[4] The Shaw business dynasty originated in rural Lambton County with Francis Shaw, originally from Kimball, who served in World War I. Francis inherited the family farm, and his brother Joel inherited the grist mill.
[5] Lottie Shaw ran the farm, while Francis, an entrepreneur, slowly built a construction company that became a "major contractor involved in Camp Ipperwash" during World War II.
[5] Francis Shaw expanded his businesses into "ready-mix concrete, drive-in theatres, cable television", and a "pipe coating" company—and was an innovator in Ontario.
[5] After Shaw earned his Bachelor of Arts in business administration from Michigan State University, he worked for a while at his father's pipe coating company, Shawcor.
[8] According to the History of Canadian Broadcasting, in "recognition of his excellence in business and outstanding community involvement", Shaw was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2002.