Business in Calgary Leaders 2022

Lou MacEachern

Platinum Partner Gold Partners

Official Airline Partner

Fifty percent of businesses may never re-open after a disaster. That’s why knowing the easiest way to contact SERVPRO® is so important. Because the sooner you get in touch with us, the quicker we can start to minimize the damage, as well as the cost. Just go to servpro.com or call 1-800-SERVPRO to activate the cleanup team that’s faster to any-sized disaster. We’re a leader in giving control back to homeowners, property managers and even entire communities after the ravaging effects of water and fire. So whether you’re responsible for 1,000 square feet or 100,000 – it’s your decision to call on the very best. Your trusted, local SERVPRO® professional.

SERVICES IN CANADA PROVIDED BY INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED FRANCHISES OF SERVPRO INTERNATIONAL, LLC.

2022 Leaders Awards CELEBRATING CALGARY’S EXCEPTIONAL BUSINESS LEADERS

BY MELANIE DARBYSHIRE

There are several marks of an exceptional leader: someone who inspires passion and motivation to follow others; someone with a vision and the ability to realize it; someone who ensures their team has support and tools to achieve their goals. Whether in business, politics, sport, social or charitable life, a good leader is one who – with the help of a team – gets things done to the satisfaction of all involved.

Calgary’s business community has many great leaders. In a broad and ever-growing range of industries, some old and some brand new, in small, medium and large businesses, these leaders have proved their worth (and then some) over the last twoand-a-half years. They have led their teams through significant challenges including a global pandemic, supply chain constraints and soaring inflation.

Nonetheless, their businesses are thriving. Whether in the hospitality, energy, home building, electrical, retail food and beverage or financial industries, this year’s Leaders provide significantly to our economy in the form of products, services, employment, taxes and culture.

In our 14th year, the Business in Calgary Leaders Awards recognizes these owners, CEOs and presidents of Calgary companies, who contribute in an outstanding way to our vibrant and growing city.

“The Leaders being recognized this year represent a diverse cross section of industries, enterprise size and history,” says Trina Holland, associate vice president, Diversified Industries and Energy Services at ATB Business. Holland, along with Trevor Winkler, regional managing partner at MNP and Catherine Grygar, partner at Stikeman Elliott, served as this year’s judges. “Some of our leaders were just establishing their business when the pandemic hit,

THE JUDGES

whereas others navigated well-established businesses through the turbulence of the last couple of years. Some have been innovating as small business owners in new, emerging industries, whereas others have been stewards of larger enterprises in Alberta’s core industries.”

“The breadth of industries represented in the nominees continues to expand and certainly speaks to the entrepreneurial nature of our city,” agrees Winkler.

“There is no single item that stands out – it’s impressive to see that all their accomplishments are achieved differently – adapted for their business and for their team members. What these leaders have achieved in business can be attributed to their motivation, encouragement and trust of their teams.”

Grygar adds: “These Leaders demonstrate how risk taking can bring great results.”

The primary criteria used by Gryger to evaluate nominees included innovation, community engagement and diversity.

CATHERINE GRYGAR

TREVOR WINKLER TRINA HOLLAND

“Regardless of makeup and background, all of the Leaders have shown the importance of core values, strategic vision and a commitment to their broader communities as three key ingredients of successful leadership, particularly during periods of unpredictability and rapid change,” Holland notes.

“When evaluating the nominees, I am always looking for that something ‘different’,” Winkler notes. “What hurdles have been overcome, what failures have caused them to change course, and what else are they doing for both the betterment of their team and business, but also the contributions to the community in which we work and reside.”

A gala to celebrate this year’s Leaders will be held on Thursday, November 17 at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre.

Platinum Partner Gold Partners

Official Airline Partner

Lou MacEachern

Carey Arnett

ARNETT & BURGESS PIPELINERS

Athird generation pipeliner, Carey Arnett has served as president of Arnett & Burgess (A&B) since 2017. The 65-year-old company is a seasoned service sector survivor in Western Canada, known for honesty, capable pipelining and integrity. It provides quality pipeline construction, custom fabrication, facility installation, pipeline integrity, maintenance and related construction services to the energy industry. Under Arnett’s leadership, A&B has achieved consistency of business, even during the most challenging times.

“The people in my industry inspire me everyday. They connect each and every one of us by building the infrastructure that enables the systems that all other industries depend upon. They perform real tasks in the real world in all conditions. They think practically and solve complex problems that most of us couldn’t even imagine solutioning. More importantly, they do it with energy, passion, responsibly and safely. It’s refreshing to see society question how intertwined our systems are and the desire to innovate.”

Photo by

Lou MacEachern

R. Scott Hutcheson ASPEN PROPERTIES

As co-founder of Aspen Properties in 1998, R. Scott Hutcheson was the company’s first employee. Today, Aspen employs more than 100 people and currently owns and operates 3.8 million square feet of office space in Calgary and Edmonton in 14 buildings, including the Calgary Tower. Under Hutcheson’s leadership, Aspen has become known as a contrarian investor. Over the course of two-and-a-half decades, the company has bought and sold $3 billion in real estate (67 acquisitions and 63 dispositions) and currently manages and owns $1 billion in assets.

“My family has been in the real estate business for generations. My father’s energy and value system has inspired and shaped my executive style enormously. We share the view that business moves at the speed of trust.”

Photo by V Strategies

Lou MacEachern

Maxim Olshevsky ASTRA GROUP CORP.

Maxim Olshevsky is an independent leader who invests in people and buildings he sees potential in – typically projects no one else wants. He immigrated to Canada in 2000 from Ukraine with nothing and worked his way up from labourer to CEO. Today, his group of companies include Astra Construction Management, Astra Real Estate, Astra Business Centre and Peoplefirst Developments. Peoplefirst has invested $39 million to convert an empty, 10-floor office tower in Calgary’s downtown into housing Calgarians can afford.

“The key to success is twofold: One is to have the ability to see the direction you’re going without losing track of the details that are necessary to get you there; two is the ability to act fast and set aside the noise that is there to throw you off track.”

Photo by V Strategies

Lou MacEachern

Decisive Advice. Workable Solutions.

Congratulations to this year ’s Business in Calgar y Leaders. Stikeman Elliott is proud to sponsor these awards and recognize those who stand out for their exceptional work and dedication. We understand the meaning of communit y and how impor tant it is to suppor t and celebrate local entrepreneurial businesses.

Sky McLean

BIG MOOSE REALTY, BASECAMP RESORTS

At just 29 years old, Sky McLean purchased her first Canmore condo to rent out on Airbnb. Four years later, in 2017, she launched Basecamp Resorts Canmore – a bespoke hospitality brand which combines the comforts of an Airbnb with the amenities and conveniences of a hotel. Basecamp now owns and operates properties in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, Golden and Revelstoke. McLean designs and curates each property to provide a homeaway-from-home experience for guests, all with a modern mountain aesthetic and vibe.

“The main defining moment in this journey was when I raised money from my first investor. Having someone believe in my dream was a surreal experience.”

Photo by V

Lou MacEachern

P u r p o s e a s t h e D r i v e r o f S u r e C a l l ’ s B u s i n e s s

A t S u r e C a l l w e h a v e s p e n t t h e l a s t 1 0 y e a r s f o c u s e d o n p u r p o s e a s t h e m a i n d r i v e r f o r o u r b u s i n e s s . S u r e C a l l p r o v i d e s c u s t o m o u t s o u r c e d s o l u t i o n s f o r e v e r y a p p l i c a t i o n t o a s s i s t c o m p a n i e s t o e x p a n d a n d s c a l e w h i l e k e e p i n g c o s t s m a n a g e a b l e . A t a t i m e w h e n i t ’ s d i f f i c u l t t o g e t a n d k e e p g o o d p e o p l e , S u r e C a l l ’ s R e n t Y o u r T e a m o p t i o n h a s m a d e i t s i m p l e f o r c o m p a n i e s t o d e v e l o p a n e w a r m o f t h e i r b u s i n e s s w h i l e k e e p i n g t h e q u a l i t y e x c e p t i o n a l A s y o u r p a r t n e r w e b e c o m e a n e x t e n s i o n o f y o u r c o m p a n y , a n d b y h a v i n g u s a s y o u r p a r t n e r y o u w i l l b e m a k i n g a d i f f e r e n c e t o t h e c o m m u n i t y t h r o u g h o u r G o o d C a l l ™ a n d H e r o G i r l s ™ p r o g r a m s .

S u r e C a l l ’ s v i s i o n o f “ E m p o w e r i n g o u r P a r t n e r s , a n d T r a n s f o r m i n g t h e W o r l d ” , h a s l e d t o s e v e r a l i n i t i a t i v e s i n c l u d i n g e d u c a t i n g w o m e n , s u p p o r t i n g t h e v o i c e o f C a n a d i a n c h i l d r e n , a n d t a c k l i n g h u m a n t r a f f i c k i n g . W e a r e a c e r t i f i e d B C o r p o r a t i o n a n d h a v e b e e n a w a r d e d W a t e r s t o n e C a p i t a l C a n a d a ’ s M o s t A d m i r e d C u l t u r e 2 0 2 0 & 2 0 2 1 . O n e o f m a n y a w a r d s t h a t d e f i n e o u r v a l u e s a n d t h e w a y w e d o b u s i n e s s W h e n y o u p a r t n e r w i t h S u r e C a l l y o u a r e a l s o i m p a c t i n g s o m e o f t h e m o s t c r i t i c a l h u m a n i t a r i a n i s s u e s i n o u r c o m m u n i t y a n d a r o u n d t h e w o r l d . W e a r e p r o u d s p o n s o r s o f B u s i n e s s i n C a l g a r y ’ s L e a d e r s A w a r d a n d w i l l c o n t i n u e t o s u p p o r t o u r c i t y a s t h e b e s t p l a c e t o w o r k , l i v e , a n d p l a y !

w w w . s u r e c a l l c c

First graduating class of Hero Girls, Dang, Nepal

SureCall Operations Center, Calgary, Alberta

Cody Slater BLACKLINE SAFETY CORP

When Cody Slater joined Blackline Safety as CEO in 2014, the company had sales of around $3 million. The former CEO of Calgary-based BW Technologies, a world leader in portable gas detection, recognized the opportunity to marry Blackline’s lone worker monitoring technology with his gas detection enterprise to create a powerful, leading edge safety product. By the end of fiscal 2021, Blackline had top line revenue of $54.3 million. The company’s safety products are in more than 60 countries, protecting more than 100,000 workers.

“My grandfather, Zeyde Sheppe, is my biggest inspiration. A Russian immigrant, he built a life in Canada and gave me my first job (stacking beaver pelts in his fur business). He believed your place in the world is not defined by what others do but what you do and how you make an impact.”

Photo by V Strategies

Lou MacEachern

LEADERSHIP

A community does not function without strong leadership from the business community. I would like to congratulate and commend this year’s recipients of the Business in Calgary Leaders awards. Through your intellect, effort and vision you are keeping our city strong and vibrant.

Photo by EWAN PHOTO VIDEO

Ken Keelor CALGARY CO-OP

Ken Keelor began his career in the retail food industry more than 25 years ago and joined Calgary Co-op in 2014. He inspires team members to continuously demonstrate their commitment to three core values – service, caring and excellence. Under Keelor’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, Co-op refreshed its strategic five-year plan to focus on health and safety, launched online shopping and delivery, and launched its own private brand lines. Today, Co-op has more than 440,000 members and nearly 100 locations.

“The work our Team Members and Members do in the community inspires me everyday. Calgary Co-op is a “movement” which supports the community in so many ways – buying and hiring locally, keeping investment here at home, and putting food on the table for our neighbours in need.”

Photo by V Strategies

Lou MacEachern

Wayne Henuset EL

TEQUILENO

Wayne Henuset formed Paradise Spirits Inc. in 2017 to purchase El Tequileno, a 63-year-old tequila distillery located in the town of Tequila, Mexico. With historical sales of 27,000 nine-litre cases annually, Henuset and his team renovated the distillery to increase production capacity three-fold. Construction of a 25-room boutique hotel, Casa Salles Hotel Boutique, nestled in the gardens next door to the distillery, began in 2019. Through strategic partnerships with key distributors, sales projections for 2022 are 150,000 nine-litre cases globally.

“My most defining moment was when my father and mentor passed away unexpectedly. At the tender age of 21, my career path of following in his footsteps changed overnight. The trauma impacted me both personally and professionally, leading me to become an entrepreneur pursuing a wide range of business opportunities and never again relying on one path.”

Photo by

Lou MacEachern

Evelyne Nyairo ELLIE

BIANCA

While doing environmental engineering field work in Chad, Ellie Bianca founder Evelyne Nyairo had a business-inspiring experience: she was asked to pay the husband of a woman who had done all the work picking mangoes for her. Struck by the unfairness, Nyairo was determined to help improve the lives of women in Africa and Canada. She launched Ellie Bianca – named after her daughter – an all-natural, environmentally sustainable and socially conscious skincare line. With 35 products, the company combines modern-day science and the power of plants that have been used for centuries.

“My Dad has been my biggest inspiration. Ever since I was a little girl, he would give me lots of confidence and really challenged me to push past the barriers. His words of trying to be ‘part of the solution’ despite any challenges have always remained with me, and guided me through any business or personal challenge.“

Photo by

Lou MacEachern

Thank you to the Ellie Bianca team and our clients who share in our passion and also our dream.

“You are not only investing in the health of your skin but also helping better the lives of others around the globe.” ~ Evelyne Nyairo, Founder, Ellie Bianca

Ellie Bianca is

KIND TO YOUR SKIN. KIND TO THE EARTH. KIND TO WOMEN.

Ellie Bianca is non-GMO, cruelty-free and sustainably sourced skincare you will feel good about.

We are a proudly Canadian, all-natural, environmentally sustainable, socially conscious skin care line that recognizes beauty in all forms and supports the empowerment of women through business and education. Ellie Bianca is here to spread the message that beauty is so much more than an aesthetic.

814 16 Ave NW #100, Calgary, AB T2M 0J9 www.elliebianca.com

Evelyne Nyairo, founder of Ellie Bianca and her daughter Ellie.

Jeff Litster FIDELITY MANUFACTURING

GROUP

As president, general manager and co-founder of Fidelity Manufacturing Group, Jeff Litster has more than two decades of experience as a mould maker and machinist. Originally founded in 2007 as a plastic injection mould-making business by Litster and three friends, it quickly expanded into oil and gas, aerospace and a medical division. Today, Fidelity has the largest, most advanced Electric Discharge Machine (EDM) departments in Western Canada, along with numerous certifications, licenses and core competencies.

“Being a business owner in Calgary has provided personal challenge, inspiration and reward beyond anything I could have dreamt, but it is the fact that I was able to make this journey with so many great friends, colleagues and partners that makes the experience truly special.”

Photo by

Lou MacEachern

Jodi Anhorn GLJ LTD

Jodi Anhorn joined GLJ Ltd., a 50-year-old global energy consultant, in 1993. Since taking over the role of president and CEO, Anhorn has created a strategy to diversify services for clients focusing on emerging energies, including the economics and mechanics behind carbon capture. Today GLJ works with hundreds of clients in the energy industry, expanding its focus beyond conventional oil and gas amid the global energy transition, as well as government agencies, Indigenous groups, clean tech companies, startups and the financial and legal sectors.

“The world can be a difficult place, so you need to surround yourself with good people. For me, this has been my family and coworkers. They all continue to set inspirational examples of how to be your best and give your best to others.”

Photo by

Lou MacEachern

“It is a great honour to receive a Business in Calgary Leaders Award; something only made possible thanks to the support of the exceptional team at GLJ.

Their vast expertise, hard work, and dedication have been the driving force that’s allowed GLJ to continually evolve and remain a leader in global energy consulting for over 50 years.

It is a great privilege to lead and work with the team at GLJ. Their integrity and commitment to excellence are what have maintained the confidence of countless clients and what truly sets us apart.

On behalf of GLJ, I sincerely thank you for recognizing our efforts!”

Debby Carreau INSPIRED HR

Debby Carreau founded Inspired HR in 2007 with a vision to make work better for employees, organizations and society. Under her leadership, the company has navigated significant challenges including inflationary labour costs, COVID-19 related complexities and new competition. Notwithstanding these challenges, revenues have increased by at least 20 per cent each year. Today, Inspired HR supports more than 300,000 employees and almost 300 organizations across North America and Europe.

“My greatest inspiration is the generation following us. The goal is to be a role model for future leaders and create better workplaces for everyone. Careers can be enjoyable, fulfilling and financially rewarding. Every morning when I wake up, I ask myself how we can make work better for society.”

Photo by

Lou MacEachern

Andrew Chau NEO FINANCIAL

Neo Financial was started in the Calgary Public Library in 2019 with just an idea: disrupt the Canadian financial industry. Co-founder Andrew Chau, who previously co-founded SkipTheDishes, built trust amongst customers through strategic partnerships and excellent service. In just three years, the company has launched a credit card, a savings account, an investment tool, a mortgage product and the Hudson’s Bay Mastercard to more than 10 million HBC customers. It has almost 700 employees and just reached one million customers.

“From my early days at SkipTheDishes to now growing Neo Financial, I have always been inspired by the opportunity to create meaningful value in the everyday lives of millions of Canadians. We have built Neo on the premise that Canadians have been underserved in our finances for far too long, and Neo’s ability to create generational change in how we spend, save and grow our money continues to inspire me as an entrepreneur.“

Photo by V

Lou MacEachern

Corinne Lyall ROYAL LEPAGE BENCHMARK

As both a broker and owner of Royal LePage Benchmark since 2007, Corinne Lyall also coaches and trains Benchmark’s sales team. Under her leadership, the 44-year-old brokerage has survived several market downturns by re-evaluating the model. Lyall completed her first acquisition in 2008 and has since purchased four more brokerages and three additional locations. Today, Benchmark is a company of more than 195 realtors and is

“My favourite quote related to running a business is: ‘Quality is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution. It represents the wise choice of many alternatives’. Our name ‘Benchmark’, was chosen intentionally to be the standard by which success is measured. We have a hashtag we use, ‘BeTheBenchmark’ that reminds us of our expectation of quality and professionalism.”

Photo by V

Lou MacEachern

Dave Smith STRATUS ELECTRICAL & INSTRUMENTATION LTD

Dave Smith co-founded Stratus Electrical and Instrumentation in 2014 to build a company he always wanted to work for: where talented tradespeople were recognized and appreciated; a company deeply involved in the community and in sports; and where the management team did the right thing, even in hard times. With more than 25 years of electrical construction industry experience, Smith has grown Stratus’ business to include agriculture, food and beverage, light industrial, mining, modular and skid fabrication, oil and gas, and power generation.

“As Stratus is a service company, our goal has always been to do everything we can to attract and retain the very best in the industry through employee ownership, innovative incentives, charity work, essentially continually working to build the strongest culture possible to make this the company I’ve always wanted to work for.”

Photo by V Strategies

Lou MacEachern

STRATUS SOLUTIONS

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT END UP BECOMING THE BIG THINGS

We know your budget keeps you up at night, so the systems we use streamline processes and give you real-time project updates, and flexibility.

Schedules are always condensed, so we put a dedicated PM and field staff on every project to eliminate wasted time retraining site specs (not to mention quality issues).

We listen carefully to you, document everything and share it with our people, so when you have questions - our team has the answers.

Almin Kassamali STYLELABS INC

StyleLabs is not just a web design company, nor is it just a marketing company. It is the best of both. Founded by Almin Kassamali in 2010, his goal was to leave people better off than they were when he found them. He created a website management platform that was easy to use for any user at any skill level and then powered it with a trainable artificial intelligence – SamurAI. Since inception, more than 500 small- and medium-sized businesses have launched their web presence using StyleLabs’ technology.

“My defining moment to success was the birth of my eldest daughter. An instant shift from fearlessness to complete vulnerability and responsibility. This brought me a single, monomaniacal clarity. Everything I wanted for her, I would have to become myself. Unspoken inspiration for her (and later my other two kids) through example that was governed by tenacity, fairness, honesty, hard work and legacy. Leaving the world a better place than I found it. This shift impacted our focus and company culture leading to a meticulous 12-year track record including growth in all economic environments for StyleLabs.”

Photo by V

Lou MacEachern

Paul Colborne SURGE ENERGY INC

As president and CEO of Surge Energy, Paul Colborne’s primary goal is to be the top performing, total rate of return public oil company in Canada. With 24 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry, Colborne’s track record of success attracts top talent to Surge. He leads by example in a cohesive, collegial team environment where his vote as CEO is worth the same as other management team members. Under his leadership, Surge has gone in a different direction than the mainstream and is now a top performer.

“I’ve been very fortunate to work for the last nine years with a great management team and Board of Directors at Surge Energy Inc. (TSX: SGY). At Surge, we have a collegial/ team management approach and business environment. Together, we’ve strategically positioned Surge to be a top performer in our Canadian intermediate public oil company peer group in 2022 and beyond!”

Photo by

Lou MacEachern

Shane Wenzel

THE SHANE HOMES GROUP OF COMPANIES

Shane Wenzel joined Shane Homes – a quality home builder founded by his father Cal Wenzel and Barry Basille in 1979 – in 1991 as marketing assistant. He quickly progressed in the company and in 2003, assumed the role of president. With the customer at the forefront of every decision, Wenzel has positioned Shane Homes as an organization for change in the industry. Despite the supply chain issues and labour shortages over the past two years, the company has increased the value of homes built and sold.

“There are many defining moments, but the one that stands out is when your father, who started the business, hands over the reigns to the company and tells you to do good things with it. My father, Cal is one of two inspirations I have; my mother is the other. They both believed in me and encouraged my growth personally and professionally.”

Photo by V

Lou MacEachern

The best customer experience starts with our employees.

If you take a look at what unites the team at Shane Homes, you’ll see that each and every one of us is here for a reason. We deeply appreciate every member of this team and thank them for their dedication and hard work.

Jennifer Jackson UNIVERSAL GEOMATICS SOLUTIONS CORP

Jennifer Jackson embodies the 21st Century definition of leadership: a committed optimist consistently demonstrating that being an industry change champion, business leader, wife and mother is not only possible, but something worthy of commitment, energy and grit. Since assuming the role of CEO four years ago, Jackson has transformed Universal Geomatics Solutions’ business, starting with shifting the culture to be more human centric and family oriented. She also matured the company’s operations by introducing a resources management and ERP system, standardized policies and an Indigenous inclusion program.

“My defining moment would be when I realized that my company could be a vehicle for progressive change in the energy service sector and my inspiration is love and seeing how diverse underrepresented people have so much potential within the survey/geomatics industry.”

Photo by V

Lou MacEachern

Chloe Dusser WEE WILD ONES

Chloe Dusser started Wee Wild Ones after moving to Alberta in her early 20s. While she had no assets, little access to capital and no business partners, she did have a vision: to create the optimal environment for both childcare professionals and the children in their care. Originally a children’s yoga studio, the business quickly expanded to an after-school program and a full-service preschool and childcare centre. Dusser operates two facilities today (with a third to open shortly) that employ 100 full-time employees who work with 500 children daily.

“A friend in university once told me I was ‘brave.’ I often go back to that word when making tough decisions. More often than not the brave decision is the right decision. In my case, the journey to success is not comfortable overachievements, but a conquest of countless tough and scary moments.”

Photo by

Lou MacEachern

Ashley Wolfe WOLFE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP

Ashley Wolfe is the fourth-generation leader of Wolfe Automotive Group, a 100-year-old family business that was started by her great-grandfather F.J. Wolfe in 1921. Originally established as Edmonton Motors, the dealership became known as the “Crossroads of the World,” servicing those in the Edmonton area and northern Alberta. Reflecting on the success and community contributions of the past century, the Wolfe Automotive Group recently decided to rebrand all six of its dealerships to lead with the Wolfe name.

“My greatest inspiration was my grandmother. She was a true pioneer woman. She grew up in Alaska and defied all odds growing up in a world where women were not valued the same as their male counterparts. She was on the men’s downhill ski team, played on the high school basketball team when no women did, she was a college graduate and perpetual learner. And when her husband died young, she raised five children and taught school and never financially depended on anybody other than herself. She taught me to work hard play hard. My favorite quote from her was “use it or lose it” which I live by to this day.”

Photo by V Strategies

Lou MacEachern

Ashley Wolfe Congratulations on

Leaders Award Business In Calgary

President, Wolfe Automotive Group

Calgary’s Audrey Mascarenhas is a dynamic, innovative and influential business leader, a visionary, and a trailblazing pioneer of climate change, reducing industry emissions and achieving a green-and-clean environment.

She is also the richly deserving 2022 recipient of the distinguished Business in Calgary Leaders Legacy Award.

The ardent and straight-talking president and CEO of Questor Technology (QST on the TSX Venture Exchange) – the Calgary-based and industry-leading environmental oilfield service company that manufactures and services high efficiency waste gas incinerator systems, and provides power generation systems and burner-related oilfield services –proudly admits that the company’s focus and commitment was ahead of its time.

Questor’s transformational emissions technology was developed more than 20 years ago, long before it was a popular, profitable or regulated thing to do. “Look how far we have come,” she adds with enthusiasm. “In today’s business, climate change and the environment are a corporate call to action.”

Audrey Mascarenhas is a plugged-in and forward-thinking leader, passionate about business and specifically the critical business of improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions and sharing society’s concerns about industry’s attention to the environment and sustainability.

LEADERSHIP AWARD

“Particularly the energy industry must be conscious and responsive when it comes to public perceptions and concerns,” Mascarenhas emphasized. “I’m a big believer that if you’re going to make change, you should try to show the value proposition. Communities are very plugged-in and involved with issues. They have access to information. They have a lot to say and many ways of saying it. Social media, as just one example, has changed the world.

“I think some companies are, unfortunately, missing many opportunities to be responsive, tell their story, explain their situation and be proactive.”

Her credentials are genuinely a legacy of business leadership. Audrey Mascarenhas has worked in energy for more than 35 years with Gulf Canada Resources Ltd. and Questor Technology, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto, a Master’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Calgary, is a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineers, has served as a distinguished lecturer with the Society of Petroleum Engineers, is a member of the Schulich Industry Engineering Advisory Council, the former chair of the Canadian federal government clean technology strategy table and, this month, she will be inducted into the University of Toronto Engineering Hall of Distinction.

BUILDING COMMUNITY IS SOMETHING WE LOVE TO DO.

As a support partner for the Business in Calgary Leaders Awards, University of Calgary Properties Group would like to congratulate Audrey Mascarenhas as the recipient of the 2022 Legacy Leadership Award. Audrey has demonstrated remarkable leadership championing innovative initiatives to improve sustainability, environmental developments, and community building. We are proud to be recognizing her outstanding visionary contributions to our city.

GREAT LEADERSHIP LEAVES A LASTING LEGACY.

AUDREY MASCARENHAS, P.Eng.,FCAE. President and CEO, Questor Technology Inc.

LEADERS ALUMNI “THEN AND NOW”

Fourteen years after celebrating the first Leaders Awards, our Leaders Alumni continue to play a vital role in making Calgary’s business community an outstanding place to work and have fun. Their business ethics and contributions to the community are as strong today as they were in the year they won the award.

Successful Leaders always look for opportunity to challenge the process and go beyond normal thinking; they look for ways to improve their organization through innovation and forward thinking. In the process, they find opportunities to serve their industry, moving it forward to create a stronger community for all Calgarians.

Business in Calgary magazine is proud of our Alumni Leaders – encompassing 260 members in this exclusive club to date. They are the Leaders in our community and their philanthropic efforts are part of their makeup – giving back to the community is part of who they are. They are growing and in the process are continuously improving contributions to support the many charities and not-forprofit organizations located in every corner of our city. They are – and remain – our Leaders.

Lou MacEachern

FRANK LONARDELLI

ARLINGTON STREET INVESTMENTS

BY RENNAY CRAATS

Calgary was a very different place when Arlington Street Investments (ASI) founder and CEO Frank Lonardelli was featured as a Business in Cal gary Leader in 2016. Since then, the province was hit with the one-two punch of a historical energy sector downturn and a global pandemic that paralyzed the world economy. The result was an unfathomable drop to negative oil prices.

“I remember looking at my team in April 2020 and saying two things. First, and most executives would say this is fairly vulnerable, but in retrospect it was exactly what needed to be said, was that our entire portfolio in Calgary as of right now may have little to no equity. The second was, now we’re going to have to figure out what to do about it,” says Frank Lonardelli.

The consensus was to bear down, pivot and forge a way through. A four-day executive team retreat led to a corporate reset, reconnection and then to envision an ambitious plan forward.

“We decided to do something pretty radical,” he says. “We decided to double our portfolio in 12 months –and this is in the middle of governmental programs and months where we were in survival mode and operating in this absolute state of the unknown.”

He didn’t meet that stated goal. Instead, Arlington tripled its portfolio in 14 months by taking what had made the company successful in Calgary and du plicating it elsewhere while most others remained frozen by the pandemic. Kelowna, which is second to only Calgary for migration in Canada, was a perfect choice. There, ASI bought 18 parcels of real estate that would create four specific development sites. At the same time, the lights turned back on in Calgary, creating two booming markets.

Over the past few years, Arlington Street completed its retrofit of The National at 17th and 5th, its high-pro file 17th Avenue mixed-use development called The Fifth, and is starting construction on The Enzo, a new 120-unit mixed-use development that will incorporate 10,000 square feet of retail. The Fishman’s develop ment on 17th and 5A Street, with 200 units and 12,000 square feet of retail, is also in the queue for late 2023.

ASI is also launching its Kelowna enterprise with three developments next year: Central, a 120-unit project with 10,000 square feet of retail; Cornerstone, a 190-unit condominium project; and Arlington’s first industrial condo project which will be approximately 100,000 square feet.

“Since 2020, the company growth rate has been triple digits. That brings with it its own challenges without question, but our feet are firmly on the ground and we’re positively optimistic over the next five to seven years in both markets,” he says.

In times of turmoil and crisis, true leadership is exposed, and ASI has been able to create opportu nities in the most challenging business environment in history. Frank Lonardelli lives a lesson he learned many years ago which is that leaders show up at the bottom of the market and not the top because that’s when leadership is needed most.

Photo by EWAN PHOTO VIDEO

Fr om its i n cepti on , R o ckw oo d ha s b ee n a full y i n te g rat e d desi gn an d bu i ld c ompany w i t h e x a cti ng s tanda rd s an d i n desi gn an d c on s t r u ct ion q ual i t y. I am d e ep l y p r ou d o f R oc kw oo d’s e v olut i on , wi th t he s uc ces sful c ompl e t i on an d ongo i ng de v e lo p m e n t of Ro c k w ood-e xc lu si v e c ommun it i es , w h e re e v e r y hom e i s e xec u ted wit h our h i gh est l e v e l o f i n te gr it y, an d t r u e c omm i tm e nt t o our c l i en ts !

- Allison Grafton, Founder & President of Rockwood Custom Homes

EXPERTISE TO PROPEL YOU FORWARD.

Congratulations to this year’s Business in Calgary Leaders

Your leadership, courage, and passion are an inspiration to our community and all who do business with you. As an entrepreneurial firm built for entrepreneurs, we celebrate Canada’s business leaders and are excited to work alongside you as you strive for even greater success. Proud sponsors of the 2022 Business in Calgary Leaders Program Scan QR code to learn how MNP can help your business today.