Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Lou MacEachern Official Airline Partner
43
Dr. Hasmukh Patel
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2021 Leaders Awards Honouring Calgary’s Great – and Resilient – Business Leaders BY MELANIE DARBYSHIRE
L
eading a business during the best of times is challenge enough. The day-today of managing clients and employees, dealing with regulatory and supply chain issues, anticipating future developments, ensuring growth – all of this is plenty to handle. Leading a business through a global pandemic, with the attendant and ever-changing health concerns and lockdowns is, as many can now attest, an entirely different and difficult endeavour, unlike any previously faced by Calgary’s business leaders. Unchartered waters, so to speak, requiring varying and overlapping survival strategies: adapt, diversify, prioritize, pivot, gain efficiency, contract. Those businesses that have been able to make it through the pandemic to today have leaders who have made countless agonizing decisions to get here – and here they are – `stronger and more resilient than ever. Looking forward to brighter days ahead. Our 13th Leaders Awards aim to celebrate these valiant business leaders and their historic achievements. Just one year late since, due to the pandemic and lockdowns, we were forced to postpone the 2020 Leaders Awards, for the first time ever.
The Judges
This year’s Leaders have businesses in a variety of industries, from robotics to consumer products, oil and gas to media and entertainment. Together, they employ close to 7,000 people.
TREVOR WINKLER
CATHERINE GRYGAR
But the awards must go on, as does life, and we celebrate the men and women who not only provide great services and products to their community, but who have led the way the past 20 months. “The Leaders being recognized this year are exceptional in that the past 20 months have been anything but predictable,” says Trina Holland, associate vice president, Diversified Industries, ATB Business. ATB has been a major sponsor of the Leaders Awards for years. “Spanning a wide range of industries, the leaders have shown that the Calgary Platinum Partner
business community is vibrant, diverse and innovative. To be a successful leader in this environment has required levels of resiliency, patience, and unwavering optimism unlike we have ever seen.”
“This year’s selections likely have the most diverse industry groups that I have noted since being involved in judging,” says returning judge Trevor Winkler, regional managing partner at MNP. “This does speak to the growing breadth of quality businesses in our city that are acknowledged leaders.” A range of criteria were used to choose the winners. “Market leadership, innovation and community engagement were foremost for me,” says judge Catherine Grygar, a partner at Stikeman Elliott LLP. “A Business in Calgary Leader, in my view, has the acumen to identify opportunities and potential where others may not, has an ability to translate vision into action, and is engaged in the communities where they work and live.” “On evaluation of a nominee, we certainly look at that respective leader’s involvement, innovation and strategic guidance of the business as well as long-term viability of their business model,” continues Winkler. “Another notable characteristic that is evaluated would be their contributions to the local community – not just financial, but in time as well.”
TRINA HOLLAND
Gold Partners
A gala to celebrate this year’s winners will be held at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre on November 24. Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
Not just shares, shared values. For us, doing business is about being there for you long after the deal is done and the ink has dried.
atb.com/commercial
Brooke Garcia 4 Seasons Transportation
B
rooke Garcia and 4Seasons Transportation are redefining the way special-needs children are treated on their daily journeys to and from school. An exclusive provider of special needs transportation, 4Seasons’ priority is to provide safe and reliable transportation to children with a range of behavioral, cognitive and physical challenges. A self-described social warrior, Garcia personally encourages her 4Seasons team to be better every day and supports them with a unique Transfer Care Specialist Academy. “My greatest inspiration is the children we transport. Being able to positively impact their lives on a daily basis is incredibly rewarding. In a world where we’ve never been more disconnected, it’s time to focus on nurturing and supporting our generations to come. Human connection is irreplaceable.”
Industry Sector
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Student Transportation
19
450 employees
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
Photo by V Strategies Inc.
Years in Business
Decisive Advice. Workable Solutions. Congratulations to this year’s Business in Calgary 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 community and how important it is to support and celebrate local entrepreneurial businesses.
We are always here to support you. Catherine Grygar, Partner (2021 Leaders Award Judge) 403 266 9005 cgrygar@stikeman.com
Stikeman Elliott LLP | stikeman.com
Scott Gravelle Attabotics Inc.
A
pioneer of Calgary’s robotics industry, Scott Gravelle built his revolutionary warehousing and fulfillment system by taking inspiration from the natural world – ant colonies. Emulating the efficiency and structure of these mighty systems, he created a warehousing solution based around vertical columns with storage locations in four directions (north, east, south and west) of each column. The system drastically changes the way inventory is stored and retrieved, driving supply chains into the future. “The best part about building a business in Calgary, is that our greatest resource isn’t the energy that is in the ground, but the talent and energy exists in its people.”
Industry Sector
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Robotics
7
234 employees
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
Photo by V Strategies Inc.
Years in Business
Marc Bombenon - Chairman
Desirée Bombenon- CEO
Sam Kolias Boardwalk Rental Communities
O
ne of Canada’s leading multi-family real estate investment trusts (REITs), Boardwalk Rental Communities has evolved under Sam Kolias’ leadership since 1984. What started as one apartment building is today 220 properties in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec and B.C. Living and leading by the golden rule – ‘do unto others as they would do unto you’ – Kolias has created a diverse Boardwalk product offering, from affordable value to affordable luxury. Striving to be the “friendliest landlord,” his company has operated under a self-imposed rent control policy since 1999. “One of our greatest treasures and inspirations in life is our family. Our home is much more than a roof over our heads; home is people, and people are community - a place where we belong together. A place where security, safety, warmth and of course, love always, lives.”
Industry Sector
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Real Estate
38
1673 employees
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
Photo by V Strategies Inc.
Years in Business
Building Extraordinary Communities
Welcome home
Congratulations Sam Kolias for your exceptional business leadership in Calgary!
bwalk.com Rental Apartments and Townhomes
Greg Garcia Calgary Elite Roofing Inc.
G
reg Garcia is a natural leader, well respected in the construction industry. At Calgary Elite Roofing Inc., he has made safety a mindset, not just a priority. The successful roofing and exteriors company focuses on three target sectors – residential renovation, new home construction and insurance jobs – employing the highest level of quality workmanship and service at a competitive price. Given their commitment to fostering strong, healthy communities, Garcia and his team have invested heart and money into worthy causes focused on youth, education and health. “I am committed to fostering strong, healthy communities and supporting causes that matter to the company through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of my employees.”
Industry Sector
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Construction & Renovation
16
17
employees
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
Photo by V Strategies Inc.
Years in Business
CONGRATULATIONS
The Team at Calgary Elite Roofing would like to congratulate Greg Garcia and all the 2021 Business in Calgary Leaders Award winners.
Suite 300 - 160 Quarry Park Blvd SE Calgary, Alberta, T2C 3G3 (403) 478-2580 • reception@calgaryeliteroofing.ca
calgaryeliteroofing.ca
Owen Jones Canadian Bio-Systems Inc.
S
upporting farmers is at the core of Canadian Bio-Systems Inc.’s DNA. Under Owen Jones’ leadership, CBS Inc. is a pioneer and world leader in enzyme technology and related biobased technologies. Its high-quality, science-based solutions have allowed it to take advantage of the shift away from antibiotics and other conventional approaches toward innovative biobased alternatives, with a stronger focus on natural ingredients and processes. CBS Inc. has supported scholarships and program funding to more than 250 Master’s and PhD students. “After looking up to my grandfather in the farming industry, I wanted to make agriculture on the minds of people. We have a great team in place that makes me very optimistic in saying the best days of CBS are still ahead of us. There is a lot to look forward to.”
Industry Sector
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Biotechnology
38
30
employees
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
Photo by V Strategies Inc.
Years in Business
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
Usman Tahir Jutt Chirp Foods Inc.
O
ne of Western Canada’s largest owner/ operators for McDonald’s, Usman Tahir Jutt knew from a young age that he wanted to be an entrepreneur and ‘scale for good.’ With 17 McDonald’s restaurants and his own Chirp Foods Inc., Jutt has developed a management model to creatively reduce expenditures by centralizing resources and sharing talent among locations. With more than $45 million in sales, Jutt has contributed nearly $1 million to non-profits across Alberta. “I’m inspired day in and day out by my two young children. I want my boys to grow up in a world full of opportunity and equity, and that’s why community building is at the very core of my business.”
Industry Sector
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Consumer Products
9
1000 employees
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
Photo by V Strategies Inc.
Years in Business
Trevor MacFarlane Dynamic Risk
B
y combining engineering services and software, Dynamic Risk offers industry innovative solutions to improve the safety and reliability of pipelines. Lead by forwardthinking Trevor MacFarlane, the company optimizes risk-informed decision making in a customer centric way, using technology to produce engineering services, data analysis, trending and forecasting. Fearless, determined and humble, MacFarlane is dedicated to his team and the oil and gas industry, for which he is a vocal advocate. “Just because no one has ever done it a certain way, should never influence your drive to re-imagine it differently. Dynamic Risk took on a different trajectory of growth, and as a leadership team, we finally embraced that existing constraints and barriers were not ours and anything was possible.”
Industry Sector
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Oil & Gas, Technology
25
120 employees
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
Photo by V Strategies Inc.
Years in Business
Alec McDougall ECCO Recycling and Energy Corporation
T
hough ECCO Recycling and Energy Corporation began as the 24th Street Dry Waste Disposal facility (landfill) in 1992, today it includes much more. Under Alec McDougall’s leadership, the company has expanded to include the development of other waste disposal sites, recycling and a wood mulch business. The $24 million recycling facility has extended the life of the landfill and expansion is underway for an additional plant to produce low carbon fuel. The company has a long history of supporting the community, particularly local associations near the facility. “My mother is my inspiration–widowed at 33, with no assets and four young children, she taught us the value of love, determination, education, hard work and facing challenges. These lessons supported me when I partnered with close friends and colleagues and leveraged everything we owned to realize our dream business, ECCO.”
Industry Sector
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Waste & Recycling
30
96
employees
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
Photo by V Strategies Inc.
Years in Business
ECCO and Geocycle have collaborated on developing a sustainable low carbon alternative to help reduce GHG emissions at Lafarge’s Exshaw Facility in Alberta - an innovative industrial solution helping close the resource loop and fostering a greener future.
ECCO is excited to announce the new addition to our operations! ECCO’s premier Low Carbon Fuel (LCF) production plant is nearing completion and we are eager to serve our clients at our additional location, near Balzac, in the very near future.
ECCO Chips are made from 100% recycled wood. Wood chips are coloured using non-toxic, all natural vegetable and mineral dyes, producing a high quality landscape mulch. New products you can really dig into are coming soon! Watch our website for retailers carrying our garden and potting soil.
Learn More www.eccorecycling.com
Jenn Lofgren Incito
A
s an executive leadership coach, Lofgren has worked with executives and entrepreneurs from various industries across Canada. Her team of professionals at Incito focus on learning accountability around choice management, setting clear priorities, critical thinking and strategic leadership. Incito’s mentorship programs carry well beyond the end of each coaching session. As one of only 60 Canadians to receive the exclusive Master Certified Coach (MCC) designation, Lofgren is a recognized and respected thought leader in coaching and development. “One day I realized I was good at my work, but I wasn’t passionate about it. I made the courageous leap to go back to school and change careers. I’ve never regretted it for a moment despite the struggle and uncertainty. Today I live my purpose helping others lead with courage.”
Industry Sector
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Professional Development
12
8
employees
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
Photo by V Strategies Inc.
Years in Business
calitso.com 587-794-4134
Better IT. Better Business. Providing Managed IT Services & Solutions to Calgary businesses. Make the switch to Calitso and we provide the first month at no charge to ensure a smooth, risk free transition.
• Managed Cyber Security/Data protection • Cloud Backups & Business Continuity • Network Design & Implementation • Office 365/Microsoft Azure • Remote Work Solutions
Bilal Hydrie Inclusive Energy Ltd.
B
ilal Hydrie is motivated by risk, and has a proven knack for ingenuity, hard work and business success. To fill a gap in the oil and gas industry, he created Inclusive Energy, focused on the purchase, sale and rental of oilfield equipment, as well as chemical storage and distribution. Today, it carries the largest inventory of surface equipment for drilling and completion in Alberta. Hydrie’s Global Centurion Investments, a private equity firm devoted to assisting startups, provides in-house financing for manufacturing, engineering, customization, delivery and installation. “I was very young when I realized that there is nothing that can take place of hard work and persistence. In order to achieve any level of success, you’ve got to put in the work and believe in yourself. You need to have a passion for whatever it is you set out to do. You need to envision yourself nearing your end goal, and stay focused on it. You will make mistakes along the way, but if you have your eye on the prize, you will have no issues picking yourself up and continuing your journey towards that end goal.”
Industry Sector
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Oil & Gas
Years in Business
5-10 employees
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
Photo by V Strategies Inc.
11
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HEAD OFFICE: (403) 444 6897 | SUITE 5050, 150 6TH AVE SW
INCLUSIVENERGY.COM
Darren Bondar Inner Spirit Holdings
T
he first recreational cannabis company to close a true IPO in Canada, Inner Spirit Holdings Ltd. is now one of Canada’s largest cannabis retailers, with over 100 locations open from coast to coast. With an uncanny knack for surrounding himself with the best and brightest, Bondar has faced the challenges of a new and changing industry, employing a franchise model that is unique to the sector. He is a recognized leader in the cannabis industry. “Cutting the ribbon on our 100th store in Ottawa this summer and then selling Spiritleaf to Sundial for $131 million dollars in the same month was certainly a defining moment of success. With that though is the realization of how many lives we have touched with Spiritleaf from the millions of customers, and the thousand-plus employees that serve them, which are all supported by local business leaders & entrepreneurs and the 24/7 passion that goes into the brand. Its all pretty powerful!”
Industry Sector
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Consumer Products
5
1000+ employees
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
Photo by V Strategies Inc.
Years in Business
Jerry Myer Integrity Group of Companies
F
ounded as a post frame construction company in 2008, Integrity Group of Companies is now, thanks to Jerry Myer, more than a leading Western Canadian construction company – it’s family. The self-made, true Alberta cowboy’s vision for a better post frame industry has been the driving force for Integrity, which today includes a Building Products Division, Custom Cabinet Shop, Full Design Build Division, Fabrication services and more. Integrity supports many youth organizations, such as 4-H organizations, rodeo competitors and sports teams. “From day one, we decided to build a company that does things better. Bringing together amazing people to help change our industry, support our communities and have a positive impact on our families. Integrity is more than just the name of our company. It’s what we bring to the table every day. I’m proud to not only be the founder of Integrity, but proud to be a part of the team.”
Industry Sector
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Construction
14
200 employees
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
Photo by V Strategies Inc.
Years in Business
Bill Walker Landmark Cinemas
W
ith more than 13 per cent of the Canadian box office market share, Landmark Cinemas is the second largest motion picture, theatre exhibition company in the country. Headquartered in Calgary, it has thrived under Bill Walker’s leadership since 2017. Among his innovative initiatives are recliner seating, which increases personal space and is dramatically more comfortable, and reserved seating. Walker has aligned Landmark with Kids Help Phone, donating more than $310,000 in cash and providing on-screen advertising time valued at more than $1.4 million. “I am inspired by those who enabled my success, from their willingness to see beyond my credentials, to acceptance of my leadership, these acts have sustained both my personal growth, and that of Landmark Cinemas.”
Industry Sector
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Media & Entertainment
57
1400 employees
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
Photo by V Strategies Inc.
Years in Business
Manjit Minhas Minhas Brewery, Distillery & Winery
C
algary’s own beer baroness, Manjit K. Minhas leads a privately owned empire with revenues in excess of $210 million last year. The co-founder and co-owner of Minhas Brewery, Distillery and Winery started her company at the age of 19, with brother Ravinder, and just $10,000. Today, they have more than 90 brands of beers, spirits, liqueurs and wines, sold in five provinces, 47 U.S. states and 16 other countries. A Dragon on CBC’s hit TV show Dragon’s Den for the past five years, Minhas has invested in 31 businesses. “If you really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time.”
Industry Sector
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Consumer Products
21
364 employees
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
Photo by V Strategies Inc.
Years in Business
Slade King Play Golf Calgary
P
lay Golf Calgary’s unique business model comprises five completely different and unique golf courses – The Links of GlenEagles, HeatherGlen, Serenity, Blue Devil and Lil Devil – with consistent quality course conditions, service levels, restaurant quality and programming. Slade King has fostered three core values for the seasonal business’ team: pride, friendliness, efficiency. The organization hosts more than 30 charity golf tournaments a season and gives away more than $30,000 worth of green fees to local silent auction and fundraising efforts. “An incredibly large part of anyone’s success is their ability to be curious. Continually learning is critical to have an internal drive. I was very fortunate to learn from an incredible entrepreneur, our CEO Scott Atkinson. Following his gift for building and growth, I was able to create systems, and stability to attract and create an exceptional team to deliver a fun golf experience to our guests.”
Industry Sector
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Sports & Recreation
31
350 employees
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
Photo by V Strategies Inc.
Years in Business
Our Team is Awesome Congratulations and thank you to Play Golf Calgary CEO Scott Atkinson and the entire team for being recognized as a business leader in Calgary. Our core values of Pride, Friendliness and Efficiency motivate us to deliver the very best golf experience.
Serenity Golf Club
HeatherGlen Golf Club
Blue Devil Golf Club
The Links of GlenEagles | Blue Devil Golf Club | Lil Devil Golf Course HeatherGlen Golf Course | Serenity Golf Club www.playgolfcalgary.com Background photo: The Links of GlenEagles
Kevin Phone Premiere Van Lines
A
t Premiere Van Lines, Kevin Phone instills a culture of care and awareness, and an attention to detail that his residential and office moving customers truly appreciate. With a family environment where everyone feels equally responsible for the success of each job, and compensating above the industry average, Premiere enjoys a high employee retention rate. The result is the highest levels of service for the lowest possible price. Phone’s commitment to the environment and charitable organizations has led to initiatives to divert furniture from the landfill. “Growing up in a close tight-knit family, it provided inspiration to the type of corporate culture we strive for. Aside from our actual family members who are engaged in the business, we try to instill that same sense of being a family with all our staff.”
Industry Sector
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
44
75
employees
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
Photo by V Strategies Inc.
Years in Business
Moving Services
Andrew Obrecht YYC Cycle
A
ndrew Obrecht’s personal mission is to provide a platform for others to see how authentically powerful and inspiring they truly are. Since launching YYC and YEG Cycle, he has fostered a culture of connection and accountability throughout the company’s ecosystem. His customers – the Bikergang – number over 30,000. They participate in more than 220 spin classes every week, in six studios in Calgary and Edmonton. This community has collectively raised more than $760,000 to support more than 60 charities. “The thing about momentum is that it’s nearly impossible to start. But once you have it, it’s nearly impossible to stop.”
Industry Sector
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Health & Wellness
8
250 employees
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
Photo by V Strategies Inc.
Years in Business
Emmy Koetsier-Seville Vision Sports Centre
I
n opening Vision Sports Centre, Emmy KoetsierSeville brought her vision – to utilize the power of sport as a change agent for social good – to life. Her centre provides business opportunities to local sports enthusiasts by giving them the necessary resources, space and management skills required to build a successful sports program for kids. By focusing on the value of relationships, community collaboration and corporate social responsibility, Koetsier-Seville is redefining the role and obligations of private business in society. “When I began Vision Sports Centre, my goal was to make sports accessible to as many families as we could possibly reach. Creating a place where young motivated entrepreneurs from all areas of health and wellness could collaborate as well as grow their individual businesses. Ultimately to generate the revenue towards running inhouse scholarship and sponsorship programs needed so desperately in our communities.”
Industry Sector
COMPANY SNAPSHOT
Sports & Recreation
10
15
employees
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
Photo by V Strategies Inc.
Years in Business
“Vision Sports Centre is a place where young, motivated entrepreneurs from all areas of health, wellness, and sport can collaborate and grow their individual businesses. I would like to deeply thank all of our partners and staff for their support, loyalty, and dedication for making this award possible” ~ Emmy Koetsier-Seville
Vision Sports Centre 7475 Flint Road SE, Calgary, Alberta (403) 252-1400 www.visionsportscentre.com
Legacy LEADERSHIP AWARD
C
ole Harris is the positive, passionate, entrepreneurial and infectiously high-energy leader, president and COO of the Centron Group team. “It’s the Centron strength and key to success,” he says. “It’s all about team attitude. Long term people, who have weathered lots of adversity with a culture of positivity and a can-do attitude.” For 37 years, the core values of the family business, founded by Cole’s father Bob Harris, chairman and CEO, have earned the Centron Group the distinction of being an iconic Western Canada builder and developer of prime commercial and residential properties of offices, industrial warehouses, retail centres, hotels, multi-residential projects and land development. Some remarkable Centron achievements include over $5 billion in project value, developing more than 15 million square feet of office, retail and industrial projects, and the development and construction of more than 12,000 residential units, and residential lots. “We are locally owned and operated and have built our business on drive and integrity,” he says with pride. “A big
part is relationships. The team approach with our Centron team, key suppliers, contractors and especially our clients. We support each other and build off each other’s energy. “Especially now, with so many challenges in business and the construction sector, we spend a lot of time planning, contingency planning and testing what goes right and what could go wrong,” Cole Harris points out. “It will take continual flexibility, managing the rate of change and being ready to act quickly. The speed of changes is getting faster and faster and the reality is that, it will take us twice as much work to get half as much done.” With enthusiasm Harris emphasizes celebrating successes, regardless of size, but consistently keeping an eye on the humanity of things. He has sat on several non-profit boards, now focusing on Centron Cares by using their expertise to build and support nonprofit construction and real estate initiatives and most recently, Hull Family Services, Foothills Academy School, EvenStart for Children Foundation, Inn from the Cold and Mustard Seed. The father of three enjoys spending time with family and friends, often on a ski hill or in a hockey rink.
“IF YOUR ACTIONS INSPIRE OTHERS TO DREAM MORE, LEARN MORE, DO MORE, YOU ARE A LEADER” – John Quincy Adams
LEADERSHIP HAS A LASTING LEGACY. 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 Cole Harris as the recipient of the 2021 Legacy Leadership Award. As someone who has demonstrated a sustained impact on the fabric of our city through outstanding leadership and stewardship in community building we are proud to recognize and honour his ongoing contributions.
COLE HARRIS President & COO Centron Group
ucpg.ca
LEADERS ALUMNI “THEN AND NOW”
T
hirteen 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 220 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.
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Official Airline Partner
Lou MacEachern
2010 Calgary-based EnviroShred proudly offers the newest fleet of shredding trucks in their service area.
ENVIROSHRED and Business Leader Greg Olynyk Over 15 years of rapid growth sees trusted document destruction company expanding across the province
B
ack in the early 2000s, Greg Olynyk and two silent partners created EnviroShred realizing the opportunity for a new company to compete in the marketplace focusing on customer service while providing secure shredding services. Since seizing the vast opportunity, Olynyk has never looked back. In 2006, EnviroShred contacted local businesses seeking to protect their information and clients with two shredding trucks. Today, despite pandemicrelated challenges, Olynyk is proud to work with a team of 20 Calgary-and Edmonton-based employees, a fleet of 15 onsite trucks, and 1,000 client visits per week. In addition, the company has over 3,000 clients under contract with over 7,000 shredding bins across the province. “We are servicing clients every one to four weeks with other services including purge services, hard drive and product destruction, and specifically in Calgary to this point, recycling and organics,” says Olynyk. “We have the newest fleet of shredding trucks in our service area. Our long-tenured staff, many working with us over 10 years, know our clients and their needs well. They stick with us, and I’m very proud of that. I have a great team that I work with.”
Calgary-owned with a branch in Edmonton, and serving business communities across the province, EnviroShred proudly gives back. “We support various charities along the way and passionately contribute to the causes we believe in,” says Olynyk. What’s next for this company as it continues to meet its constantly growing big picture vision to support Alberta businesses and communities? “I’m waiting for the new normal and then we’ll be looking into our next expansion plans,” says Olynyk. In other words, people should stay tuned and know that when EnviroShred says, “the paper trail ends here,” they mean it.
4378 - 116 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta T2Z 3Z9 Phone: (403) 265-7115 enviroshred.net
2010
DYNAMIC CALGARY AUTOMOTIVE FAMILY STAYS TRUE TO THEIR ROOTS OVER THREE GENERATIONS by Natalie Noble
O
n a beautiful fall day, Paul Valentine, president with The Valentine Group, looked west out his office window, reflecting on the freedom offered in the continued aspiration for personal transportation. “I’m looking at a clear sky over to the mountains, a little snow on top. I’ll probably drive up for Thanksgiving and get away from the city, returning when I want,” he says. “That’s what my business is all about – giving people the opportunity to live a more convenient life.” The third generation Calgary automotive entrepreneur continues to expand on his family’s longstanding tradition of showing incredible staff appreciation, taking care of customers’ long-term needs, and giving back to those in the community who’ve been dealt a less fortunate hand. “My dad lived to be 90 and his whole life was giving back to our community and making Calgary a better place,” says Valentine. The ever-evolving business that grew into The Valentine Group is an iconic part of Calgary’s business community. Launched in southwest Calgary in 1946 by Paul’s grandfather Bert Valentine upon his return from the war, and partner Ted Halford, the dealership sold Austins, Studebakers and Ramblers, moving into Volvos in 1967. A year later, Paul’s father Ted stepped in as president, reincorporating as Halford and Valentine Ltd.
“Today, with our Volvo products, customers are prioritizing safety. With Jaguar and Land Rover, it’s performance and excitement,” says Valentine. “Automotive is a fascinating world to work in.” The secret to the Valentine family’s continued success is two-fold. “Based on my family’s philosophy, everything we do is based on doing the right thing in the long-run for our customer,” says Valentine. “We also ensure our staff are well compensated, well trained and we take care of them. Happy staff members result in a happy customer who returns time and again.” With over three generations of delivering great service, a foundation of trust and confidence has formed. “We continue to serve first, second, even third generation customers,” says Valentine. “They keep coming back, and that’s worth so much more than focusing on the sale today. They remember their parents purchasing vehicles here.”
“During the 1970s and 80s, my father continued to build the business and I started in the early 90s,” recalls Valentine. “By the late 90s, we’d become the only authorized Volvo dealership in Calgary and moved to our current location in 2000. Shortly afterwards Valentine Volvo became the largest Volvo retailer in Canada.”
The Valentine family believe in faith and service to their community. They support the Mustard Seed, the Calgary Drop-In Centre, Discovery House, the Calgary Emergency Women’s Shelter and more. “We give to those in need with the understanding that we sell cars to those in a typically higher income bracket,” says Valentine. “If we sell luxury cars and take a portion of our proceeds to give to those less fortunate, it’s a very easy business decision for us. We’re committed to giving back to Calgary to make living here easier for those who just need a little help.”
But this family is not one to rest on their laurels. By the end of the decade, Ted and Paul continued to pursue new opportunities, purchasing land in northwest Calgary. “We now have Valentine Volvo, Volvo Cars Royal Oak and JaguarLand Rover Royal Oak,” says Valentine, who stepped in as president with The Valentine Group upon Ted’s passing last August, a great loss to Calgary’s community.
Valentine has a genuine love for the city where he was born, raised and continues to lead a team of respected professionals in his family’s tradition. “It’s affordable, dynamic, close to the mountains, rich in culture and has great professional sports,” says Valentine. “We’re a trustworthy, responsible and safe city and we’re very optimistic for the future of The Valentine Group.”
Jaguar Land Rover Royal Oak 7755 110th Avenue N.W. Calgary, AB T3R 1R8
Volvo Cars Royal Oak 7015 112th Avenue N.W. Calgary, AB T3R 1R8
Valentine Volvo 11 Richard Way S.W. Calgary, AB T3E 7M8
info@valentinegroup.ca | www.valentinegroup.ca
2019
Jim McManes by Rennay Craats
J
im McManes has been a fixture in Calgary’s automotive market since he bought his first dealership, Eastside Dodge, in 1987. Since then he has grown McManes Automotive Group into a juggernaut that includes a leasing company for client convenience, as well as 20 dealerships across Alberta and into B.C. and Manitoba. With this impressive selection of new and used vehicles, McManes Automotive is one of the largest automotive groups operating in Canada. McManes’ achievements earned him a Leader of Tomorrow award in 2019. It is those leadership attributes that helped navigate McManes Automotive Group through the challenging and uncertain months after COVID-19 struck the following year. Between long-running supplier shortages and global plant shutdowns, inventories of new vehicles have been low across manufacturers and across regions.
d Photography
Photo by Riverwoo
“It will get better but it’s going to be six months before it really gets back to a reasonable level,” he says. “But business has still been very good.” Since last featured, McManes has continued to grow and improve his group and is currently building a new Varsity Chrysler facility and a new building for the Marlborough Ford dealership. While he remains active mainly in the Calgary locations, McManes trusts his management and ownership teams implicitly to handle running the dealerships and to manage the 1,300-plus employees working under the McManes umbrella.
He pushes to be number one not only in the marketplace but also with employees and manufacturers, which leads them to being number one with customers. Jim cares about his staff and wants to understand any issues his people have in order to support them so they can, in turn, support clients. He credits his people with the growth and success of his group and invests in them, promoting from within whenever possible.
“All of my partners are pretty independent, and they run their own show. We communicate, but I don’t interfere with their day-to-day operations,” he says.
And lastly, he is a believer in lifelong learning. This is especially important in today’s marketplace. His teams have to keep up with the ever-changing technology in the automotive industry.
McManes’ success over the years is due to his strong work ethic and the culture he has instilled at the dealerships. He drives three simple concepts: “Winning, Caring and Learning.”
As the world inches toward normal after 18 months of COVID-19 uncertainty, Jim McManes is leading McManes Automotive Group to continued and greater success through it all.
www.mcmanesautomotive.com
2009
Shannon Bowen-Smed S
hannon Bowen-Smed has lived a lifetime in the 11 years since being featured as a Leader of Tomorrow. Through the 2013 flood, the Fort McMurray fire, the energy crisis and economic downturn and finally COVID-19, BOWEN Group has redefined itself and converted the challenges it has faced into strengths that have allowed the company to grow. “BOWEN is incredible at disaster management,” Bowen-Smed says. “We’ve really built a resilient business model that’s based on agility and diversification of services that are configured to each client’s unique needs.” As an innovative recruiting and contractor management firm, BOWEN is able to pivot as the market changes, offering fit-for-purpose solutions for its growing client base. And as an organization that is 91 per cent diverse, its solutions are rooted in diversity and inclusion. In 2017, BOWEN introduced an indigenous strategy and has done amazing things partnering with First Nations groups to achieve Indigenous-centric solutions across the country. It all comes back to Bowen-Smed’s mission of “Making People Matter” – whether those people are employees investing in professional and industry development, candidates faced with working in the new economy or clients seeking new staff to grow their businesses. To better serve clients, BowenSmed created an executive advisory council 25 years ago to identify strategies and opportunities in the industry and followed up the success of this entity with the establishment of the leadership council seven years ago. While the executive group employs a five-year lens on workforce strategies, the leadership council consists of HR directors focusing on what they need from BOWEN to help resolve today’s challenges to allow them to meet tomorrow’s opportunities. “There’s no better way to architect business solutions than with your clients at the table with you. As we
The right fit... the first time.
have looked at new and unique initiatives, they have always been with the clients we serve in mind,” says Bowen-Smed. The result has been significant, and the numbers tell the tale with 101 per cent year-over-year sales growth. Through the BOWEN Recruiter network (BRN) and the BOWEN sales network (BSN), Bowen-Smed fosters relationships with independent contractors who help fill positions in their geographic areas or specialty markets, allowing BOWEN to expand by leveraging this unique approach. “We’ve looked at associations, affiliations and alliances to grow our footprint into other markets and other opportunities so that we can continue to really push our revenue boundaries and our opportunities,” she says. By having the humility and agility to identify opportunities that arise in today’s business world, Shannon Bowen-Smed continues to push boundaries and be a leader throughout Alberta and beyond.
Finding you exceptional talent since 1974. bowenworks.ca | 403 262 1156
2009
Kevin Halliday by Rennay Craats
E
ntrepreneurs see opportunity, even in the toughest times. Since being featured as a Leader of Tomorrow in 2009, Kevin Halliday has done more than just see the opportunity around him; he’s turned it into diverse businesses in the fitness, hospitality and construction industries. It all started with Spindle, Stairs & Railings in 1999, which has grown into one of the largest and most prolific companies of its kind in Canada. “I am into growth and opportunity, looking at new things that have never been done before,” says entrepreneur Kevin Halliday, president of Spindle, Stairs & Railings (SS&R). “I’ve been able to adapt and grow and prosper by looking at new ways of doing business.” SS&R is very successful, but it isn’t in Halliday to be complacent. Instead, he applied his team’s expertise and creativity into a new company called COR.FIT to manufacture obstacles for mud runs and obstacle course races. This venture attracted attention both from race planners and investors on the Dragon’s Den television show. From there, he opened COR.FIT fitness facilities across Alberta where athletes could enjoy obstacle race and ninja course training. After selling COR.FIT early in 2020, COVID-19 presented new challenges that Halliday jumped at the chance to solve. He established Plexi Canada to meet the heightened demand for plexiglass barriers to shield staff and patrons from the virus at restaurants, fitness centres, medical offices, retail establishments and hotels. “Spindle, Stairs & Railings has allowed us to have diversification, to grow into other markets because we think outside the box. We look for issues and solve them,” he says. Halliday further diversified his scope of business with another company, Urban Studio Sheds, which offers contemporary, high-end sheds for anything from a stand-alone office space or a yoga studio to a cigar room or art studio. Halliday also invested in the Ceili’s Group and Rooftop YYC, one of the hottest night spots for food and entertainment in downtown Calgary. Supported by an innovative mindset and an award-winning team, Kevin Halliday’s entrepreneurial spirit seeks out new opportunities to grow his businesses. “I’m able to create other markets, other brands, other businesses because I have such a great staff. I’m able to look outside the box and help other businesses and other people grow too,” he says. Bringing together passion and a belief that anything is possible, Halliday continues to grow his business footprint while mentoring small business owners to turn good into great. One thing is for certain – when opportunity knocks Kevin Halliday swings the doors open and enthusiastically invites it inside.
6423 30 St SE, Calgary, AB T2C 1R4 • (403) 294-0555 • info@greatstairs.com • www.greatstairs.com
Bow Valley College grads are ready to evolve Business and technology students are realizing untapped potential while attending Bow Valley College. “Our graduates aren’t just prepared for today’s workplace,” says Alison Anderson, dean of the College’s Chiu School of Business and School of Technology. “They’re entering the workforce with future-proof skills and are ready to evolve with the Calgary’s economic and technological landscape.” Whether developing new skills in business and technology programs or upgrading existing abilities to transition into a new career, Anderson says students are graduating from the College ready to help businesses thrive.
Bowvalleycollege.ca
Even the best are driven to be better Leadership is about staying ahead. It’s defined by the ability to anticipate and adapt to change – to improve, refine and keep moving forward by challenging your team, and business to be better everyday. MNP proudly congratulates the Business in Calgary 2021 Leaders. As an entrepreneurial firm built by entrepreneurs, we commend your achievements and commitment to community.
Trevor Winkler, Regional Managing Partner | 403.263.3385 | trevor.winkler@mnp.ca MNP.ca