2014
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
YOUR VISION GOT YOU THIS FAR.
Where do you go from here? The mark of a true leader is the ability to embrace today’s challenges head on while uncovering opportunities to shape a successful tomorrow. The mark of a visionary, however, is defined by a leader’s ability to capitalize on those opportunities while effectively using their available resources to do so. Our national scope and local focus positions leading organizations – and the visionaries behind them – for success, no matter where business takes you. MNP proudly congratulates the 2014 Leaders of Tomorrow. We celebrate your achievements and anticipate the positive impact you’ll have on our business community. Contact James Gillespie, CA at 780.453.5380 or james.gillespie@mnp.ca
COVER
LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Edmonton Recognizes an Incredibly Diverse Group of Business Leaders BY JOHN HARDY
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any aspects of Edmonton business are basic and manageable because they are tangible. Aspects like charts and graphs, balance sheets, revenues and profits, business plans, market trending and growth increases. Other key aspects of Edmonton’s business and success are tougher to track because they are not tangible. They are personal, like passion, entrepreneurship, vision, drive, focus, commitment and people skills.
This second year of celebrating Edmonton’s Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) is an interesting and eclectic mix of businesses, business approaches WAYNE KRYZALKA and, most of all, hard-earned Edmonton business success stories. These stories revolve around ingenious ways to create empowerment, commercial and industrial fences, cutting-edge security technology, innovative oilfield services, state-of-the-art internet marketing, spectacular interior designs and much more. The LOT winners confirm that the Edmonton market is a vibrant place to do business. Once again, the three LOT judges had the real chalELSIE ELFORD lenge: reviewing, discussing, considering and selecting 20 Edmonton Leaders of Tomorrow. “For me leadership is about inspiring people to be their best,” explains Wayne Kryzalka, managing director, Edmonton Team, ATB Financial and Edmonton LOT judge. “This year’s winners are unique. A good variety and diversity from wellestablished businesses to start-ups. We noticed a lot of passion and leadership talent. Some didn’t succeed the first time but, because they are leaders, they were challenged to try to do things JIM GILLESPIE differently and determined to do it right.” As Kryzalka highlighted from the LOT judging process, the true makings of a business leader reach way beyond the definitions of business. “They were also focused on being leaders in the community, being engaged and giving back.”
Platinum Partner
Elsie Elford, dean, School of Business at MacEwan University and also an LOT judge, echoes the personal dimension qualities of Edmonton’s 20 LOT winners. “A consistent theme among the winners was investment in people. They knew how important it was to build an effective team and to have an engaged workforce. The appropriate words are compassion and caring. They are also visionary and strategic. They are trusted and demonstrate competency, but it is the traits of compassion and caring, mixed with a particular passion for what they do,” she says with enthusiasm and emotion. “I think with the pace and the highly competitive world of business, we sometimes discount the value of the compassion and caring.” Jim Gillespie is impressed and encouraged by this year’s Edmonton LOT nominees and winners. Gillespie is partner, Assurance Services with MNP and a LOT judge. “Not only did we judge an interesting and diverse group of nominees, but the leaders were a broad range of age groups. One of the several things they seem to have in common is embracing new technology and having fresh ideas for developing and growing a business. “The LOT finalists also had a consistently different definition and outlook about success,” Gillespie points out. “Success isn’t necessarily materiality as much as a work-life balance. Although we all agree that Edmonton is a strong and good place to do business, some contemporary business leaders comment that it is sometimes a challenge to attract talent and compete with business markets like Calgary and Toronto.” According to Kryzalka, this year’s LOT winners share confidence that Edmonton is solid and will experience great growth. BIE
The Judges
Gold Partners
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LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Dr. Aaron Patel Company: Alberta Eye Health Clinic & Second Specs
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ou’ve heard it before: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But what if it ain’t broke, but you see a design in your head that can do things in a new way, that can satisfy new needs? If you’re Mercedes, you build the Smart Car. If you’re Dr. Aaron Patel, you build Second Specs. “There’s been an evolving trend towards selling glasses and contact lenses on the internet,” he explains. “So as a profession, we started looking at the threats of this, not only to ourselves, but also to the public’s well-being.” As president of the Alberta Association of Optometrists, Dr. Patel worked to find solutions, but found that getting everyone to agree was impossible. “A customer buying glasses online has to take their own measurements, they can’t try them on, has to wait for delivery and can’t have them adjusted when they arrive. These are all shortcomings,” Dr. Patel says. “The only advantage my partner Quy An and I could see was price. So in 2013, we got a kiosk location in West Edmonton Mall. The concept was we would make glasses starting at $68, frame and lenses. There’d be a licenced optician there to take your measurements. We actually found a way to make the glasses at the kiosk in 30 minutes.” Second Specs was a great idea, but Dr. Patel and his partner did the math and realized they’d have to sell a lot of glasses per day for it to work. The answer: find suppliers that could fill huge orders for a good price and keep thousands of lenses at the kiosk itself for every prescription. While most people decide to buy glasses, then go and find an optical dispensary – Dr. Patel had created a way for the dispensary to find them. “Even if they had no intention of buying glasses that day, people would see the price and stop. They could be spontaneous. This was unique for the industry.” Ever since handing out his first pair of donated glasses while on a trip to Costa Rica, Dr. Patel has been working with the organization Canadian Vision Care and searching for ways to help more people see clearly. With Second Specs, he was able to do this. “For every pair of glasses that we sell, we donate a pair to someone in need. The next step is to get that same concept adopted by other clinics, so that the cost for glasses to the charity will be covered every year.”
Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc.
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LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Justin Reynolds Company: Align Fence Inc.
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lign Fence Inc.’s president, Justin Reynolds, took the road less travelled when he started the company in 2008. While some prefer to do market analysis, create a business plan, sound out the venture with a few close advisors and then tentatively make inroads on their career path, Reynolds went with the “jump right in” method. “I was driving around selling products for another industry. I saw a temporary fence around a construction project and thought, ‘I could do that’. I did some research on suppliers and specifications, then I ordered a bunch of temporary fences from overseas and got started,” laughs Reynolds. He was right. He could do that and he did do that. In 2008 Align Fence was just him and his wife. Today Reynolds manages between 35 – 45 employees and has branches in Edmonton and Fort McMurray. “We have become the total fence solution,” says Reynolds of what sets his company apart in the fencing industry. “We service our customers on anything they need for their fencing requirements. We do the whole gambit, and that is the biggest advantage we have. This gambit includes: wood, chain link, vinyl, rock wall, ornamental and gates for residential, commercial and farm properties. Reynolds, who says a successful leader “leads by example,” credits his staff for the company’s success, saying that without them the company would not be where it is today. When Align Fence is not out fencing, they are out giving back to the community. Align Fence donated the fencing and installation to the Boyle McCauley Centre’s daycare/play area so the children would have a secure, safe place to play. The company has sponsored a wish for the Children’s Wish Foundation and sponsored a hole at the Stollery charity golf tournament this past year. “I was excited! I think it’s excellent!” says Reynolds of the unexpected Leaders of Tomorrow nomination. “We try to fly under the radar a little bit, but this is definitely exciting!” Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc.
Congratulations to the 2014 Leaders of Tomorrow
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LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Todd Grundy Company: Arpi’s North Inc.
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hen Todd was 30 years old, opportunity came knocking in the form of an offer: to buy a third of the company he’d been working for since he was a kid. That company was Arpi’s Industries, responsible for West Edmonton Mall’s plumbing and heating systems, and they were offering ownership to their three top managers. Grundy, who was 30 years old at the time, was one of them. Grundy sold the house he and his wife had built to leverage the capital he needed and, with his two partners, founded Arpi’s North Inc. That was in 2007, when revenues were $24 million. Today, that number is approaching $80 million, making Arpi’s North Inc. one of Western Canada’s largest mechanical contractors. The company is responsible for such high-profile projects such as the Art Gallery of Alberta, the Edmonton International Airport and the Edmonton downtown arena project. And he literally started as a janitor. “We’ve always thought of it as our company because we had loyalty to our people, so in a sense that part was easy,” Grundy says of the transition. “Now that we had the reigns, we didn’t have to go to anyone else for answers.” As their company grew, Grundy explains, it was important to shrink the feel of it. “We facilitated our employees’ ability to access us, and let our staff and our team know that whenever there are any concerns, the owners are here. We’re on-site. I may not know all their names, but I know their faces and they know they can approach me with any questions they have.” Grundy understands what can happen when you combine opportunity with work, and he’s now spearheading a plan that will pass that on to some who haven’t had much of either lately. “We’re working with Bissell Centre to provide training for Edmonton’s disadvantaged or underemployed workers,” he explains. “We have a great potential labour force in our city, and with some encouragement, education and direction, we can all benefit.” While overseeing the education, development and mentorship of Arpi’s North Inc.’s potential employees, Grundy also manages to help kids. A lot of them. He puts in nearly 500 volunteer hours every year as president and a coach of his community minor football association. In addition, Arpi’s North Inc. is a champion sponsor of the Stollery’s “Tee Up for Tots” golf tournament, and a proud sponsor of The Kids Cottage, Children’s Wish Foundation and the Kids Up Front Program.
Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc.
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LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Greg Burghardt Company: Arrow Engineering
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hile Arrow Engineering president and CEO Greg Burghardt obviously cares a lot about the mechanical side of his business, he’s just as concerned with the ‘people’ side. That means building lasting relationships with those he works for (90% of Arrow’s business comes from repeat clients) and it also means focusing on the 75 people who work for him. “One of my fundamental roles is to serve my employees. They’re my clients, too,” he says. “We don’t give up on our people” is more than a mandate to Burghardt, it’s a promise. “We’ve never let anybody go for shortage of work,” he says. “Even during the downturn, when revenues were low, we staffed up for the future. We were determined to work faster, work harder and be more productive. You have to have confidence in the future. Believe and do. Putting your head in the sand accomplishes nothing.” Having confidence in the future means hiring great people for great careers. “I hire for the long term,” he says. “I’m not interested in six months, and if I drive away a prospective employee with that knowledge, that’s okay.” But make no mistake, once you’ve made a commitment to Arrow Engineering, Burghardt has made a commitment to you. “Once I’ve picked someone, I’ll do everything I can to make it work,” he says, which includes keeping his people engaged and learning. “It’s really important to look after people. It’s win/win. If we go fishing together 10 years from now, I want to make sure we’re both in the boat at the end of the day.” A culture of constant learning has been very valuable with Arrow Engineering experiencing high levels of growth despite an economy that has been shaky, at best. “In business school, they tell you that for every 100% you grow, you have to reinvent your procedures. We’ve grown several times that. You have to be constantly reshaping your axe and figuring out how to cut the trees.” While Burghardt doesn’t give up on his people, he doesn’t believe in giving up on others either. He and Arrow Engineering have made substantial contributions to the Alberta Association for Community Living (AACL), The Mustard Seed Foundation, CARE Housing Society, CKUA, Little Warriors/Be Brave Ranch, and Wellspring. Burghardt is also the founding and current chair of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology’s new alternative energy technology program advisory committee.
Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc.
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LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Glenn Mudryk Company: CBM Office Automation
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lenn Mudryk likes people and he loves it when they like their job. He is president of a company that focuses on business machines and technology, but he believes that the key to his success is to focus on his employees. “There has to be a balance between home and work. When someone’s having an issue at home, we’re not getting the whole person. We don’t believe here in the idea of living to work,” he says. “We prefer working to live.” As a result of fostering a culture of fun, camaraderie and support, CBM has kept their turnover to zero in the past five years. This philosophy of people over machines transfers to clients, Mudryk says, as he and his team are much more interested in long-term customer relationships than they are in earning a quick buck. “We sell differently than most,” he says. “We don’t propose solutions immediately. We prefer to actually slow down the sale, sometimes taking 90 to 180 days to get to know a new customer’s business and their needs. If I really understand you, chances are I’ll keep you as a client. And we’ve had wonderful success.” All this for a man who initially had little interest in becoming involved in the modest business his father and mother ran out of the basement of the family home. “I just couldn’t see myself running around carrying a tool kit with my mom being my secretary,” says Mudryk. He changed his mind when he understood that he had something important to offer. “I’m not near the tradesman my dad was, so I took a different direction, building the business and introducing new technology.” For a company whose machines produce 300,000,000 pages a month, CBM’s approach to print technology is a little unorthodox. “As owner, my responsibility is to the future. Sharing is becoming more digital, so we’re working hard to get our clients down to zero print. It will save trees and save our customers money.” To facilitate this, Mudryk is growing a strong software and IT component to his company. “As it is now, less than 20% of our business is copies.” Extending his interest in people beyond company walls, in addition to taking his employees go-karting or bowling as often as possible, Mudryk has spent years coaching minor ice and ball hockey, helped to raise money for a new inner city school, continues to raise money for Hope Mission where he spends many hours as a volunteer, and donates time and resources to Junior Achievement. Many other organizations benefit from Mudryk’s focus on people, including Santa’s Anonymous and the Stollery Children’s Hospital, and he has recently become a mentor to young entrepreneurs in Edmonton’s Accelerator group.
Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc.
Samsung - the office technology of tomorrow is proud to partner with Glenn and his team at
CBM Office Automation! Leading Edmonton business with solutions for tomorrow.
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LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Greg Christenson and Peter Dirksen Company: Christenson Developments
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My father was a builder and I developed an interest in it, especially after studying civil engineering at the U of A. I started the current version of Christenson Developments in 1985 and joined with my partner and co-owner Peter Dirksen in 1989,” explains Greg Christenson, president and co-owner of Christenson Developments. For Christenson, there are certain qualities that make a leader: vision, optimism, perseverance, and ambition. When you have all of these, you end up with a principled business that is respected and involved in both the local and business communities. It’s simple math for these guys. In the housing industry, Christenson Developments has been awarded twice as Builder of the Year, received the 2012 QUEST Energy Award and was awarded the Ministers Award by the Province of Alberta – to name a few. The business is also heavily involved in charity work in Edmonton. Christenson himself was a founding member of Habitat for Housing Day in the Capital Region, chairs the Face Off for Alzheimer’s Pro-Am Hockey Tournament, and has worked to raise money for both the University of Alberta and McEwan University in the physical education and wellness departments. You might think a man of such success would have a laundry list of people to thank for how far he has come, and he may, but the ones he gives all the credit to? His parents. “[My] father and mother are number one for being great role models of values and character, ambition and community involvement,” he says, although he certainly acknowledges the integral role both his partners and staff have had in the success of the business, as well as the volunteers and staff on CHBA and the Chamber of Commerce. How did Christenson receive this nomination? “Its very flattering to be found, considered, and nominated.”
Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc.
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LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Michael Bacchus Company: Conroy Ross Partners
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onroy Ross Partners was founded in 1994 as an executive search firm focused on oil and gas technical professionals, but has expanded significantly over the last 20 years. “I’m a social person and really enjoy being around people. The executive search and consulting industry’s main focus is people, so it was a natural fit,” says CEO Michael Bacchus of his interest in the field. Bacchus found himself attracted specifically to Conroy Ross because of their brand equity and reputation as a best-in-class firm. As far as he was concerned, there was no other choice than to be with this well-respected company, and he has been for the last four and a half years. The company’s three core pillars, which remain constant year over year, include colleague engagement, client advocacy and financial performance. These pillars are how the company takes care of its colleagues and in turn, its client base. What makes a successful leader in Bacchus’ eyes? “The ability to surround themselves with exceptional people, the ability to engage and inspire those individuals towards a common goal and to work in a collaborative fashion to achieve success.” Recognized twice as the leader of a “50 Best Managed Company” in Canada and a Profit 100 organization, Bacchus has proven himself to be an integral member of the Conroy Ross team and his community. Humbled by the nomination, he has been an active supporter of charity work in his community, including working with the Stollery Children’s Hospital, Little Warriors, the Edmonton Public School Board Foundation and currently a board trustee with The University Hospital Foundation (UHF), among other charitable endeavors. “I would like to thank my generous colleagues at Conroy Ross Partners, EO and YPO for their gracious support over the years. They have always been willing to lend a hand and support our community regardless of the need. My family and I are very proud of our community. We are proud Edmontonians and grateful for the many opportunities and relationships that have developed over the years.”
Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc.
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LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Curtis Nikel Company: CONTAVA Inc.
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ONTAVA Inc. is a security technology firm. “We take the technologies of the security industry and apply them to your business,” explains company president Curtis Nikel. “We help businesses manage risk and protect their assets and people.” Nikel started his career in the satellite communication field, where he first became acquainted with security technology. It was during this time he was given a chance to market security products. He saw this as a unique opportunity to become a company that provides physical security technology through IT departments. That was 10 years ago. Nikel started the company with just two employees. Today he has 65. CONTAVA Inc. is a leading integrator of security technology, especially for projects that require design, delivery, installation, support and/or service in an enterprise-IT environment. Since the company’s inception in 2004, CONTAVA has emphasized “security through technology” and been successful in areas of video surveillance, access control, mass notification, structured cabling, intrusion detection, key management, perimeter protection, enterprise information technology (i.e., servers, storage and network infrastructure), and most recently, network monitoring. The company strives to create strong working relationships with its clients and become their most trusted security technology advisor. All client relationships are based upon the company’s core values of accountability, creativity, respect, integrity, passion and well-being. CONTAVA’s fresh outlook on the security industry has garnered the company awards from Alberta Venture, Security Design Magazine and Branham 300. Despite being named security integrator of the year by Security Products and Technology News, the Leaders of Tomorrow nomination caught Nikel by surprise. “When I learned I was being recognized along with 19 other peers I was extremely, extremely humbled. It’s a great recognition.” A great recognition indeed and one that Nikel and his team at CONTAVA certainly deserve. Every day Nikel strives to live up to his definition of a leader, who is someone that “finds the right people and empowers them to do their job well.” “I would just like to say thank you to everybody who is part of the CONTAVA team, concludes Nikel. “We’ve won our awards and accomplished our results as a team. There is no one individual effort here, it’s is a team effort. They all deserve to be recognized for their contributions in creating a successful organization and creating great corporate culture.” Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc.
Leadership Lasts.
We know.
We’ve seen it for 125 years. Congratulations to all winners and nominees of the 2014 Leaders of Tomorrow.
city of edmonton photo gallery
edmontonchamber.com
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LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Dianna Bowes Company: Fabulous@50
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s Dianna Bowes was nearing the end of her 49th year, she began to question what her next birthday would mean, so she wrote a blog about it. “I realized that a lot of others were asking the same thing,” she says. “There was lots of support for women entrepreneurs, but there was nothing for personal growth.” She thought she could change that. “I started our first meet-up in 2008 to talk about ways to continue developing personally after 50 by volunteering, working with non-profits…and just by getting together.” Bowes knows she’s tapped into something important. “The generation before us was different. We have no one to model, and younger women are looking at us to see how we do,” she says. “We’re developing consciousness, but we’re also breaking habits and maybe learning some new things.” The ‘we’ she’s referring to are the more than 425 women who’ve come together at the 145 events she’s held to date. By far the most popular of these is the Fabulous@50 Experience and Martini Party, an annual trade show with 75 exhibitors that is expected to attract close to 2,000 attendees in 2014; and yes, everyone gets a martini. “It started off as martinis at my place,” she explains, and she’s savvy enough not to fix what isn’t broke. “Our goal is to empower, inspire and educate. Women are buying 12 tickets, for their mother, their daughter, their aunts, and their grandma. Forty to 50-year-olds are the glue that holds the older and younger generations together.” The Be Fabulous magazine is now available and you can also visit Bowes’ tremendously popular website, which offers different membership levels. More than 3,000 women receive her newsletter, with another 3,000 on the Facebook page. But here’s the thing: 55 per cent of Fabulous@50 members are from outside the country. Think about that for a moment. “I didn’t start any of this as a business,” she says, “I just saw a need. So far it’s just me (as graphic designer, she designed and maintains the website herself), but I may hire an administrator this year.” Probably a good idea. “I just want to share a message. Women need leadership, but I tell them it’s already there. They are the leaders. I was the girl who wouldn’t even order through the drive-thru. That’s how shy I was. So if I can do it,” she says, “anybody can.”
Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc.
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LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Crystal Graham Company: Kasian Architecture Interior Design & Planning Ltd.
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ward winning interior architect Crystal Graham is a principle at Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning, a hugely successful Edmonton-based firm with offices in Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto and the Middle East. This firm is responsible for the design of the interiors of several creative and iconic local spaces, such as the Art Gallery of Alberta, Epcor Tower, the Alberta College of Art + Design, as well as the eagerly anticipated Edmonton Federal Building. Farther afield, Kasian is also the group behind the interior of the newly realized Vancouver Airport and some designs in Asia so creative and stunning they quite honestly threaten to take one’s breath away. Graham believes strongly in the power of collaboration and sees it as one of the keys to her success. “What really drives me is that I love working with clients,” she says. “Most of them are brilliant. You’d be amazed at what great ideas they have. Not only is the wealth of that kind of collaboration inspiring, but it helps us to really understand who our clients are, what they do and what they need. The more I understand them, the better our solutions will be. They’ll have more integrity.” Graham likes to tell a story that illustrates this concept perfectly. “We put together some concepts for the Children’s Hospital in Calgary, and we decided to show them to the kids. They looked at the designs for a minute. Then they said, ‘That’s kind of scary’.” Not exactly the reaction she’d been hoping for. “So we asked them to draw us what they wanted to see. What we got was incredibly colourful, with four-pane windows the way a child imagines them. They were showing us the kind of place a kid would feel good in, and that’s what we built.” “We’re doing billion dollar projects now,” Graham says, “and when I look back over the past 25 years, I wouldn’t change anything. I’d want to do the same things with the same people in the same way. It’s amazing.”
Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc. Furniture supplied by Innerspaces Business Furnishings Inc.
COVER
LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Aleem Virani Company: KV Capital Inc.
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elling the family home, the kid’s education and the dog’s toys to chase a single entrepreneurial dream might make for a good story, but it seldom makes good financial sense. The accounting part of Aleem Virani’s brain didn’t find that model compelling, so he and members of his family went at it a different way. Together, they opened three separate business in three different industries, each one based on a particular family member’s skill set. Regardless of which business was more successful, they’d share everything. Virani’s contribution to this entrepreneurial triumvirate was private mortgage lender, KV Capital Inc. “I didn’t expect it to be where it is,” he says. “I didn’t look down the road 20 years.” Today, KV Capital Inc. has advanced over $110 million in mortgage financing with zero losses, and received over $53 million in principal repayments. “Because we have two sets of clients, investors and borrowers, we’ve worked out a philosophy of being transparent with each other and with them. You have to make sure you’re doing the right thing all the time. We also understand that we’re not brain surgeons – no one’s life’s in the balance. So it’s okay to take the extra day. That’s helped a lot,” says Virani. Virani felt a system of corporate governance was essential to KV Capital Inc.’s long-term success. “You see independent boards of directors in publicly traded companies, but private companies tend not to have them because they can be seen as an impediment. Boards have no vested interest in your business doing well, so you have to take a leap of faith. But when I look at doing a deal, I think of whether it will be approved. I can’t go on gut feeling anymore,” he says. “In this industry, there tends not to be this structure.” Virani’s advice to those starting a small business? “It’s easy to focus on growth, but lay down a good base. We put in infrastructure, like IT, early. It helps customers see that you’re efficient. Having the right staff is key. There were a couple of key people we had early on that we honestly couldn’t have done as well without. It’s critical to hire people that enjoy your business and are passionate about it. They’re the ones who can take it to another level.”
Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc. Furniture supplied by Innerspaces Business Furnishings Inc.
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LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Lesley Paull Company: Paull Travel
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About twice a week someone tells me they can’t believe there are still travel agents” says Lesley Paull, owner/operator of Paull Travel, the city’s largest independent agency. She understands. When anyone can pick up their tablet and book a flight to Bora Bora, or a kayak in Iceland, a lot of people are going to do everything themselves; which is why a lot of people spend their vacation in Bora Bora during the rainy season, but not on Paull’s watch! “The internet has actually helped us,” she says. “Our competitive advantage is that you can phone us, have a person answer and 17 people waiting to help you.” Paull has spent her career making sure hers is a place where everyone really does know your name, and each staff member knows the business inside and out. “Every year for the past 23 years we have hired a student from the GMC or CDI Travel programs, and have them train with me,” she says. For the full year the student/ employee/student-again is at Paull’s side, they’re not responsible for any clients. “I want to see their real personality and strengths without that added pressure. Besides, if they can stand me for a year, they can handle anybody.” This approach is unique, and it works. “Three quarters of my girls have been with me for more than a decade.” Serving both leisure and corporate clients requires specialists, Paull believes. “On the leisure side, we have ‘the nice people’. They have the patience and understanding to get everything just right. On the corporate side, they have to be quick and efficient.” There hasn’t been a year Paull’s company hasn’t grown. “I’m very proud of that. We work on referral, so we know our clients want to deal with us. They’re happy to be here. To be able to grow that way is so much better.” Paull is heavily involved in her industry, serving on the Business Advisory Council for the Edmonton Airport, among others. She’s also president of the Alliance of Canadian Travel Agents.
Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc. Furniture supplied by Innerspaces Business Furnishings Inc.
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LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Aleksa Mrdjenovich Company: Nova Hotels
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t 29 years of age, a lot of people are still living with mom and dad, working in a dead-end job and basically wondering what to do with their lives. Aleksa Mrdjenovich is running a hotel chain. “I started working full time here after I finished university and I remember thinking it would be so much easier if I was 28,” says the Nova Hotels CEO, laughing a little. “But really, it’s all about surrounding yourself with good mentors and good people. Being young has its challenges, but it has its advantages, too.” Mrdjenovich points out she was always the one who said she didn’t want to be in the family business, hence her degree in medical sciences honours physiology. “But when I started, I saw the opportunity and just fell in love with it. Which is why I got my executive MBA through Queens a few years back to develop my skills.” The Nova chain of hotels is 100% locally owned and operated, which gives the company the advantage of being much more flexible than big, multi-national chains, Mrdjenovich believes. “We also understand the uniqueness of the Alberta market.” Nova Hotels has found a niche in that market, and filled it. “The Alberta economy gives us lots of opportunity to grow, and we specialize in serving the oil and gas industry. We’re not trying to compete with the camps. We’re more on the corporate side.” Mrdjenovich’s hotels can be found nearby the industrial action in localities like Peace River, Acheson, Hinton and Fort McMurray, and are set up for short, medium and longterm occupancy with microwaves, fridges and good quality queen size beds in every room. “It’s important to productivity to get a good night’s sleep,” she says. While Nova has a been adding hotels at a blistering pace, eight in the last 15 months, the CEO is planning for sustainable growth of one or two a year. “We’re up against Holiday Inns and Best Westerns,” she says, “but we’re very fortunate that the Alberta market is willing to be receptive to us, support local and give us a chance to compete.” Evidently, not yet turning 30 hasn’t posed a problem for this passionate CEO. “I never stop to think about how young I am,” she says. “There’s so much on my plate, I just have to keep eating.”
Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc. Furniture supplied by Innerspaces Business Furnishings Inc.
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LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Lindsay Dodd Company: Savvia Inc.
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indsay Dodd, the CEO of Savvia Inc., found a way to combine his two passions: technology and business. “I’ve always been fascinated by what technology could do for people. Technology is a life changing mechanism,” smiles Dodd. “However, I also have a passion for business.” In pursuit of this passion, he obtained a master’s degree in business. Four years ago, he put both driving influences together to create Savvia. “Savvia manages technologies for other companies,” Dodd explains. “We have created a company that is more than just a help desk. We create ways for our clients to use technology to improve their businesses; for example, interact with their customers in real time.” A prime example of Savvia’s innovative thinking is seen in what they did for a client deep in Fort McMurray’s back country. Savvia provided them with an “office in a box”, allowing them to run their operation from a trailer hooked to a generator. Now this field crew has direct, real-time access to head office, and this has positively impacted everything from their invoicing to their time sheet fulfillment. When not bringing technology to the (literal) field, Savvia is active at United Way, working with grass roots organizations such as Light the Bridge and sponsoring orphans overseas. As the (now past) chair of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, Dodd committed 50 per cent of his work time in 2013 to his Chamber duties; a massive time commitment for any business owner. However, it was time he was happy to donate because to him, being a leader is not just about running a company. “Most owners start business because they know how to do something, but at some point that business person has to transcend what they can do and instill in others what they know and what they believe. A good business leader motivates and inspires others to perform and achieve great things according to what they believe in,” explains Dodd. As last year’s Chamber chair, Dodd was on the podium as a keynote speaker at the 2013 Leaders of Tomorrow Awards, so it was a pleasant and unexpected surprise to be nominated in 2014. “I’d like to thank my staff,” says Dodd in reaction the honour. “When I took on the Chamber role I told them I’d be gone 50 per cent of the time and they had to run the business. They responded by doubling the size of the business last year. I’d also like to thank my wife and children. They are the center of my world. I couldn’t do anything without their support, encouragement, patience and understanding.”
Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc.
COVER
LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Naheed Shariff Company: Shariff Group
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I was born into this business,” smiles Naheed Shariff, CEO of the Shariff Group. “My parents’ first venture into business is when they came to Canada and opened an East African restaurant. My mother’s first job was at Boston Pizza International in Edmonton (BP). They purchased their first franchise in 1983 and the rest is history. I love this business. I love spending time with people and getting to know them. On any given day, I can affect how people feel by providing them with a relaxing atmosphere away from their everyday lives (and they don’t have to clean up).” Naheed is talking about the four Edmonton Boston Pizza franchises that belong to the Shariff Group. The Shariff’s are famous for making sure the gourmet pizza they serve has top-quality ingredients and robust flavours, just like their other delightful dishes. They are also known for their ultraclean, family-friendly restaurants. Some of their locations cater directly to parents by featuring balloon artists on Friday nights and Kids’ Super Sunday cartoons. For Naheed, this magic was integral to the business. “I started in Boston Pizza at the age of 12. By my 15th birthday my goal was to be a franchisee by 23, and I became one. I grew up with Boston Pizza and I have had the opportunity to see it evolve and grow as a successful company. The Shariff Group are also known for their unique business model. He explains, “We created a brand within a brand. We are “The Shariff Group” and although we own and operate Boston Pizzas across the city, our staff are members of the Shariff Group, not Boston Pizza. What makes our team different is that we created an identity separate from corporate, but still a part of the Boston Pizza brand. In a family, you are one unit, so to speak, but within your family, there are personalities and identities that complement one another. It’s what makes the family unique and that’s how we see ourselves within the Boston Pizza brand and our fellow franchisees. We are a family within a family but we bring different things to the table (no pun intended).” The Shariff Group enjoys charity work for the Kids with Cancer Society and the Cross Cancer Institute, and plans uplifting and educational events for the Shariff Group’s staff. “We are in a place of privilege, why not use that to help make the lives of others a little easier,” says Naheed. Naheed is thankful for his parents, his wife and children for their continuous support. He learned an important lesson from his younger brother. “Life is a journey. We are not meant to be stagnant, but to always grow.” “It isn’t one person that makes a leader,” Naheed concludes. “It’s the collective. In our organization everyone has a voice, and it’s my job to make it heard. Loud and clear.”
Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc.
COVER
LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Carmelo Rago Company: Sorrentino’s Restaurant Group
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It was a moment in my life when I summoned the courage to make a choice that went against reason, against common sense and the wise advice of people that I trusted,” says Carmelo Rago, president of Sorrentino’s Restaurant Group. “The first few years were difficult times. Every day we were fighting for survival, doing whatever we had to do; but through hard work, perseverance and personal sacrifice, the business first survived and then thrived.” Sorrentino’s was first founded in 1979 and in 1981 Rago, along with his father-in-law and partner Maurizio Saccomanno, were able to buy the business. Sorrentino’s has been a part of the Edmonton community for decades. Offering seasonal variety and being a pillar in the community are just a couple of reasons why the establishment has endured for so long. Back in 1979, the company was one location, then known as Sorrento Restaurant, and Rago was a physical education teacher with a master’s in political science. Needless to say, both Rago and Sorrento underwent monumental changes. Rago admits that not all his ideas over the years were winning ones, but they all steered the enterprise to where it is today, and that has been crucial. “Our annual promotions and events like The Garlic Festival, Garlic Stomp, The Mushroom Harvest, etc... are always in support of a special cause. We wanted to build a company that would achieve balance between profit and community responsibility.” “For me a leader should be able to create a vision, articulate and execute that vision and most importantly, inspire the people around him to do the same or greater,” explains Rago who leads a company that has countless awards under its belt including a Silver Spoon Award, Consumer’s Choice Awards and even the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. The company is also heavily involved in the area’s hospitals, constructed the Sorrentino’s Compassion House for women, and contributed to NAIT’s Culinary Institute. With all this to boast about, Rago emphasizes the importance of his family above all else, and remains humble in the face of the nomination. “It is always nice to be acknowledged but totally unexpected and unnecessary – I am one of the fortunate ones who genuinely loves his job!”
Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc. Furniture supplied by Innerspaces Business Furnishings Inc.
COVER
LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Jonathan Hokanson Company: Standard Scaffold and Insulation Incorporated
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hen Jonathan Hokanson started scaffolding at the age of 18, he had no way of knowing that the best thing he could do for his career was to get fired. But if he hadn’t lost his job in 2009 (“I don’t do well in power struggles,” he says. “I’m just not wired for them.”) he certainly wouldn’t be where he is today. When customers learned he’d been let go, they started calling him up to say they wanted him, not his former company. “A good friend of mine said, ‘maybe you’re not cut out to be an employee. Maybe you’re an entrepreneur.’ I thought about it and called them all back.” Now he just needed a company. “It was maybe two weeks after the collapse in Toronto, so it should have been impossible for me to get a loan, let alone insurance,” Hokanson says. But he had people who stood up for him, the impossible was done – and the calls just kept coming. “The most powerful sales tool there is,” he says, “is for the boss to be on site. While everyone else was scrambling to get home, I’d give the super a card and say, thanks for the work.” Soon, one of those jobs was in Swan Hills. “We did nearly a million dollars in revenue on that job with almost no overhead. That was a real shot in the arm.” When it comes to managing, Hokanson believes in offering real incentives and encouraging real autonomy. “It’s easy to micromanage, but I think it’s better to push responsibility down the chain of command.” To help his employees handle that responsibility, he’s committed to providing the training and education they need. It may surprise you to know that scaffolding is not recognized as a stand-alone trade in Canada, but rather as a sub-trade of carpentry, because decades ago they used wood. It’s recognized in Europe, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, but not in Canada. Hokanson is trying to change that. “It would really improve safety and productivity. Right now, it’s wide open. People who’ve never seen a right angle can be brought on as journeymen, and the crew just keeps them from hurting themselves,” he says. He is also interested in working at improving the availability of appropriate training. “There just aren’t many recognized ways to get it.”
Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc. Furniture supplied by Innerspaces Business Furnishings Inc.
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COVER
LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Ken Jurina
Company: Top Draw Inc.
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Spend the time to hire really great people based on culture and core value fit, give them clear direction and support; and then get out of their way.” This is president and CEO of Top Draw Inc., Ken Jurina’s idea of what makes a successful leader. At 18, Jurina decided to found Top Draw Inc., an internet marketing agency that began as a graphic design shop. Despite not coming from an entrepreneurial background, Jurina wanted to be his own boss and he had his family’s support, the one thing he didn’t have was experience. “I wasn’t courageous enough to seek out mentors when I started my design firm, so I learned about entrepreneurialism primarily through the school of hard knocks.” Not that that has proven to be a bad thing for Jurina and Top Draw. The company has received many accolades since its inception in 1993, including Best in Show at the Canadian New Media Awards and has enjoyed multiple years on the Alberta Venture Fastest Growing 50 list, among other recognitions. Jurina’s passion isn’t solely focused on Top Draw either, he’s a big believer in his community, and helps to foster entrepreneurialism in Edmonton through Junior Achievement and the Edmonton Entrepreneur Organization’s Accelerator Program. And what businessman would be complete without golf? Jurina’s participation in the Cross Cancer Golf Classic has become an annual highlight of his charitable work. So what sets Top Draw apart from its competitors? Aside from the savvy ability to capitalize on the potential of internet marketing back in 2001, the company has strong beliefs about its relationship to its clients and its employees. “We don’t build projects, but rather build relationships with the organizations we work with. We’ve demonstrated an unequivocal return on investment to our clients, with clear mutually agreed upon goals.” “Our open book accounting and profit sharing took our relationship with employees to a higher level. We want our team engaged at a partner level because we win or lose as a team.”
Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc.
COVER
LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Roberta MacGillivray Company: The Filter Shop
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hen the president of The Filter Shop talks about clearing the air, she’s making a very literal statement. Roberta MacGillivray, who is the second generation running this family-owned company, is intent on providing high-quality filtration products, services, education and ultimately, clean air solutions for all. “I find that as we grow and as Canada grows, there are concerns about clean water and clean air. We can do less harm by helping people provide clean air. To me, this is a worthy objective,” states MacGillivray on her passion for running The Filter Shop. MacGillivray’s roots are in the IT field, but when a position presented itself within the family business, she was eager to embrace a more administrative role. She joined the company in 2002 as a manager in HR and training, and worked her way up over the years to become the president in 2010. With the goal to “provide clean air everywhere,” MacGillivray and The Filter Shop work with the Building Owners Management Association (BOMA) and its members to deliver education on filtration solutions as well as help building owners and managers obtain Clean Air Award certificates for their buildings. Internally, she spearheaded the COR program for health and safety as well as strategic multi-year planning. The Filter Shop has been recognized by Employabilities for their hiring diversity, as well as by BOMA for their excellence in customer service. MacGillivray has been honoured to participate in QuantumShift™, an exclusive invitation-only annual event for Canada’s most promising entrepreneurs. The desire to clear the air extends far out of the office. The Filter Shop volunteers with BOMA to provide filtration education for their members. They also support the University of Alberta’s renal program, donating the equivalent cost of a new dialysis machine annually for the next 10 years. (MacGillivray’s aunt was Canada’s first dialysis patient, making this cause very dear to her family’s heart). The company also supports many local grassroots organizations, such as Little Warriors, Alberta Lung Association and Stollery Children’s Hospital to name a few. “I believe a good leader is willing to roll up their sleeves and work with their team,” says MacGillivray. “You must be willing to listen to what’s really going on, glean direction and execute on that. We are always thinking about what is best for our customers.” MacGillivray expresses thanks to the first generation that built the company, the dedication and loyalty of her Filter Shop team and the support of her family. “I’m very flattered by this nomination. We don’t speak much of ourselves; we just put our heads down and get to work! It’s so nice to be recognized in this way.” Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc. Furniture supplied by Innerspaces Business Furnishings Inc.
COVER
LEADERS OF TOMORROW
Leader of Tomorrow:
Chris LaBossiere Company: Yardstick Software
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hen Chris LaBossiere and his good friend Don Riep were learning to be pilots, they started looking for an online study option to assist them in preparing for their upcoming pilot exam. They couldn’t find anything, so they decided to build one. They soon realized that their concept would work for all kinds of online testing, so they just kept on building. In 2006, LaBossiere and Riep were awarded the TEC VenturePrize for their concept and by 2009, the company that had started out as a hobby was generating nearly $3.5 million in revenues. Five years later, Yardstick has evolved to provide a broad spectrum of online training and exam software, as well as exam psychometric consulting and eLearning curriculum production services. And yes, they passed that pilot’s exam. “We delivered 25 million classes in the first five years,” LaBossiere says, “and provide three million exams a year. We’re the largest in Canada already, and we need to take that into new markets.” As Yardstick’s CEO, he now has his sights set on a cool billion learners by 2025. To facilitate Yardstick’s continued rapid growth, LaBossiere feels that it’s important for him to hire carefully. “I really focus on attitude, style over substance,” he says, echoing the maxim that you can always impart the knowledge, but you can’t impart the personality. “I also am committed to empowering our people to run their divisions. It’s important for them to have autonomy. I give them lots of rope and promote from within. I’ve seen people double their salary in two years.” LaBossiere has been giving back to this city as a volunteer for 20 years and has become a vital part of his community. He was appointed by city council to the board of Edmonton Economic Development and served as Startup Edmonton’s inaugural board chair, helping that signature organization to get off the ground. Both LaBossiere and his partner Riep donated to help fund the organization and were part of Startup’s Flightpath Seed Fund program’s original investor group. While LaBossiere also served as co-chair for Stephen Mandel’s “Make Something Edmonton” initiative and is a hard-working member of the Edmonton Public Library and iHuman fundraising committees, he continues to support the University of Alberta career mentoring program every year, helping graduate students to learn about entrepreneurship. He works with Alberta Innovates as well, promoting the education tech industry in Alberta and beyond. “All of this is extraordinarily important,” he says, pointing out that being so heavily involved with Startup Edmonton has actually provided his company with unforeseen benefits. “We get great ideas and support from them, and sometimes,” he adds “we get employees.”
Platinum Partner Gold Partners Photo by EPIC Photography Inc.
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