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Growing with the Times The last 20 years were crucial for Albertans. Our economy proved itself adaptive and resilient, and we are still discovering new ways to fortify our markets and further increase our already exceptional standard of living. Alberta continues to lead the provinces in economic growth, we have the country’s highest employment rate and we are a hotbed for innovation and entrepreneurship. Through this success, the Alberta Economic Development Authority provides a steady hand, advocating on behalf of business and ensuring that central w w w. aeda . alberta .c a

issues – such as labour, energy, congestion management, water management, innovation and competitiveness – are presented to the government with the economic mindset of people working the depths of those fields every day.

Since 1994, AEDA has been a vital link between industry and government, warranted in such a diverse and demanding economy requiring unprecedented levels of expertise and cooperation. Begun under then-Premier Ralph Klein and visionary businessman Art Smith, AEDA was there for some of the largest developments in Alberta’s history, and it will be there for the milestones awaiting us in the decades to come. As Alberta ushers in a new premier, AEDA is celebrating its 20th anniversary and remains a strong ally of the province. @ aeda2

REvitalizing aeda Board chair Barry Heck guides the organization to a leaner, post-millennium model Barry Heck has been involved with businesses and boards for decades and familiar with the Alberta Economic Development Authority since its creation, so while he understood the importance of a large organization with many committees and board members, he also valued the fundamental founding principles of the Authority. Today, Heck is the chair of the board for AEDA, and under his tenure 11 board members have been appointed and he has implemented timely change.

AEDA is an advisory body to government, representing industry and providing a voice for all of Alberta’s businesses, from established energy companies to budding entrepreneurs. “We take the perspective of economic development,” Heck says, “and we give a non-partisan, unbiased view representing industry. It’s purely advisory, and it’s independent. It is business’s voice to government, but it’s a diverse body. When you look at the board we’ve put together, we’ve got all kinds of different skill sets represented.”

In 2013, when Heck began his tenure as board chair, he did some strategic AEDA is a crucial link between industry and government – it thinking about the group’s future. He outlined two priorities: first, the organization is the pinnacle of collaboration.

AEDA’s executive director Robert Fernandez emphasizes needed some restructuring to prepare for its next 20 years. “We needed to step back, look at reorganizing it, and make it a lot nimbler,” he says. Second, Heck this spirit. “This collaboration is vital because it gives us the needed to ensure the organization was still as valued by the ability to get things done and to have government as it had been from inception, starting with stakeholders with aligned interests “This change the premier and the cabinet. He asked if AEDA was doing working collaboratively on the same reflects the sign something valuable and if members of the government set of challenges,” he says. “You can of the times,” wanted to engage with it. “The overwhelming answer was start on solutions right away, rather Fernandez says. ‘yes,’ ” he says. Heck spent the last year putting a new board than spend a year building your case. structure in place with a new format.

A board member identifies an issue, From its earliest days, AEDA was comprised of standing the board discusses it briefly and committees and a large number of board members. The new model means there then the chair could literally pick up the phone and call the premier or a minister and say, ‘We think there’s an issue here are no committees and only a dozen board members maximum. “We did away with the standing committees and instead operated more like a true board of direcand we’ll put it on next meeting’s agenda.’ ”

Two Decades in Alberta

20 1994

2014 YEARS

1994

1994

1999

2002

2002

2004

The Alberta Economic Development Authority Act passes

First Chair appointed is Douglas H. Mitchell

AEDA and the provincial government organize Alberta’s Climate Change Roundtable

AEDA reduces its number of standing committees from 10 to six

Chair Ron Triffo is appointed

The Alberta oil sands surpass the million-barrels-per-day benchmark

Alberta Economic Development Authorit y

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Past Chairs tors in a corporation, but we recognize that there’s a great number of people out there that we can call on any time to help,” says Heck. “We wanted to make sure to continue AEDA’s best practice that new board members were not there representing their institution or their company; they brought that perspective, perhaps, but it’s bigger than that – they’re there for the good of the province.”

Fernandez agrees. “This change reflects the sign of the times,” he says. “The existing structure that we had in place was there from the very beginning in the 1990s. Policy development, strategy development, those kinds of issues worked differently then, because the world was a bit slower.” The world of 2014, however, requires new models for these challenges. AEDA prioritized paring down the board, creating in-house operations and putting different governance in place.

The purpose of the change is to better and more effectively communicate with government on behalf of industry. “We need to make sure that decision-makers are paying attention to what’s really important,” says Fernandez. “We’re connected inside the government enough to have meaningful access and impact, and that’s an enjoyable position,” he says. “We like to help stakeholders connect the dots and look at issues from a wider systems perspective. Everything is connected and AEDA makes the connections meaningful and visible.”

Douglas H. Mitchell 1994-2002 “AEDA is not a one-time deal. We’re not a quick fix. We’re in it for the long run. That means lasting results and an economy that just keeps getting stronger the further ahead we look.”

Ron Triffo 2002-2005 “The province must use its prosperity wisely. It must make strategic decisions to promote Alberta’s growth in the long run. Awareness of this guides AEDA’s reports and recommendations.”

Terry W. Gomke 2006-2008 “AEDA’s forward-looking vision ensures Alberta maintains a positive and sustainable environment to stimulate new economic opportunities.”

Members of the Board The mission of AEDA’s board is to provide unparalleled expertise and vision in establishing links between government and industry. The members boast a collective experience and history found nowhere else in Alberta. Members come from diverse fields such as finance, IT, human resources, agriculture, the service industry and the energy sector rounded out with successful entrepreneurs – all at the top of their games.

Board members provide input and develop research in their advisory role to government, and they have proved themselves fit for the task with legacies of community involvement, exceptional leadership and professional experience.

Today’s board serves the province with the cumulative experience of a dedicated group of professionals – all on a volunteer basis.

Robert G. Brawn 2008-2013 “AEDA’s job is to advise the government on things that will make the economy better. We will always have a voice with government, expressing the view that a bigger pie is always better.”

2004

2006

2006

2008

2011

2013

2014

AEDA produces a report accurately predicting a labour shortage in Alberta

Chair Terry W. Gomke is appointed

AEDA reduces its number of board appointees to 65

Chair Robert G. Brawn is appointed

Robert Fernandez becomes the newest executive director

Barry Heck becomes the newest Chair of the board

Jim Prentice becomes Premier of Alberta and Executive Chair of the Authority

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Statement of Vision for the Future These expert board members, with Barry Heck leading the way, have cemented the fact that the Alberta Economic Development Authority is an ideal conduit for collaboration between industry and government in 2014 and beyond.

In the last two decades, the Alberta economy has ebbed and flowed and will likely continue to do so. Through expertise and insight provided by these volunteering board members, Albertans and the provincial government can feel confident that we’re all in it together. AEDA looks forward to the next 20 years and more of policy advice and partnership for the good of all in the province.

How our board members encapsulate AEDA in one word

Dr. David Chalack

Yasmin Jivraj

Opportunity

Competitiveness Todd Hirsch

Jim Carter

Re-invigoration

Brian Heald

Credibility

David Hardy

Vision

Collaboration Barry Heck

Dr. Brenda Kenny

Strategy

Nancy Foster

Insight

Brad Sparrow

Diversity

Consultation

Andy Calitz

Alberta-minded Alberta Economic Development Authorit y

Marc de La Bruyère

Prosperity