October 2013 Business in Calgary

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Technology at Warp Speed

Success Dr. Alan Ulsifer Founder, president and CEO of FYidoctors

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Contents

volume 23 • number 10

PUBLisHers

Pat Ottmann & Tim Ottmann

EDITOR

On our cover…

John Hardy

COPY EDITORS

Lisa Johnston & Nikki Mullett

Dr. Alan Ulsifer Founder, president and ceO of Fyidoctors

ART DIRECTOR

Cher Compton cher@businessincalgary.com

OCTOBER 2013 $3.50

Jessi Evetts Larissa Roque Curtis Ince

ADMINISTRATION

Nancy Bielecki nancy@businessincalgary.com

www.businessincalgary.com

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS

reGULar ContriBUtors Richard Bronstein Frank Atkins David Parker Lonnie Tate Mary Savage

THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS Heather Ramsay Stewart McDonough Parker Grant Colleen Wallace Andrea Mendizabal

The Doctor’s View of

PHotoGraPHY

Cover photo courtesy of Ewan Nicholson Photography Inc.

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Technology at Warp Speed

Business in Calgary is delivered to over 33,500 business people every month including all registered business owners in Calgary, Banff, and Canmore, and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce members.

The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents of any advertisement, and all representations of warranties made in such advertising are those of the advertiser and not of the publisher.

No portion of this publication may be reproduced, in all or in part, without the written permission of the publisher. Canadian publications mail sales product agreement No. 41126516

35

Dr. Alan Ulsifer Founder, president and CEO of FYidoctors

Event Planning & Catering

Calgary

53

Party Time

Real Estate

Investment

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EY EntrEprEnEur Of thE YEar™ 2013 prairiEs rEgiOn

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for Long-term Success and Acclaim

special Centre Feature

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Online at www.businessincalgary.com Annual rates: $31.50; $45 USA; $85 International Single Copy $3.50

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COVER 35 • The Doctor’s View of Success

The dedicated, hard-working and successful founder, president and CEO of FYidoctors has revolutionized eye care

By John Hardy

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www.businessincalgary.com 6 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

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Contents

volume 23 • number 10

THIS MONTH’S FEATURES 25 • Technology at Warp Speed

Higher and higher levels of computer know-how are already prerequisites for coping and especially for high achieving. Getting by is simply not good enough.

By John Hardy

31 • The Shifting Market

For now, the American recreational property bargains are over

By Parker Grant

31

20 years of inspiration

Entrepreneurs turn us on.

20 years of recognizing bright ideas Prairies 2013

Special Centre Feature

© 2013 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved.

“Entrepreneur Of The Year” is a registered trademark of EYGN Limited.

Special supplement published by Business in Calgary and Business in Edmonton.

45 • Investment for Long-term Success and Acclaim

Development is big business, and ongoing plans and major projects will push Calgary closer to being a world-class city of choice

By Heather Ramsay

53 • Calgary Party Time

Nothing about the event will be nearly as easy as it will seem to most of the guests

By John Hardy

63 • Celebrating the Entrepreneurs

Small businesses represent the fastest growing job market for people in Alberta and throughout Canada

By Colleen Wallace

80 • Meetings, Resorts and Retreats

COMPANY PROFILES 42 • Select Energy Systems Inc. Celebrating 25 Years

69 • Cessco Fabrication & Engineering Ltd. 65 Years

73 • BRZ Partnership Architecture Inc. Celebrates Five Years Strong

53 REGULAR COLUMNS 10 • Dance of the Seven Veils

By Richard Bronstein

12 • The Mayor, Think-Tanks and Fossil Fuels

By Frank Atkins

14 • And the Award Goes To…

By Lonnie Tate

77 • Leading Business 81 • The Calgary Report

Current developments for Calgary Telus Convention Centre, Tourism Calgary, Calgary Economic Development, and Innovate Calgary

86 • Marketing Matters

By David Parker

8 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

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Dance of the seven veils • Richard Bronstein

By RICHARD BRONSTEIN

Dance of the Seven Veils

i

think the website of the Manning Foundation has mistakenly got its wires crossed with Comedy Central. How else does one explain the hilarious essays on civic government that are coming out of the Manning Foundation by its leading thinker on municipal government, David Seymour.

His first policy paper in August, for which Seymour wrote a commentary in the Calgary Herald, was entitled, “Please, city hall, stay focused and fix my pothole.” It featured the notable claim that council’s discussion about shark fin soup “typifies the city’s pursuit . . .” of concerns beyond its jurisdiction.

It’s typical? Like city council frequently discusses the plight of Greenland whales, the Great Barrier Reef and the disappearance of the long-nosed dace?

His next great howler is the idea that subsidies for public transit are “ideological goals.” Ideological in what sense?

That public transit encourages people to pretend to go to work when they really take the bus to the casino so they can drink and gamble all day?

On September 6 the senior fellow in municipal governance at the Manning Foundation had another doozy in the Calgary Herald. The headline says it all: “Why city hall doesn’t care our roads are congested.”

Well, every Wednesday night I drive out to the Bow River to go fishing and pass the Southeast Stoney Trail ring road project. SEST, as it is known, is a P3 (public-private partnership) to smooth traffic flow. At nearly $800 million, it is the largest single highway project in Alberta. Yes, it is provincial and federal money, but that comes out of my pocket too. I could also mention the Glenmore Trail/Elbow Drive/ Fifth Street project, the Airport Trail tunnel and dozens more that put the lie to David Seymour’s argument that we are neglecting roads.

Tosh!

It’s one thing to encourage discussion about civic policies and priorities. Let a hundred flowers blossom. In fact, the actual municipal government reports published on the Manning Foundation website do offer some interesting ideas.

But let’s not derail these important, ongoing discussions with inflated anti-city hall rhetoric and infantile arguments like Seymour displays in his Calgary Herald commentaries.

One interesting solution Seymour touts is that we should take the opportunity to “make Calgary a centre for technol10 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

ogy-driven mobility.” For example, electric cars, driverless cars and measured toll roads.

That’s fine to say but how do we get there? Various manufacturers have been saying that mass-produced electric cars are just around the corner. Trouble is they have been saying that for 20 years and it’s still not here. Or what about fuel cells? How many Calgarians have worthless stock certificates for that technology?

Maybe someday the Google driverless car will hit the marketplace. But in the meantime, many municipal ratepayers are making their own technological choices. They are choosing to walk, ride bicycles, take public transit and leave the car in the garage. As this movement grows, we need to have a new conversation about the design of Calgary’s urban space. Is there a case for greater density? For secondary suites? For additional investment in environmentally friendly forms of transportation?

But David Seymour doesn’t want to discuss those alternative technologies. He only wants to promote automobile monoculture.

Part of the reason for this focus on the car is that the Manning Foundation is partially funded by charitable donations from major suburban land developers in Calgary. According to a blog by Jason Markusoff on the Calgary Herald website dated April 26, prominent suburban builders such as Cal Wenzel, Chris Kolozetti, Jay Westman and several others donated $1.1 million to the Manning Foundation.

The Manning Foundation has several activities, including public lectures and conferences. But its most curious activity is for political training for aldermanic candidates. And somewhere in this mix is the project in municipal governance for which David Seymour is the senior fellow.

I don’t have a problem with developers lobbying city hall – they’ve been doing it successfully for the past 100 years.

But I have to wonder why they need to do this elaborate dance of the seven veils. They have a municipal governance project hiding inside the Manning Foundation charitable project that offers political training and produces research reports under the direction of David Seymour whose most trenchant observation to date is that “city council spends all its time talking about sharks, when in reality it should spend all its time talking about cars.”

Somehow I don’t think this rigid libertarian nonsense is going to catch on with the public. BiC

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The Mayor, Think-Tanks and Fossil Fuels • Frank Atkins

By FRANK ATKINS

A

ll over the world there exists what is commonly referred to as “think-tanks.” These are research institutions much like universities. Some of the more reputable think-tanks are associated with universities or employ research associates with PhDs who could have chosen to work for universities. Generally speaking, these think-tanks produce scholarly analysis of current problems.

This is similar to the research output of universities only, at least in the case of economics, it is much more current.

For reasons that I do not quite understand, some individuals think that it is a damming criticism of a think-tank to say that it exhibits some sort of bias. Several of the leading Canadian and U.S. think-tanks are very open concerning their philosophical view of how the world works. For instance, in Canada both the Frontier Centre and Fraser Institute are committed to a philosophy that free markets are a good manner in which to organize economic activity. In the United States this is also the stance taken by, for instance, the Cato Institute. Universities are not immune from taking a philosophical stance. For instance, the department of economics at the University of Chicago has long been known as a strongly pro-free market institution. I do not hear loud public criticism of this stance. In fact, the department of economics at the University of Chicago has produced a long

The Mayor, Think-Tanks and Fossil Fuels list of Nobel Prize winners including Milton Friedman and Robert Lucas.

The reason that this is important now is due to a recent very public exchange between two well-known individuals. In early September a war of words (actually tweets) broke out between Mayor Nenshi and Ezra Levant. This was based on information revealed by Derek Fildebrandt of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation that the City of Calgary had hired the Pembina Institute as a consultant on environmental issues. This was clearly a questionable move on the part of the City of Calgary. Let me be very clear here. This is not a criticism of the City of Calgary hiring consultants. Rather it is a criticism of who they hire.

There are two points that are extremely important here. First, as very well-articulated Mr. Levant is, the Pembina Institute is not, by generally accepted standards, what one would call a think-tank. Most of the individuals on the Pembina staff are paid lobbyists and do not possess any valid research credentials. In spite of this, Mayor Nenshi called them “scientists.” When asked if he would ever hire the Fraser Institute, Mayor Nenshi responded (and I paraphrase) when they have scientists on staff. Most of the research associates affiliated with the Fraser Institute have PhDs, a point which appears to have escaped Mayor Nenshi’s notice.

The above should be enough to question hiring the Pembina Institute as

consultants. However, there is another more deeply worrying aspect to this whole matter. The Pembina Institute is stridently anti-oil, with a particularly strong view that the oilsands should be shut down due to environmental concerns. This is the height of hypocrisy from a mayor of Calgary. Here is a mayor, along with most of council, who incessantly whine about lack of funding and the need to raise taxes to cover spending. Let me ask you this question Mayor Nenshi: where do you think that most of your money comes from?

It comes from oil and gas activity, the very activity that the Pembina Institute wishes to stop. So where will you get your money if the Pembina Institute somehow managed to shut down the oilsands? The hypocrisy goes even further. At one point there was a video on the Pembina Institute website showing Mayor Nenshi praising the Pembina Institute’s anti-fossil fuel stance. The Pembina Institute quickly removed this video during the Twitter war.

If Mayor Nenshi wants to be antifossil fuel, that is up to him. However, as an elected politician, he has a duty to publicly disclose these views. BiC Frank aTkins is an assOciaTe prOFessOr OF ecOnOMics aT The UniversiTy OF calgary.

12 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

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And the Award Goes To… • Lonnie Tate

By Lonnie Tate

And the Award Goes To…

O

ver the past three months there have been some major winners and losers on my list of kudos and brickbats for those in public view. Let me start with the latter (that way I can end on a positive note).

In Calgary, the greatest boob award goes to Hunter Harrison, CEO of Canadian Pacific Rail. His widely reported, quote, that CP would “jeopardize commerce” if they did not run a train with petroleum-laden cars over a 100-year-old bridge. In so many words who cares that the bridge had just been through the biggest flood in its existence. He didn’t seem to understand that the issue was risking the lives and well-being of citizens against profit.

But then again, maybe he (and the company he runs) does understand. Only a few days later his remuneration package of $49,000,000 (and change) was revealed in the press.

Holy smokes! The apparent underlying corporate philosophy – or at least that shown by these two (very public) events – paints an unfortunate picture. They deserve every bit of scrutiny that will be forthcoming as our governments take action.

Of course, the Calgary accident ended without incident.

Only a week later, rail cars that look very much the same as those on the Calgary bridge blew Lac-Mégantic to smithereens. In the aftermath of that tragic event, Edward Burkhardt (the chair of Montreal, Main and Atlantic Railway) demonstrated a new low level of ineptitude in public relations. But there was still the same scary thought: we are in this to make money and we are willing to risk the safety and security of others to achieve that end.

It seems clear that at least two leaders in the railway community need help. I wonder if the Railway Association of Canada does anything other than lobby for lax and permissive operating regulations. They could start courses in public safety and public relations policy.

On a national level, I thought first prize went to the news that no less than three landed immigrants were suing the federal government to revise the Oath of Allegiance because

14 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

it makes reference to the Crown – some guy from Ireland, a Rastafarian woman and who cares where the third person came from. They came to this country apparently seeking a better life. That they would presume to change the rules of citizenship to meet their self-centred interests offends me and (I think) most Canadians. Rather than spend money battling this nonsense through the courts, I would much prefer spending the money on sending them back to wherever they came from.

Speaking of royals, I’ve written previously in this column in favour of the monarchy. I’m not a raving monarch maniac, but it seems to me that the positive examples set by the Royal Family and its Canadian representative in the governor general are very worthwhile. The birth of the thirdin-line for the throne isn’t that big a deal … but it shows the parents to be two, very capable people who set a remarkable standard. They are terrific role models!

And on thinking a little, where could we get a head of state better than the Queen and her governor general?

Surely you would not think we could elect one! The new Prince George will likely have 50 or more years of grooming for the position of King and that is a heck of a lot better than the preparation of some of our political leaders. History and tradition count. And better yet, it only costs us about a dollar per person per year.

But you don’t always need a long history steeped with tradition to be a leader. Our mayor, Naheed Nenshi, wins my first prize for this year. I don’t agree with everything he does, but his handling of the flood crisis has been superb.

He has been at the head of everything, but stayed out of the way. No touring flood zones, wringing his hands and doing not much of anything like the federal and provincial pooh-bahs. He looked and acted like a leader with vast experience, making sensible decisions, prioritizing assistance, encouraging the entire population and taking on some of the senseless private and public bureaucracy. With performances like this, he is a shoo-in for re-election. BiC

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Off the Top • News

Woodridge Charity Golf Tournament Raises $175,000 Funds will support the PREP Program as well as research and education for Down syndrome

L-R: Gerry Wood, Rob Parry, Glen Barreth

Gerry & Elaine Wood, founders of the tournament, along with their daughter, Megan, and tournament volunteers.

L-R: Rob Parry; Glen Barreth; Garry Setka; Bruce Southworth; Andrea Habermeyer; Cailean Wood; Debbie Matthews; Amy Schmidt; Ryan Marion; Gerry Wood; Marilyn Harper; Andrea Radford; Megan Wood; Lesley Harper; Kim Wilson; Heather Brown; Elaine Wood; Jan Smith; Barb Tien.

L-R: Ryan Marion, Megan Wood, Kim Wilson, Elaine Wood

On August 26, 2013, 174 golfers hit the links of Cottonwood Golf and Country Club under sunny skies to partake in the 28th annual Woodridge Charity Golf Tournament. Having raised well in excess of $3 million dollars to date, the tournament had high expectations that did not disappoint as this year’s tournament raised $175,000.

Much of this year’s money will support “PREP,” a program that advocates for the full inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome in home, school and community life.

As well as the therapy and educational programs that help individuals reach their potential, families also connect with social networking opportunities that strengthen their ability to advocate for their own children.

In addition, $20,000 from the 2013 tournament will be directed to Inclusive Post-Secondary Education at Mount Royal University. Through this program, individuals with Down syndrome experience the joys and challenges of going to university, working alongside other students in their program of interest.

Rob Parry, one of the event’s organizers, says the golf tournament is the brainchild of Gerry and Elaine Wood. It has grown throughout the years to be one of Calgary’s premier charity golf tournaments and for over 25 years, the tournament has had a primary focus of supporting education and research for Down syndrome, and in particular the PREP Program.

“It all started because, 25 years ago, there was little in terms of professional support and help for families who had children with Downs,” says Parry, who worked alongside

dedicated event volunteers Elaine Wood, Kim Wilson, Ryan Marion and Glen Barreth to put together this year’s successful event. “Years ago, when you found out you were a parent with a Downs child, there was nowhere to go for support or to learn about it. Gerry and Elaine Wood have a daughter, Megan, who was born with Downs 32 years ago. Their experiences led them to establish the golf tournament and they have supported PREP almost since its infancy.”

It was 25 years ago when Alberta Children’s Hospital nurse Barb Tien founded the PREP Program. While they initially operated out of a church basement, through the years with the help of the golf tournament, they were able to buy their own building, renovate it into a school and expand the program. Today the school is known as the Woodridge PREP Centre in recognition of the support provided by Woodridge Ford Lincoln. The Wood family and staff remain committed to the golf tournament and the PREP Program, all attending this year’s event.

The 2013 Woodridge Charity Golf Tournament had an early launch following a shotgun start at 8:45 a.m. Golfers and volunteers were then invited to enjoy a meal, the awards banquet and a silent and live auction that all took place at Cottonwood Golf and Country Club, a longtime double platinum sponsor of the event. Despite the recent flooding of the area in early June, all holes were open and a temporary structure was set up in the parking lot to host the after-party as the permanent dining centre was badly damaged in the flood. www.businessincalgary.com | BUSINESS IN CALGARY October 2013 • 17

Off the Top • News

Parry says it is only with the help of a long list of sponsors that Woodridge is able to host the golf tournament and raise so much money to support individuals with Down syndrome. “Without them, this event wouldn’t be what it has become today,” he says, adding that the silent and live auction alone raised $32,000 just on the day of the event.

Most of the prizes were also donated and this year’s coveted auction item was an electric guitar autographed by all the members of the Eagles, with two tickets to their Septem-

ber concert in Calgary, dinner and a limo ride to and from the concert. Local celebrities partaking in the fun included former Calgary Flames’ trainer Bearcat Murray and radio personality Doug Barkley.

The Wood Automotive Group is a conglomerate of auto dealers that includes Woodridge Ford Lincoln, Advantage Ford, Big Four Dodge Jeep, Okotoks Ford Lincoln and Village Honda. Founded in 1983, the company is operated by its president, Gerry Wood. BiC

ZGM Collaborative Marketing to acquire DONOVAN Creative ZGM Collaborative Marketing is excited to announce the acquisition of Edmonton-based DONOVAN Creative effective September 1, 2013. The combined entity, which will operate as ZGM Collaborative Marketing, will create a strong Alberta brand and enhance the agency’s ability to service clients across the province.

“We see Alberta as the economic driver of the Canadian economy for the foreseeable future and with offices in both Calgary and Edmonton, we can service our clients’ needs over the years to come,” says Dan King, president of ZGM. “We also value DONOVAN’s strength in the transportation industry and plan to leverage their experience and insights with our new Calgary Airport Authority relationship and our work with Calgary Regional Partnership’s transit initiative.

Finally, we will be well positioned with the energy sector for clients with operations in either market.”

The agency will combine over 40 team members across a range of disciplines including planning and strategy, media services, advertising, digital, mobile and online services, design, social media, social marketing and public relations.

Both offices will offer integrated services to such clients as the Government of Alberta, Western Financial Group, Oakland International Airport, Calgary Airport Authority, Hamilton International Airport, Alberta Fire Chiefs Association, MNP, Fountain Tire, Continuing Care Safety Association, Market Mall, Joint Utility Safety Team (Where’s the Line?), Telus World of Science and Jayman MasterBuilt.

“For our Edmonton clients, the ZGM brand introduces a

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In front: Dan King, President & Partner Back left to right: Peter Bishop, creative director & partner; Mario Amantea, general manager & partner; Rob Fairhead, director of client service & partner Missing: Andrew McFallon, media director & partner

heightened level of operational and process-related systems, along with a proven approach to collaboration that delivers exceptional outcomes,” adds Michael Donovan, who will serve as the managing director and creative director for ZGM Edmonton.

Another critical factor in this acquisition was the fit in terms of culture and work environment. The companies share similar corporate values and creative philosophies, which will ensure a seamless transition and longterm success for all team members.

ZGM Collaborative Marketing, founded in 1999, is an integrated, full-service marketing communications agency with a strong belief in the power of collaboration and internal culture. DONOVAN Creative Communications is a full-service brand, marketing and communications agency founded in 2003. BiC

18 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

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Off the Top • News

Protecting Your Most Valuable Asset in a Hostile World northcott global solutions helps companies keep employees safe A growing number of Canadian companies are looking to emerging world economies for growth and business opportunities. Establishing new business in countries outside of Canada’s traditional trading partners, particularly the USA, is a priority for both the federal and provincial governments. The steady stream of trade missions to Asia and South America is testament to that.

However doing business in Manila, Colombia or Mumbai is a lot different than in New York, Houston or London.

More Canadian companies are asking their executives, professionals, project managers and skilled trades to work in countries with limited medical services, unreliable infrastructure and targeted violence against foreigners. “These people are a company’s most valuable asset,” says Ted Jones, CEO of Northcott Global

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| BUSINESS IN CALGARY October 2013 • 21

Off the Top • News

Solutions (NGS), “and our job is to ensure their safety should disaster strike.”

London, England-based NGS is the only dedicated global emergency response company offering point-of-incident to repatriation service from anywhere in the world. “NGS specializes in both medical and uniquely non-medical evacuations and other client ‘scenarios,’” says Jones. Those other scenarios include negotiating a ransom or rescuing hostages. The company recently opened its first North American office in Calgary.

During a recent case in Pakistan when a corporate client was kidnapped by armed Islamists, NGS were able to identify the problem, track the client and secure his release in under 40 minutes despite the whole case being conducted in Urdu.

In Yemen last year, after four BBC journalists received a credible Al-Qaida death threat, NGS had a security team with them in under 45 minutes and airborne to Dubai in three hours. The assistance industry standard is three to seven days.

Jones says NGS is based on the military, multidimensional model. The company’s state-of-the-art operations are staffed exclusively by former senior British army, navy and police personnel. NGS also actively recruits wounded veterans. “After all, it is they that have experienced first-hand

what is widely recognized as the best emergency response chain in the world,” adds Jones.

“In our business, every second counts and our clients recognize that,” says Jones. During the recent Arab spring, NGS activated its model using local partners across a range of industries to cut evacuation times down from as long as seven days to under an hour.

Decades of military experience in global emergencies gives NGS unparalleled expertise. NGS is the first to offer the full spectrum of travel management and security products and services all coordinated out of one central hub.

These services include emergency response coordination, a full suite of tracking products, security auditing, country profiling and e-learning courses.

NGS has a broad range of clients in oil and gas, banking, mining, general commercial, insurance and the public sector including both the British and Canadian governments. “After visiting several North American cities we chose Calgary because of the proactive nature of the Calgary Department of Economic Development, the high standard of the local labour force, the buoyant economy and the increasing expansion of Calgary-based companies into the more challenging regions of the world,” says Jones.

For more information please visit www.northcottglobal solutions.com or Dlamb@NorthcottGlobalsolutions.com. BiC

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Technology at Warp Speed • Technology

Technology at Warp Speed higher and higher levels of computer know-how are already prerequisites for coping and especially for high achieving. getting by is simply not good enough.

BY JOHN HARDY

i

technology is a tool that makes us much more efficient, t wasn’t so long ago that technology was an interesting, effective and productive.” exciting, quirky and fascinating new dimension of the At best it’s dynamic and exciting. At worst it’s jarring and Calgary workplace. challenging. But there’s not much denying that technology Not ancient history or stale nostalgia, because it’s all impacts both the employer and the employee. fairly new. After all, the Internet only went public in 1989, Haskayne and most contemporary smartphones in 1997, laptops in the business schools have a demanding late ’90s, apps and cloud computing and thankless mandate, teaching such has only been a fact of business life wildly changing business technology since 2008 and the iPad was the first courses that curriculums could almost tablet in January 2010. be updated and rewritten on a weekly Technology has changed everything: basis. “Changes and updates are so fast in the workplace, the ways we do busiand furious that, if you can imagine a ness, the way we learn, the way we technology that could make business communicate, the way we bank, the better but you just can’t do it yet, just way we book vacations, send purchase wait!” he chuckles with a serious tone. orders, impress clients, track profit and “It won’t be long and technology will loss statements, the way we shop for catch up with you.” lipstick, shoes, canoe paddles and cars But newness and ‘recentness’ are and even the way we search for career non-issues because the well-worn clichanges. ché is also a frustrating but true fact “Technology continues to have a of technology life: the newest of the tremendous impact in the workplace new gets old and dated at dizzying as well as our personal lives,” says Dr. warp speeds. The challenge is to keep Barrie Nault, professor and director of up. Embracing technology is a business the Informatics Research Centre at Calbasic. Adapting and applying the congary’s Haskayne School of Business.

Barrie Nault, Robson Professor and Director Informatics Research Centre, Haskayne School of Business stant changes is vital.

“Especially in today’s business world, www.businessincalgary.com | BUSINESS IN CALGARY October 2013 • 25

Technology at Warp Speed • Technology

…the growing use of personal mobile devices in the workplace is unmistakable: 61 per cent of companies say most staff use personal devices at work and 54 per cent say that most use smartphones for basic work tasks such as reading email, online documents and calendar invitations.

At management levels of most businesses – from engineering, accounting and law firms, giant oil and gas companies, financial institutions, trucking companies, retail operations, to manufacturing and builders and developers – higher and higher levels of computer know-how are already prerequisites for coping and especially for high achieving.

Getting by is simply not good enough. Today’s managers must have “tech savvy” on their list of management skills sets, together with essentials like leadership, motivation, corporate finance, capital budgeting, logistics and strategy, risk analysis, optimized marketing, maximized profitably and dealing with increasingly challenging regulatory, legal and ethical responsibilities.

Good or bad, like it or not, at work and at play, technology has taken over our lives.

The boosters rave about mind-boggling internal and external communication, business efficiency, accuracy, productivity, problem solving and an astonishingly fast pace of work.

The very few critics (who actually accept and respect technology) caution about some downsides: eliminating jobs, compromising privacy, getting people hooked and dependent, causing dangerously deteriorating social skills, enabling quickie shortcuts and irresistibly easy ways out that are dumbing down society and blurring the important lines between work and play.

“From our BComm, hospitality management to the executive MBA and PhD, the courses underscore technology as routine part of daily work life and the students enthusiastically embrace it,” Nault says. “We are noticing increased enrolment in selective classes like systems analysis, e-commerce, database, data mining and others.

Of all the newer, better and faster technologies and the tsunami of changes, Nault is convinced that today’s undisputedly hottest technology is mobile apps and mobile computing. “A smartphone now does what your laptop did 10 years ago and apps are parts of in-stores ads, standard components of billing systems, ordering, reporting back to

HO and, more and more, apps are being integrated into the company’s big system. Mobile technologies are changing everything.”

For many companies, the surging popularity of smartphones and tablets continues to be a subtle dilemma of losing control. For the past three decades or so, company IT and HR departments have kept a very tight grip on the devices employees use, the software they access, where they work and when and how they communicated.

Suddenly, up and down the halls of most Calgary offices, stuck in Crowchild traffic, in line for the lifts at Nakiska, finishing off a glass of wine at Una or just out of the shower, people are doing work without the restrictions and limitations of the company’s desktops, the company’s software and far beyond the company’s firewall. The BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) employees are checking emails, reviewing company data, managing projects, sending out proposals, checking sales figures, contacting clients and routinely working where and when they want and how they feel most comfortable and productive.

A recent survey of nearly 600 executives, business leaders and IT decision-makers in 19 countries, done by Avanade – the world’s largest provider of IT services for mid-sized to large enterprise organizations and majority-owned by the tech giant Accenture with 70 worldwide locations and a staff of 17,000 – discovered that today’s most progressive companies are building entirely new business processes and policies with mobile and consumer technologies in mind. By adapting to the new consumer devices, they are boosting their profits and improving employee satisfaction. The survey also showed that the growing use of personal mobile devices in the workplace is unmistakable: 61 per cent of companies say most staff use personal devices at work and 54 per cent say that most use smartphones for basic work tasks such as reading email, online documents and calendar invitations.

More than 33 per cent of the companies say that most of their employees use tablets for basic work tasks as well as tasks like customer relationship management (CRM), project

26 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

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Technology at Warp Speed • Technology

world, are migrating into the smaller busimanagement, content creation and data nesses. Instead of separate servers for analysis. domain control, for mail and for storage, Most days, Nault stands at the front of they are now hosted in one single box,” the Haskayne classroom and reminds his he explains. “SysGen is positioned as a executive MBA students – most sitting boutique organization and our boutique with tablets, some with laptops – that: service is virtualization – collectively “Technology is a tool that makes us more managing multiple incidences of servers productive and increasing value and proon one hardware platform. It’s what we do ductivity is ultimately how we increase best.” the standard of living in society.”

As one of Calgary’s most sought-after The tsunami of technology change is MSPs (managed service providers) Richaralso affecting Calgary businesses with det recites some of the many technology complex options and solutions. needs local businesses are asking for.

“There’s a definite trend of companies “From cloud computing, infrastructurescaling up data, presenting a challenge free/Internet-based network services, to respond with the latest and most efficentralized virtual networks, servers and cient solutions about how the data is Lyle Richardet, president, SysGen Solutions Group operating systems to storage and data mankept, managed, about security and how agement, 24-7 real-time alerting, monthly the data is mined,” observes Lyle Richreporting, site audits and preventative maintenance. It’s all ardet, president of Calgary-based SysGen Solutions Group much in demand,” he says, revved and enthused and speak– recently recognized as one of the city’s most dynamic and ing from specific Calgary experience. innovative Leaders of Tomorrow – a client-focused IT conTo underscore the state-of-the-art data management and sulting organization providing comprehensive IT services, security issues that most businesses demand, SysGen darspecializing in small and mid-sized Calgary businesses. ingly offers a cloud services guarantee of 99.999 per cent “Heavy drivers, which we used to see in the enterprise

28 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

Technology at Warp Speed • Technology

[Technology] could make the difference between business survival and business success.

reliability and a performance guarantee of less than five minutes of downtime per year.

“Most small to mid-size companies don’t need a full-time resource,” he points out. “The key is staying current. We’re a tier 1 MSP; we work with premium solutions from Microsoft, HP and Cisco and get the latest technology releases to ensure that we stay current and our clients stay current. It’s impossible for any person to know all the information, so our staff of 45 specialists knows how to access the latest information.”

As Prof. Nault preaches the gospel of essential technology to his Haskayne business students, tomorrow’s management are anxious to grasp the frameworks of how they can understand the concepts and eventually apply them to business leadership and success.

“At the start of the course, I outline the three-pronged value disciplines.

• Operational excellence by applying technology to make your organization more efficient. For example, Walmart

t

uses technology – for inventory and scanning and to communicate with their supply chains about inventory, stocking and delivery – to drive down costs and improve reliability.

• Product leadership: either embed the technology in your product (dishwashers) or use technology to develop a product (pharmaceuticals go through molecular combinations to create new drugs).

• Become more customer-intimate: tailor your products to individual customers after using business analytics to determine who your customers are and how to sell to them better.”

Lyle Richardet, Barrie Nault and most industry experts and consultants agree that, despite all its complex concepts, systems and applications, technology is already a basic and vital fact of business life and could make the difference between business survival and business success. BiC

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The shifting Market • Recreation Investments

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The 9th hole on the golf course at sunset, Gleniffer Lake Resort in Spruce View, Alberta.

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o buy or not to buy, that is the decision. And the recreational property decision for Calgarians is an enormous thought process that depends on some uniquely Calgary variables. Location. Distance from Calgary. (Realistic) likely use. Location.

Price, upkeep and expenses. Future capital gains. Location. Near water, near ski hills or in the woods. Legacy. Canada versus the U.S. Location.

Investment value. Mostly for winter or mostly for summer. Condo or detached.

Tenants or no tenants. And location.

Whether it’s traditional hot spots like Canmore, Sylvan Lake, the Shuswap, Gleniffer Lake, Pine Lake and Invermere to popular border-hopping recreation areas like Phoenix and Scottsdale in Arizona and the Tobacco Valley and Whitefish in Montana.

Each year, the big decision gets a factual boost from the annual Re/Max Recreational Report, comparing trends and stats not only relevant for Calgary decisions but comprehensively (and sometimes telltale) tracking the past five years of recreational property activity, from the Gulf Islands

and the Okanagan in B.C., most popular Alberta areas, the Qu’Appelle lakes area of Saskatchewan and Lake Winnipeg to Muskoka, the Kawarthas and Wasaga Beach of Ontario to Shediac Bay, New Brunswick, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and the coasts of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.

This year’s report shows that while Alberta’s recreational property markets continued to feel the pinch in 2012, there is clear evidence that the tide is finally turning. The Re/Max report shows that activity increased, particularly this spring and summer, and both traditional hot spots – Sylvan Lake and Canmore – are expected to see sales and prices pull ahead of year-ago levels by year-end 2013.

“Greater confidence has largely been behind the push, along with pent-up demand – particularly in Canmore – as well as attractive prices that remain well off peak levels. Buyers recognize that the timing and opportunity are ideal – especially in light of favourable interest rates and a healthy economic outlook,” according to the Re/Max document.

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The shifting Market • Recreation Investments

other aspects of life, gen-Xers and probably millennials will likely work at 15 different jobs in their lifetime and they understand and cope with being plugged-in 24-7 and still having a balance in life.”

Although the 2008 money crunch is a forgettable, distant memory and 2012 was a spike in many popular recreational property area markets (like Sylvan Lake, the Shuswap and Gleniffer Lake) within a two to five-hour drive from Calgary, for various reasons – and with still some robust exceptions – 2013 is a stable recreational property market with a slight cooling off when it comes to the draw of formerly hot U.S. recreational property areas like Montana and Arizona.

The Canadian economy continues strong and lending rates are still relatively low so there is certainly no slump in the recreational property market. Compared with the country’s residential roller-coaster of highs and lows, recreational property activity throughout Canada, and especially nearby to Calgary, is stable, even with some bargains to be had.

According to the 2013 Royal LePage (RLP) Recreational Property Report – an annual market analysis of recreational property prices, trends and activity in selected leisure markets across the country – the real estate giant found overall optimism among Canadians when it comes to the recreational property market.

The survey, which polled Canadians across the country who either currently own or intend to purchase a recreational property within the next five years, found that most (82 per cent) Canadians say interest rates will influence their decision to purchase a recreational property, and a majority (58 per cent) feel added urgency to buy a recreational property while interest rates are low.

The RLP survey asked Canadians what they believe recreational property prices will do in the coming year; half (50 per cent) of respondents indicated that prices will increase and one-third (32 per cent) said they will stay the same.

And of those planning to purchase a recreational property within the next five years, 76 per cent said they are more inclined to buy a property in Canada than in the U.S. or elsewhere.

“Despite financial and economic uncertainty, or perhaps because of it, we have found that the enduring value of recreational properties is widely recognized by Canadians,” says Phil Soper, president and chief executive of Royal LePage Real Estate Services.

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“A good supply of product exists, but inventory is quickly thinning in Canmore, where the uptick in demand has been notably sharper. Most every type of product is seeing some action, from single-family homes to condominiums, teardowns and new builds. While the boomer segment has not returned in full force, young families and retirees are leading the charge for recreational product from lake front to mountain top. Affordability remains front and centre, as a more enthusiastic buyer pool emerges to snap up properties offering great value.”

For the first time in as much as one generation, experts point to an interesting shift, not necessarily in recreational property markets, values and activity but a noticeable shift in buyers.

“For many years it was the baby boomer generation that has been the primary driving force behind the recreation property market in Western Canada,” says Elton Ash, regional executive vice-president of Re/Max of Western Canada. “But that has now changed. About three years ago, buyers from the generation X (now in their 30s and 40s) began to be a factor in the market. And now they are joined by millennials (the late 20s and early 30s).

“Like the boomers did about 15 or 20 years ago,” he explains, “they are trying to find a different, maybe a more lifestyle-oriented, focus. As it has been shown in various

32 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

The shifting Market • Recreation Investments

Shuswap Lake from Sicamous Lookout. Photo courtesy Shuswap Tourism.

years before rapidly cooling in 2013, the recreational property market has remained remarkably stable and resilient.

“Canadians have long valued the ability to escape the city to spend time with friends and family,” Soper points out. “A place to get away from the pressures of daily life seems to be more attractive now than ever. From coast to coast, Canada offers some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes and friendly communities.”

The latest RLP survey is consistent with similar recreational property surveys and market trends. Properties on a lake are by far the most sought after with almost half (41 per cent) of those planning to buy, putting “water” at the top of their wish list, followed by a property near or in the mountains or in the woods (17 per cent) and a condo in a recreational community (13 per cent).

When asked by the RLP survey what financial and/or lifestyle changes they would be willing to make in order to

Elton Ash ABR CRES, Regional Executive Vice President, RE/MAX of Western Canada (1998)

purchase their dream recreational property, almost one-third (31 per cent) said they would rent their property out during the year. Other strategies include reduce discretionary spending (25 per cent), downsize primary residence (24 per cent), purchase a fixer-upper (23 per cent) and purchase with friends/ family (22 per cent).

It’s a slightly unique story in recreational properties within a reasonable commute from Calgary because – proud of the popularity of traditional and up-and-coming recreational areas like Sylvan Lake and Gleniffer Lake – Alberta and nearby B.C. is just not as lush with lakes as some other Canadian recreation areas like The Laurentians north of Montreal, Muskoka north of Toronto and the ocean shores of Nova Scotia and P.E.I. You could never tell with the subtle but solid recreational property boom that continues about an hour-and-a-half north of Calgary. While traditional Calgary recreational property decisions are weighing the good and bad about popular and slightly further away Calgary draws like the Shuswap, Canmore and Invermere, there is a quiet recreational real estate rush happening in the twin hot spots of Glennifer Lake and Pine Lake.

So subtle that neither Re/Max or RLP have it on their survey radar (yet) but a documented, Calgary area recreational property treasure.

“It could be due to various reasons but there have been some big, exciting changes in our area,” beams Allan Nimmo, broker at Royal LePage Weber in Innisfail. “Maybe it’s because interest rates are still low, lake front is very

Phil Soper, president and chief executive of Royal LePage Real Estate Services

Allan Nimmo of Royal LePage Weber in Innisfail

www.businessincalgary.com | BUSINESS IN CALGARY October 2013 • 33

The shifting Market • Recreation Investments

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desirable, our prices are more affordable and people are opting for an entry-level price range to get into the recreational property market. Whatever the reasons, in Gleniffer Lake the number of sales is up over 50 per cent over the previous 365 days and Pine Lake has a 100 per cent increase.”

Re/Max’s Elton Ash has an interesting update about the slump in interest in former U.S. hot spots like Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona and Whitefish, Kalispell and Bigfork, Montana.

“We noticed this year, the dollars are returning to Canada,” he says. “Some U.S. prices are not only recovered but up by about 20 per cent, including in Montana and Arizona. Not so long ago, 24 per cent of the Phoenix and Scottsdale market were Canadians. So, for now, the American recreational property bargains are over.”

Despite a hot or a cool recreational property market, experts and investment analysts are unconditionally unanimous with caution that recreational properties are lousy investments.

34 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

The 2013 RLP survey underscores the mistake of considering the quick flip investment strategy for recreational properties. The report itemizes that the majority of current Canadian recreational property owners plan to keep their properties long term, with 60 per cent stating that they are somewhat or very unlikely to sell their property upon retirement. At the same time, almost two-thirds (64 per cent) are not planning to use their recreational home as their primary residence upon retirement.

“Recreational properties are lifestyle decisions. They must never, under any circumstances, be thought of as an investment, prime for a quick flip,” Ash warns. “It’s simply bad judgment to plan on an increase in value. But in most markets, the value of recreational properties may decrease or, at best, stay stable. If a recreational property is ever considered as an investment, it must be considered a very long-term investment. The boomers who bought their cabin or cottage 10-15 years ago aren’t selling. They consider it a legacy for their family.” BiC

The Doctor’s view of success • Cover

The Doctor’s View of

Success The dedicated, hard-working and successful founder, president and ceO of Fyidoctors has revolutionized eye care

BY JOHN HARDY | PHOTOS BY EWAN NICHOLSON PHOTOGRAPHY

D

Dr. Alan Ulsifer, founder, president and CEO of FYidoctors

r. Alan Ulsifer is supercharged, focused and driven.

He’s also a ferociously hard-working but natural success story who just grins with a radiant smile and pretends not to mind the millionth time that somebody says that he is “a corporate president and CEO with tremendous vision.” At first it may sound like the same old story but, in all seriousness, it may just be an understatement.

Dr. Ulsifer is widely recognized and respected in his profession and also by competitors as a truly unique and gifted Canadian entrepreneur.

Before his bright idea became a remarkable Canadian success story, Ulsifer sensed that something was wrong.

In various ways and for different reasons, his professional passion and chosen health-care career was becoming a frustrating and sluggish challenge, mostly due to confused public perception about optometry and partially about his chosen profession’s resistance to change.

The misunderstanding was (and, to some degree, still is) about eye health, eye care and about who does what and who doesn’t do what. The confusing difference between optometrists, opticians and ophthalmologists was getting blurred. www.businessincalgary.com | BUSINESS IN CALGARY October 2013 • 35

The Doctor’s view of success • Cover

FYidoctors clinic, McKenzie Towne location.

Ophthalmologists are medical specialists who deal with the anatomy, physiology and various diseases of the eye and usually eye surgery.

Optometrists (in Canada and the U.S.) are certified healthcare professionals who deal with the health of the eyes as well as vision, visual systems and how the eye processes what it sees. They are trained and qualified to prescribe and fit lenses to improve vision, diagnose and treat various eye diseases including prescribing medications for specific sight-affecting conditions like eye infections and glaucoma.

Opticians are practitioners who are only authorized to design, fit, dispense and supply lenses and glasses for the correction of a person’s vision. Opticians determine the specifications of (usually) glasses, as tested and diagnosed by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist, that will give the necessary correction to a person’s eyesight.

“As far back as I can remember, I was always interested in science and especially in medical science and health care.

But MD was definitely not an option for me. I was squeamish and knew that I had a fear of blood,” Ulsifer recalls, with slight embarrassment. “It’s probably one of the main reasons why I gravitated to optometry. No blood.”

In 1994, after graduating from the University of Waterloo 36 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

and a few years of what he calls “paying his dues,” Dr. Ulsifer (the Saskatchewan native) came home to the West, and his feisty drive and determination launched the one-office Northern Vision Centre optometry practice in Grande Prairie. With his uncompromising and high-energy approach to everything he does, the office quickly became the largest revenue-generating, independent optometry practice in Canada. It also earned him kudos and awards from various provincial and national organizations – very rare feedback for a health-care provider.

“When I started in practice, the field of eye health and eye care was much simpler. Glasses were unbranded. Let’s face it, until about 20 years ago, the emphasis was about vision and seeing better. Corrective devices like glasses were medical appliances, not hot fashion statements.”

He traces the evolution of consumer confusion about the overlap between optometrists and opticians to glasses increasingly becoming more and more widely (and competitively) available as trendy fashion options. Whether independent or franchise retail operations, getting glasses shifted to a boom in retail stores in high-traffic shopping areas and malls, offering popular and fashionable styles, shapes, colours and brands of frames.

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The Doctor’s view of success • Cover

”The stores didn’t (and couldn’t) provide eye care, they had no expertise about eye health, they could not do qualified diagnoses or advise people about what was needed for the correction of their eyesight or their eye health problem,” he says, explaining the surging disconnect between eye care and the whim of just wanting a new look and a new pair of glasses.

The focus (no pun intended) was suddenly on the selection of hip frames from the store’s display cases, while the medical expertise of the optometrist and the actual eye health diagnosis – the eye test – became almost secondary and a nuisance catch to getting new glasses. It was also a formality that only certified (and invariably off-site) optometrists are qualified to do.

For Al Ulsifer, the catch and the patient runaround was a glaring opportunity and it triggered a bright idea.

He had always been driven by innovation and, by his own admission, he didn’t like to lose. The positive but potent combination of those two personality traits made his bright idea irresistible and instantly exciting: why not join independent practices together as a collaborative entity and 38 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

build their own lens manufacturing and distribution centre.

They would become partners rather than competitors and also eliminate the middleman allowing for stronger negotiation power when dealing with frame suppliers.

“It was such a natural concept,” he grins and shrugs. “So perfect. Aside from originally managing my own practice and working hard to achieve steady growth, I had no formal business training. Perhaps being an entrepreneur was always an urge but I certainly never thought about organizing and growing a company and being a CEO. The business side just happened and fell into place.”

Ulsifer drafted his plan and pitched it to any optometrist colleagues who would listen: a business concept of merging independent eye care specialists and creating a business and a medical practice model that enabled optometrists to have more control over their practices, their equipment, their specialized lens supply chain as well as a popular retail selection of frames. “Ultimately, it was a perfect way for optometrists to have complete control over their own destiny,” he says with open enthusiasm.

“We came together because we sensed the frustration

The Doctor’s view of success • Cover

For Al Ulsifer, the catch and the patient runaround was a glaring opportunity and it triggered a bright idea.

and shared a belief that the quality of eye care in Canada had become diminished. As medical professionals, we saw mounting evidence that profit was becoming more important than eye health and patient care.”

Maybe it was good timing. Maybe because other optometrists were also sensing frustration with their misunderstood and limiting careers and they were marginalized to being eye-test cogs for the non-medical but booming business of selling glasses. Maybe a combination of all those reasons, but Ulsifer’s bright idea was an immediate, big hit.

In 2008, the initial group of 28 Canadian optometrists launched FYi Eye Care Services and Products Inc., the Canadian brand sensation that instantly caught on with eye care patients and consumers of glasses, and is now popularly and simply known as FYidoctors – a vertically-integrated company that deals in all aspects of eye care, from lens technology, manufacturing and distribution, to eye tests and the retail side of offering the latest styles and brands of frames.

In less than five years, Ulsifer’s bright idea has become a Calgary-headquartered, mega successful company with 105 locations. Designed as a franchise business model, FYidoctors is made up of partnerships (not franchisees) and it is growing exponentially to now being the largest independent eye care products and services company in Canada.

“I’m so proud about everything we have accomplished – never satisfied but tremendously proud – because there’s always more to be done,” says the high-energy, dynamic and successful entrepreneur who rarely stops thinking and getting bright ideas. “All along, the concept was to re-establish the value and demand for modern eye care, and our approach is to treat our clientele as patients, not as customers, with the key being a platform of strong independent doctors, leading the company to be the premier experts for eye health and eye care in Canada.

“It’s unconditionally our number one priority. Absolutely!

It’s what the health care of optometry is all about: diagnostic and treatment technologies that improve people’s lives.

Everything else comes second,” he says with the conviction of a solemn oath.

Ulsifer is constantly revved and ready to emphasize that his FYidoctors concept combines the best of all worlds, both for his select group of trained medical specialists and for their eye care patients and eye wear consumers.

“The strength of our group enables us to invest heavily in technology,” he says, highlighting the key FYidoctors growth

strategy which combines with his career allegiance to the medical science of optometry. “Each of our primary locations has the latest, state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, including OCT (optical coherence tomography) which is an eye-imaging test that monitors nerve fibre in the retina; our Optomap Retinal Scanners, allowing our doctors to do the most thorough eye exam with a much wider view of the retina; and our 30,000-square-foot custom lens manufacturing facility in B.C. produces our exclusive Internal Freeform lens, which is the most advanced lens technology available today. It’s terrific!

The quality, clarity and the field of view is sensational,” Ulsifer says, straddling the fine line between vibrant optometrist and pumped sales rep. “Many patients say the improvement is like the difference between regular TV and HDTV.” And he seamlessly includes the potent FYidoctors feature of offering all-the popular fashions and styles of glasses.

“Of course! Gucci, Armani, Prada, Silhouette, Fendi, Alain Mikli…” he recites from memory.

Ulsifer, the married father of three grown sons and a selfconfessed potato chipoholic (“actually any snack with lots of salt”), lives in Calgary, cracks a warm smile when talking about King, the family’s beloved golden retriever, but he shakes his head about the current necessity to be on the road a lot.

Despite the still hectic and long days, lots of travel for huddling and meeting with the 220 FYidoctors partners and shmoozing all potential partners, tending to various president and CEO matters, accepting recognition and awards of excellence like the proud distinction of being the 2012 Prairies EY Entrepreneur Of The Year winner as well as the 2012 Entrepreneur Of The Year for all of Canada, or begrudgingly admitting to being “Samsung-hooked, constantly connected and doing business from anywhere” and invariably thinking about work, often jotting down notes about everything from corporate growth strategies, new eye care equipment to ways of making a very good thing even better, Al Ulsifer does admit to regrets.

OK: one regret.

“I always have good intentions to make time,” he says, with mellow sentiment. “But the business side of the business has been quite consuming and I feel bad that I haven’t practiced optometry in about six years. I am constantly talking and dealing with optometrists and it’s always about our company but I really miss being hands-on, dealing with eye care health, helping and treating people. I genuinely regret that, for now, I just don’t have the time.” BiC www.businessincalgary.com | BUSINESS IN CALGARY October 2013 • 39

Can Business_single pg:Layout 1 13-09-09 9:30 AM Page 1

50 years ago a country was conceived in Charlottetown.

Now, on the site built to commemorate that event, great ideas continue to be born in the thriving, vibrant

Confederation Centre of the Arts Confederation Centre honours our founding fathers with a busy agenda of performing and visual arts in all seasons. Canadian culture and heritage are celebrated throughout the complex, located in the heart of Charlottetown.

In fact, many say the Centre is the heart of (Katie Kerr, Anne of Green Gable–The Musical™, 2013)

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island!

Visit our website for a taste of the shows, exhibitions, and events planned to celebrate the sesquicentennial, along with our own 50th birthday!

confederationcentre.com C H A R L O T T E T O W N ,

P R I N C E

E D W A R D

I S L A N D

Over 65% of Achievers indicate Junior Achievement

inspired them

to stay in school.

Take a closer look at our IMPACT Participation in a Junior Achievement of Canada program provides a transformational event that alters ambitions and encourages youth to do more with their lives.

According to the Boston Consulting Group, 65% of Achievers (Alumni) indicate that participation in JA Canada programs had a significant impact on staying in school and enrolling in post-secondary education.

To learn more about Junior Achievement’s impact or to invest in Southern Alberta’s youth, please call 403 781 2582 or visit jasouthalberta.org Are you an Achiever... share your story at: facebook.com/JAchievement

retrievable bridge plug part number 04-770-0450-00-06 The Mighty-Mite™ Retrievable Bridge Plug is an adaptation of the Mighty-Mite Production Packer.

an efficient and economical method of isolating the production-surface casing annulus. The adjustable design seals between eccentric surface and production casings.

The versatile ‘MM-RBP’ design enables any number of applications including stimulation, testing, well or zone suspension, surveys, stacked completions and use as a sump packer.

E N E R G Y S Y S T E M S I N C.

“Live Well - Life of Well” E N E R G Y S Y S T E M S I N C.

Celebrating 25 years

Select Energy Systems offers engineering, field, shop refurbishing/ reconditioning and phosphate services including live well coiled tubing installation and retrieval, well head installation and service, down hole drilling (including cased hole, ball seat removal, cement and packer removal), and well abandonment and suspension services. It also From left to right: Oksana Medvedyeva; Cliff Massick; Jean Poulin; Kelly Jones; Jo-Anne Sutherland; Craig Oliver; offers over a hundred specialized prodprod D. Neil Beckett; David Dyck; Janice Capriotti; JK Yun. Photo by Nancy Bielecki. ucts that include CT completion systems, CT surface equipment products, subsursubsur face products, service tools, and complete well heads. When elect Energy Systems Inc. was founded in 1988 as a required, Select Energy Systems also creates new products to live well and shallow gas coiled tubing completion suit its clients’ specialized needs. service. After the boom of shallow gas wells in the Neil Beckett, sales manager for Select Energy Systems, ’90s, the company expanded into the commodity/creative credits the company’s 25 year success with its “ability to well head industry. Since then, Select Energy Systems has think outside the box in order to supply our customers with become one of the top research and design firms for builtcustom solutions drawing on our personnel’s unique experito-fit well heads for thermal and conventional production ence profile.” Select Energy Systems has distinguished itself in Canada. The current owners bought the company in 2009 as a company that has the skill set for R&D of unique, madeand have supported the staff, helping to grow the company Knowledgeable Personnel Providing and Quality Products to-order wellDeveloping heads and tools for specialized jobs. into the successful business it is today. Its specialized prodSelect Energy Systems Inc. also has been working on ucts are used in the field by the industry’s top oiland and gas Timely Solutions to the Oil & Gas Industry creating data collection products to be used in monitoring companies including Shell, Suncor, Athabasca and Husky.

Knowledgeable Personnel Providing and Developing Quality Products

S

volution Oil Tools volution Oil Tools and Timely Solutions to the Oil & Gas Industry

volution Oil Tools

We are a group of people that were brought together to form Evolution in order to meet your completion and subsurface tool needs. We provide wholesale products to accommodate your completion / service We are a group of people that were Personnel brought together Knowledgeable Providing Developing Products requirements from fourand product groups that weQuality offer: to form Evolution in order to meet your completion and Timely Solutions to the Oil & Gas Industry and subsurface tool needs. We provide wholesale products to accommodate your completion / service requirements from four product groups that we offer:

We are a group of people that were brought together to form Evolution in order to meet your completion and subsurface tool needs. We provide wholesale products to accommodate your completion / service requirements from four product groups that we offer:

Evolution Oil Tools would like to congratulate Select Energy Systems on their 25 years as a successful business!

Select Energy Systems Inc. | 25th Anniversary

Select Energy Systems Inc. | 403.243.7542 SAGD and thermal wells. Using Select Energy Systems’ small coil thermal couplers and sleeves, companies like Suncor are able to monitor steam injection sites, alter the steam’s direction and avoid steam breakthrough. Such conveniences can increase efficiency in excess of 20 per cent.

In the future Select Energy Systems is looking at growing and becoming stronger by focusing on thermal wells, well optimization, abandonments and alternative methods of well bore heating including TAGD, SAGD and ESEIEH. Select Energy Systems is expanding its services further into British Columbia and northern Alberta. In celebration of its 25 years in business, Select Energy Systems recently outfitted all of its vehicles with celebration decals.

| www.selectesi.com

Select Energy Systems Inc. is a member of ICoTA and PSAC and is proud to have its C.O.R. certification. The company can often be found at the Global Petroleum Show here in Calgary, along with shows in Lloydminster and Weyburn.

The company also hosts hour-and-a-half “lunch and learns” at the main office in Calgary where there is a detailed presentation on coiled tubing completions. These presentations hold up to 16 people and explain how Select Energy Systems’ products and services can increase a company’s bottom line. Call or email today to schedule a lunch and learn, and be picked up in a limo! For more information, questions or fact sheets on products, please visit the website at www.selectesi.com. •

Applause!

Congratulations to SELECT ENERGY SYSTEMS INC. for 25 YEARS of business in our community.

From the Alberta & NWT Commercial Team and Corporate Finance Division.

®

Congratulations to Select Energy on their

25th Anniversary!

We wish you continued success.

403.723.0174 | atlantisind@gmail.com 6710 30 Street SE, Calgary AB T2C 1N9 www.atlantisindustries.ca

Registered trade-marks of Bank of Montreal.

• High Temperature Application • Geothermal Application • Wellhead Application • Injection •Monitoring

Aero Rental Services supplies state-of-the-art oilfield equipment – with all of the latest and greatest innovations in the industry. Our fleet is managed by the best in the business, ready and certified to be put to work for you. Now with an office in Grande Prairie!

Grande Prairie 780-567-0800

• Bidirectional, expander split gate, seals upstream and downstream • Back seat body isolation • Patented spherical machined bonnet • Heat dispersion fins • Low torque • Single seat • Single body injection / Backseat test port

Red Deer (Head Office) 403-340-0800 www.aerorentals.com

Select Energy Systems Inc. | 25th Anniversary

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? Take our course, learn the signs, donate today.

Stop child sexual abuse. Help heal it when it occurs.

www.littlewarriors.ca

07415-CalBizMag_7_875 x 10_75_r1.indd 1

12-10-26 1:37 PM

20 years of inspiration

Entrepreneurs turn us on.

20 years of recognizing bright ideas Prairies 2013

© 2013 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved.

“Entrepreneur Of The Year” is a registered trademark of EYGN Limited.

Special supplement published by Business in Calgary and Business in Edmonton.

Confidential Group / One-to-one Mentorship / Business Thought Leadership / Global Membership /

tec-canada.com

Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.

–T.S. Eliot

TEC Canada salutes the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalists and award recipients – and all those who dream bigger, reach further and soar higher. We help good leaders become great CEOs. It’s where senior executives, business owners and entrepreneurs come together to discover how far they can go.

A million thanks for 20 great years.

September 2013 has marked 20 years of business for FirstEnergy Capital. For two decades we have been making waves in the energy investment banking sector with companies, investors and the communities in which we do business.

Our focus on providing clients with the most innovative and dynamic approach to investment banking is stronger than ever. We look forward to doing business over the next decade and beyond.

To thank our clients and our community, and to celebrate the occasion of our 20th year in business, FirstEnergy donated a total of $1 million to 10 local charities at an anniversary gala on September 21.

Please visit www.firstenergy.com to learn more.

A new decade. A fresh look. Still making waves.

FirstEnergy Capital Corp. is a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and IIROC.

Entrepreneurs turn us on...

To new ideas, new ways of thinking and new possibilities. At EY, we’re big believers in the transformational power of Canada’s entrepreneurs to build a better working world.

That’s why we’ve proudly celebrated their achievements for 20 years. And we’re just getting started.

Entrepreneurs are the best hope of creating sustainable economic growth — in the Prairies, across Canada and around the world. They constantly use their fresh thinking and hard work to create positive change, bringing new concepts and products to market, and creating jobs and wealth that benefit their local communities and the broader economy. At EY, we share that desire. We’re committed to creating a better working world in large measure by harnessing the power of entrepreneurship and supporting the incredible men and women who have the vision, passion and determination to spark their ideas to life.

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The award finalists you’ll read about in these pages show that our Prairies region is home to some of the most dynamic innovators in the world. We’re proud to share their success stories with you, and I hope you’ll be as inspired as I am by their stories.

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Entrepreneur Of The Year — and look ahead to the next 20 years — we continue to look to Canada’s entrepreneurs for the ingenuity, innovation and inspiration that will build confidence, communities and economies — and a better working world for us all.

Rob Jolley Partner, EY Prairies Director, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

20 years of inspiration 4

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

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Table of Contents Manufacturing Thane Russell - Absolute Completion Technologies Ltd. - page 12 | Joe Makowecki - Heritage Frozen Foods Ltd. page 14 | Mike Fata - Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods - page 16

Cleantech Mogens Smed - DIRTT Environmental Solutions - page 18 | Graham Illingworth - Genalta Power Inc. - page 20 | Mark Chisick - Urbanmine Inc. - page 22

Energy services Russ Hebblethwaite - Enviro Vault Canada Ltd. - page 24 | Merv Pidherney - M. Pidherney’s Trucking Ltd. - page 26 | Don Sutherland - Studon Electric & Controls - page 28

Emerging entrepreneur John Stevens - ENTREC Corporation - page 30 | Dallas Lenius, Dean Hall - Force Pile Driving - page 32 | Dr. Dennis Filips - Innovative Trauma Care - page 34 | Gregory Hartman, Dan Smith, Darrell Boulter, Paul Smith RIDE Inc. - page 36

Business-to-consumer products and services Dale Wishewan - Booster Juice - page 38 | Susan Brattberg, Elmer Brattberg, Audrey Brattberg, Holly Brattberg - The Brattberg Group - page 40 | Rick Brink - Weddingstar Inc. - page 42

Real estate and construction Jerry Naqvi - Cameron Development Corporation - page 44 | Reza Nasseri - Landmark Group of Builders Ltd. - page 46 | Allison Grafton - Rockwood Custom Homes- page 48 | Sean Rayner - Vets Sheet Metal Ltd. - page 50

Celebrating 20 years of great Prairies entrepreneurs – page 52 Technology and communications Craig Mackenzie - Ontracks Consulting - page 54 | Michael Sikorsky - Robots and Pencils Inc. - page 56 | Tara Kelly - SPLICE Software Inc. - page 58

Professional and financial services Steve King - Alaris Royalty Corp. - page 60 | Jean-Pierre Parenty - Parenty Reitmeier Translation Services - page 62 | Stanford Orme Asher - S.O. Asher Consultants Ltd. - page 63

Oil and gas Nicole Bourque-Bouchier, David Bouchier - The Bouchier Group - page 64 | Menno Admiraal - Western Camp Services Ltd. - page 66 | Dale Tremblay, Alex MacAusland, Jeffrey Bowers - Western Energy Services Corp. - page 68

Business-to-business products and services Darcy Tofin - Central Water & Equipment Services Ltd. - page 70 | Kyle Powell - SureHire Occupational Testing - page 72 | Jeff Polovick - The Driving Force Inc. - page 74 | Geoff Gyles, Kerry Green - Wolf Trax, Inc. - page 76

Published by Business in Calgary & Business In Edmonton magazines | www.businessincalgary.com • www.businessinedmonton.com Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to circulation dept. • 1025 101 6th Ave. SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3P4 6

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

To judge brilliance, you need lots of it.

We couldn’t celebrate the Prairies brightest entrepreneurs without the powerful insights of our judges. We’re truly grateful.

Tony Franceschini

Curt Vossen

Linda Hohol

Stephanie Yong

Retired President and CEO, Stantec Inc.

Corporate Director currently sitting on a number of boards

President, Richardson International

Director, W. Brett Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence

Kelley Smith

8

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

© 2013 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved.

Consultant and former Vice President, Corporate Development, Viterra

For women entrepreneurs, there’s no such thing as being out of your depth.

If you’re a woman entrepreneur committed to thinking big to grow your company, we can help you take it to the next level — and beyond. Apply today for the Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ program.

This elite business network offers the resources and support to help you expand your horizons. Learn more at ey.com/ca/EntrepreneurialWinningWomen.

© 2013 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved.

And follow us on Twitter @EYCanada #WinningWomen.

Meet our Prairies leadership team Winnipeg Rob Jolley

Craig Roskos

Program Director, Entrepreneur Of The Year

Managing Partner 204 947 6519 craig.m.roskos@ca.ey.com

780 638 6656 rob.m.jolley@ca.ey.com

Louise Hyland

Joe Healey

Program Coordinator, Entrepreneur Of The Year

Office Leader, Entrepreneur Of The Year

403 206 5372 louise.hyland@ca.ey.com

204 954 5568 joe.a.healey@ca.ey.com

Calgary

Saskatoon Kent Kaufield

Evan Shoforost

Managing Partner

Managing Partner

403 206 5100 kent.d.kaufield@ca.ey.com

306 934 8000 evan.shoforost@ca.ey.com

Dean Radomsky

Greg Keller

Office Leader, Entrepreneur Of The Year

Office Leader, Entrepreneur Of The Year

403 206 5180 dean.w.radomsky@ca.ey.com

306 649 8218 greg.keller@ca.ey.com

Edmonton Managing Partner 780 423 5811 ross.m.haffie@ca.ey.com

20 years of inspiration 10

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

Š 2013 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved. ED0514

Ross Haffie

From here to where you want to go. We’ll help.

Learn how our private mid-market team can help you take your company to new places at ey.com/ca/focusonprivatebusiness.

Š 2013 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved. ED0514

ey.com

MANUFACTURING

Thane Russell

Absolute Completion Technologies Ltd.

S

taying on top of an ever-changing field is not easy, but Thane Russell is up to the challenge. As the founder of Absolute Completion Technologies, he taps into 25 years of engineering experience, unique insight, and creative and unusual approaches to problem solving to continue to innovate down hole sand and flow control technologies.

“You have to have a passion for business, and a passion for creating,” he says. “You need to give 100 per cent to it and be willing to put it all out there.”

Russell has been “putting it all out there” as an entrepreneur since 1995 when he, along with several terrific partners, founded Stellarton Energy. He founded Absolute after Stellarton was sold in 2000. He says that an entrepreneur must know him or herself well to succeed.

“You must be brutally honest with yourself about what your unique strengths are and what they are not,” he says. “Focus on what you are good at and either delegate, or find partners to handle the rest. Your team needs to take care of all of the things you are not good at and those things have to be their passion.”

Using this collaborative approach, Russell and the Absolute team have built a company that has multiple, patented, game-changing technologies and a suite of related products that are used to complete wells in 35 countries.

“I am very proud to see that technologies we have developed in Canada have been adopted around the world,” he says. “Especially to see that the products that we designed and developed work very well – it is just a thrill.”

The thrill is paying off. Absolute saw sales increase 233 per cent between 2010 and 2012 and plans to grow market share to eight to 10 per cent of the global sand control products market within five years.

12

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

I want to share the honour of being an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist with Absolute’s management team, employees, partners, and our valued clients. Thank you, to each of you, for your skills, efforts, encouragement and support.

Thane Russell, VP Business Development and Technology

CALGARY

EDMONTON

SINGAPORE

INNOVATIONS THAT ALLOW INDUSTRY TO BUILD BETTER WELLS

Sand Control | Flow Control | Erosion Control www.absolutect.com

403.266.5027

info@absolutect.com

ManufacturinG

Joe Makowecki Heritage Frozen Foods Ltd.

I

f you’re eating a frozen perogy, there’s a good chance Heritage Frozen Foods made it. Between its own CHEEMO brand, storebrand private labels and food service industry sales, Heritage has cornered the Canadian market on this traditional Ukrainian food and competes internationally against multinational giants.

Not bad for a family-run business in Edmonton, Alberta.

“Being a Canadian, family-owned business that competes and wins on a daily basis against the major multi-national food companies is a major achievement,” says president and CEO Joe Makowecki. “We are a rarity in this country and are proud to show that Canadians can compete – and win – in the food industry.”

Founded in 1972 by Makowecki’s father, Walter, Heritage Frozen Foods’ first mission was to convince Canadians that perogies didn’t just belong on Ukrainian tables. The family sold perogies out of trailers and kiosks travelling from one Alberta fair to the next in the family station wagon. Heritage got its first big order for packaged perogies from Edmonton’s Woodward’s and IGA stores – families of all cultures and creeds loved them and the company has never looked back.

“In the beginning, it was difficult to convince our customers that the perogy would become Canada’s national food,” he says.

“Over a number of decades we continued to build the business and made believers out of all of them.”

Makowecki took over from his father in 1997 and today produces more than 500 million perogies a year using locally-sourced ingredients. Thanks to Heritage’s efforts, nearly all major grocery stores have a prominent perogy category in their frozen food section.

“We have a great profitable company and we will continue to build on the strengths and principles that have served us well over the last number of decades,” says Makowecki.

14

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

Thank you “

Being recognized as a Prairies Finalist in the 2013 EY Entrepreneur Of The Y Year initiative is an honour.

This achievement was truly a team effort fffort by our dedicated employees and industry partners.

Each day our employees put their hearts, souls and hard work into manufacturing three million CHEEMO perogies for Canadian families.

This recognition also highlights the commendable involvement of our many partners –the farmers who grow the crops and provide our raw materials, the transportation companies we rely on, the food brokers who represent our products, the retailers, the food service sector and ultimately the consumer who makes all this possible by purchasing CHEEMO products week in and week out.

On behalf of everyone at Heritage Frozen Foods, thank you again for the honour you have bestowed on me and our company.

Joe Makowecki, President & CEO Heritage Frozen Foods Ltd. www.cheemo.com

”

ManufacturinG

Mike Fata

Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods

F

rom a 300-pound teenager to a lean certified health coach running Canada’s first hemp food company, Mike Fata knows a thing or two about overcoming obstacles.

“I think that the two things that make for a successful entrepreneur is passion for the project or business and a good gut feel for making decisions,” he says. “Passion is key, as when obstacles look insurmountable, it is pure passion that will drive someone to not quit and get past the obstacle. A good gut feel for making decisions is also key in startups and rapid growth businesses as one does not always have access to the information and many times you need to make a gut-feel decision.”

So far, it seems Fata’s gut has been right. Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods has not had an easy go of it as Fata and his team have fought perception and politics to build a successful company in the pioneering field of hemp food. He didn’t just build a company, he helped create an industry.

“When we started in 1998, there was no industry,” he explains.

“We had to lobby the Canadian government to legalize hemp, fight the U.S. DEA when they tried to ban hemp foods in the U.S., and we’re constantly educating consumers that hemp is different from its different cousin and is a healthy food product they want to feed their family.” His activism won him the Organic Leadership Award from the Canadian Health Food Association in 2010.

Fata’s passion, persistence and courage has allowed him to build one of the country’s leading health food manufacturing companies with retailers like Costco, Loblaws, Kroger, Safeway and Whole Foods Market on board.

“With current distribution in 3,000 retail locations and over 30,000 potential retail partners in North America alone, we have many years of tremendous growth ahead of us.”

16

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

cleantecH

Mogens Smed

DIRTT Environmental Solutions

F

rom sorting nails and screws at his father’s side at five years old, to skipping classes at university to network with other students, to a stint in Scandinavia, a bankrupt venture, a triumphant return followed by a hostile takeover, Mogens Smed’s career path has been nothing short of dizzying. But every twist and turn and lesson learned has led here: DIRTT Environmental Solutions – North America’s largest and best-known manufacturer of environmentally friendly modular wall systems.

“A successful entrepreneur gets the most job satisfaction from predicting, navigating and surmounting obstacles on the way to the goal,” says Smed.

Smed’s passion for people and purpose has driven him to jump many hurdles and create a company where nearly 800 people work towards making offices across the continent greener places.

Using the company’s proprietary software platform, DIRTT was able to decentralize with factories in Calgary, Kelowna, Phoenix and Savannah – significantly reducing its carbon footprint and bringing jobs to areas that needed them.

Since founding DIRTT with two partners in 2004, Smed has worked tirelessly to prove that a company can be green and profitable.

“Our greatest challenge is to get people to let go of last-century ideas that no longer work in today’s technological age,” he says.

“We have been able to prove our critics wrong by appealing to today’s demand for custom solutions and strong service.”

With this ability to customize to each individual client’s needs, DIRTT has found traction in the health-care and education sectors as well. Next up: residential.

“We are innovating all the time and exploring new markets,” he says. “Our nose is always pointed where we’re going. We know there will be challenges and it’s how we respond to them that makes the difference.”

18

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

CLEANTECH

Graham Illingworth Genalta Power Inc.

G

raham Illingworth is an expert in turning flaws into fortes.

From taking his first venture from bankruptcy to rapid growth, to buying a company crippled by lawsuits and turning it into one of the fastest growing companies, Illingworth knows what it takes to turn wasted energy into gold.

“A successful entrepreneur is an individual who can adapt by changing weakness into an advantage while not losing sight of their strengths,” he says.

So, perhaps it’s fitting that Illingworth’s first “from scratch” venture, Genalta Power Inc., takes wasted energy and turns it into usable electricity for resale.

Founded in 2008, Genalta’s success is built on innovation, cuttingedge technology and a distinctive business model. This 21st century approach is complemented by Illingworth’s good old-fashioned values of hard work, integrity and honesty.

“I often say I was born 100 years too late,” he says. “My greatest challenge has been in maintaining my resolve to my belief system as we are not always immersed in such a culture.”

The company invested more than 100,000 hours of engineering to design effective technologies and computer modelling to convert waste energy into power while maintaining value for the client and financial returns for the investors.

“I believe green ventures should be viable in the long term without government subsidies,” he says. “And Genalta is proving that’s possible.”

Having achieved its five-year goal of a $100 million equity valuation in just three years, Genalta is well poised for the future.

“Both myself and Genalta Power are hoping to continue to grow and develop,” he says. “I look forward to growing who I am as a person and giving back as much as life has given me. Genalta will continue to grow through geographic expansion, horizontal and vertical market development and through further development and deployment of leading-edge technology.”

20

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

2013 Finalist 20 years of inspiration

Thank You

Genalta Power Employees, Investors and Clients

At Genalta Power Inc. our successes have come from our exceptional employees, our committed Board and our loyal Clients. As a result of the creative thinking and dedication of each and every employee, Genalta Power has been able to experience outstanding growth. Through these efforts, Genalta Power is able to provide solutions tailored to meet the specific and unique needs of our Clients, while generating clean energy that is improving the environment that we all live in.

I sincerely appreciate and thank everyone who has touched Genalta Power in aiding our growth and achievement. ~ Graham Illingworth, CEO

600, 505 – 8th Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2P 1G2 (403) 237-9740 | www.genaltapower.com The GenalT enalTa Ta Power GrouP of ComPanies P Panies inClude: GPI EnGInEErInG Inc. | GPI SErvIcES Inc. | GEnalta nalta PowEr Inc.

cleantecH

Mark Chisick Urbanmine Inc.

W

hen Urbanmine was just 10 months old, president Mark Chisick committed to growth with the purchase of five acres of property, a 35,000-square-foot building, and several pieces of heavy equipment to develop a new facility. The financial crisis and subsequent recession hit two months later, in the fall of 2008 – just prior to the company taking possession.

“When we moved into our new plant in March of 2009 demand for the commodities we sell had plummeted and sales were down 50 per cent from the year before,” says Chisick. “Business was bleak yet we had no choice but to absorb all the associated costs and overhead of the new facility, and staff it. I told the team that we were not going to participate in the recession. It was an enormous challenge, but we managed to regain the lost sales and then double that number in the next year.”

And that, according to Chisick, is how successful entrepreneurs roll.

“You need a clear vision; it’s the fastest route to success,” he says. “Articulate that vision, surround yourself with the best people to accomplish the objective, and allow the team to do their job without interference.”

Chisick’s vision was to build a modern and sophisticated scrap metal facility. Urbanmine is the result of that vision.

“My proudest accomplishment is looking at Urbanmine today and seeing that our 2007 vision to redefine metal recycling has developed into a vibrant corporation that is doing exactly that,” he says. “We set out to create the company of choice for employees, suppliers and consumers. Our mission was to become a full-service recycling company that equally values integrity, reliability and profitability. We are living that dream and I couldn’t be more proud.”

22

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

Urbanminers welcome here Urbanmine is changing the way the urban environment is mined for scrap metal. With decades of experience in the scrap industry Urbanmine’s team has come together with a shared vision to redefine metal recycling. Their commitment to treating customers with integrity is at the cornerstone of that promise. Whether you’re a large-scale industrial manufacturer or a neighbour down the street who needs to safely dispose of home electronics – the Urbanmine staff makes sure you’re treated with the respect and courtesy all Urbanminers deserve.

Welcome to the future of urbanmining

www.urbanmine.ca

Winnipeg, Manitoba

204.774.0192

peeD D gnidnatsrednU U enerGY services

Russ Hebblethwaite .rosivda laicnan euqinu a si laicnaniF llerroS Enviro Vault Canada evisnLtd. etxe ruo htiw egdelwonk peed dnelb eW .esitrepxe laicnan dna xat noitacilppa luflliks eht ni seil ecnereffid ruO snoitulos ecnarusni dengised motsuc ruo fo .seigetarts xat dna laicnan dilos htiw denibmoc eht ot gnirb ew nalp laudividni yreve dna hcaE .ecneirepxe fo sraey sulp ytriht ruo morf st eneb elbat

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hree parts hard work, two parts risk, one active imagination and one natural tendency to swim against ...repthe eed oG current: mix together with an unwavering belief in what you do and a tenacity to keep going no matter what, then top with great staff and supportive family.

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“Our greatest competition is tradition,” says Hebblethwaite.

“Trying to break people out of the ‘we’ve always done it this way’ mentality is a challenge.”

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But 17 years and 26,000 vaults later, the company has enjoyed tremendous growth – particularly in the last three years – thanks to Hebblethwaite’s tenacity and instinct for hiring the right people. He oversees a management team of seven people in Calgary and nine people at the fabrication/assembly plant in Edmonton.

Two of those top-notch people are his children.

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to laihave cnan my ynson a rofand redro nI eriuproudest qer thgir accomplishments ti gnitteG nopu dna ,denetsil g“It nivaisHone of smy playing meaningful roles dnuos edivhe orpsays. ot rosivda llerroS tA .noitcee er in the company,” ew od neht ylno ,noitmy ceedaughter er fo psarg mr a ,ecivda dna hcae ,laicnaniF ruO .ecivda ruo reffo Having team, si Hebblethwaite secnatsmucric ruoy seviaecwinning er tneilcmanagement yreve era snoitadnemm ocer assembled hguorohT .laitnesse ruo fo isnopoised itnettafor llugrowth. f eht ezimitpo ot densays gisedthe company ylno si gnidnatsrednu .slanoisseforp fo maet eveihca ,t eneb tneilc “We plan to construct a new manufacturing facility to further gninetsil hguorht deniatta ylsselmaes dna ycneic fe xat .sroto sivour da dstrict na stndesign eilc htob ot llarevo eht htiw etatighten rgetni our quality control and adherence standards,” he says.

“And we’ll continue focusing si tneilcour laudenergy ividni hcaE si ecivda ruO .nalp laicnan into the U.S. as well as into eother taicerindustries ppa ot dnausing ,tnereffid dna detacinummoc yon lraeexpansion lc storage tanks.” .yltnetni netsil ew ,secnaun eht deliated sedabove-ground ivorp .snoitca dednemmocer 24

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This is Russ Hebblethwaite’s recipe for successful entrepreneurship and, as the man behind Enviro Vault Canada Ltd., he’s cooked up a pretty successful run.

Founded in 1996, Enviro Vault offers those storing petroleum products a clean, safe alternative tank design that prevents frozen valves, reduces contamination from valve leaks or spillage during handling, enhances operator safety and saves time and money. Of course, when an out-of-the-box (or insidethe-tank) thinker presents something new to the industry, there are always a few obstacles to overcome.

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So We tax

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enerGY services

Merv Pidherney M. Pidherney’s Trucking Ltd.

T

here’s nothing like a good old-fashioned success story, and Merv Pidherney offers just that. Having been told by a high school teacher that he’d never amount to anything, Pidherney’s fire was lit and he set himself on a course that would find him leading more than 500 employees in one of the region’s top civil construction and hauling businesses.

It was almost 50 years ago that Pidherney combined his passion for trucks and his tireless work ethic to launch Pidherney’s Trucking, hauling gravel and sand to Husky’s Ram River gas plant.

“I only had two trucks and some other equipment when I said I could get the job done,” he says. “But I was determined to deliver on my promise, so I bought equipment and hired people as I needed to and was able to build my business as I went.”

A firm believer in the sacred bond of a handshake, Pidherney has built his business on word of mouth and customer referrals. He’s translated his natural leadership abilities and a keen eye for opportunity into a thriving business that serves clients like the Province of Alberta and numerous municipalities across the province. He has diversified by opening the Redi-Mix plant in Rocky Mountain House in 1979 and the civil construction division in 1994.

Pidherney has been a strong supporter of the communities in which his company works in and is a major sponsor of the local hospital gala fundraiser, the Primary Care Network, Rocky Kinsmen, sports teams, music events and, often, individuals in need.

He regularly donates manpower and equipment to causes like the Red Deer Ronald McDonald House and the Red Deer Curling Centre, which was renamed the Pidherney Centre in April 2013.

“I have been so fortunate to work with some great people for some great clients,” he says. “Entrepreneurship has been a very rewarding experience.”

26

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

Rocky Mountain House Office

Blackfalds Office

Thank you In 2014 Pidherney’s will celebrate 50 years in business. Mervyn and Earlyne would like to recognize and thank both past and present employees for helping them achieve this milestone.

Rocky Mountain House Office 403.845.3072 | Blackfalds Office 403.885.9101 Toll Free: 800.558.9033 www.pidherneys.com

enerGY services

Don Sutherland Studon Electric & Controls

I

t seems fitting that Don Sutherland’s entrepreneurial flame was lit during a campfire conversation with a group of business people.

“It was after a client’s golf tournament 23 years ago when I was working as a project foreman,” he says. “These entrepreneurs were sharing stories of the perils, pitfalls and triumphs of business and it was a pivotal moment for me – I knew I wanted to start my own company.”

A few years later, Sutherland was in the midst of a successful career as a master electrician when he took the plunge and co-founded Studon in 1995. He started Studon with a handful of employees, a few clients and a vision to build his company around “people, pride and service.”

“I was building a young company while raising a young family,” he explains. “Every day was full of risk and reward as we learned how to compete, grow and prosper.”

Sutherland and his brand new company fought to compete against much larger companies, including his former employer, so he and his staff focused on delivering the quality standards that were the trademark of his career as a journeyman electrician.

“With each job we proved ourselves and built our reputation and our customer base allowing us to grow strategically with a focus on our people, pride of workmanship and service to our clients,” states Sutherland.

Today, Studon employs nearly 1,000 people serving the energy, commercial, industrial and forestry sectors.

“Growing a company from a dream to nearly 1,000 employees through people, pride and service is something I’m very proud of,” he concludes. “The evolution of our company and our people has allowed Studon to make a difference in many lives – and that’s what really matters.”

28

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

“Success in a company isn’t measured by the efforts of one individual but that of a great team. I would like to thank the entire team at Studon Electric & Controls for turning a dream into reality as one of the premier electrical/instrumentation contractors in the energy industry in western Canada.”

Donald Sutherland Chief Executive Officer

www.studon.com

eMerGinG entrePreneur

John Stevens ENTREC Corporation

P

erhaps it’s his roots as an Alberta farm boy that gives John Stevens an innate ability to make things grow.

Combine that with an early passion for business (he was reading the Financial Post at age 12), and he had the makings of a successful career focused on growing businesses.

“My grandfather passed away when I was only seven,” he says.

“But he left me with one piece of advice that has stuck with me through my entire career: remember you only have your name and your reputation.”

Having studied agricultural engineering technology, business and accounting, Stevens began building a reputation early as he was recruited by Nilsson Bros. before he even finished articling and worked up through the ranks to a leadership position. As the company’s CFO, Stevens led Nilsson Bros. through a period of incredible growth through acquisitions – but not without learning a few lessons.

“I made my biggest mistake early on in my career,” he explains.

“After closing a deal, I learned the company had inflated earnings and it turned out to be a bad deal – but we didn’t let that set us back. I learned a valuable lesson in due diligence.”

Now considered an expert in due diligence, Stevens takes a very hands-on approach and is often considered ‘one of the guys’ with the shop and field staff as president and COO of ENTREC Corporation – a leading provider of heavy-haul transportation, crane services, engineering and support services for the energy, construction and infrastructure industries.

ENTREC achieved 309 per cent growth in 2012 through acquisitions and organic growth. Stevens says he owes ENTREC’s success to the management team who are “natural leaders, strong communicators, receptive to growth and accepting of taking risks.”

What’s next?

“We want to continue to grow and be the number-one heavy-haul and heavy-lift company in the markets we serve,” says Stevens.

30

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

C

O

R

P

O

R

A

T

I

O

N

“I

am honored to be recognized as an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Finalist.

ENTREC’s success is driven by our people.

We recognize that our people are our most valued assets. Our success is dependent upon the collective energy and intelligence of all our team members. We strive to create a work environment where motivated team members can flourish and succeed to their highest potential. I would like to thank all of the people at ENTREC for their effort to date. We could not be as successful as we are without each and every member of our team. –Thank you!”

~ John Stevens, President and Chief Operating Officer

www.entrec.com |

1.888.962.1600

John Stevens (left) and staff at ENTREC

Lifting and moving safety to new heights

eMerGinG entrePreneur

Dallas Lenius, Dean Hall Force Pile Driving

I

n many ways, Force Pile Driving co-founders Dallas Lenius and Dean Hall couldn’t be more different. But it’s the common vision that keeps these two entrepreneurs on a path of growth and success.

“Our vision is to perform to our maximum potential and to excel at providing our customers with alternatives and value-added options,” says Lenius.

Founded in 2009 – right in the middle of the economic downturn – Force Pile Driving grew quickly thanks to the team’s understanding of, and diverse experience in, the pile-driving industry. Lenius’ expertise lay in finance, marketing and commercial banking, while Hall brought field experience as a journeyman welder and senior manager in a pile-driving company. This complementary experience allowed them to move quickly and adapt to a dynamic marketplace.

“Working for all sorts of oil and gas companies along with large contractors to build foundations for bridges and other infrastructure has significant challenges,” says Lenius. “We have to be flexible to work with so many different customers with different schedules and standard practices.”

A conservative business model allows Force to keep overhead low which translates to savings for their clients; while maintaining the highest levels of service allowing them to compete – and win – against the big players that traditionally dominate the industry.

This success has allowed Lenius and Hall to give back to the community through sponsorship of sports teams and organizations like the Boys and Girls Club of Red Deer.

Currently, Force is building a new state-of-the-art shop and office space where the team can continue to grow and thrive.

“We’re poised for vertical and geographical expansion and organic growth in the coming years,” says Lenius. “We’re very much looking forward to adding to our team and continuing to find new ways to build the business and serve our customers.”

32

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

BREAKING GROUND. BUILDING FUTURES. Pile Driving Installation Pre-Drill Services Pipe Sales Welding Services Heavy Hauling Design-Build Engineering Services

FORCEPILEDRIVING.COM | 1.888.277.2133

eMerGinG entrePreneur

Dr. Dennis Filips Innovative Trauma Care

A

s a doctor with 20 years of service with the Canadian Forces, Dennis Filips has seen his share of battle trauma.

After five tours of duty in war-torn regions around the world, he saw that most deaths in the field are the result of excessive blood loss. He began to wonder: If all soldiers were also surgeons, imagine the lives that could be saved. And so was born the iTClamp™: a device that mimics the arc of a suture needle to close wounds and stop severe bleeding.

“My vision was to ultimately transform the suturing skills of a surgeon into a product that could be used by anyone at any time,” says Filips. “The iTClamp can be activated and in place in three seconds.”

Filips incorporated iTraumaCare in Edmonton in 2010 and has faced numerous battles bringing his idea to life.

“We were overcoming obstacles at each stage of the process about how this idea won’t work,” he says. “It was too difficult to make, there were product development challenges, initial prototype testing problems, commercial viability and so on. But a successful entrepreneur is someone who takes their vision to do something radically different and sacrifices everything to overcome all obstacles to see it come to fruition.”

Since those challenging early days, iTraumaCare has caught the attention of the science and tech world winning a number of awards, opening a global commercialization centre in Texas, getting regulatory approvals in the U.S. and Europe and, most importantly, saving lives in the field.

“Changing the way trauma care is delivered by making it accessible to lay users is one of my greatest passions,” says Filips. “It translates directly into lives saved and that is my life’s work.”

34

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

eMerGinG entrePreneur

Gregory Hartman, Dan Smith, Darrell Boulter, Paul Smith RIDE Inc.

I

t was a life-threatening close call for a friend and colleague that finally convinced Paul Smith and Darrell Boulter it was time for a change on the oil derricks. The 60-year-old Geronimo system of emergency escape from a derrick had become antiquated and unsafe and the two veterans knew they could do better. So, partnering with manufacturing experts Greg Hartman and Dan Smith, they developed the RIDE Emergency Egress System which revolutionizes derrick safety by eliminating the deficiencies and confusion of the previous system and gets workers safely to the ground in 30 seconds or less.

“Combining Paul and Darrell’s industry experience and connections with Dan’s and my experience in oilfield manufacturing made us the ideal team to create this new product,” says Hartman. “To be able to identify an industry need and then pool our resources and expertise to fill that need and better the industry has been key to our success.”

After a few attempts at different designs, the RIDE team settled on an egress system which has not only impacted the companies using the new tool, but has prompted widespread industry change as WorkSafeBC and Alberta Occupational Health and Safety have implemented new industry safety regulations based on RIDE’s success.

“We now have clients in North America, Mexico and the Middle East with planned expansion into North Africa,” says Hartman.

Now in its fourth year of operation, RIDE holds four patents with applications in on two more. It continues gaining momentum with 300 per cent growth in revenue in 2012 over 2011 achieving its first profitable year.

“We are now seeing our product put into use in day-to-day operations,” says Hartman. “Knowing we’re contributing to the safety and well-being of oilfield workers all over the world is so gratifying.”

36

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

THANK YOU

FOR BEING A PART OF RIDE INC’S ONGOING GROWTH AND SUCCESS.

ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE AT RIDE INC, WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND COMMITMENT TO OUR PROJECT.

PHONE: 780-621-1570 WWW.RIDEINC.COM 5524 - 53 AVENUE, PO BOX 6213 DRAYTON VALLEY, ALBERTA T7A 1S4

A TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT IN EGRESS WHICH GREATLY SIMPLIFIES THE EVACUATION PROCESS

Business-to-consuMer Products and services

Dale Wishewan Booster Juice

T

he odds were certainly stacked against him. He had no experience in the food and beverage industry, or in franchising and success rates in the field are low.

He had a great deal of difficulty getting prime locations for his stores and was far from the retail power centre of Toronto. He had trouble even getting in to meet retail lessors in Edmonton. But as one of his college baseball coaches said, Dale Wishewan “knows how to win.”

In two years, Wishewan opened 50 Booster Juice locations – still a Canadian record. Fourteen years and 300 stores later, this Edmonton-based franchisor is the number one smoothie and juice bar in Canada.

“Being an Edmonton-based franchisor of over 300 locations is a proud accomplishment and something of a rarity,” says Wishewan.

Wishewan has been named EY’s Emerging Entrepreneur Of The Year in 2005 and was recently named the 27th recipient of the Dr. Charles Allard Chair in Business honorary teaching position at MacEwan University School of Business.

All the while, he has managed to find balance. In addition to playing competitive baseball and curling, Wishewan is dedicated to his wife and kids.

“My family is something that is extremely important to me,” he says. “I made sure to devote the time to ensure that my kids never grew up not knowing who their dad was because of not being around.”

And he’s not done yet. Having conquered the Canadian market, which is growing by eight to 10 per cent per year, Wishewan has opened franchises in India, Brazil, Mexico, the Netherlands and the U.S. Next up is the United Kingdom in 2014.

“The goal is to have 450 to 500 stores and to continue to be the number one smoothie and juice bar in Canada and the world.”

38

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

BOOST YOUR LIFE!

SMOOTHIES | FRESH SQUEEZED JUICES | HOT FOOD | SNACKS

Booster Juice is Canada’s Premium Smoothie & Juice Company Thank you to all Booster Juice staff and Franchise Partners for believing in, and helping grow the brand.

In 14 short years we have been able to accomplish more than most people thought possible.

I look forward to working with our talented team to continue to grow the Booster Juice brand in the coming years.

DALE S. WISHEWAN

President & CEO – Booster Juice

BoosterJuice.com

Business-to-consuMer Products and services

Susan Brattberg, Elmer Brattberg, Audrey Brattberg, Holly Brattberg The Brattberg Group

T

he Brattberg Group began as a labour of love. After decades of honing their entrepreneurial skills as farmers and Audrey’s 30 years as an educator, Elmer and Audrey Brattberg decided to combine the two passions to join the Academy of Learning in 1996. Over the next decade, they built their learning empire from one campus to seven and acquired Digital School. After their daughters, Susan and Holly, finished university and ran their own successful business, they too joined the Brattberg Group as partners and the company became a true family affair.

“Each member of our family recognizes our own strengths and weaknesses,” says Audrey. “Where one member will struggle, the other will be able to assist.”

This complementary working style has allowed the Brattberg Group to grow and thrive in the private education space with their Academy of Learning campuses, Digital School, Complete Corporate Training and Global eTraining. But it hasn’t always come easy.

“We have overcome many obstacles including the booms and busts of the vocational business which are counter cyclical to the economy,” says Audrey. “You have to have vision and drive and the willingness to experiment and try new ideas.”

According to Audrey, their key measurement of success is the impact they have in peoples’ lives. And they walk the walk by standing by their product. The company employs about 100 full-time staff – 75 per cent of whom are graduates of a Brattberg program.

Through hundreds of partnerships with companies, government, other education institutions and community organizations, the Brattberg Group provides educational opportunities to individual and corporate learners all over the province, the country and internationally.

Their vision statement sums up the ultimate goal: To be a global leader in delivering skills training by leveraging partnerships and technology. This is what they are doing every day, and is how the business is growing internationally. The Brattberg Group is passionate about running businesses that genuinely help people.

“We truly have a passion for education and lifelong learning, knowing that we can help to change people’s lives,” says Audrey.

40

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

Congratulations

The Brattberg Group wishes to congratulate all EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Finalists, and to thank all of our staff members and graduates of our many programs for helping us achieve our vision of being a leader in delivering skills training locally and globally.

One Vision One Family One Hundred Staff Thousands and thousands of graduates

www.academyoflearning.ab.ca

www.digitalschool.ca

www.globaletraining.ca

www.completecorporatetraining.com

Business-to-consuMer Products and services

Rick Brink Weddingstar Inc.

W

hat do pop cans, broken hockey sticks and hand-painted porcelain wedding cake toppers all have in common?

They’re all ways born-entrepreneur Rick Brink has found to make a living.

It may come as a surprise that a company whose mission statement is “to put the WOW into each and every bride’s wedding experience” was founded by a European pro hockey player, but Brink says the two aren’t all that different.

“Being an entrepreneur means having a never-give-up philosophy,” he says. “Like playing a professional sport, it is very competitive, and the game plan can change from week to week, and strategy plays a big part in being successful – and it’s the same in business.”

From a briefcase full of Christmas decorations brought back from Denmark where he played hockey in 1984 to more than 3,000 products, 100 employees and sales in over 90 countries around the world, Brink has translated his skills and experience into a unique niche company that designs, manufactures and sells custom wedding products directly to the bride through partners around the world at weddingstar.com. Developing more than 200 new products a year, Weddingstar has offered more than 6,000 different items for sale in its nearly 40 years in operation. And, just like hockey, success is found in teamwork.

“We have a strong culture of continuous improvement,” says Brink. “Our employees are recognized and rewarded for making improvements and we’re always implementing our team’s ideas to improve the company’s overall performance.”

Over the next five years, Brink says he hopes to continue expansion into global markets building on the establishment of Weddingstar Australia and a partnership in Russia, along with its most recent acquisition in Great Britain, a U.K.-based company called Confetti that specializes in the online wedding market.

“It is gratifying to know that there is someone in almost every country in the world who knows Weddingstar and what we are about,” he says.

42

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

Ca

OUR TEAM LOVES TO PUT THE

Cake Toppers

Personalized Invitations

Bridal Accessories

Wow

Unique Favours

INTO WEDDINGS.

Finishing Touches

BE INSPIRED and SHOP | DESIGNER of WEDDING ACCESSORIES

www.weddingstar.com

Stationery

REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION

Jerry Naqvi

Cameron Development Corporation

J

erry Naqvi was an aspiring engineer when he set off on his adventure in 1964. Leaving his family and his native Pakistan behind for a scholarship to the University of Alberta, Naqvi could never have predicted that he would end up being one of Edmonton’s pre-eminent commercial land developers – but life has a funny way of unmaking best-laid plans.

Struggling to find an engineering job after university, Naqvi fell into a job as a residential real estate agent. He built a reputation for honesty and integrity – qualities that quickly made him the organization’s top salesperson. But his career truly took off in 1973 when he landed a job alongside legendary businessman Dr. Charles Allard who, in Naqvi’s words, taught him everything he knows about real estate.

By 1980, Naqvi had saved enough money to venture out on his own. Today, Naqvi’s Cameron Developments, is a regional leader in real estate development and investment incorporating some of Alberta’s largest big-box retail outlets. Naqvi says the right people are the key to any business’ success.

“There are a multitude of attributes which go into making an entrepreneur,” he says. “Ability, experience, integrity, resources, luck – but I believe one of the most important is to surround yourself with the right people.”

That includes his children – something that brings Naqvi a great deal of satisfaction.

“Aside from seeing some of our larger projects come to fruition and be successful, I would have to say my proudest accomplishment is seeing all three of my children become integral parts of our business,” he says. “Each brings their own individual strengths and abilities, and collectively they work towards the overall good of the company, its employees and its future.”

44

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

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real estate and construction

Reza Nasseri

Landmark Group of Builders Ltd.

H

aving arrived in Canada with $75 in his pocket and an entrepreneurial dream in his heart, Reza Nasseri has built a company that has grown into one of the largest and most innovative homebuilders in Western Canada.

After navigating the challenges of making a living as a newcomer to Canada and weathering the recession as a homebuilder in the early ’80s, Nasseri has landed on a technology and a business model that has distinguished him as a true innovator.

Landmark Group of Builders’ Precision Building System sets new standards for construction efficiency, housing energy efficiency and new home sustainability. By taking home construction out of the field and into a state-of-the-art production facility in Edmonton, Landmark significantly reduces human error and waste – all working towards the corporate goal of building net-zero energy homes by 2015.

“I have a passion for making things better and to leave the world a little better than when I came into it,” says Nasseri.

And that passion doesn’t stop with environmental sustainability.

Nasseri is well known for his contributions to the community and has been awarded the Peter Lougheed Award of Achievement for Advancement of Health Services, the Alberta Centennial Medal, and the Alberta Order of Excellence.

While Nasseri has beaten the odds by creating a business model that is both environmentally and financially sustainable, he has a bigger goal in mind for the industry as a whole.

“We will be bringing the industrialization of housing construction to North America,” explains Nasseri. “While doing all of this we want to help and inspire others to change the industry and adopt the net-zero energy standard.”

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EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

FAMILY COMES FIRST

LAndMARk BuILdIng SOLuTIOnS – nORTh AMERICA’S OnLY STATE-OF-ThE-ART hOME MAnuFACTuRIng FACILITY (EdMOnTOn, AB).

I’m honoured to be recognized as a finalist for this award, however, this evening is about our family of employees who challenge themselves, and each other, to make a difference every day. Our journey to revolutionize the home building industry has been a roller coaster ride, filled with emotional highs and lows, praise and rejection, and many learning moments and challenges – but anything that’s worthwhile doesn’t come easy. Today, I can say the entire 11-year journey has been absolutely meaningful and worthy. The more we learn, the more we realize there is to learn. To our committed employees who believe in it, I extend my deepest gratitude and appreciation.

Reza Nasseri FOUNDER & CEO LANDMARK GROUP OF BUILDERS

EDMONTON • RED DEER • CALGARY

real estate and construction

Allison Grafton Rockwood Custom Homes

L

aunching an exclusive, boutique custom home renovation and construction company during one of Canada’s biggest economic downturns is a testament to Allison Grafton’s faith in her team and herself.

“In 2009, I took immense personal risk. I left a successful investment banking career to pursue my passion,” she says. “It was a significant challenge at the outset. Despite my personal history with homebuilding and an accomplished career, Rockwood had no credit history and no one would give us credit.”

During her career in banking, Grafton had built 10 luxury homes in her “spare time,” but, as many entrepreneurs will tell you, there comes a time when the dream can no longer wait.

“I saw a real niche in the marketplace,” she explains. “The attention to financial detail required as an investment banker combined with my passion for designing and building is a unique combination that no other builder has. Customers like the peace of mind knowing that one of the biggest financial decisions they will make in their lives is given that level of dedication.”

Together with her business partner, Grainger Nimmo, Grafton and her team have built stunning homes and a business that focuses on quality and financial management as opposed to massive growth. While the size of the builds are increasing, Grafton intends to keep the number to 10 to 12 annually to maintain quality and service.

“We are the architect, the builder and the designer on every project. Accountability rests solely with Rockwood,” she says.

“Word-of-mouth has built our company because of this.”

“At the end of the day, I am unabashedly optimistic and that optimism has allowed me to pursue my life’s course.”

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EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

“We couldn’t have done it without you!”

ROCKWOOD CUSTOM HOMES PRESIDENT ALLISON GRAFTON GIVES THANKS TO THOSE WHO HAVE HELPED HER ACHIEVE.

“Going through the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year process has really allowed me to reflect. I’ve had to think about what success means to me and consider all of those who have helped me along the way, most notably my partner Grainger Nimmo and our Rockwood staff—you are the most devoted, hard working, passionate bunch of individuals I could have ever hoped to work with. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. My success is your success—we couldn’t have done it without you.”

Allison Grafton

President, Rockwood Custom Homes

Photo: Allison Grafton (fourth from left) and Grainger Nimmo (fifth from left) pose with their Rockwood Custom Homes team.

ROCKWOOD CUSTOM HOMES is an exclusive, boutique custom home construction and renovation company that provides a full suite of architectural design, construction and interior design services to a discriminating client-base.

For more information about ROCKWOOD CUSTOM HOMES or to see our portfolio, please visit www.rockwoodcustomhomes.com.

Phone: 403-608-3000 Email: info@rockwoodcustomhomes.com

real estate and construction

Sean Rayner Vets Sheet Metal Ltd

S

ean Rayner sat nervously with his sister Erin in the living room of their Toronto apartment. On a particularly cold fall day, the phone rang, and the news changed everything. “Your dad has cancer,” his mom squeaked out. “It doesn’t look good.”

They packed a suitcase each and caught the first flight to Edmonton not knowing whether they would ever see David Rayner again. Sean was only 22.

David survived and would be out of the game recovering for over a year. However, the family business, Vets Sheet Metal, needed attention – someone to take over the day-to-day. Sean decided to drop his career in telecom sales to hold together a business that was reeling from change.

The 82-year-old HVAC company had been complacent for years.

It was time for change. “Building a company whose staff and culture had been in place and growing since well before my birth presented some challenges,” he says. He recognized early on it was important to learn from those who had more experience.

Ten years later, Vets Sheet Metal has dramatically changed. The shrinking custom fabrication division was traded in for a booming ventilation market. Sean humbly passes the credit on to his new management team and the mix of new blood and seasoned veterans.

“I’m most proud of overcoming the ‘old guard’ who were not on board with where we were going. It was hard to come into work every day and deal with some of the attitudes and personalities.

But as the momentum took over and the people who did support what I was trying to accomplish got on board, the old guard diminished and we’re a stronger team than ever.”

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EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

"Great partnerships are built on shared visions, cemented with mutual respect and trust" - W. Brett Wilson

Thank you to our hardworking team & loyal customers as greatness can only be achieved together.

Sean D. Rayner President, VETS Sheet Metal

www.vetssheetmetal.com T: @Vetssince1921 E: info@vetssheetmetal.com P: 780.434.7476

Celebrating 20 years of great Prairies entrepreneurs Dr. Alan Ulsifer, FYidoctors 2012 Dan Themig, Ken Paltzat, Peter Krabben, Packers Plus Energy Services Inc. 2009 David Werklund, CCS Income Trust 2005 Bill Comrie, The Brick Warehouse Corporation 2004 David Robson, Veritas DGC Inc. 2002 Clive Beddoe, Don Bell, Mark Hill, Tim Morgan, WestJet Airlines Ltd. 2000

2000 James Kinnear, Pengrowth Energy Trust, 2001 David Robson, Veritas (DGC) Inc. 2002 Jose Correia and Brian Gingras, Bee-Clean Building Maintenance Inc. 2003 Bill Comrie, The Brick Warehouse Corporation 2004 David Werklund, CCS Income Trust 2005 Timothy Melton, Melcor Developments Ltd. 2006 Louie Tolaini, TransX Group of Companies, 2007

Rod McPike, Propak Systems Ltd. 1996

Ven Cote, ZCL Composites Inc. 2008

Prairies regional winners, 1994–2012

Dan Themig, Ken Paltzat, Peter Krabben, Packers Plus Energy Services Inc. 2009

J.R. (Bud) McCaig, Trimac Ltd. 1994

William Elkington, JV Driver Group 2010

Ed McNally, Big Rock Brewery Ltd. 1995

Mac Van Wielingen, ARC Financial Corp.

2011

Rod McPike, Propak Systems Ltd. 1996

Dr. Alan Ulsifer, FYidoctors 2012

Marcel Tremblay, The Enerplus Group 1997

Lifetime Achievement recipients

John Komarnicki, Hurricane Hydrocarbons Ltd. 1998

Jim Gray, Canadian Hunter Exploration Ltd. 2000

John Forzani, The Forzani Group Ltd. 1999

JR Shaw, Shaw Communications Inc. 2002

Clive Beddoe, Don Bell, Mark Hill, Tim Morgan, WestJet Airlines Ltd.

Clayton Ridell, Paramount Resources Ltd. 2008

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Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013 20EYyears of inspiration

© 2013 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved. ED1013

Canada’s Entrepreneurs Of The Year from Prairies

Your growth journey is all about many small steps.

We’re with you all the way.

© 2013 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved. ED1013

Entrepreneurs, let’s explore how we can help you take your company where you want to go. ey.com/ca/Entrepreneurs

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

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tecHnoloGY and coMMunications

Craig Mackenzie Ontracks Consulting

S

ome people might think that all an entrepreneur needs is a great idea and an opportunity to bring it to market. But Ontracks Consulting founder Craig Mackenzie says there’s far more to it than that.

“Being able to identify an opportunity is certainly a critical component,” he says. “But the necessary drive and focus to convert this from an idea to a viable business is what really defines success.”

Mackenzie has been defining success since leaving his career in IT consulting and co-founding Ontracks in 2007. Since then, Ontracks has become a multimillion-dollar company serving a niche market in IT and management consulting in the oil and gas sector. He says that while his business is focused on technology, its success lies with its people.

“We’ve been very fortunate in having the best people in our space, but as we continue to grow, finding the best people will ultimately define our future,” he says. “Whether we’re looking to increase sales, deliver value on our projects or tackle complex business problems for our clients, we ultimately rely on highly skilled team members.”

Having started with just two people, Ontracks has grown to more than 50 and today has four partners. The continuous growth year-over-year shows Mackenzie and his team that they’re doing all the right things.

“Over 90 per cent of our business over the last six years has been from word of mouth,” he says. “The continued growth and referrals really makes you feel proud about what you’re delivering and gives you real affirmation that you have something that is different.”

That difference, according to Mackenzie, is a personal touch in a technological space. A commitment to service and quality work has earned the company the title of one of IBM’s top premium partners in Canada.

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EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

I am honored to be recognized as a finalist in the Prairies region for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year award. The staff of Ontracks Consulting’s willingness to go above and beyond is well known to us, and clearly the word has spread! I would like to extend my congratulations on this very well-deserved recognition to our entire team, we are very proud of this achievement. I would also like to thank our clients for giving us the opportunity to work collaboratively with you on a daily basis. ~ Craig Mackenzie

Ontracks Consulting is a leading implementer of IBM Maximo and operational improvement firm, working with clients

around the world to improve their operational performance. Ontracks focuses on delivering enterprise implementations and helping our clients realize tangible and sustainable operational improvements.

We are successful because of the passion we have for our business, the industries we serve, and our clients. ALL of our employees from senior management to our consultants interact on a daily basis with our clients, working collaboratively to deliver real, longterm, and sustainable benefits. We truly understand the challenges our clients face.

Our commitment is to delivering on our promises and ensuring client satisfaction. We are extremely proud of the fact that over 80% of our new business is from existing clients and the large majority of new business is from word of mouth.

Maximo Asset Management Solutions Ontracks specializes in asset management system implementations, best practice consulting and training. Our proven implementation methodology and experienced consultants create powerful opportunities for our clients to fulfill their visions and goals.

www.ontracksconsulting.com Audits and Assessments | Training and Workshops | Maximo Implementation Services Maximo Upgrade Services | Business Process Improvement

tecHnoloGY and coMMunications

Michael Sikorsky Robots and Pencils Inc.

M

ichael Sikorsky is a robot. His wife and business partner, Camille, is a pencil. Not literally of course, but the software engineer and the artist/designer created the company and its philosophy: solid science complemented by beautiful design makes for a successful mobile product.

Having formed the year after the iPhone was born in 2007, Robots and Pencils – a company that creates iPhone and iPad apps – had a major challenge ahead of it.

“The world was stuck in a morass of PC nothingness when we started,” explains Sikorsky. “We had to convince the world to believe in mobile.”

And convince they did.

“When Robots and Pencils started, it was two people in Calgary – we’ve grown to be a global team,” says Sikorsky. “Now we have clients around the world from the Fortune 500 and the FTSE 100. More than 10 million people have used our apps in over 20 countries.”

And the success has been dramatic. In 2012, the company’s Spy vs Spy app hit number one globally – an impressive feat by any measuring stick.

“It was a huge accomplishment we are very proud of,” says Sikorsky.

Robots and Pencils is also committed to contributing to the community by way of annual scholarships (one to a robot and one to a pencil). Sikorsky also runs “Start-up School” at the University of Alberta where he gives budding entrepreneurs insight into what it takes to start, build and run a company – taken from the valuable lessons he’s learned.

“From the outside, it always looks so fast and easy,” he says. “It never is. But, when you look back, it is surprising how far you can get.”

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EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

PUTTING CALGARY ON THE MAPP

WE MAKE APPS.

robotsandpencils.com Now in the Beltline – Call or email for an appointment 1507 – 14th Ave SW

403·775·4681

hello@robotsandpencils.com

tecHnoloGY and coMMunications

Tara Kelly SPLICE Software Inc.

T

ara Kelly is all about making connections. Whether it’s forging bonds between her clients and their customers, creating strong relationships between herself and her team, or aligning her company with international partners, it’s the synchronicity of life and business that gets her excited.

As the founder of SPLICE Software, Kelly specializes in helping her clients communicate with their customers in new and unique ways. SPLICE utilizes all communication channels from mobile phones to email, video and website communications to maximize the connection between a company and its clients helping with retention rates, loyalty, accounts receivable and more.

“I love the fact that we’re able to provide a human feel to interactions in an increasingly automated world,” she says. “It is not all about making money, it is about making things better. I passionately believe if you work hard to make things better and create value, there is a natural monetary reward. We need to stop talking about feature sheets and technical specs, and invest in helping people connect to all that is possible.”

Somewhat of a serial entrepreneur, Kelly has founded three companies and developed her first software program at age nine. She says her passion for technology lies in its ability to make life better.

“I love technology, it is changing the world,” she says. “With cloud computing and crowdsourcing and open-source software, amazing things are possible. Simple things are possible too, like having your communications personalized and relevant; yes, it is possible, and I think we all should demand it.”

Set to launch a new product this fall, Kelly says her greatest satisfaction has been developing the company and its products with her team.

“I think our story at SPLICE is really one about good people who won’t quit trying to make things a little better.”

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EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

C C C

Communications  Personalized  Human Voice  Enterprise  Omnichannel  Market Manage Measure  Dialog Suite Communications  Personalized  Human Voice  Enterprise  Omnichannel  Market Manage Measure  Dialog Suite Communications  Personalized  Human Voice  Enterprise  Omnichannel  Market Manage Measure  Dialog Suite Communications  Personalized  Human Voice  Enterprise  Omnichannel  Market Manage Measure  Dialog Suite

Dear family, friends, clients, partners, and my fellow SPLICEer’s, Dear family, friends, clients, partners, and my fellow SPLICEer’s, Dear family, friends, clients, partners, and my Dear family, friends, clients, my for Being recognized as a partners, Prairie and Finalist fellow SPLICEer’s, fellow SPLICEer’s, Entrepreneur Of The Year® is a true honour, and Being recognized a for Prairie Finalist for I am deeply gratefulas to EY empowering Being recognized as a® isPrairie Finalist and for Entrepreneur Of Thethe Year a true honour, innovators around world. recognized as Finalist and for IBeing am deeply grateful EYa®for empowering Entrepreneur Of Theto Year isPrairie a true honour, Entrepreneur Of The Year ® is a true honour, and Iinnovators am gratefulthe to world.

EY for truly empowering My deeply fellow around SPLICEer’s, I am blessed to have Iinnovators am deeply gratefulthe to world.

EY for empowering around the opportunity to know each of you and to work innovators around the world.

My fellow SPLICEer’s, am for truly blessed haveof alongside you. Thank Iyou bringing sotomuch My fellow SPLICEer’s, I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to know each of you and work who you SPLICEer’s, are to work Ievery day,blessed for making your My fellow am to have alongside you.

Thank you fortruly bringing so much of a the opportunity to know each of you and to work mark on this company and for helping create the opportunity to know each of you and to work alongside you.toIThank you forday, bringing so much of who you are work every for making your culture that am so very proud of—may we alongside you.to Thank you forday, bringing socreate much of mark on are this company and for helping aa who you workone every for making your forever challenge another to make things who you are worksoevery for of—may making your culture that am very proud we mark on thisinIto company and day, for helping create a little better all we do! mark this Icompany and for helping create a cultureonchallenge that amone so another very proud of—may forever to make thingswe a culture that I am so very proud of—may we little better in all we do! forever challenge one another to make things a To my challenge clients, thank you for allowing us things the chance forever to make a little betterwith in allyou weone do!aanother to work as partner to create better communication experiences for your customers! Thank you for little better in all we do!

To my clients, thankand youvision for allowing the chanceand allowing us to be a small part of making it happen—working sharing the goals of your us organization to work with as a partner to create better experiences for your customers! Thank you for To my clients, thank you for is allowing us the chance for you and you with you, truly our pleasure.

Wecommunication appreciate our seat at your table.

To my clients, thank for allowing us the chance to work withgoals you as you avision partner to create better communication your customers!

Thank you for sharing the and of your organization and allowing usexperiences to be a smallfor part of making it happen—working to work withgoals youyou, as atruly partner topleasure. create better communication experiences for your customers!

Thank you for for you and with is our We appreciate our seat at your table. sharing the and vision of your organization and allowing us to be a small part of making it happen—working To my the partners, birdsvision of a feather do flock together…

So all us I want toaknow is how Imaking got so itlucky to be in a flock sharing goals and of your organization and allowing to be small part of happen—working for yousuch and an withamazing you, truly is our You pleasure.

We the appreciate our seatI at your table. with bunch? truly are mosaic of who am!

Thank you for the unconditional love and for you and with birds you, truly our pleasure. appreciate ourI want seat at To my partners, of a is feather do flock We together…

So all to your knowtable. is how I got so lucky to be in a flock support. with such an amazing bunch?

Youdotruly are the mosaic I am!

Thankisyou theso unconditional love and To my partners, birds of a feather flock together…

Soofallwho I want to know howfor I got lucky to be in a flock To my partners, birds of a feather flock together…

Soofallwho I want to know howfor I got lucky to be in a flock with such an amazing bunch?

Youdotruly are the mosaic I am!

Thankisyou theso unconditional love and support.

And to my boys, Raymond and Samuel, you inspire me every with such an amazing bunch? You truly are the mosaic of who I am! Thank you for the unconditional love and support. day, to reach higher, to try harder, to love deeper and to create support.

And to my boys, Raymond youperson. inspire me every value.

You make me wantand to Samuel, be a better There is a day, reach higher, to try harder, to love deeper and to create And to my boys, Raymond and Samuel, you inspire me every great big beautiful world out there, go forward, add value and And to my boys, Raymond and Samuel, inspire me every value. make to be a person.

There is a day, to You reach higher, towant try harder, to better love you deeper and to create always believe inme your dreams! day, to reach higher, to try harder, to love deeper and to create value.big You make me want be ago better person. is a great beautiful world outtothere, forward, addThere value and value.

You make me want be ago better person. is a always believe in your dreams! great big beautiful world outtothere, forward, addThere value and great big beautiful world out there, go forward, add value and always believe in your My name is Tara Kellydreams! and I believe it can be better! always believe in your dreams!

My name is Tara Kelly and I believe it can be better!

My name is Tara Kelly and I believe it can be better!

My name is Tara Kelly and I believe it can be better!

Tara Kelly President & CEO Tara Kelly SPLICE Software Inc. President & Kelly CEO Tara Tara President & Kelly CEO SPLICE Software Inc. President & CEO SPLICE Software Inc. SPLICE Software Inc.

SPLICE Software Incorporated  1-855-677-5423  WWW.SPLICESOFTWARE.COM SPLICE Software Incorporated  1-855-677-5423  WWW.SPLICESOFTWARE.COM SPLICE Software Incorporated  1-855-677-5423  WWW.SPLICESOFTWARE.COM SPLICE Software Incorporated  1-855-677-5423  WWW.SPLICESOFTWARE.COM

Professional and financial services

Steve King Alaris Royalty Corp

S

ometimes it takes something drastic to shake us out of complacency. For Steve King, it was his sister’s battle with cancer that snapped his life into sharp focus.

“As she fought cancer, things became very clear for her,” he says.

“She urged me to be true to myself. Life’s too short to wait for things to happen.” And with that, King left his successful career in investment banking to invest in his own dream.

The Alaris Royalty Corp. model is unique. Alaris provides entrepreneurs of already successful businesses with capital while allowing them to maintain control of their companies by giving Alaris passive, non-voting equity with a synthetic royalty paid on pre-tax revenue or gross margin. King’s idea was something that hadn’t been seen before – so it was a risk. But hailing from a family of entrepreneurs, King had faith.

“There are obviously many things that go into making entrepreneurs successful but first and foremost is belief,” he says. “You need to have an unshakable belief in yourself, your business plan and the people around you in order to succeed because all businesses go through difficult times.”

And his belief was contagious as he brought on Clay Riddell, one of Canada’s great entrepreneurs and the founder of Paramount Resources, and launched Alaris in 2004. And he’s never looked back.

“I have the honour of dealing with some of the great success stories in North America,” he says. “These are people who have worked hard and have built incredible businesses. I think I’ve got the best job in the world.”

Having gone public in 2008, King’s company has grown to $1 billion in market capitalization and is now on the radar of more U.S. advisers.

“I see the next five years as a time for increasing growth and opportunity,” he says. “I hope to be doing what I’m doing for many years to come.”

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EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

A Sincere ThAnk You To our Team aT alaris for their unquestionable united value and the vital role they individually play in our success.

DirecTors for their genuine support and experienced insight. auDiTors, lawyers, anD aDvisors for their contributions that surpass duty. enTrepreneurs for inspiring us to do what we do. Alaris is proud to call you a Partner.

232, 2031 33rd Avenue S.W. Calgary, AB T2T 1Z5 Ph. 403-221-7304 F. 403-228-0906

www.alarisroyalty.com

Professional and financial services

Jean-Pierre Parenty Parenty Reitmeier Translation Services

J

ean-Pierre Parenty says good morning 75 times in 20 different languages each and every day as he passes through the offices of Parenty-Reitmeier Translation Services in Winnipeg. This dedication to maintaining a family culture through tremendous growth is just one of the things that defines him as an entrepreneur.

Now celebrating 20 years in business, Parenty says determination, confidence and a “let’s shoot the puck” attitude are what he believes has made his firm a global leader in the translation of owner and repair manuals for the mechanical field.

Having launched his business with a single, $1,300 translation job for a friend, Parenty turned his bilingualism – and his natural leadership abilities – into a business that provides translation services in over 100 languages through 400 employee and contract translators globally.

Of course, no entrepreneurial success story would be complete without a struggle or two.

“I worked a number of jobs before becoming an entrepreneur and I always left by choice – their choice,” he laughs. Early on, Parenty was forced to claim bankruptcy due to poor bookkeeping. “It was a big lesson for me,” he says. “And it was one I learned from.”

Today, Parenty is a fanatic about bookkeeping and accounting and can always tell you exactly what his company’s financial position is at any given time.

And it’s a good position to be in. Parenty-Reitmeier experienced 34 per cent sales growth in 2012 and is targeting 20 per cent in 2013. He was able to grow his business significantly during the financial crisis as clients like Harley Davidson, Polaris and Honda expanded into new markets – and new languages.

With a goal of doubling his business in the next five years, Parenty’s ambition is obvious – as is his dedication to his community. He has personally raised more than $500,000 for the St. Amant Foundation in Winnipeg as well as travelling to Rwanda to coach budding entrepreneurs.

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EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

Professional and financial services

Stanford Orme Asher S.O. Asher Consultants Ltd

M

any parents may have cringed when their 16-year-old son announced he was quitting school to earn money in the workforce. But S. Orme Asher’s dad knew his son better than that. He had three words for him: “Go for it” – and he did.

After more than a decade of work experience and honed interpersonal skills, Asher embarked on his first entrepreneurial venture. Within six months of starting Asher Real Estate Brokers, he grew from a three-person operation to selling more listings than any other brokerage in his native Saskatoon. From there, he built a successful river cruise business that stimulated Saskatoon’s tourism industry. But it was his next venture that defined his career as an entrepreneur.

“I come from a family whose achievements were earned through honest hard work. I can be described as somewhat of a dreamer,” he says. “I had a unique idea, believed in it and was determined to succeed.”

That idea was the Hospital Home Lottery. What is now a household term began as a radical new concept in 1978 when Asher developed the first ‘$100 ticket Home Lottery’ as a fundraiser for the Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon. The unprecedented success of the first Kinsmen Home Lotteries caught the attention of the Royal University Hospital. Asher then applied his successful business model when he designed the Hospital Home Lottery, and the program sold out in a matter of days.

S.O. Asher Consultants Ltd. was formed and today operates with 22 employees (including his wife and son) in 10 major cities across Canada and in Australia.

“Together we have raised net proceeds of more than $650 million for our clients,” says Asher. “And we will continue to find innovative ways to deliver increased net profits to our existing valued clients.”

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

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oil and Gas

Nicole Bourque-Bouchier, David Bouchier The Bouchier Group

B

uilding a company worth tens of millions of dollars is an impressive feat for any entrepreneur – but when you consider Dave Bouchier lost his father at age 12 and left school after Grade 9, the achievement is especially poignant.

Of course, when you have partner who shares your passions and commitment in life and business, anything is possible.

Taking his experience in heavy equipment and hers in stakeholder and aboriginal relations, Dave and his wife, Nicole Bourque-Bouchier, started Bouchier Contracting in the fall of 2004 with 10 people and one project working on a temporary access road for CNRL. As a small company competing with giants in the oilsands of northern Alberta, Nicole says she and Dave had to show great fortitude in the early days.

“You must enter into entrepreneurship with an entrepreneurial spirit,” she says. “I think this is something you have within you and not everyone has this quality. This ensures your passion and commitment to everything you do within your business and will continually drive you forward, even during the tough patches.”

In 2009, the Bouchiers added Bouchier Site Services to their road maintenance business and brought medical, janitorial and security services to a number of oilsands sites.

Today, The Bouchier Group employs 500 people year round and recently Carillion Canada joining on as a minority partner in 2012 has given the now-branded Bouchier Group the capacity and resources to grow the business even more. All the while, the two have remained committed to giving back to the communities that have supported them along the way.

“Philanthropy has always been a passion of ours and one area that we are giving more and more time to these days,” says Nicole. “Of course we both have a real passion for our work and furthering the awareness of aboriginal businesses and women in business.”

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EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

info@thebouchiergroup.com 780.790.1682 www.thebouchiergroup.com

“The Bouchier Group is honored to be chosen as a finalist in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Program 2013. David and I would like to express our sincere appreciation to our team members for your continued dedication. The Bouchier Group’s success is measured by your continued support.

To our stakeholders, thank you for your continued patronage of our business. We are always looking for new ways to serve our clients more effectively and efficiently.” ~ Nicole & David Bouchier

oil and Gas

Menno Admiraal Western Camp Services Ltd

W

hen Menno Admiraal’s business partner was suddenly diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2008 and left the business the next day, he was faced with the biggest challenge of his life. How to continue to run and build their successful business while dealing with the grief of losing his partner and friend? The answer came in the form of his team. Empowering, developing and trusting his people would be the only way for Admiraal’s Western Camp Services to succeed and thrive.

“The old adage that you’re only as strong as the team behind you is so true,” he says. “As an entrepreneur, you need to move from ‘big I and small We’ to ‘small I and big We’ quickly and seamlessly as your company grows and matures. You need to have faith and trust in your team if you want to continue to grow.”

And grow it did. With a world-class culinary team and a dynamic leadership team, the company provides accommodation services all over the region to companies like Nexen and Penn West. The company achieved record revenues in 2012.

“There have been many great points in the life of Western, many awards, great contracts, great profits, etc.,” says Admiraal. “But for me, the greatest accomplishment has been the evolution of our world-class corporate culture. Western truly is a place where great people work. We spend an immense amount of time developing, leading and preaching our culture.”

What’s next? More of the same.

“Western will continue to grow and our plan is to double our revenue and profit over the next three years. We will continue to strengthen our systems and grow and preach our culture,” says Admiraal. “No matter how large we get, Western will always be a fun place to work where everyone knows your name.”

66

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

7668 69 Street Edmonton, Alberta T6B 2J7 Phone: 780.468.1568 Fax: 780.468.1948 Email: info@westerncampservices.com www.westerncampservices.com

We succeed by having a “Nothing is Impossible” attitude.

Better is our Standard Working in isolated locations, your staff needs accommodations that are well maintained and comfortable.

“I am honored to be chosen as a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013. This achievement is only possible through the superior teamwork, commitment and dedication of Western Camp Services employees. Thank you to my team for your belief and support.”

~ Menno Admiraal

Providing services to the natural resource industry, our camp facilities for 20 to 1000 men include lodging, meals, kitchen and housekeeping personnel. Hours away from major centres, you need to know you can count on a company that provides high quality accommodations and hospitality – from the essentials down to the smallest details. At Western Camp Services, we offer a variety of custom options for your camp and catering needs.

• Make reservations at one of our established Open Camps • Rent the equipment and facilities you need through our Fleet Rentals division • Or contact one of our knowledgeable sales staff to customize a solution that meets your accommodations, catering and management needs Our top of the line facilities can include executive and VIP suites, recreation equipment, and of course, quality nutritional products that exceed industry standards.

oil and Gas

Dale Tremblay, Alex MacAusland, Jeffrey Bowers Western Energy Services Corp

W

hen Dale Tremblay, Alex MacAusland and Jeffery Bowers acquired Western Energy Services in 2009, the pumping company was in a bit of a mess. With no working capital and millions of dollars in debt, it would take a great deal of work and personal investment to bring Western back to the black. Fortunately, the partnership brought exactly what the company needed to succeed: a common vision, complementary strengths and a commitment to quality in both their people and their equipment.

“We all agree on the fundamentals of how to do business,” says Tremblay, the company’s chairman and CEO. “Everything is straight up; no cutting corners. People are our most valuable assets, we’re focused on safety and we run highquality equipment in all our business lines.”

After just two years, the team was able to sell the pumping business at three times what they paid for it and turned Western into a contract drilling business. With a focus on growth, the team acquired a number of service companies and has been successful in integrating these operations. Today, Western has the sixth largest drilling fleet in Canada, five rigs in the U.S., the seventh largest fleet of service rigs as well as a profitable equipment rental business.

“We’re proud of the fact that we’ve delivered what we told the investment community we would,” says Tremblay.

“We’ve grown, we’re profitable and our customers continuously recognize our quality equipment, people and service.”

The dream team of Tremblay, MacAusland (president and COO) and Bowers (SVP finance and CFO) will continue to leverage their unique partnership to build Western’s future. Says Tremblay: “We all focus on our areas of expertise but all have experience in our business lines. We all give our input to work toward the best outcome.”

68

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

Voice & Data Cabling Phone Systems Paging Systems Voip Services

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www.coretelecom.ca

Business-to-Business Products and services

Darcy Tofin

Central Water & Equipment Services Ltd.

D

arcy Tofin has been pumping water as long as he can remember. Working alongside his father in the family irrigation business in rural Saskatchewan, Tofin learned the ins and outs of entrepreneurship. And so the seeds were planted for Tofin’s own enterprise. But making the leap from a declining irrigation industry to a major industrial service supplier has taken 12 years, a lot of hard work and intestinal fortitude.

In fact, Central Water’s first job in 2001 was not for the faint of heart – an eight-kilometre water transfer … in west-central Alberta … in the dead of winter.

“We had pumps and heaters we hoped would be sufficient,” says Tofin. “But as we started the system, the expected -27C quickly dropped to -43C and stayed over the next two-week period. The stress level was high, but we managed to pull it off.”

Thanks to that success and others that followed, Central developed a reputation for delivering results on challenging projects where other companies wouldn’t take the risk.

Together with his brother Perry, Darcy and their team have built a successful company moving water. From mining and forestry to industrial and oilfield, Tofin has innovated to find new ways of meeting the challenges their customers present.

“The growth of our company is very important to me, along with our equipment and service capabilities we have established,” he says.

Central Water is growing again with the construction of new facilities in Sherwood Park, outside of Edmonton. Tofin says the new space will allow the company to expand service to its current clients as well as grow its customer base significantly in the years to come.

70

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

A strong team spells success!

“

“

Myself and everyone at Central Water appreciates the recognition of this nomination. I would like to thank Greg Keller and the group at EY, RBC, and our many suppliers and customers we have had over the years. I also wish to recognize my brother and partner Perry, our families, and of course our employees. All of those involved have made the company a success and we look forward to working with each and everyone in the years to come.

~Darcy Tofin

Central Water & Equipment Services Ltd. 302 Gladstone Crescent, Saskatoon, SK S7P 0C7

PH:306-975-1999 FX: 306-975-7175 www.centralwater.net

Business-to-Business Products and services

Kyle Powell

SureHire Occupational Testing

T

he SureHire story is one that defines entrepreneurship: two individuals recognized a market need and set about finding a way to satisfy that need. In this case, the need was for a full-service occupational testing company offering expertise in drug and alcohol, fitness-to-work, audiometric, lung health programs and other specialized services that allow employers to get the full picture of their workforce.

Kyle Powell is an experienced physiotherapist with an entrepreneurial bent. He always felt the desire to create something of his own, but it wasn’t until he was working as a physiotherapist that he realized he could put his unique skill set to help industry. Of course, as many entrepreneurs will attest, there were naysayers.

“Since starting this journey in 2005 I forget the number of times I have been told that you can’t do that, you won’t be successful, or simply you will fail,” he says. “With a personal attitude of perseverance, negative comments become motivational and not believable.”

Eight years later, Powell and his partner, John Hawes, run a service-oriented firm that has provided more than 750,000 individual occupational tests as of 2013. Powell says one of the biggest challenges has been educating industry on the importance of fitness-to-work testing for companies striving to meet stringent safety and productivity standards in the workplace.

“We’re proud of creating an industry understanding and acceptance of the importance of our fitness-to-work protocol which tests the abilities of an applicant against the demands of the job they are applying for,” he says. “Proper occupational testing programs help employers get the full picture of their workforce which is so important in today’s zero incident safety culture.”

72

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

Drug & Alcohol Program

Audiometric Program

EXPERTS IN OCCUPATIONAL TESTING

Drug & Alcohol Program

Drug & Alcohol Program

Audiometric Program

Audiometric Program

Lung Health Program

Audiometric Program

Lung Health Program

Lung Health Program

Fitness-To-Work Program

Fitness-To-Work Program

Specialized Services

Lung Health Program

Fitness-To-Work Program

Lung Health Program

Fitness-To-Work Program

Specialized Services

SureHire is an expert in occupational testing. We offer consistent and convenient tests that enable our clients to place the right person in the right Specialized Services job, increase worker productivity, and reduce WCB claims and onsite incidents. We have our results analyzing process down to an exact science and our online booking and results system is the fastest in the industry.

And, we customize our services to fit our client’s needs.

Canada’s Largest Exclusive Occupational Testing Network Fitness-To-Work Program

Specialized Services

“I would like to sincerely thank each of our employees, clients and advisors for this honor as a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year award. I am truly honored and privileged to share this recognition with you.”

- Specialized Kyle Powell Services

SureHire Corporate Office | 1205 - 7th St. Nisku, AB T9E 7P8 T: 1-866-944-4473 | E: info@surehire.ca | www.surehire.ca

Business-to-Business Products and services

Jeff Polovick The Driving Force Inc.

J

eff Polovick began his entrepreneurial career selling seeds door-to-door in Saskatchewan. Thirty-five years later, he’s gone from seeds to sedans and runs one of Canada’s largest automotive companies with a fleet of more than 9,500 vehicles and a force of more than 425 employees.

DRIVING FORCE is a unique three-pillar model focused on offering vehicle rental, sales and leasing and more recently fleet management services in Western Canada and the Arctic. Built primarily on hard work and a commitment to integrity in an industry plagued with the “used-car-salesman” image problem, Polovick’s DRIVING FORCE is an example of entrepreneurship at its finest.

“Probably the most important quality a successful entrepreneur requires is an active imagination coupled with a quest for learning,” says Polovick. “Basic values of integrity, respect, commitment and passion are also essential for execution of the business plan.”

Over his more than three decades in business, Polovick has repeatedly demonstrated his gift for viewing challenge as opportunity and encourages his employees to do the same. Through green-fielding and acquisitions, Polovick has grown the business to 23 locations across Western Canada and the Arctic including three HINO dealerships, a GM dealership and a non-prime retail outlet.

“By diversifying our three lines of business and further diversifying geographically, we were able to weather the storms of business cycles and market conditions creating additional growth while others struggled to remain viable,” he says.

But Polovick isn’t finished yet. Consistently recognized as a leader in the industry, The Driving Force Inc. is poised to capitalize on its stellar team and grow again.

“We’re on a metaphorical trip to Mars with our business,” says Polovick. “We have come a long way and we look forward to expanding our geographic footprint in other areas of Canada that will support our business model. I also look forward to helping our team members meet new challenges and develop their personal skills.”

74

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

It is a great honour to be named an award finalist for EY Entrepreneur Of The Year.

This nomination wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated staff and loyal customers. Thank you to our amazing team and customers for making DRIVING FORCE the success it is today.

- Jeff Polovick

President

DRIVING FORCE is your source for vehicle rentals, sales, leasing and fleet management services in Canada with 18 locations throughout Western Canada and the Arctic, including Edmonton, Calgary, Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Saskatoon, Fort St. John, Langley (Vancouver), Whitehorse, Terrace, Inuvik and Iqaluit.

DRIVING FORCE has been in the automotive business for over 35 years and has been a leader in the industry.

From work trucks to commercial vans, DRIVING FORCE is driven to deliver… anything you want!

We rent, sell and lease...

ALL MAKES AND MODELS 18 locations across Canada Edmonton • Leduc/Int. Airport • Fort Saskatchewan Calgary • Fort McMurray • Grande Prairie • Saskatoon Vancouver • Fort St. John • Terrace • Iqaluit Whitehorse • Inuvik

1•800•936•9353

www.drivingforce.ca

Business-to-business products and services

Geoff Gyles, Kerry Green Wolf Trax, Inc

W

olf Trax took root in Winnipeg in 1998 when coworkers Geoff Gyles and Kerry Green saw that the science of fertilizing plants was growing stagnant and they had a great idea for innovation.

First to market was a family of six Dry Dispersible Powder (DDP) micronutrient fertilizers that addressed weaknesses in traditional micronutrients in that they offered plants micronutrients in two phases through the patented Dual Action™ concept. The company’s second patented innovation was developing a seed-applied fertilizer product designed to improve seedling growth in a wide range of crops, soil types and growing conditions.

“We are providing science-based technology to growers around the world, helping them be profitable and at the same time helping to feed a growing population in the most (from a plant nutrient perspective) healthy and sustainable manner possible,” says Green.

In addition to having overcome the obstacles facing many first-time entrepreneurs, like access to capital from conservative financial institutions, Gyles and Green were also up against a traditional industry that is not always open to new ideas.

“Changing and challenging conventional wisdom in a very conservative industry has been a hurdle,” says Gyles.

But when a product works, selling a new concept becomes a lot easier. And Wolf Trax’s products do work.

The team has achieved significant brand awareness and market share in Canada and the U.S. “We are a small plant nutrition company based in Winnipeg competing head to head with some of the largest companies in the world,” says Green. Gyles adds, “The fact that we are a Manitobabased company with Manitoba-based science selling innovative fertilizers in all parts of the world makes me particularly proud.”

76

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013

In a whole different ball park.

Fertilizer technology so advanced, there’s no comparison.

855.237.9653 • wolftrax.com

Wolf Trax® is a registered trademark of Wolf Trax, Inc. ©2013. 21061 BIC

Header Entrepreneurs take centre stage

The EY G20 Entrepreneurship Barometer 2013: Canada

Name

E

ntrepreneurs are key to building a better working world, and Canadian entrepreneurs have much to be Company thankful for. They operate in an environment that’s highly supportive of their activities. The cost of starting a business in the country is among the lowest in the G20, while entrepreneurs spend fewer hours on their tax affairs than their peers in most other nations, enjoy lower labour costs and benefit from better access to funding. As a result, levels of new business activity and startups are well above the G20 average.

Those are some of the findings of the EY G20 Entrepreneurship Barometer 2013. Our survey found that Canada is one of the top performers in the world, scoring consistently high in nearly all categories of the entrepreneurial environment.

B

ody than might be expected. For example, 73 per cent Canadian entrepreneurs, however, are notably less positive say access to funding remains difficult, greater than the G20 average as a whole. Similarly, while Canada has the lowest insolvency costs in the G20, 36 per cent of local entrepreneurs say business failure is a barrier to future business ventures, also above the overall average.

This mismatch may reflect Canadian entrepreneurs’ higher expectations. In a generally conducive environment, they may expect greater levels of assistance and support and could be prone to disappointment during tougher times. Nevertheless, these concerns will need to be met in order to encourage entrepreneurship in the country.

Looking ahead, all these strengths should support growing levels of new business creation, with one report predicting the net creation of 150,000 new businesses in the coming decade — a resounding endorsement for Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.1 To learn more, visit us at www.ey.com/G20Canada.

1

78

. B. Tal, Start-ups — Present and Future (CIBC World Markets Inc., 2012).

EY EY Entrepreneur Entrepreneur Of Of The The Year Year 2013 2013

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investment for long-term success and acclaim • Real Estate

Investment

for Long-term Success and Acclaim Development is big business, and ongoing plans and major projects will push Calgary closer to being a world-class city of choice

BY HEATHER RAMSAY

Rendering of TELUS Sky Tower. Photo credit: TELUS.

I

t takes much to become truly world class. Ongoing growth, economic activity, expansion, technology, industry, arts, culture and development are only a few of the key components of what makes a city outstanding. As the rate and reach of the provincial economy continues to gain momentum, investment dollars and real estate development within Calgary are escalating, and garnering attention.

An independent report has deemed Calgary the fifth most livable city in the world. That is a tie with Adelaide, Australia. These rankings were based on over 30 components, of which environment, education, culture, health care and

development were included. There are so many factors that make Calgary a city of choice that thousands of people will likely migrate here this year alone.

In any growing or changing city, there are numerous drivers at play that directly influence and control how a city is designed, shaped and develops. These components inherently impact not only the future function of a city but also the adaptability of its communities and surrounding areas for decades to come. When a city is designed well it creates unique real estate markets and lifestyle options, which in turn supports economic development and overall popularity. www.businessincalgary.com | BUSINESS IN CALGARY October 2013 • 45

1:37 PM

The 58-storey TELUS Sky project will include 430,000 square feet of space and 341 residential suites.

While many Calgarians may only become aware of projects and development as they drive through new communities or those in the process of revitalization and see the tangible activities of construction, the planning, investment and preparation for development is multi-disciplined, demanding and ongoing. According to industry experts and planners, there is currently much activity in all sectors of real estate in Calgary and the level of activity is only going to increase.

“It’s very exciting to see so many land development projects underway in Calgary, which are changing the visual dynamics of the city and especially the downtown core.

The city is quickly approaching 40 million square feet of office space in its existing central market, and it’s encouraging to see developers stepping forward with some stunning projects that will meet the aggressive space demands we’re experiencing,” says Harrison Gallelli, business development 46 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

manager, real estate and location, with Calgary Economic Development.

Over the past year there have been various pinnacle developments in downtown and there are more to come.

Projects of note are The Bow tower developed by Foster and Partners last year, which has since received international attention having been named one of the world’s most spectacular corporate buildings. Eighth Avenue Place’s second tower will be the first LEED-Platinum highrise office tower in the country and is scheduled for completion in 2014.

Other large commercial projects that are slated for construction include the TELUS Sky Tower and Three Eau Claire.

Both projects offer mixed-use components that include office and residential allotments as well as architectural considerations that will complement the city. According to Gallelli, the 58-storey TELUS Sky project will include 430,000 square feet of space and 341 residential suites. These projects are

Rendering of TELUS Sky Tower. Photo credit: TELUS.

investment for long-term success and acclaim • Real Estate

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investment for long-term success and acclaim • Real Estate

[Brookfield Place] is set on an entire city block in the heart of downtown and will include two phased towers that Rendering of Brookfield Place, set on an entire city block in the heart of downtown. Photo Credit: Brookfield Office Properties.

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48 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

timely, as the residential apartment rental vacancy rates were hovering at 1.2 per cent this past spring.

Another project of note is Brookfield Place. This venture is set on an entire city block in the heart of downtown and will include two phased towers that when combined will total 2.4 million square feet. Construction has been slated for this September.

There is plenty of activity and Gallelli says the project list continues to grow.

“Last month, Manulife Real Estate announced their plans to develop a LEED-Gold, 564,000-square-foot “AAA” office tower that would bring their real estate holdings to nearly 1.3 million square feet. We are seeing significant and exciting changes to our skyline.”

F

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investment for long-term success and acclaim • Real Estate

Rendering of the City Centre project near Eau Claire Market. Photo credit: Cadillac Fairview Corp.

South Calgary’s newest community now open.

Cadillac Fairview is also in development mode, with their City Centre project near Eau Claire Market. Target for tenant occupancy is 2015 and will include over 220,000 square feet of pre-leased space in the first phase of the 34-storey office tower. Cadillac plans to also move ahead with a second phase that will include a luxury condominium tower and five-star hotel accommodations.

Just when we thought Chinook Centre was completed, there has been announcement of a proposal for mixed-use development on that site. This project would include a hotel, additional office space and residential components as well as expansion to their already existing 1.7-million-square-foot shopping centre.

According to Kevin Froese, coordinator, new community planning with the City of Calgary, activity within the residential market is also ramping up. “The Municipal Development Plan is driving much of what is happening in Calgary and changes in how communities are designed and allocated.

The plan requires increased densities in new development as well as further growth in established areas. As new communities pop

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investment for long-term success and acclaim • Real Estate

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up, existing key nodes and corridors across the city will be changing as well.”

Froese explains that things are changing within planning at the city level. As the result of a council mandate to streamline area structure plans, significant changes are being made and two pilot plans have been developed. The purpose of the exercise has been to review and revise the overall planning process and work more closely with landowners. The ultimate goal? To reduce timing and overall costs, through a simplified planning process and developer funding.

The pilot projects include nearly 1,500 acres in the far northeast, which Walton Development is the primary owner.

The second plan includes approximately 1,600 acres in the far southeast and the majority landowner is Brookfield Properties. “Both plans are moving along and examples of Calgary’s unique growth and ongoing need for mixed-use space and increased densities,” explains Froese.

While traditionally, Calgary has seen significant development in suburban areas, indications are that the trend is shifting. Greater demand for mixed-use space and accessibility to city transit, corridors, connectivity to pathways and roads, as well as services and amenities are also driving increased density and ‘smart growth.’

Matthew Sheldrake, a senior planner with the City of Calgary, explains that in the past few years, over 95 per cent of growth was taking place in suburban areas. Today nearly two thirds of development is happening within the inner city. “Real estate in Calgary continues to be robust. There is new development happening in literally every area of the city. That development will continue and we anticipate ongoing growth within existing communities as well. It’s a far healthier combination and approach for sustainable growth,” says Sheldrake.

Reports published by the Calgary Real Estate Board and CBRE indicate that the markets are maintaining hold. An 8.7 per cent increase year-to-year within the residential resale market and a 7.4 per cent increase in new listings in August (year-to-year) demonstrate that we continue to be in a sellers’ market. The benchmark price for a single-family home in August was $464,700. On the commercial side, rates were down during the second quarter in the downtown office and industrial sectors, and up in suburban office and retail sectors.

Downtown office, suburban office, retail and industrial lease rates were $28.11, $19.96, $27.17 and $7.95 respectively.

“Calgary is attracting attention from all over the world with investment and migration,” says Gallelli. “With so many high-calibre projects planned and versatile communities developed, Calgary will only continue to grow towards being a true world-class destination.” BiC

calgary party Time • Event Planning & Catering

Calgary

Party Time

nothing about the event will be nearly as easy as it will seem to most of the guests

BY JOHN HARDY

t

he catchphrase says it all: “any excuse for a party!”

But like most catchphrases, it gets more and more simplified every time it’s used. Besides, when it comes to a “party” that has anything to do with work, nothing is ever simple, whether it is award receptions, conferences, Christmas (holiday) parties, Stampede bashes, seminars, sales meetings, business milestones and other company events.

Working with one of Calgary’s several professional event planners, going it solo, by volunteer committee or with the coordinating help and advice of the venue’s F&B (food and beverage) or catering staff, the only sure thing is that nothing about the event will be nearly as easy as it will seem to most of the guests. And most of the guests will be having far too much fun to realize or appreciate that smooth, efficient and enjoyable special events don’t just happen.

Although there are so many finer points and picky details to be looked after, the clichéd attention-getter is usually the food, so the planning, negotiations and arranging with the F&B staff or the caterer is vitally important. It is (by far) not the only thing but, like a wedding reception and other more intimate social events, the food and bar choices and service during a workplace function not only make or break the event but trigger what people will be saying. And in the spirit of brutal honesty – whether it’s family and friends at a private party or a banquet hall filled with friends-by-chance fellow staffers, company and outsider VIPs and the boss – yes, it does matter what people think and say.

Too hot. Too cold. What a superb martini! The bartender was slow and clueless. The speeches went on forever. The steak was terrific. The steak was tough and chewy. The chicken was bland. The chicken was moist and great. It was so crowded, Continued on page 56… www.businessincalgary.com | BUSINESS IN CALGARY October 2013 • 53

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calgary party Time • Event Planning & Catering

The only true, unpredictable variable will be the moods and opinions of the guests. …continued from page 53

you couldn’t hear yourself think. “I’m sore from dancing.”

The music was awful. The guest speaker was the best ever!

As most seasoned planners, organizers and caterers agree and warn, you can plan all the seating layouts, the centrepieces, carefully-timed agendas, the band or DJ and carefully selected grilled beef tenderloin, mini-potatoes, sauce and chocolate desserts everyone will love but – the only true, unpredictable variable will be the moods and opinions of the guests.

Business has changed. Business events have changed. And business event planning has changed.

From e-notices, agendas and invitations for the guests, the pulled pork sliders under the canopy during the company’s Stampede event, the delish floating-in-gravy beef tenderloin at the awards banquet, the website event reminders to the harmless but provocative Merry Christmas decorations or the office embarrassment and company liability of the out-of-control staffer who has been up to the bar six too many times.

Company party organizers should take cues from the professionals. There are basic and relatively new picky and important factors to consider and things to keep in mind.

“It’s a strong F&B year for Calgary,” says Don Tomie, director of food and beverage at the Marriott Calgary Downtown, who also do all of the catering for the Calgary Telus Convention Centre (CTCC). “Thankfully 2008 is really in the distant rear-view mirror, budgets are recovering and, although companies aren’t going excessive with either the menus or audiovisual, decor and high-priced celebrity guest

speakers, company special events and entertainment are back.

“When it comes to all sizes of seasonal office parties, it seems most companies would like December 15 but, of course it all depends on availability on the booking calendar. This year our first office party booking is for the first Friday after Remembrance Day. “In Calgary, beef tenderloin is absolutely the No. 1 request. And for some reason, after only a couple of years of the concept of individualized food stations throughout the hall,” he explains, “Calgary businesses are opting back for the more traditional, sit-down, plated meals. Especially some of the big Calgary oil company events which hosted 1,200 to 1,400 guests and, allowing for the space necessary for food station setups, the events only had seating for about 700 people. Apparently the common feedback was not enough chance to sit down, relax and talk.”

For some it is a routine fact of special event life and for others it can be a touchy and provocative topic: ethnic and cultural diversity is very much a real and contemporary factor in Calgary area special events planning.

Two years ago, after a 13-year tradition of staff Christmas parties, a family-owned and managed company sent out a fresh, neutral invitation to the Annual Staff Holiday Party.

Most staff noticed. Some were surprised. And one blunt RSVP reply to the volunteer organizer asked if there would be a “Holiday tree, with Holiday decorations and colourfully wrapped Holiday gifts?” The party went off as planned, and it was a big hit.

Continued on page 61…

56 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

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calgary party Time • Event Planning & Catering

You.

Leading the way

Photos, this page, courtesy of the Marriott

“For various reasons, we are noticing a definite trend of special requests and dietary restrictions.

Of course it’s our job and duty to accommodate.” ~ Don Tomie, director of food and beverage at the Marriott Calgary Downtown

Event Management Business Communications Business Law for Contract Management Contract Management Change Management Conflict Resolution Human Resource Management Leadership Development Management Development Nonprofit Management Petroleum Land Business Strategic Management

*Ask about company training

…continued from page 56

“For various reasons, we are noticing a definite trend of special requests and dietary restrictions; for vegetarian reasons, maybe allergy or cultural or religious reasons,” Tomie says from recent experience. “Of course it’s our job and duty to accommodate. At one event, out of 1,200 guests there were 340 special needs requests. It can be a bit of a challenge for event planners because the days of just serving a vegetarian guest a bowl of steamed rice and some vegetables is simply not good enough. Besides, all per-head charges are the same and it would be insulting and just not fair to charge full fare for a bowl of rice and a portion of broccoli.”

Most caterers echo the increase in “special meal requests” but concede that the differences between “needs” and “preferences” can be confusing and a bit frustrating, particularly when some guests “change their mind” at the last minute.

Vegans exclude all animal products and byproducts from their diets, including eggs and butter. Vegetarian is a relatively loose term, but it generally refers to people who eliminate meat from their diets but may consume dairy and/or eggs.

But vegetarian means different things to different people. Some people actually call themselves vegetarians and eat fish or poultry. Some don’t eat red meat, while

Continuing Education 403.440.6875 mtroyal.ca/conted INFO NIGHT, NOV. 26, 5-8 PM

Check website for future Info Night dates.

www.businessincalgary.com | BUSINESS IN CALGARY October 2013 • 61

calgary party Time • Event Planning & Catering

some are strict vegetarians and abstain from all animal flesh.

That’s why most caterers now ask organizers to specify what is meant by “vegetarian meals” during the planning stages.

“To be honest, I have personally never been a tofu kinda guy but, I must admit, our staff can cook a fabulous meal with tofu that we’re proud to serve. It can get a bit confusing and complicated,” he grins. “It happens a lot that a guest asked for a special meal and, when the table is served, they see the tenderloin or stuffed chicken and, at the last minute, they change their mind and say, “Sorry, I thought we would have fish. Could I have the chicken, instead?”

Tomie is enthusiastic and explains how state-of-the-art technology has already made its way into the world of event management and catering. Marriott F&B is going through an evolution and since the Calgary Marriotts handles all CTCC catering, the evolution will soon impact Calgary special events.

“More and more it is the gen-X/millennials, not the boomers, who are now planning and coordinating company events and office parties. And they are plugged-in, superconnected and bring their routines with them, organizing, planning or on-site coordinating an event,” Tomie says, noticeably gung-ho about embracing technology and the new aspects of event management.

“Our timing is perfect. This month, Marriott is rolling out a custom app specifically for special events. It’s called the Red Coat Direct and since we handle all the F&B for

62 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

the Convention Centre, Calgary event organizers will also be able to download the app to their smartphone or tablet.

Then, they will communicate directly with the CTCC person coordinating their event – in real time – asking to ‘turn the heat or the lights up or down, we need 10 extra chairs, we’re ready for the coffee and muffin break’ and other details.”

Round tables, square tables, head tables and podiums in one of the portioned off CTCC hall areas or meeting rooms or in any of the many private banquet halls and major hotel conference and reception areas, Calgary is usually hopping.

By now the specific holiday parties have been booked and the planning is about to begin.

Even before Calgary staffers get ready to party at individual company parties, 2013 has been a busy year for conferences, conventions, receptions and seminars guests to enjoy the Calgary hospitality. So far, just at CTCC, Calgary has “catered” to 1,000 people with Hart Energy; 1,000 attendees at the Pharmasave National Conference; 2,000 visitors for the TOPS International Recognition Days event; 1,000 delegates at the Oil Sands Technology Conference and Exhibition; and 500 members of the Canadian Medical Association Annual Meeting. This month, the CTCC staff is ready for 1,000 delegates coming for the Social Enterprise World Forum and 1,200 for the World Petroleum Council Youth Forum.

That’s a lot of plates, glasses, knives, forks, spoons, beef tenderloin and wonders with tofu. BiC

celebrating the entrepreneurs • Small Business Week

You.

Advancing the conversation

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Celebrating the Entrepreneurs

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Small businesses represent the fastest growing job market for people in Alberta and throughout Canada

BY COLLEEN WALLACE

S

mall Business Week gives people ideas! At least that’s one of the reasons for the coast-to-coast special week, organized and well planned in most Canadian communities – from Gander and Flin Flon to Moose Jaw and Victoria – the third week of October.

In Calgary – and from Red Deer, Stony Plain, Didsbury and Rocky Mountain House to Grande Prairie, Slave Lake, Jasper and Pincher Creek – and thanks to a lot of hard work, planning, organizing and volunteering from most Chambers of Commerce throughout Alberta, it’s all set for October 20-26, 2013.

Small Business Week (SBW) is a proactive, win-win idea for the business communities in most areas to salute and bring together entrepreneurs and prospective entrepreneurs to network, share ideas and brainstorm at conferences,

workshops, luncheons and the trade fair.

Year after year, the Calgary Chamber expands its special SBW projects and activities and boosts the relevance of the weeklong special event to the point that Small Business Week in Calgary has been cited and recognized as one of the most dynamic and worthwhile events of its kind in Canada.

Last year, the Calgary Chamber partnered with ATB Business to launch SmallBusinessWeekCalgary.com – a customized website designed to be the single-largest touch point for all events and activities relating to Small Business Week in Calgary. The website is an easy-to-access hub where everything – and anything – that has to do with Calgary’s Small Business Week is available, making it easier for the Calgary business community to connect with the activity they want to check out.

Continuing Education 403.440.6875 mtroyal.ca/conted INFO NIGHT, NOV. 26, 5-8 PM

Check website for future Info Night dates.

www.businessincalgary.com | BUSINESS IN CALGARY October 2013 • 63

BDC SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

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October 20–26, 2013 SUCCESS AHEAD!

MAP YOUR FUTURE GROWTH Learn, network, celebrate!

FOLLOW US @bdc_news #sbw2013 BDC Entrepreneur bdc.ca/sbw

MARION WITZ Elizabeth Grant International

celebrating the entrepreneurs • Small Business Week

in Alberta and throughout Canada,” Holbrook points out. “Most new jobs in Canada are created by small business and one of the edges of a small business is that, in companies of 20 people or less, the work environment is like a family.”

In Canada, BDC created Small Business Week 33 years ago as a national project to motivate, inspire and help small businesses grow and succeed and BDC still co-ordinates various opportunities for small business to launch, compete and win in the business world. Part of the BDC’s encouragement of small business is the coaching, like the three dos and don’ts for growing a small business.

Wellington Holbrook, executive vice president, ATB Business & Agriculture

“Small Business Week in Calgary is terrific,” Wellington Holbrook, executive vice president, ATB Business and Agriculture, says with genuine pride and enthusiasm. ”It recognizes the achievement and underscores the importance and the profile of small business. Small business drives innovation and richness in our society and the weeklong events reinforce the Canadian fact that without small business we simply would not have a rich and diverse community like Calgary.

“Encouraging and supporting small business is part of our DNA,” says ATB’s Holbrook. “They are such an important sector of our economy and they genuinely shape our communities.”

Perception is sometimes misleading, as the actual phrase: “small business.”

And small businesses are often misunderstood as insignificant. On the contrary, according to Statistics Canada, there are more than 1.2 million small businesses in Canada and 98.1 per cent of all Canadian private sector businesses have fewer than 100 employees, qualifying them as “small businesses.” By their sheer numbers, Canadian small businesses are vitally important and employ 6.8 million people across the country.

“Some people just don’t realize that small businesses represent the fastest growing job market for people

• Leverage existing clients: Existing clients can be the best opportunities for small business expansion success. It’s usually much easier to find new business from current clients than to start afresh with untested ones. Listen to existing clients, and see what they need.

You.

Taking care of business

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• Grow smart: Make sure a growth opportunity is the right path for the small business; don’t expand into new business areas just because it’s possible. Too often people think growth will bring a more profitable situation but they may grow from one to 20 employees and not make any more money, while working twice as hard. Be sure new business offers the same margins as you currently enjoy and helps you differentiate yourself from the competition.

• Don’t micromanage: Too often, growing companies end up in trouble when the entrepreneur struggles with delegating decisions to staff. Hire good people and – trust them!

The countdown is on. The Calgary Chamber, together with ATB and other sponsors, have the workshops, seminars and networking sessions planned and set for the full Small Business Week, October 20-26, 2013.

The unanimous highlight of the special week happens on Thursday,

Continuing Education 403.440.6875 mtroyal.ca/conted INFO NIGHT, NOV. 26, 5-8 PM

Check website for future Info Night dates.

www.businessincalgary.com | BUSINESS IN CALGARY October 2013 • 65

celebrating the entrepreneurs • Small Business Week

“We built a brand and a reputation in the community but, no doubt about it, a lot of our recent growth and success is due to last year’s Small Business Week recognition.” ~ Bill Brown, Elevate Auctions Third generation auctioneer Bill Brown cajoles and boosts the bidding at an Elevate Auctions charity fundraiser.

October 24, 2013 at the University of Calgary’s MacEwan Hall. The SBW Awards and Trade Show gives Calgary businesses the opportunity to display their products or services, discover new businesses and network with other people in Calgary’s business community. The award ceremony will recognize the nominated and judged ‘emerging stars’ of Calgary’s small business scene.

From all the categories and last year’s nominees and winners, the 2012 Small Business of the Year Award – presented to the Calgary small business who demonstrated significant business achievement, sustained financial growth and performance as well as exhibited service excellence, involvement in the community, innovation and a commitment to sustainability – was awarded to Elevate Auctions.

Although Elevate continues to shine in every category of small business excellence, the company also continues with a most unusual and unique edge in the Calgary business world.

A key part of the openly declared Elevate Auctions company vision is, “We have a lot of fun and we love what we do!”

Elevate Auctions is a serious, successful, dynamic, exciting and an unusual Calgary small business. Their company vision and bottom line is: finding ways to help community groups raise money, creatively and effectively. From school groups, community groups and sports teams to STARS and the Calgary Flames Foundation, Elevate has staged auction events across Canada to raise funds for important causes like a cure for Lou Gehrig’s disease, supporting Kids Cancer Care Foundation, helping the Missing Children Society bring kids home, and many others.

The hard-core company logistics and the business plan is a wide range of services including online auction management, consignment auction items, a professional auctioneer for charity events, and support integration to combine an online auction with a live auction event.

The not-so-hard-core company rationale more appropriately captures the essence and the uniquely refreshing difference that is Elevate Auctions: it’s what happens when you combine an established and successful family auto auction business with a vibrant and genuine passion for helping non-profit organizations.

66 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

Although the company was both humbled and honoured about being voted Calgary’s 2012 Small Business of the Year winner, the small but wonderfully tight staff who make Elevate Auctions the exciting (and fun) success story that it is openly admit that they are award-winning entrepreneurs second – and a dynamic family business first.

Sisters Michelle Black and Renée Rothzén launched the business in February of 2009 together with their husbands, Matt and Johan, and their ubiquitous uncle, third-generation auctioneer, Bill Brown. “We do have a very unique business model and, sometimes, what we do takes a bit of explaining. We built a brand and a reputation in the community but, no doubt about it, a lot of our recent growth and success is due to last year’s Small Business Week recognition. Not only the exposure it gave us,” Brown says, “but Small Business Week is such a terrific opportunity to brainstorm, compare notes with other small business owners and learn from the panel discussions.”

Using their collective experience, the family created the only professional auction management service in Calgary. But their combined tech-savvy was in the right business at the right time and also boosted their rank as award-winning entrepreneurs.

“Hey! I’m 53 but I am so gung-ho about our online auctions and about social messaging like Facebook and Twitter,” Brown says with an excited chuckle. “I’m from a traditional auction background but we also want to reach contemporary groups and online is a powerful tool.”

“Online auctions are an easy and cost-effective way to raise funds. In addition to saving time and money, online auctions attract a wider audience,” explains Michelle Black, who looks after much of Elevate’s sales and marketing strategy, “from large charity organizations as well as local sports teams and home and school associations.”

“We try to have fun while doing the serious business of fundraising,” Brown says. “Our spotters work the floor and they are more entertainers than bid collectors. It’s always about getting the highest bid for the charity but it’s still a kick auctioning off Sidney Crosby jerseys and two Rolling Stones guitars that raised $18,000 for the Children’s Hospital...”

All in a day’s work for the unusual (and fun) 2012 Small Business of the Year. BiC

Join us for the

2013 Agriculture for Life

Harvest Gala SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2013 Northlands, Edmonton, 6 pm to 11 pm

The Agriculture for Life Harvest Gala offers a unique opportunity to celebrate Alberta’s agricultural roots. Experience a fusion of urban and rural style and design; the scrumptious tastes of locally produced foods, the sights and sounds of Alberta artists, a silent auction and a chance to connect with friends in the community market.

Tickets are available online (www.agricultureforlife.ca) or by calling Toll Free 1-888-931-2951.

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Roll forming steel plate

Cessco Fabrication and Engineering Ltd: A Big Deal in the Making

By Mark Kandborg

I

f you had to use one word to encapsulate Cessco Fabrication and Engineering Ltd., that word might very well be BIG. It is, after all, a big company with big aspirations that builds big things for some of the biggest companies in the country.

After 65 years in the business, this privately owned, Canadian company just keeps getting bigger.

Another word you might use is SOLID. Not just for Cessco’s unique fabricated pressure vessels built for the most demanding uses, conditions and customers. Nor just for their reputation, which might better be described as rock solid, but for everything, from their management team to their ongoing commitment to being the very best they can be at what they do.

Even their roots are solid. Figuratively, in that Cessco’s been

a part of the Alberta resource industry from its earliest days, and almost literally, in that their buildings sit on the very same ground where the company’s history began, in 1948. “Back then, 99th Street was a dirt trail, and it was a long way to Strathcona,” says president and general manager Don McFarlane. “Leduc #1 went on line in 1947, so we’ve been entrenched in the Western Canadian oil industry from the beginning.”

A lot of companies like to say ‘we do it all’, but not Cessco (an acronym for its original name, Canadian Equipment Sales and Service Company). They have no interest in being everything to everybody. They’re specialists. “We manufacture the largest, heaviest and most complex pressure vessels in the industry, tackling projects that can’t be done elsewhere,” McFarlane says.

www.cessco.ca

In-situ repairs and installation

Boiler maintenance crew

“Everything we make is unique. We design our products for different purposes, for different clients who have specific technical, operational and delivery needs. Every plant is unique. So we go into it prepared for the expected and the unexpected.”

Cessco doesn’t just build and forget. As McFarlane explains, “We’re very much a service company.”

Jim Kachmar, vice president of field services, agrees. “About half of our work, by volume, is in the field,” he says. “That means plant maintenance and repairs, shutdowns, emergency repairs.”

Kachmar’s key word is COMMITMENT. “Commitment to quality, productivity, safety and cooperation is what the client gets, he says, “from myself to the superintendent who executes the job, through the journeymen, the foreman and the support staff. They’re absolutely key to our operation. We’re an extremely close-knit group, and we work closely together. There’s constant liaising between the sites and myself at all times. We work on a completely informed basis.” This commitment allows him to operate on a ‘no surprise’ basis with the customer. “We want our clients to be fully aware at all times of what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.”

On jobs with the size and intricacy of those Cessco is involved in, maintaining complete, constant, real-time awareness and transparency is no small feat. “It’s all about execution and management,” Kachmar says. “Internally, we generate detailed cost reports on each project, every day. That’s costs incurred and projected to the end of the job. These reports are shared with the clients whenever they wish. But I always know.”

Another key word for Cessco is LOYALTY, all the way around. “We invest in and develop long term relationships with customers,” McFarlane says. “We have many of the same

customers we’ve had from the beginning. They’ve evolved, and we’ve evolved to meet their needs.”

There’s one relationship of which the folks at Cessco are especially proud. “The Boilermaker’s Union in Alberta was first certified in our shop,” says McFarlane. “They train and supply workforce very effectively for us. We like to say our relationship with the Union is mostly historical and sometimes hysterical.

We consider them to be a partner, and they continue to be very supportive of our operation.”

Labour shortages, of course, are a hot topic in this province.

“Everybody talks about it, and we’re not immune to it,” McFarlane says. “Albertan’s enjoy a great lifestyle because of high wages and great benefits, but that does present certain challenges to employers. You want the best people, but everyone is trying to attract them. We’ve been addressing those challenges and doing very well.”

In the past, when necessary, the company turned to temporary foreign workers to top up their workforce. Since then, however, they’ve come to believe that’s not the only answer. Cessco Fabrication and Engineering is able to keep a continuous work force of top notch people, not only by offering excellent conditions, competitive wages and profit sharing, but also by developing and maintaining a comprehensive trades training program right on site. Cessco is also seen as a highly attractive workplace because they use up-to-date equipment, develop and employ the latest procedures, and employee safety always comes first.

“As a result, since this most recent upturn in the industry, we’ve been able to secure, almost exclusively, local people or Canadians who have chosen to come to Alberta,” McFarlane says.

“We’re blessed to have a very stable environment. People may

www.cessco.ca | Page 2

come because of the opportunities, but they can look around and see others who have been here over 40 years. The message to new hires is that this has been a very rewarding place to work.”

“We’re an extremely loyal group to Cessco, to each other and to the ultimate success of the project,” Kachmar adds. “There’s a complete support system from top to bottom. It’s never questioned,” he says. “People know that it’s there.”

Loyalty only takes you so far, of course. You also have to produce. “Productivity is much spoken of these days,” McFarlane points out. “Lots of industry organizations are talking about the need for Canadian companies to drive for productivity. We’ve understood this for a long time.”

McFarlane believes that the push for productivity and an increasing ability to produce more with less is the key to survival in this environment. “We have the challenge of operating in a very high wage environment, and that’s great for Albertans, but it’s tough as a manufacturer. So if you’re competing against off-shore suppliers who are working from a different cost base, in order to be competitive you have to be better and smarter.

There has never been a time,” he says, “when that has not been the case.”

One of the keys to Cessco’s productivity is their commitment to constant INNOVATION. Right from the time they start bidding a job, they’re already contemplating the manufacturing approach, McFarlane says. “You have to start thinking about your assembly sequences, how you can apply techniques you’ve developed in the past, and where the opportunities are to invest in new equipment or develop new techniques. It’s a philosophy.

If we don’t have a procedure for a type of material our customer wants us to work with, we will do the research and we will develop it.”

This cutting edge approach leads not only to greater productivity, but to product longevity as well. “We give our clients products that are going to exceed expectations in terms of performance and lifecycle,” McFarlane says. “We have customers come to us asking for technical details on equipment they’re now doing some repairs on. We’ll pull the information and find that it’s 40 years old and still in service.”

When you have massive products to build, you need specialized, efficient facilities. What started as a single (albeit huge) fabrication building is now three, each larger than the last. Why? As the industry’s thirst for output increases, the size of the products they demand very often increase as well. Cessco’s prowess has grown to meet this need, often anticipating it. Think of it like this: if you own a car, your garage will do just fine. Add a motor home to your fleet and you’re going to need a second, larger, garage. Get into private jets? You better build yourself a hanger.

To understand the cavernous reality that is the inner sanctum of Cessco’s fabrication facilities, you’ll need to see them first hand; and if you’re lucky enough to be offered a tour, as I was, you’ll need a guide. For that, you couldn’t do any better than vice president of manufacturing, Chuck Taylor. He oversees all shop fabrication that takes place at Cessco’s Edmonton facilities and he’s been with the company for 46 years, starting as a “B” welder in 1968. “When I first came here, a 10 foot vessel was big,” he says. “Now, thirty feet is.”

When company president McFarlane speaks of Cessco Fabrication and Engineering, his passion and pride are obvious; he exudes the even confidence of an airline captain. Taylor’s default setting, by contrast, is one of unbridled enthusiasm. “I’ve been

Giving Dogs Their Wings True to their commitment to community involvement, Cessco supports a number of charitable organizations. “One that is very special to our employees is ‘Dogs with Wings’,” McFarlane says. Formerly known as the Alberta Guide and Assistance Dog Society, Dogs With Wings raises service dogs for a number of applications, including seeing eye and special assistance. The opportunity to help this great organization was first brought to McFarlane and his colleagues by the folks at the Boilermakers Union. Dogs With Wings offers a corporate sponsorship where the corporation picks up the tab for the feeding, care, training and development of a dog. The generous company gets the honour of naming the hardworking canine hero, but more importantly, this sponsorship enables the organization to deploy the highly trained dogs to recipients across Alberta for virtually no cost. Cessco is proud to have been the very first company to enter this highly successful program. They are now on their third sponsorship. here a lot of years,” he says, “and every day has been an adventure. I shouldn’t even still be here, I should be retired and off golfing or something but I’m having too much fun.”

As I don the requisite safety gear and we begin the tour, Taylor’s passion and enthusiasm is nothing short of amazing and inspiring. “If it’s large, heavy and complicated, it suits us,” he

www.cessco.ca | Page 3

says. “Building what we build is fairly challenging, and having success is very rewarding. If you go to work and make a contribution, every day, you’re going to go home a satisfied man.”

As we move from the oldest, smallest shop, known as Fab 1, and onto Fab 2 and Fab 3, which Taylor helped to design (I can hardly wait until they build a Fab 4), his youthful enthusiasm is almost eclipsed by an unmistakable sense of pride. “We’ve expanded our floor space three-fold since I’ve been here. That makes me pretty happy. We have lots of smart, hardworking people,” he says, indicating the engaged and focused men and women diligently working all around us, “and we’ve developed all kinds of equipment to help them to do different things. Young welders like to be connected to a computer. They’re more inclined to use it and care for it. They have a computerized mindset.”

Lest you assume that this newest wave of recruits are forcing the seasoned Taylor to embrace new technologies, think again.

A lot of the equipment they now use was his idea. “I take it to our people and they build or modify it,” he says. “We have manipulators and equipment other companies don’t have, and even we didn’t have just a few years ago.” Taylor points out that the greater production made possible by the design and implementation of tip-of-the-torch technologies means, among other things, an increase in quality, and “if you’re building quality, it’s going to last.”

After we pass two gigantic furnaces large enough and powerful enough to heat a small aircraft to 1,100 degrees (although their real purpose is to eliminate welding stresses in large vessels), we head back inside. Taylor wants to show me Cessco’s in-house training centre. “All the types of welding used here can be trained here,” he says. That’s everything from submerged

arc and flux-core to surface tension transfer (STT) and rapid arc, as well as training for standard shielded metal arc welding (SMAW). “And every welder we hire, we test.” Cessco employs a number of resident, government-certified welding examiners.

“That means we can certify in-house.”

And with that, my time in the land of Very Big Things that is Cessco Fabrication and Engineering comes to an end. As fascinating as it was for me, it was clearly a blast for Taylor. “I love giving tours,” he explains, “because I was a part of all of it.”

As I reflect on the people I’ve met and the things I’ve learned about this great Edmonton-based company, I’m reminded of a comment Kachmar had made earlier, about there being something else he and his colleagues build that’s as big and as strong as anything that comes out of Fab 1, Fab 2 or Fab 3: “We build bridges with our clients,” he said. “It’s about goodwill internally and externally, based on carrying out what we commit to. It’s all about bridge building.”

So maybe we should add another BIG to the list we started with, as important as all the others. This, clearly, is a company with a big heart.

So there you have it: Big, Solid, Committed, Loyal and Innovative. Not a bad combination. Here’s to the next 65 years.

Edmonton: 7310-99 Street Edmonton, AB T6E 3R8 Toll Free: 1-800-272-9698 • Tel: (780) 433-9531 • Fax: (780) 432-7899 Calgary: Suite 101, 261200 Wagon Wheel Way, Rockyview, AB, T4A 0E3 Toll free: 1-800-272-9698 • sales@cessco.ca • cessco.field@cessco.net

www.cessco.ca | Page 4

Launching a Business in Uncertain Times… …and the successes born from necessity.

BRZ Architecture Celebrates Five Years Strong

By Mary Savage

Hank Brzezinski and Trevor Floer. Photo by Mary Savage.

I

t was during the fall of 2007 when Hank Brzezinski decided to establish BRZ Partnership Architecture Inc. (BRZ), and shortly thereafter Trevor Floer joined him as a principal. The colleagues had worked together for over 12 years at their former firm of Hutchinson Architects, and when they found themselves faced with the implications of a restructuring plan, they felt the time was right for a new venture.

They moved into an old refurbished Hudson’s Bay warehouse, located two blocks south of Inglewood’s main street.

The economy was strong and prospective projects seemed not only likely, but very attainable.

Brzezinski and Floer had a broad scope of contacts and before long they landed their first job at the University of Calgary. Shortly after, they secured a large-scale project with the help of colleague and former business partner, Ken Hutchinson, for the new recreation centre in Grande Cache – phase one of a $20-million expansion and redevelopment project.

Brzezinski and Floer had a broad scope of contacts and before long they landed their first job at the University of Calgary.

Interior renovations and upgrades at the University of Calgary.

BRZ Partnership Architecture Inc. | 5th Anniversary | 1

BRZ Keynote Projects

MD of Pincher Creek No. 9 Administration Building Pincher Creek, AB

Grande Prairie Mixed Use office building

Three months later, the economy turned as the stock market crashed. But this was Alberta: business would rebound and the wheels of commerce would start to churn again – or so the partners thought.

“We were fortunate that the projects we had on the go were not put on hold … but it was a pretty scary time,” recalls Hank Brzezinski, principal. “We thought the slowdown would last for six to 12 months, not a few years.”

As the economy slowed, they found that the traditional method of responding to public proposal calls was not working for them. Other, more established firms had too much experience and name recognition to compete against.

So they leaned heavily on former clients, contacts and colleagues.

The old school marketing strategy worked, and as they moved through the early years, they began to land projects in new market sectors – from Grande Prairie to Pincher Creek.

The contracts varied from design studies to construction in the public works sector including protective services, education, administrative, recreation and housing for seniors.

“Historically, we’ve worked in the public sector specializing in renovating, upgrading or repurposing existing facilities and that’s where our strengths lie as an architectural firm. There’s a certain skill set that’s involved when working with public projects, multiple user-groups and the uncertainties of a complex renovation project,” says Trevor Floer, principal. The nature of this work requires their team to examine the details of a project much more closely.

We salute you, BRZ Partnership Architecture, for 5 years of great design. Halsall is proud of the inspired work we have done together.

CONGRATULATIONS BRZ PARTNERSHIP ARCHITECTURE ON 5 GREAT YEARS IN BUSINESS!

To find out how Halsall can engineer solutions to meet your needs, please contact Patrick Taylor: 403.255.7946 x237

Structural Engineering • Green Buildings • Enclosure Engineering Repair and Renewal • Property Condition Assessments TM

BRZ Partnership Architecture Inc. | 5th Anniversary | 2

3405 - 9th Street SE (403) 243-0434 www.amestile.com

BRZ Keynote Projects

Kananaskis Village Centre modernization, Kananaskis Village “Our clients know they need to renovate or expand, but they’re not sure how to implement those changes because they’re not starting with a clean slate – there are existing conditions to deal with and a lot of people don’t know where to begin. We help them establish their needs versus wants, and once we’ve created a concept, then the real dialogue begins,” says Floer.

But, it is important to BRZ to have a balance between private and public sector projects, and in recent years, BRZ has branched out to include more and more private sector projects including work in the hospitality sector, commercial offices, multi-family housing and retail facilities. Currently they have two hotels in the design phase along with several commercial office buildings.

Airdrie Koinonia Christian School (AKCS), Airdrie, AB

www.royalwesthomes.com Congratulations to BRZ Partnership Architecture!

Congratulations BRZ Partnership Architecture Inc. on your

Congratulations to BRZ Partnership Architecture Inc. We wish you continued success.

5

th

403.252.4459 www.patmardevelopments.com Scott Construction is proud to have partnered with BRZ on the construction of the Pincher Creek Administration Building.

Congratulations on Five Years.

Anniversary!

We wish you many more years of continued success.

Scott Construction (Alberta) Ltd. 5716 35 St. SE, Calgary, AB | Phone: 403-279-7280 www.scottconstructiongroup.com

Colliers International 900, 335 8 Avenue SW | Calgary Alberta T2P 1C9 Main +1 403 266 5544 | Fax +1 403 265 6495 www.colliers.com/calgary

BRZ Partnership Architecture Inc. | 5th Anniversary | 3

Accelerating success.

BRZ Keynote Projects

Recreational Facility, Grande Cache, Alberta

“Altitude” Multi-family housing project, Edmonton, AB

“We started the firm five years ago with three people.

Today we have 15 employees and to our way of thinking, it’s the perfect size. As the principals, we are still involved in every project and at every level,” says Brzezinski.

“We are not so small that we can’t compete on larger projects, but we’re not so big that personalized service is lost – we operate more as an architectural studio than a corporation. All of our technical staff have in-depth knowledge of every project in the office and we’ve created a team that’s built on creativity,

Congratulations Congratulations to

BRZ Partnership Architecture Inc. on your

5th Anniversary!

We wish you more successes as we continue our relationship on future projects.

“Energy-efficient, Practical and Cost-effective Solutions” Tel: 1-780-702-0613, 1-780-264-8331 • Fax: 1-780-490-4324

Heritage Point Fire Hall, MD Foothills

communication, continuity and collaboration,” he adds. “The people who work on the concept design are the same people who show up to construction meetings.”

And being responsive to the client’s needs has been key to BRZ’s success. “When we design a building, it has to reflect the community, the nature of the building and what it’s going to be used for,” remarks Floer.

“We design spaces that make people’s lives a bit better,” says Brzezinski. “We improve the user experience by creating an environment that will have a positive effect on people.”

BRZ also contributes to the urban and rural landscape in ways that reach beyond bricks and mortar. “With each design, we address regional values, the environment and available resources. It’s the sum total of our knowledge in history, culture, technology, construction and sustainability, and applying all that expertise to each project we take on,” he adds.

“Our clients like our integrated team approach and the fact that the owners of the company are involved in every step of the process. That allows us to be very responsive to our clients’ needs,” says Brzezinski.

“It’s very important for us to have the face-to-face contact with our clients,” he notes. “The clients hire us for our expertise and we have an excellent team of experts – many of whom have been with us virtually from the up-start. We don’t take on everything that comes along; we are careful not to overload our team, and many clients have come back to us – thanking us for our involvement throughout the entire process.”

www.brzarchitecture.ca | 403.532.5980

www.khanatek.com

BRZ Partnership Architecture Inc. | 5th Anniversary | 4

OCTOBER 2013

As the Recovery Continues:

Vote for Your Favourite Small Business

A

s many businesses in the Calgary area remain closed after June’s devastating floods and many more are struggling to regain their losses, the Calgary Chamber is urging people to vote for their favourite small businesses to win in the Small Business Week Calgary Awards.

The awards, part of national Small Business Week, are handed out in six categories: Environmental Stewardship, Customer SerBusiness Flood Recovery Expo marketing panel (left to right) Jim Dewald, Ray DePaul, W. Bret Wilson, and Connie DeSousa. vice Excellence, Community Involvement, Innovation, Breakout Business and finally, the Small Business of the Year. The awards show is accompaflooding at a Business Flood Recovery Expo organized by nied by a business expo that attracts over 30 vendors and 200 the Chamber on July 31. attendees and will be held in Calgary October 24, during Small “We’ve never faced anything like this, I know it’s incredibly Business Week Calgary (October 21-25). painful,” he said while reminding the audience that plenty of Vote for your favourite business and get your tickets for the great businesses were started after the national energy program expo and awards ceremony at SmallBusinessWeekCalgary.com. decimated the Alberta economy in the 1980s.

“After the difficulty of the summer we’re looking forward Dewald was part of a panel discussion at the expo that to celebrating the Small Business Week Awards,” said Adam included W. Brett Wilson, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Legge, president and CEO of the Calgary Chamber. “It’s an Connie DeSousa, co-owner of Charcut Roast House, and opportunity to acknowledge those many, many entrepreRay DePaul, director, Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurs and business owners that have a dream and make it neurship at the Bissett School of Business at Mount Royal happen. I think this year, more than usual, they could really University (MRU). use that recognition.”

Dewald talked about the process of recovering: “Sooner or In the last decade, more small businesses have been crelater you’ll get to the point where you realize it’s done and ated in Alberta than anywhere else in the country. Within you can’t change it,” he said as he urged business owners to the province, small businesses comprise 96 per cent of all try to get to that state as soon as possible, build resilience businesses and employ 500,000 people. and find “an emotional and financial reserve.”

A report prepared by the U.S Chamber of Commerce states “Tap into that entrepreneurial spirit that got you to where that 43 per cent of companies that experience a natural you are now,” MRU’s Ray DePaul told the business owners, disaster without an emergency plan will never recover and while also encouraging them to surround themselves with will close. Of those that do survive, only 29 per cent are still good people. “Entrepreneurialism is a team sport,” he said. operating two years after the natural disaster.

Be innovative, brainstorm with your team and “don’t shoot down ideas – you need hundreds or thousands of Difficult times inspire new thinking ideas to get a good one.” Furthermore, don’t be afraid to “People start thinking outside the box in rough times,” experiment, DePaul said: “It’s your biggest advantage over Jim Dewald, dean of the Haskayne School of Business at big-box businesses.” the University of Calgary, told business owners affected by www.businessincalgary.com | BUSINESS IN CALGARY October 2013 • 77

2013 Board of

Directors Executive Joe Lougheed – Chair

Chamber Member Spotlights As Calgary’s leading business organization, the Chamber’s membership includes many organizations affected by the summer flood, some of which we are pleased to profile here.

Dave Sprague – Immediate Past Chair Leah Lawrence – Chair Elect Rob Hawley – 2nd Vice Chair Denis Painchaud – Vice Chair, Finance Adam Legge – President & CEO Directors David Allen Bill Brunton Eva Friesen

Printy Rubber Stamp Printy Rubber Stamp, just west of the Stampede grounds, was devastated by the Calgary floods.

Printy produces quality custom stamps, seals, name badges and more. With same-day fabrication and courier services your order is ready when you need it. If you are having trouble coming up with a design, or are wondering if an image will work for one of their products, they can help.

For more information visit PrintyStamp.com.

Guy Huntingford Rob Lennard Dilan Perera Linda Shea Paul Waddell Management Adam Legge, President & CEO Michael Andriescu, Director of Finance & Administration Kim Koss, Vice President, Business Development Scott Crockatt, Director of Marketing and Communications Rebecca Wood, Member Services Manager

Leading Business magazine is a co-publication of the Calgary Chamber and Business in Calgary

Savour Fine Foods When the flood hit, Savour Fine Foods and Kitchenware in Inglewood lost about $25,000 in inventory that was stored in the basement. The store, which specializes in gourmet ingredients and food as well as all the tools to prepare it, was closed for a week and without power until July 11, so it ran on an extension cord and no lights. Savour had to throw away all the food products and a lot of the kitchenware they had in the basement, and now the store is working on replacing that lost inventory.

To find out more about Savour’s great quality ingredients and carefully selected products for both novice and gourmet cooks visit SavourFineFoods.com.

Calgary Chamber 600, 237 8th Avenue S.E. Calgary, Alberta T2G 5C3 Phone: (403) 750-0400 Fax: (403) 266-3413 calgarychamber.com

Riva’s - A Clean Living Eco Store The flood washed out the basement at Riva’s on 9th Avenue in Inglewood, causing the store to lose about $90,000 in product that was stored downstairs.

Riva’s believes that nothing is more important than your wellness, and your wellness is their business, with a commitment to find the best, healthiest and most fashionable things you need to turn your home into your sanctuary.

From the clothes in your closet, to the spa-quality products that keep you looking great; from your floors and walls, to the bed you sink into every night, when you shop at Riva’s, you are choosing to surround yourself with the finest and purest materials on the planet. You will feel great, and generations to follow will thank you. Because making better choices today is the only way to guarantee a safe world for our kids and grandkids to inherit.

For more information visit RivasEcoStore.com.

78 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

Upcoming events For details and to purchase tickets for any of the Calgary Chamber’s events please visit CalgaryChamber.com.

Monday, October 7, 2013

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Aboriginal-Business Connection Series 2 – Structuring equity partnerships between business and Aboriginal communities

Councillor Candidates’ Debate

11:30 am – 1:30 pm | Calgary Telus Convention Centre | 120 9th Avenue SE With major energy infrastructure projects waiting to be approved, equity partnerships can help by allowing Aboriginal communities to share in both the wealth and the risk associated with the projects. These partnerships also further long-term development by looking at the relationship between service companies and Aboriginal communities.

Join us for a panel discussion of diverse perspectives that explores how to structure agreements and build relationships with Aboriginal communities, by learning about the leading practices in similar jurisdictions.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013 Premier Alison Redford to speak at Chamber 11:30 am – 1:30 pm | Calgary Telus Convention Centre | 120 9th Avenue SE Join us as Premier Redford addresses the Calgary business community.

Thursday, October 10, 2013 Alan Norris, Brookfield Residential – The future of residential development 11:30 am – 1:30 pm | Carriage House Inn | 9030 Macleod Trail South Alan Norris is the president and CEO of Brookfield Residential, one of North America’s largest publicly-traded real estate companies with assets in excess of $2.8 billion. A part of the Brookfield Residential team for nearly three decades, he joined the company in 1983 following six years in public practice as a chartered accountant with Deloitte and Touche.

Norris will speak at a Chamber luncheon on the topic of: “developing sustainably while being globally competitive.”

The event will take place less than two weeks before the Calgary 2013 municipal election, and this topic area is highly relevant to a key issue of interest and contention during this election: residential development.

6 pm – 9 pm | Deerfoot Inn | 1000, 11500 35th Street SE Engage with candidates from every city ward in the single most comprehensive forum of the upcoming municipal election. The candidates will discuss key issues around Calgary’s economic prosperity and growth management initiatives.

Hosted by the Calgary Chamber, the Urban Development Institute and the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Calgary Region, this event will help focus attention on the candidates and the issues.

October 17, November 7, November 21 Fast Growth Champions: Secrets from PROFIT 500 companies Get practical information to help you create successful business strategies at Fast Growth Champions, a lunchtime series from the Calgary Chamber in partnership with PROFIT Magazine.

Don’t miss this chance to hear influential leaders from Calgary discuss their business successes, challenges and how they overcame barriers to be recognized as one of PROFIT Magazine’s 500 fastest growing companies.

Thursday, October 17 Hypergrowth through innovation • Boaz Shilmover, CEO, ARTE Group • Derek Doke, founder and CEO, FranWorks Group of Companies • Dan Eisner, CEO, True North Mortgage Inc. Thursday, November 7 Human capital as essential for growth • Shannon Bowen-Smed, president and CEO, Bowen Workforce Solutions Inc. • Jory Lamb, president and CEO, VistaVu Solutions • John Mackay, executive chairman and CEO, Mosaic Capital Corporation • Matthew Heffernan, president & CEO, Zedi Inc. Thursday, November 21 Differentiating your brand • Justin Bobier, owner/president, Crystal Creek Homes • Matthew Horne, founder/captain orange, DECO Windshields All Fast Growth Champions events take place from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm at the BMO Centre, Calgary Stampede, 20 Roundup Way.

www.businessincalgary.com | BUSINESS IN CALGARY October 2013 • 79

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80 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

L O D G E

CTCC WELCOMES BACK THE INTERNATIONAL AGRO-BIOTECH COMMUNITY [title] • [section]

The Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (CTCC) was pleased to welcome back the Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference (ABIC) to Calgary for their annual conference last month. Agriculture remains an important part of the Alberta economy. The ABIC was last held in Calgary in 2007 and the success of the previous convention in Calgary brought the event back to the CTCC this year.

Both events were coordinated by Calgary meeting planner Iris Meck.

ABIC is an international meeting developed to promote innovation in bioscience to ensure sustainable food, feed, fibre and fuel security. Over the past 17 years delegates from 68 countries have come together at ABIC forums throughout the world to promote the development and application of agricultural biotechnology to solve a range of global issues. The organization’s goal is to find ecologically sound solutions to problems that will enable progress through commercialization without depleting the earth’s natural resources.

The agro-biotech industry shows tremendous potential to assist the energy industry in developing solutions for a range of issues including biological remediation of the oil sands and harvesting local biomass to use as biofuel.

The conference brought the agro-biotechnology and energy industries together to further develop innovative ideas and solutions. With senior energy industry veterans, such as Gwyn Morgan, presenting the conference established increased dialogue between industry representatives that will lead to increased collaboration.

The CTCC’s range of facilities and ideal city centre location were important factors in the decision to bring the ABIC event back to Calgary. Previous delegates appreciated the ease of getting to and from Calgary and the quality accommodation easily accessible from the CTCC. The Convention Centre’s current facilities align perfectly with the needs of the ABIC organization; however, the Centre’s ability to host large conventions and events in the future will be contingent upon the CTCC’s expansion. Other major events previously held in Calgary such as the World Petroleum Congress can no longer be accommodated due to the increased size and scope of the event.

The CTCC continues to attract diverse industry associations to Calgary. Alberta is a vibrant province with a strong economy and Calgary is an attractive destination for international meeting planners. Alberta’s continued growth is not solely driven by the oil and natural gas industry and the province’s dynamic life sciences community is an example of the strength of the local agricultural industry.

During 2013, the CTCC hosted a wide range of events for organizations in a range of industries including medical technology, agriculture, oil and natural gas, entertainment, and education.

calgary-convention.com www.businessincalgary.com | BUSINESS IN CALGARY October 2013 • 81

Flood Response – a case study in changing the conversation

BY STEWART MCDONOUGH

Y

ou discover the quality of your mettle when it’s put under stress. Here’s what we’ve learned now that the June floods are a few months behind us. Calgary’s mettle is made of strong stuff.

In the days following the flood, more than 100 tourism operators were closed, including hotels in the downtown core where approximately $7 to 10 million of revenue was lost. New booking sales from Expedia dropped 30 per cent in the week after the flood. For the first time after 28 months of year-over-year occupancy growth, Calgary’s occupancy in June fell below 2012.

So with all the negative short-term effects, how is it that in July hotel occupancy in Calgary rebounded over 2012 (remarkable considering July 2012 marked the Stampede Centennial) and Expedia sales are back exceeding previous years. What follows are the three stages we worked through and some of the results we’ve seen from the “Calgary – Our Doors are Open” recovery campaign.

Stage 1: Crisis

1.

Check yourself: We looked first to our staff and our building. Though our email server was down, we learned that while some of our team was evacuated, everyone was safe. Our building, on the other hand, was surrounded by rivers of water and the basement was a lake.

Coordinate and learn: Staff from Tourism Calgary and Travel Alberta created an initial response team. Case studies were collected and experiences shared from regional and international disasters.

Build a base and process: We were fortunate to be able to move in with Travel Alberta and set up a recovery “war room” in close proximity to our provincial partners. Processes for communication between teams and organizations was established immediately.

2.

3.

Stage 2: Recovery

4.

Communicate: Tourism Calgary contacted more than 2,000 tourism businesses and operators to assess how they were doing and how we could help. We paused all advertising and worked to communicate to travellers what was open in Calgary and what provincial and municipal resources were available.

Expand the circle: A growing number of partners were incorporated into recovery planning including the City of Calgary, the Calgary Stampede, the Calgary

5.

82 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

Hotel Association and tourism organizations from surrounding communities.

Plan to recover: Tourism Calgary worked closely with its marketing agency, Venture Communications, to develop the most effective recovery campaign aligned with provincial partners and launch it when appropriate.

6.

Stage 3: Back to business

7.

Change the conversation: Tourism Calgary launched the “Calgary – Our Doors are Open” the day the local state of emergency was lifted. The campaign concept addressed the flood, but in a positive manner using Mayor Naheed Nenshi as the primary spokesperson.

Monitor, measure, report: The campaign reached six million people with an average frequency of four views per individual: • 85% of travellers surveyed said the campaign reassured them Calgary had recovered from the flood.

• 17% of travellers located in Toronto indicated an increased likelihood to visit in the next six months due to the campaign.

• 90 per cent of respondents stated the video and radio ads told them Calgary recovered well from the flood.

• The campaign video and its versions have been viewed more than 300,000 times and was the second most popular video in July on YouTube Canada.

• Website traffic to visitcalgary.com fell by 50 per cent in the week following the flood, but increased by close to 50 per cent for July and August year-over-year.

Move on: Once measured, the campaign effectiveness results confirmed that regional and national audiences were reassured that Calgary was open for business. And while many tourism operators will have longer roads to recovery, attracting travellers to their businesses will best be accomplished by focusing on the positive attributes of their offering rather than on a flood recovery message.

8.

9.

Working throughout the June flood obviously created a number of challenges, like 100,000 Calgarians we were relocated outside of our comfort zones. Every challenge, however, was met head on and solved with resolve, teamwork and help from our partners. We learned the strength of our team and we reaffirmed that our greatest successes never come in isolation, but rather are always the result of collaboration and shared objectives.

The 32nd National Ernest C. Manning Innovation Awards The Imagination to Innovate and the Stamina to Succeed |

BY ANDREA MENDIZABAL

The 2012 recipients take the stage at the 2012 Ernest C. Manning Innovation Awards Gala in Ottawa. This year’s awards gala returns to Calgary on October 16 at the Telus Convention Centre. Image Courtesy: The Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation

I

n 1982, Dr. Phil Gold, a Montreal native and leader in cancer research, became the first recipient of an Ernest C. Manning Innovation Award for developing the first, and still most widely used, blood test for the diagnosis and management of certain types of cancer.

Since then, more than 300 Canadian innovators of all ages have shared more than $4.5 million in awards, and the Ernest C. Manning Innovation Awards has grown to become the most prestigious annual innovation awards program in Canada.

“For 32 years, the Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation has been committed to promoting, encouraging and supporting Canadian innovators and stimulating a climate of innovation in Canada,” says John Read, chair of the foundation’s board of trustees. “Canadian innovators clearly demonstrate the imagination to innovate and the stamina to succeed. They create jobs and contribute to Canada’s knowledge-based economy.”

The innovative talent that has been recognized over the last 30 years has spanned across all types of industries and disciplines ranging from the medical and life sciences to digital communications, to energy and the environment.

Manitoba’s Dr. Frank Gunston pioneered the design of the total artificial knee and it was the first prosthesis that considered the knee’s natural biomechanics. Dr. Gunston donated his technology to medicine and his technology and process has become one of the most used and successful orthopedic operations worldwide.

Based in Alberta, SMART Technologies developed the first interactive whiteboard and became the first to provide

touch control of computer applications and the ability to write over standard Microsoft Windows applications. The SMART whiteboard has brought interactive technology to classrooms and boardrooms around the world.

The V-chip, which allows users to block unwanted television programming based on their ratings category, was developed by Tim Collings at Simon Fraser University. The V-chip is now widely used in television receivers throughout North America.

This year’s Ernest C. Manning Innovation Awards Gala returns to Calgary on October 16. More than 600 leaders from across Canada in government, business and academia including Manning laureates and the 2013 winners are expected to be in Calgary for the dinner and awards ceremony.

The ceremony will present the 2013 recipients with their awards in four categories that include the: $100,000 Encana Principal Award; $25,000 David E. Mitchell Award of Distinction; two $10,000 Innovation Awards; and four $4,000 Young Canadian Awards.

To learn more about the 32nd National Ernest C. Manning Innovation Awards Gala, including how to purchase gala tickets and table sponsorships, visit www.manningawards.ca.

Applications are also being accepted until December 2, 2013 for the 2014 Ernest C. Manning Innovation Awards.

If you are or know a Canadian who has demonstrated recent innovative talent and successfully marketed their innovation, learn more at www.manningawards.ca/applyfor-the-award. www.businessincalgary.com | BUSINESS IN CALGARY October 2013 • 83

The Next Generation of Energy Leaders Converge in Calgary

T

O

n October 22-25, Calgary will host the 4th World Petroleum Council (WPC) Youth Forum.

The international event brings together tomorrow’s energy leaders and today’s young professionals aged 20 – 35.

Calgary Economic Development is a proud partner of the forum and we want employees and managers from Calgary and across the globe to consider this opportunity to collaborate with the world’s brightest young minds in energy.

“Hosting these types of international energy events helps us showcase our industry to the world and most importantly, the human and financial resources that are going into developing innovative solutions for a more sustainable energy future,” said Bruce Graham, president and CEO, Calgary Economic Development.

As the largest global gathering of young professionals in the oil and gas industry and with Calgary’s growing labour shortage and shifting demographics, this is a unique opportunity to host the next generation of energy leaders.

The founding themes of the forum are business leadership, technology & innovation and sustainability.

The forum will offer delegates the opportunity to participate in case studies, view cutting edge oil and gas technologies and network with the world’s top industry executives and experts. The organizers recently announced an exciting line-up of dynamic and high-profile speakers

G

including Alison Redford, Premier of Alberta; Jeff Lehrmann, president, Chevron Canada Ltd.; and Zhou Jiping, chairman of China National Petroleum Company (CNPC).

Canada has always been a strong WPC supporter overall – a Canadian, Dr. Randy Gossen, was chair for two years running – and the opportunity to host the Youth Forum this year comes at an incredibly important time in our national energy narrative.

“Calgary and Canada’s energy

84 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

industry needs the ideas, inspiration and hopes for the future from these young professionals in order to help us solve some of the world’s greatest challenges,” added Graham.

We know the World Petroleum Council Youth Forum will be full of strong partnerships, positive collaboration and lasting conversation about where we need to go as an energy city.

Learn more: http://www.wpccanada. com/youthforum.

THE CALGARY TELUS CONVENTION CENTRE HOSTS MANY CAN OVER 300,000 HOW WE WELCOME IN GUESTS EACH YEAR 2017? WHAT’S NEXT AT THE CENTRE OF ENERGY? – calgary-convention.com

MarketingMatters • David Parker

MarketingMatters

By DAVID PARKER

D

an King, president of ZGM Collaborative Marketing, and Michael Donovan, president and CEO of Edmonton agency Donovan Creative, met at a T-CAAN conference this past June and hit it off right away. The discussion there and further meetings resulted in ZGM acquiring Donovan, a move that will strengthen both offices in their quest to create a strong Alberta brand to best service their clients across the province.

Donovan has a strong presence in the transportation industry. Its experience working with the City of Edmonton, Oakland International Airport and Hamilton International Airport will provide good leverage to ZGM’s new Calgary Airport Authority relationship and its work with Calgary Regional Partnership’s transit initiative.

Both offices will offer integrated services to many other clients such as the Government of Alberta, Western Financial Group, Alberta Fire Chiefs Association, MNP, Fountain Tire, Continuing Care Association of Alberta, Market Mall, Joint Utility Safety Team, Telus World of Science and Jayman MasterBuilt.

The new agency will combine over 40 members across a full range of disciplines.

Michael Donovan will serve as managing director and creative director of ZGM Edmonton.

•••••••••••••• Tamera Van Brunt has moved over to Enmax in the role of vice president, communications and public relations, and her position at the Alberta Secu-

rities Commission (ASC) has been awarded to Alison Trollope.

The new ASC director of communications and investor education was manager of investor relations for three years at Canadian Oil Sands and prior to that spent five years as manager, investor relations and corporate communications, at OPTI Canada.

•••••••••••••• AdFarm has enjoyed a comfortable stable in a great space on 4th Street SW for 10 years but recently decided to hitch its wagon and trundle its 45 Calgary staff south down to the seventh floor of 5940 Macleod Trail.

Quite impressive new whole floor digs that give the expanding company a 360-degree view.

•••••••••••••• Marco De Iaco is celebrating 10 years with Tourism Calgary and as vice president of sales specializing in attracting sports and special events to this city has had some impressive recent successes.

What an August we enjoyed with the super-successful Shaw Golf Classic at Canyon Meadows Golf Club that was watched by viewers on the Golf Channel who must have been impressed with the course, the city and the weather.

Worldwide watchers of the Tour of Alberta cycling event were not so lucky in touring the province under such sunny skies but the riders had lots to say about dinosaurs and the race into and around downtown Calgary.

All good stuff that De Iaco should be commended for.

•••••••••••••• We have certainly become a wellwatched city.

Tourism Calgary and Calgary Stampede videos topped the charts on YouTube Canada’s most-watched in July.

The Stampede video detailed the marvellous transformation from being

86 • October 2013 BUSINESS IN CALGARY | www.businessincalgary.com

submerged during the flooding to welcome more than a million guests.

And Tourism Calgary, with the help of Venture Communications, responded quickly to the flood in order to support the local tourism business.

The “Calgary, Our Doors are Open” video was part of a larger campaign that progressed from concept to execution in just five days.

•••••••••••••• V Strategies has introduced a new affordable and flexible way to produce videos quickly, efficiently and professionally.

With VECS it sends out a two-person crew to your office where they will shoot, edit and deliver the final video the same day.

•••••••••••••• Catherine Proulx, managing director of Twist Marketing, has hired Euan Retallack as her new art director.

A graduate of the Alberta College of Art and Design, Retallack joined Twist from Scout Communications where he held the position of art director as well as previous roles as graphic designer and production lead. Prior to that he worked as a production and graphic designer for Highwood Communications and also did freelance work for the Glenbow Museum and Epcor Centre Music Series.

•••••••••••••• Tammy Yamkowy has left Bridgewater Bank and taken on a new role as manager of internal communications with Athabasca Oil Corp.

Parker’s Pick: Canadian Western Bank for taking the gamble to support the Tour of Alberta cycling race. Its colours were very noticeable at race end in downtown Calgary.

Visit la-z-boy.com/catalog to download our free interactive catalog app.

SUMMER CATALOG

My friends are always amazed when they find out that La-Z-Boy doesn’t stop at recliners. Once I tell them, they can’t get there fast enough to shop for sofas, sectionals and loveseats. Trust me, it’s worth taking another look at all the comfortable, great-looking furniture La-Z-Boy offers. Any more questions?

2 convenient Calgary locations to serve you! © 2013 La-Z-Boy Incorporated

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