was also the first inductee into the Deer Lodge Centre Foundation's Honour Roll this past year and was recently inducted into the Order of Manitoba.

A strong supporter of the Air Cadet Program, Arnold was presented the Manitoba Air Cadet League's, Honourary Air Marshall Award in 2013. The League's squadron award for Community Involvement was renamed in his honour in 2017.