Business Alumni Magazine (Fall90/Winter10)

BUSINESSFALL/WINTER 2009/10

UofUNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA SCHOOL BUSINESS

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ALUMNI MAGAZINE

U of A Business Alumni Magazine is published twice a year by the University of Alberta School of Business. If you would like an additional free subscription or would like to send in a comment or update your address, please contact us at:

External Relations, University of Alberta School of Business 4-40 Business Building, Edmonton, Alberta Canada T6G 2R6

e-mail: [email protected] web site: www.business.ualberta.ca

telephone: (780) 492-4083 toll-free in Canada and the US: 1-877-362-3222

fax: (780) 492-8748

this issue

events ’10

As the School is ever so close to celebrating the completion of the

Preservation of the Name campaign (please see back cover), the time seemed more than right to re-introduce the U of A lettering to the cover of your alumni magazine, and to introduce the School’s “A” in the process. The University of Alberta - Alberta School of Business – ALBERTA - always has been significant to our over 22,000 ALUMNI – and always will be in the future.

In the spirit of the A, the cover story is very much about the A – depicting AUSTRALIA, AIESEC, AMY, and ANNA. In this issue, you may also read about the significance of ALICE in Wonderland and the ALUMNI

January 15 Eric Geddes Breakfast Lecture, Edmonton Brian Vaasjo, President and CEO, Capital Power

January 19 Eric Geddes Breakfast Lecture, Toronto Court Carruthers, President, Grainger International

January 20 AIMCo Finance Seminar Series with Dr. Andrew Karolyi, Edmonton

January 30 Undergraduate Awards Ceremony and Luncheon, Edmonton

February 9 MBA Awards Ceremony and Reception, Edmonton

February 10 Eric Geddes Breakfast Lecture, Edmonton Anne Smith, President and CEO, United Way

February 13 An Evening of Golden Bears Hockey, Edmonton

March 16 Canadian Business Leader Award Dinner, Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton Gordon Nixon, President and CEO, Royal Bank of Canada

March/April Alumni Wine Tour, Napa Valley, California

March/April Preservation of the Name Campaign Celebration Reception, Edmonton

April Eric Geddes Breakfast Lecture, Calgary Pat Kiernan, Anchor, Channel NY1, New York

April 8 EPCOR Distinguished Lecture, Edmonton Rob de Loe, University Research Chair, Water Policy and Governance, University of Waterloo

April 15 Eric Geddes Breakfast Lecture, Toronto Mark Maybank, President and COO, Canaccord Financial Ltd

May 18 Eric Geddes Breakfast Lecture, Calgary Ivor Ruste, Executive Vice President and CFO, Cenovus Energy

June 10 MBA Convocation and Strawberry Tea, BCom Convocation and Luncheon, Edmonton

July 14 4th Annual Stampede Breakfast, Calgary

Dean: Michael PercyEditor: Monica WegnerDesign: Greg Miller Backstreet CommunicationsPrinting: McCallum Printing Group Inc.

event at ANGEL’S Gate Winery and enjoy the photos from the reunion of 1939 classmates ALEX Hamilton and Norm Haddad and the innocence of future ALUMNUS AIDAN Carruthers.

A special thank you to all of you who keep in touch with your School through classnotes. Be sure to check in on ’73 ALBRECHT Hallbauer, MBA of Germany; ’82 ANN Wilson, MBA of Kingston, Ontario; ’84 ALTAF Jina, BCom of Vancouver, BC; ’01 AMANDA Babichuk, BCom of Edmonton; and ’07 ALAN Berg, BCom of Calgary.

And as you peruse the issue, keep your eye out for the green “A’s” located overtly and discreetly throughout the issue. Please submit your total via the contact information below. An ACCOLADE for every correct answer!

Enjoy, Monica

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contents

A L U M N I P R O F I L E S

2 Pat Evans & aIEsEC MEl KassIan & attItUDE RIChaRD JEnKIns & angEl’s gatE F E AT U R E S

12 BUsInEss alUMnI assoCIatIon Welcome new grads Baa golf – sold out Classes of ’39, ’49, ’59, ’82 Biggest Energy Deal in Canadian history

20 sChool nEWs Report to the Community henry singer award alberta Business Family Institute signature Event Canadian Business leader award EPCoR Distinguished lecture

22 PRogRaM anD stUDEnt nEWs BCom – lazy Faire student Profile – honesty Clothing MBa – thank you Mentors PhD – Bob hinings’ Festschrift

30 PagEs In tIME Chronicle of Commerce – Your history on-line

32 ClassnotEs

40 onE YEaR oUt aidan Cole Carruthers

FALL/WINTER 2010

w w w . b u s i n e s s . u a l b e r t a . c a

Growing up, Alberta was very much home to Pat. More specifically Half Moon Lake Resort was her home away from home.

The lake, a picturesque crescent of water located just east of the city of Edmonton and owned by her family for over 30 years represented entrepreneurship, hard work, and her childhood. A family business meant working from the time she was very little, around the clock at times, and with few holidays. But a family business on the lake also fostered memories of good times and good friends.

P A T E V A N S

ALUMNI profi le B Y M O N I C A W E G N E R

“A” is A significAnt letter in the life of

PAt evAns, ’73 BCOm, WhERE

“A” COULd SIGNIFY ALBERTA, ALUmNA,

AUSTRALIA, ACAdEmICS, AmY,

AUSTRAdE, ANd AChIEVEmENT.

readdownunder

fromlittle

2 ALBERTA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS • FALL/WINTER 2009/10

liberal culture and again the wonderful camaraderie of many trainees from around the world.”

AUSTRALIA“My AIESEC path then took me to

Sydney, Australia, for a position with the Colonial Sugar Refinery. This last internship was extended from 6 to 18 months and, by then, I was hooked on Australia. I landed there in 1974 with $100 in my pocket, a business degree, and entrepreneurial spirit and am still there today, more than 30 years later.”

But Australia in 1974 was not the liberal country she had found in Sweden or even Canada. Shortly after arriving,

she recalls a flat mate calling her up with the exciting news that “we’ve just gotten equal pay.” Pat also chose not to tell her employer when she married as that often took women off the career track.

The role and progression of women in business was one she would experience, confront, conquer and support over the next 30 years.

Pat’s career in Australia to date has been divided between both the private and public sectors – between the world of academic publishing – “I really had faith in the projects and in the overall purpose of higher education” – and the world of international trade.

Heading to the University of Alberta was the next logical step in Pat’s education after high school. The School of Business, then as today, prides itself on student engagement and opportunity, and Pat didn’t waste any time in exploring the possibilities beyond the classroom. “In my second year, I was given an opportunity to start the AIESEC local committee and, from there, became its first President in 1971/72.” After starting and running a successful AIESEC franchise for a couple of years, gaining

leadership and confidence, PAT FELT

REAdY TO WORk ANd LIVE ABROAD AS AN

AIESEC TRAINEE hERSELF ANd

EMBARKED ON ThE

FIRST OF ThREE INTERNShIPS,

ThE LAST OF WhICh WOULd

ChANGE ThE COURSE OF

hER LIFE.

ISTANBUL“I was in for a big culture shock when

I arrived in Istanbul in 1972 for my first AIESEC internship with Shell. I lived in a hostel located in a poor area where no one spoke English. Every morning, I would get squashed on a bus during my commute to work, and, at night, if I wanted to go out with other female AIESEC students we would dress up and pretend to speak Turkish so we weren’t bothered as we walked past soldiers on the street.”

SWEDEN“My second internship transported me

to a world quite different from Istanbul. I went to work for SE Banken in Gothenburg, Sweden. I enjoyed the open

MY’S GOING BROAD TO MERICA ND DVANCING TO 21!” FOR ThE

PARTY, AmY WAS ANNIE OAkLEY, hELEN WAS

AN AIRLINE STEWARdESS ANd I WAS ALOhA.”

“hERE IS A PhOTO OF mE WITh mY TWO dAUGhTERS, TAkEN AT AmY’S 21ST WhICh WAS AN ‘A’ ThEmEd PARTY - ThE INVITE WAS A LETTER ‘A’ ANd SAId:

ALBERTA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS • FALL/WINTER 2009/10 3

read from

ALUMNI profi le

Pat joined CBS Publishing (formerly Holt-Saunders) as a sales rep in 1977 and, in short order, progressed to general manager to Publishing Director to Managing Director at the age of 33. Just two years later, she was offered the CEO position of Prentice Hall Australia. Her achievements included developing Prentice Hall from a single line of business (higher education textbooks) into a multi-faceted information business with growth in sales climbing from $6.5 million in 1987 to $36 million in 1998. Reopening Prentice Hall in South Africa following the end of apartheid in 1994 was a personal highlight.

A highly competitive industry with tight margins, Pearson Education was formed in 1998 when Pearson acquired Prentice Hall and combined it with Addison Wesley Longman. Selected to lead Pearson Education, Pat was responsible for integrating these two companies with a combined staff of 250 in Australia and New Zealand. The company experienced continued growth in both sales and profit to over $90 million. In addition, Pat implemented a technologically-proficient single, national distribution system, a demand print centre, and acquired a local publishing company to extend their reach in the training market.

But after 25 years of contributing to the development of educational publishing in Australia and around the world, the time was right for a change in both industry and culture. Pat would choose Austrade, the Australian Trade Commission, as Executive Director of Export and Investment Services for

PARK QUELLOVERLOOKING THE CITY

WALK IN CENTRALAUSTRALIA

BARCELONA

her next adventure. Here she was again charged with and delivered successful change management and integration challenges. The year 2008 was particularly challenging with the change in federal government requiring a complete realignment of her division. Establishing Austrade’s internal women’s network was also highly rewarding.

Ironically, the progress of women, in both Australia and Canada, was the topic of discussion Pat found herself in, in her circle of fellow alumni attending the Alberta School of Business’ Alumni Weekend Homecoming event in October. The consensus was mixed as to how far we had come. The consensus was unanimous that we had not come far enough.

Pat shared that the quotas for hiring a certain percentage of women are once again being discussed in Australia as the statistics on women in management are not good. Women hold just 8.3 percent of board seats in the top 200 companies, only 2 percent of CEO positions, and 10.7 percent of executive management jobs; these numbers have gone backwards in recent years and lag behind the US, UK, Europe, and even New Zealand. Women support groups are again on the rise.

And in Canada, while women appear to be making headway in the boardrooms of the nation, a lack of CEO experience and access to some crucial business networks mean that directorships are still proving elusive, the latest Report on Business survey reveals (November 2009).

It is this issue that frames her future. “Next I would like to do something focused on helping women in business; either helping companies get the most out of their female employees or mentoring/coaching women in business. I think the needs


LARAPINTA

of women are different and it’s hard to meet those needs if that is not recognized and understood. We are still wasting a lot of the skills and talents available to us by not effectively engaging women in the workforce. A lot of the good work of the U of A business faculty is going to waste if the proportion of women in senior management does not match the proportion of female graduates from our business schools.”But Pat remains optimistic about the future for herself and for her daughters. Her oldest daughter Amy has completed a degree in landscape architecture, which included an exchange in America. Her daughter Helen is studying psychology and health. Mom is certainly encouraging them to continue

to explore the world and to embrace change. “ALL OF

mY PROFESSIONAL ROLES hAVE

INVOLVEd INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

ANd hAVE BEEN dEPENdENT ON

WORkING WITh PEOPLE FROm

A RANGE OF CULTURES ANd

BACkGROUNdS. mY LIFE IS mUCh

RIChER AS A RESULT ANd I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH AND BE GRATEFUL FOR THE OPORTUNITIES AND FRIENDSHIPS AIESEC AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA GAVE ME.”

As Pat left the alumni brunch, she was looking forward to catching up with her old AIESEC and Business friends: Marguerite Childs, ’73 BCom, currently with The Brick, and her son Craig, a current U of A business student; Brent Layetzke, ’73 BCom; and Bev Walker, ’75 BCom, the AIESEC President after Pat.

LBERTA - YOU CAN INdEEd

ALWAYS COmE hOmE AGAIN.


AIESEC TODAYAIESEC International, the world’s largest student-run

organization, currently has over 35,000 members in over 107 countries. AIESEC Canada celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008. AIESEC Edmonton continues to thrive, hosting five interns from the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Germany, Brazil, and Venezuela. In the past nine months, they have sent 15 students abroad and have 10 more waiting to be matched. Since its inception, AIESEC Edmonton has sent nearly 500 participants overseas and has over 950 alumni.

Ironically, one of the first people Pat Evans, ’73 BCom, and

the first U of A AIESEC President, met at this year’s Alumni Weekend was current AIESEC Vice-President for Alumni Relations, Anna Law, ’11 BCom candidate, who enjoyed hearing about Pat’s passion and appreciation for the organization. Anna is a fourth-year marketing major and is also involved with the School of Business’ complementary Business Exchange Association, one of 20 student clubs. Leadership opportunities, community connections, and friends for life continue to be part of what makes the Alberta BCom experience unique.

Shree Govindarajan, a third-year marketing student, is

currently the Vice-President of Communications. Both Anna and Shree plan to go on exchanges post-convocation to Japan and South America respectively. Shree has also taken the opportunity to further her leadership by becoming the incoming Local Committee President for the 2010/2011 term. AIESEC Edmonton was also chosen as host city for AIESEC Canada’s National Congress in December 2010.

Anna Law and Shree Govindarajan


ALUMNI profi le B Y D E B B Y W A L D M A N

M E l K A S S i A N

dURING ThE SIx YEARS ThAT mEL kASSIAN,

’83 BCOm, hAS BEEN A PART OF REGENT

ENERGY GROUP LTd., oil Prices hAve hit record

highs And lows, ThE

ECONOmY hAS TANkEd, ThE OIL

SANdS hAVE BEEN dECRIEd AS

AN ENVIRONmENTAL SCOURGE,

ANd ThE ALBERTA GOVERNmENT

INFURIATEd ANd STALLEd ThE

ENERGY SECTOR WhEN IT

RESTRUCTUREd ROYALTY RATES.

And yet Mel, an investor, director and, since March 2009, President of Regent, remains happy and optimistic.

“If you asked me when I was in university what kind of job I would like to do, this is it,” he says. “ I work with some great people and I enjoy what I do very much.”

Before you write off the happily married father of four as delusional, consider the reasons he’s so upbeat: helping to run Regent at its corporate office in Nisku is “the full meal deal,” he says. “I get to invest my time in areas that require strategy, promote growth, direct change, and value a healthy work place. As an owner, there’s the benefit in all that and seeing your baby grow, so to speak.”

optimismenergy

and Attitude

on the roAd to success


Regent specializes in sand control, providing products, technology, and strategies to optimize heavy oil extraction from the ground. Last year, it was a runnerup for the World Oil Best Completion Technology Award.

Domestic projects on tap for 2010 include work with Encana, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, Suncor, Petro-Canada, Imperial Oil, and Husky. Internationally, in 2008, the company opened a facility in Oman and, in 2009, began negotiating deals in Brazil, China, Colombia, Kuwait, Mexico, and Qatar.

Mel travels to the international locations when needed. He was in Oman when the national soccer team beat neighbouring Saudi Arabia in the Gulf Cup final. “While celebrations were on, the Sultan of Oman issued a Royal Decree giving the entire country a day off the next day,” he says, proposing the possibility that the Canadian government should consider doing the same the next time a home team wins the Stanley Cup.

Until travelling to Oman, Mel had never visited the Middle East. Between that region and Mexico, where Regent will open a facility in 2011, he’s spending a lot of time in pleasant climates. “I guess I like warm weather and the beach so it’s only fitting that I have a career in sand (control),” he jokes.

That wasn’t exactly what he had in mind when he enroled at the U of A in the late 1970s. He majored in accounting and finance because he knew he wanted to go into business.His interest was sparked growing up in Vegreville where his father put him to work in the family’s clothing store. When Dad went to the cottage in the summer, Mel and his brothers and a sister would take over.

“It was there that I realized I enjoyed business,” he says. “I truly am an entrepreneur at heart.”

Mel spent his first few post-graduate years working for a public accounting firm before moving to PCL where he built his skill set and confidence. After nine years at PCL, he joined a down-hole instrumentation company that he invested in. The start-up company, now called Zedi Inc., went on to become very successful for Mel and the industry.

“Making the jump from being an employee to being an executive was really the result of having excellent mentors along the way,” he says. It helped, too, that everywhere he worked he was exposed to technology, engineering, product services, and strong leadership.

At Regent, strong leadership is a shared role. Mel has only the highest praise for his partners, fellow owners Bill Bowlen and Laurie Venning.

“Bill is the backstop and Laurie is the guy on the ground. Our combination has worked really well as an ownership group. We all have different skill sets, but, being from the same industry, has certainly helped. We all understand the business and we’ve been through the cycles.”

Mel’s advice to current business students is to build relationships. “I just can’t say enough about having good peers and excellent mentors because that’s how you make the leap, that’s how you get your confidence. It will help you to answer the question, ‘do I have what it takes?’ You don’t just get that right from the start. You may think so, but it doesn’t happen overnight.”

He also recommends striving for balance. Despite the pressures of helping to run a multi-national company, Mel does his best to keep his hours to 40 to 50 a week. He doesn’t go on every business trip. Last year, he joined the Windemere Golf Club and, during the fall of 2009, a legends soccer team in Sherwood Park where he and his family share their quarters with a dog, cat, hedgehog, chameleon, and bunny.

“I enjoy what I do, but I have a beautiful family and I do get involved in the community,” he says. “There’s a lot more in my life than just work, and I’m very thankful for that.

“I LOVE hORSEPOWER ANd dIFFERENT

mOdES OF TRANSPORTATION. I GOT A

ChANCE TO RIP AROUNd IN ThAT CAR,

RACING ANd STUFF, jUST WEST OF hERE.

ThAT WAS IN ThE FALL, IN SEPTEmBER. WE’VE

dONE ThAT IN ThE mIddLE EAST AS WELL.


ALUMNI profi le B Y M O N I C A W E G N E R

R i c h A R d J E N K i N S

“ThESE ARE BASIC PhILOSOPhIES,” hE

ExPLAINS. “The Three LiTTLe Pigs

dEmONSTRATES ThE ImPORTANCE

OF A SOLId FOUNdATION BOTh

PERSONALLY ANd PROFESSIONALLY.

The emPeror’s New CLoThes IS A REmINdER TO ThINk

FOR YOURSELF PERhAPS ANd NOT

FOLLOW ThE POPULACE. ALiCe iN woNderLANd IS A WONdERFUL

STORY ABOUT INSATIABLE CURIOSITY

ANd dIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.”

Richard Jenkins, ’86 BCom, doesn’t have the sort of fancy office you might expect for someone who has been named Canada’s top investor

four times and is co-director of a highly respected management company.

“My office is spartan at best - not comfortable,”

he admits.

But more surprising than the surroundings are the three books on his bookcase, books he’s carried throughout his career: The Three Little Pigs, the Emperor’s New Clothes, and Alice in Wonderland.

the emperorthe pigs

and Alice


the Alberta Mortgage Corporation. He had lofty expectations of making big deals, but his bosses had other ideas. On his first day of work, Richard received a box of keys and instructions to use them to repossess properties throughout the province. “I remember being in Fort McMurray, in minus-30-degree weather, having to try hundreds of keys in frozen locks with frozen fingers,” he recalls.

Not that he was complaining. Unemployment was at nearly 40 percent for business graduates in 1986. Richard knew he was fortunate to even have a job. “Many of my classmates started their post-university careers bagging groceries,” he says, “and so did I.”

Richard spent several years at the Alberta Mortgage Corporation, eventually learning about restructuring loans and companies.

Subsequent positions at the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund and Toronto Dominion Investment Management provided him with valuable experience managing equity and real estate portfolios. But he always planned to return to school and, in 1990, he enroled in the MBA program at INSEAD in France. His controversial master’s thesis topic was the demise of Japan as an economic power.

In the early 1990s, INSEAD was one of only a handful of universities specializing in globalization. The international perspective appealed to Richard. In 1994, when he began working at Invesco Trimark/Trimark Investment Management in Toronto, he focused on business in Asia and Europe. The Trimark Europlus Fund

Richard learned many of these values at home in Edmonton, one of six children of a school principal (and one-time Detroit Red Wings draft pick) and a nurse. His parents stressed education and lifelong learning. They encouraged their children’s curiosity and independent thinking. Dinner discussions were wide-ranging where different perspectives were “demanded” and encouraged.

By the time Richard graduated from high school, he knew he wanted to learn more about business. Interested in quantitative and qualitative aspects, he specialized in finance and marketing, absorbing valuable lessons in capital allocation and assessing market share from professors including Steve Beveridge, Bob Korkie, Randy Chapman, and Jim Dunn.

One of Richard’s first jobs was with

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A HISTORICAL RECORD OF PERFORMANCE

EUROPE*(DECEMBER 1, 1997 - AUGUST 31, 2005)

GLOBAL BALANCED**(NOVEMBER 1, 1999 - DECEMBER 31, 2006)

Richard Jenkins European Fund

81.0%

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MSCI Europe Peers

39.3%

18.2%

Richard Jenkins Global Balanced

Fund

Blend (60%MSCI World/

40% Lehman)

Peers

108.7%

14.4% 19.1%

AS IS WITH A BOTTLE OF GOOD WINE, IS THAT YOU ONLY GET BETTER WITH AGE.”

THE WONDERFUL PART OF THIS CAREER,

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14.4% 19.1%


and the Trimark Global Balanced Fund were brand new. Richard, a Global Partner, was named lead manager of both.

The funds eventually became top performers and were awarded “Fund of the Year” status five times. In addition, Richard was lead manager of the Trimark Select Growth Fund and worked on the award-winning Trimark Fund, responsible for funds with combined assets of $10 billion. The Fund generally carried between 20 and 25 leading market share companies. Its largest single investment was $800 billion. At one time, Trimark was the largest shareholder in Apple, Adidas, and Canon.

Other good investments were banks including ErsteBank in Austria and HDFC, the largest mortgage bank in India, which has grown 20 fold. Investing in emerging markets when no one else would also helped propel Richard to the top: always ahead of the curve, he was investing in “green” technology ten years ago.

By 2005, Trimark was very different from the company Richard had joined 11 years earlier. In 1994, there were 23 employees; in 2008, there were more than 8,000. The entrepreneurial spark was missing and intellectual independence was more difficult. Richard wanted to focus on what he did best so he decided to join former Trimark colleague Bill Kanko, founder of Black Creek Investment Management and manager of the Hartford Global Leaders Fund.

Black Creek’s $225 million global equity fund gained 31.8 percent over the last 12 months ending November 30, 2009. In comparison to the Morgan Stanley World Index which gained 12.65 percent - that’s a stunning difference. To Richard and Bill, however, it comes down to knowing your product. Disciplined stock picking is a trademark at their firm: they thoroughly research and understand a company before investing. It’s not

uncommon for them and their three other partners to spend an entire day reading. Richard finds information in a variety of places including annual reports, analyst publications, academic journals, magazines, and even shopping trips. He’s also a big fan of people watching in local cafés. Over time, he’ll connect seemingly disparate dots, often with something he read or experienced years ago, to come up with a picture of a company’s potential for long-term success.

“You need to create a view of the future of a company that’s different from what the market thinks,” Richard says.

As for his own future, after nearly a quarter century in finance, Richard shows no signs of slowing down. He travels ten to twelve weeks a year although he’d like to make more time for the golf course, which he calls “one of the only places I can and, must, truly turn off.” He also plays hockey every Thursday and tends to his own investments such as Angel’s Gate Winery (see sidebar). Retirement is not on his horizon. It may never be.

“My mentor, Russell Morrison, is 85 and still actively invests, albeit with more personal and philanthropic pursuits,” he says. “The wonderful part of this career, as is with a bottle of good wine, is that you only get better with age.”

For Black Creek’s latest quarterly report – a rush back to equities characterizes the quarter – visit www.hartfordinvestments.ca.

Dean Mike Percy, Debby Carlson, Richard Jenkins, ’86 BComAngel’s Gate Winery

ALUMNI profi le


BUSINESS ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONANGEL’S GATE WINE TASTING SOUTHERN ONTARIO, JUNE 20

Business grads from the Toronto area joined fellow alumnus Richard Jenkins on June 20th to tour and taste wines from Angel’s Gate Winery where Richard is also a partner. (See the full profile on Richard on page 8).

The winery was founded by Richard and some wine-loving friends on a property that was once owned by the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of Christian Charity in Ontario. The winery’s beautiful mission style building was designed to commemorate its history. Converted into a vineyard in 1995, Angel’s Gate opened to the public in 2002.

U OF A ALUMNI WINE TASTING TOURVANCOUVER, AUGUST 22

Several Business alumni and their guests were among the sold-out crowd of more than 100 U of A alumni who enjoyed the unique flavours of a variety of fruit wines produced at Westham Island Estates Winery in late August.

UPCOMING NAPA VALLEY WINE TASTING

APRIL 17, 2010

Join other U of A alumni in Napa, California, this spring to explore both the beautiful countryside and discover some delicious new wines including a return visit to Cliff Lede (’79 BCom) Vineyards. Plan now for a destination long weekend in the Bay area. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Donna Karpowich; Marcel Reghelini, ’88 MBA; Cathy and Bill Payne, ’88 MBA; and Tony ’88 MBA; and Deb Baena

Neil, ’71 MBA; and Susan Manning; and Robert Morrice, ’82 BCom

Amit Monga, Roberto Fazio, ’90 BCom; Bernadett Fazio, Tracy Heikel, ’92 BCom; Dave Remmer, ’91 BCom; and Emeline Mellow, ’99 BCom

Richard Jenkins, ’86 BCom; and Inanc Inan, ’07 MBA

Dan Kickham, ’08 MBA; Yinka Abdu, ’09 MBA; and Caitlin Peacock, ’09 BCom

Louise Aerts; Bill Cunningham, ’91 BCom; Dennis Crowe, ’76 BCom; and Glenora Doherty


bRANch con tact l ist Calgary: Jon Wrathall, ’00 BCom [email protected]

Edmonton: Darryl Lesiuk, ’91 BCom, ’07 MBA [email protected]

Hong Kong: Catherine Kwan, ’87 BCom [email protected]

los angElEs: [email protected]

ottawa: Lee Close, ’85 BCom [email protected]

san FranCisCo: Melynnie Rizvi, ’95 BCom [email protected]

toronto: Jeff Schellenberg, ’04 MBA [email protected]

VanCouVEr: Derek Bennett, ’68 BCom [email protected]

ViCtoria: Brenda Yanchuk, ’89 MBA [email protected]

alumni associationFormed in 1988, the University of Alberta Business Alumni Association represents

more than 22,000 BCom, MBA, and PhD graduates of the Alberta School of

Business with branches across Canada and around the world.

k eep in touchPlease take a moment to update your current contact information and send a classnote for a future issue of Business Alumni Magazine.

Please go to page 37 or visit www.business.ualberta.ca/alumni

B U S I N E S S

BAA AGM JUNE 17, 2009

The Business Alumni Association Annual General Meeting was held at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald on June 17, and alumni were able to enjoy the seasonal sunshine on the patio during the reception that followed the business meeting. Kurian Tharakan, ’86 BCom, and former President and Director of the BAA, was recognized for his long term support of the School and the Business Alumni Association over the past 20 years. Congratulations Kurian!

If you are interested in volunteering with the BAA, please contact Jami Drake at [email protected] or BAA President Darryl Lesiuk at [email protected].

JOIN facebookU of A Business Alumni Association (BAA)

linkedinht tp : / / t inyur l .com/baa- l inked in

Kurian Tharakan, ’86 BComKurian has been instrumental in implementing the School’s Facebook and LinkedIn presence.

and

Christoph Wilser, ’06 MBA; Michael Lawton, ’00 BCom; Harv Lawton, ’73 BCom; and Scott Montgomery

Christine Vinh, ’09 BCom; Alexander Polkovsky, ’07 BCom; and Tristan Khaner, ’08 BCom

New


BA A

CONVOCATIONS JUNE 2009

On June 4 and June 9, 2009 – special celebrations were held for the School’s newly-minted graduates in both the MBA and BCom programs. Our most recent alumni marked their new

status with friends and family at a special MBA Strawberry Tea and BCom luncheon held in their honour. They are now part of our alumni family – more than 22,000 strong!

New Gr ads!welcome

2009 MBAs Jessica Murray, Stephanie Minnema, Adrienne Stewart, and Stephanie Lilley

Alice Wang, ’09 BCom (Management Information Systems), with parents

Susan Liu and Dr. Joseph Wang

Back - ’09 BComs Carmen Maslowski, David Gillen and Kary May, Front - Julia

Maslowski, Perry and Mary Lou May, and Anna Maslowski

Major Darren Tansowny, ’09 MBA, and wife Tricia

Rick Dowell, ’09 MBA, with wife Amie and son Samuel

Tafadzwa Mashayamombe, ’09 BCom (Marketing), with sister Cathreen Lole

and friend Maroro Sinyemba

Back - Maureen Walsh, BCom student (Marketing); and Erin Gallivan, ’09 BCom (Human Resources); Front - Tyler

Dahlside, ’09 BCom (Finance); Cory Collins, ’05 BCom; and Sean Collins, ’09 BCom (Marketing)


SPRUCE MEADOWS JUNE 11

This year’s attendance at the 2009 Spruce Meadows Alumni event generated a terrific turnout of Business alumni spanning 60 years of graduates. John Denholm, class of 1942, was asked to say the grace for the dinner and demonstrated that business graduates retain their grace and eloquence in public speaking engagements. Business

graduates at the event included Ted, ’70 BCom; and Kathy Zaharko; Dick, ’45 BCom; and Louise McKinnon; Guy Cochrane, ’80 BCom; John Eliuk, ’62 BCom; Tammy Skinner, ’95 BCom, and her young daughter Samantha; and Danny Mah, ’93 BCom. In keeping with promoting our Preservation of the Name Campaign, different graduates posed with the “A” – which stands for Alumni and Alberta.

CANMORE RECEPTION SEPTEMBER 24

Alumni fortunate to call Canmore home were hosted to a reception in the picturesque mountain town on September 24. The event was held in conjunction with the School’s Business Advisory Council meeting again this year at the Silvertip Resort.

STAMPEDE BREAKFAST JULY 8

More than 250 Business alumni and friends renewed acquaintances and joined in the fun at the 3rd Annual School of Business Stampede Breakfast in Calgary. This event is a hit with our Calgary-based alumni – and is perfect for celebrating the Stampede Spirit! Mark your calendars now for our 2010 breakfast – at Ceili’s Pub on July 14.

Mary Jane and Bob Pogue, ’63 BCom; Jack Whitworth, ’55 BCom; June Tye;

Marion Whitworth; and Bill Tye, ’54 BCom

Michael Lang, ’81 MBA; Ralph Young, ’73 MBA; and

Guy Turcotte, ’76 MBA

Jeff Johnson,’03 BCom; Kevin Fox; Graham Howell; and Landon White, ’03 BCom

Darcy and Laurie Spady, ’93 MBA

Business Alumni share a hardy Stampede

breakfast

Curtis Mah, ’05 BCom; Mark Haig, ’05 BCom; and Tim Gold, ’05 BCom

John Denholm, ’42 BCom

alumni associationB U S I N E S S


BAA ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT SEPTEMBER 16

Two records were broken this year on September 16 when temperatures soared above 32 C and the Business Alumni

Association golf tournament sold out its spots for 144 golfers. In addition, we had more corporate sponsors than ever helping the 2010 tournament to raise more than $20,000 for the Business Alumni Association Scholarships endowment fund. Thanks to our title sponsor, CMA Alberta, all of our hole sponsors, and all of the alumni and golfers who helped make the tournament a resounding success.

REPORT FROM GOLF CHAIR CHRIS GREY I am pleased to report a successful 2009 Business Alumni

Association golf tournament! We had more involvement from the alumni community in terms of golfers, attendance, sponsorship, and creative donations to make the event a huge success. Thank you to all those who participated in any and all fashion to the continued success of this annual tournament. A special thank you to the BAA Golf Committee and the staff at the School of Business who worked exceptionally hard to put the event in place. I am especially proud to say we continue to grow and improve the event over an already well established structure.

tHE 2010 tournamEnt is scheduled for Monday, September 13. Mark your calendars now! Sponsorship for the 2010 event has already started so please contact the Alumni Programs office for details.

Front Cart: Jaime MacKenzie, ’00 MBA, and dad John Steffensen, lead the way to the links.

Jason Labonte, David Shaw, CMA; Christoph Wilser, ’06 MBA

Golf Tournament Chair Chris Grey, ’95 MBA Dean Mike Percy, and BAA President Darryl Lesiuk, ’91 BCom, ’07 MBA

BA A


2009 ALUMNI WEEKENDOCTOBER 1 – 4

Alumni Weekend is always a special time on campus when our alumni can meet with former classmates to re-visit their days on campus through many fond memories. Thank you to all of our alumni who were Class Organizers this year.

ALUMNI RECOGNITION AWARDS OCTOBER 1

Long time School of Business supporter and alumnus Ralph Young, ’73 MBA, received an Alumni Honour Award at this year’s ceremony in the fall. Ralph is the President, CEO, and Director of Melcor Developments, a public real estate development company headquartered in Edmonton. A tirelessvolunteer for his community, he serves on numerous boards and is Vice Chair of the Business Advisory Council at the U of A School of Business. Ralph was also nominated in the Best Volunteer Fundraiser category of

the Heart and Soul Awards and recognized at a luncheon on November 12 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He and his wife Gay also support the annual internal MBA case competition and make every effort to participate as judges.

Be SUre to JoiN US Next FALL For

Alumni WEEKEND 2010 sEptEmbEr 22 – 26

if you are interested in becoming a Class organizer, please contact

Jami Drake at (780) 492-1192 or email [email protected].

BUSINESS OPEN HOUSE AND BRUNCH OCTOBER 2

Always a weekend highlight, the Business Open House and Brunch hosted by Dean Mike Percy and the Business Alumni Association took place on Saturday morning. In addition to sharing their own stories, alumni spanning eight decades learned more about the School of Business and attending the U of A today from our enthusiastic student ambassadors.

Evelyn Zittlau,’80 BCom, Donald Strong, ’71 BCom; Elizabeth Strong; and Tom Smilie, ’82 MBA

A group of our 2009 Student Ambassadors

Chris and Dave Leeworthy, ’88 MBA

25 Years Out BCom ’84 Classmates

Ralph Young,MBA ’73



’49 DINNER OCTOBER 2

Spearheaded by Class Organizer Keith Fowler, the Class of ’49 gathered for a meal at the Faculty Club to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of their graduation from Commerce. This close group of classmates continue to meet on a regular basis and can often be seen swapping stories at Tony Roma’s where many of them regularly meet for lunch.

ALUMNI WEEKEND DINNER OCTOBER 3

The Saturday evening dinner during alumni weekend brings all U of A faculties together to recount nostalgic stories of past shared adventures, and this year was no exception.

Members from the Commerce Class of 1959 met in the beautiful and historic Harvest Room of the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald to reminisce about the last 50 years since graduating from the U of A. John Buchan flew in from Toronto, Lee Miller drove up from Calgary, while Darcy Kurysh and Hank Gillespie live in Edmonton.

John was instrumental in getting the reunion organized and, although a bit disappointed not more members were able to attend the dinner, he felt it was wonderful to reconnect not only with friends but also with students and staff at the school. “I enjoyed the Homecoming too. The people of the Business School always seem to have a high energy level and an informality which I like to see.”

Two members of the class currently support four scholarships at the undergraduate level. These alumni get an opportunity to meet their scholarship recipients at an annual event in late January.

John’s nephew Jason Neiman is also a BCom graduate (1992) and owns a software company in Costa Rica.

’59 DINNER OCTOBER 2

’39 BCom, Alex Hamilton (L), and ’39 BCom, Norm Haddad (R), were re-united

as long-time former colleagues and proud alumni of the Alberta School of Business during Alumni Weekend 2009. Mr. Haddad and Mr. Hamilton used to work together as accountants for some of the largest professional service firms in Edmonton at the time. The School was proud to honour both Mr. Haddad and Mr. Hamilton on their 70th Anniversary since graduating from the School.

L to R: Keith Fowler, Dean Mike Percy, Illa Skeith, Gord Coulson, Bill Vanner, Ron McGillivray, Joe Falvo, Bob Seaton and Andy Verag

The MBA Class of ’82 had their own reunion at the home of Dawn Ringrose on October 2 with many of the class also attending the gala dinner on October 3. Among them were (L to

R) Tom Smillie*, Principal of Willowbank Consulting with his wife Donna – Calgary; Larry Pon*, Vice President, Finance of Maxima Pharmaceuticals with his wife Darlene (’83 BCom) – Edmonton; Jane Somerville* (Cawsey), Associate with Nichols Consulting with her husband Dale (’79 BCom) – Edmonton; Patrick Hahn*, First Vice President CIBC Wood Gundy with his wife Karilin – White Rock, BC; Brad Schneider*, Project Manager with Suncor (also ’81 BSc [Mech Eng]) with his wife Janice (Dawson) (’87 BCom) – Calgary; Dawn Ringrose*, Principal of Dawn Ringrose & Associates (also ’80 BSc) with Jim Stewart (’71 BSc [Civil Eng]) – Edmonton; and Bill Brebber*, Partner with Ernst & Young (also ’76 BSc) with his wife Carmen – Calgary.Dean Mike Percy, Darcy Kurysh, Lee Miller, Hank Gillespie,

and John Buchan

’82*MBA Class of ’82

’39

BA A


21ST ANNUAL BUSINESS ALUMNI DINNER NOVEMBER 17

John Ferguson, ’64 BCom, had the audience under a spell from the get-go as he sat down on a stool and began to tell the fascinating story, a Canadian business success story, a story made in Canada, in Alberta, to a riveted audience of fellow alumni and friends. The story was about the merger of two energy giants – Suncor and Petro-Canada – creating Canada’s largest energy company to be named Suncor Energy.

JOHN FERGUSON: ALUMNUS, SUNCOR CHAIRMAN,

STORYTELLER

it’s A story About the leAdershiP of Rick George, long-time CEO of Suncor, who first had the vision of what could be ten years ago. But, at the eleventh hour, with changes in the market, the Petro-Canada board decided the deal was dead, for now.

it’s A story About relAtionshiPs. Over the next nine years, the big four - Rick George, new Petro-Canada CEO Ron Brenneman, and their respective Chairmen, John of Suncor, and Brian MacNeill of Petro-Canada - would hunt, fish, and golf together. Patience was key.

it’s A story About execution. In November of 2008, the stars were aligned. The financial markets were in turmoil. Pressure and stress was high. Executives were tired. But there were also complementary assets and cultures at the two companies, and the highly entrepreneurial Rick George took charge. And, ultimately,

it’s A story About trust. The resurrection of the deal began in December 2008 at a lunch in Toronto between the two chairmen where merger, profit potential, values, and market value were the basis of discussion. Over the next month, the ongoing conversations between the four friends alone, would include corporate restructuring, possible premiums, the share offer, and other dynamics of a crashing market.

In February of 2009, the chairmen met again. “Oilsands production was up. This was followed in early March by an increase in the Suncor stock price. If the deal was going to happen, we had a week at most.”

On Thursday, March 12, 2009, the big four met again. The Chairmen flew in from Palm Springs and Hawaii to once again huddle in John’s hotel room in Calgary with the caveat that Rick would need to leave at 1:30. As it turned out, the sweet spot occurred at 1:30 pm. The four would shake hands and settle on 1.28 to 1 exchange ratio, resulting in Petro-Canada shareholders getting a 40 percent piece of the merged equity.

John would return to Hawaii and Brian to Palm Springs with both anxiously watching for signs of a leak in the marketplace. They were relieved when the market closed on Friday, no leaks or rumours. The deal was presented to the Suncor and Petro-Canada boards on Sunday, March 22. The press release announcing the merger was released Sunday evening.

THE biggest energy deAl in cAnAdiAn industry WAS

DONE ON A HANDSHAKE

WITHOUT ONE PIECE OF PAPER EXCHANGING HANDS

DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS AND WITHOUT A LAWYER IN THE ROOM.

whAt A story.

Dean Mike Percy; John Ferguson, ’64 BCom; and Dinner Chair Dustin Bateyko, ’01 BCom



Full tablEs

Acton Consulting

Bennett Jones LLP

Canaccord Wealth Management

Certified General Accountants Association of Alberta

CMA Alberta

Cushman & Wakefield edmonton inc.

Darryl Lesiuk

ernst and Young LLP

executive education, Alberta School of Business

Fountain tire

institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta

Junior Achievement

KPMG LLP

MacPherson Leslie & tyerman LLP

oxford Properties Group

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

rBC Commercial Markets

Worley Parsons

HalF tablEs

Canadian Western Bank

Maclab enterprises

rBC Dominion Securities

Worldwide QC operations inc

More than 300 Business alumni and their guests attended the event. Special thanks to all of our corporate table sponsors and those companies and individuals who sponsored dinner tickets for our students.

Evan Conrad, ’06 BCom; David Kuryk, ’06 BCom;Business student Yuri Broda; and Adam Cook, ’05 BCom

Keith Baechler; Bruce Grant; John Whitmore, ’05 BCom; Cory Bablitz, ’92 BCom; and Duane Robertson, ’88 BCom

BA A

BAA Scholarship Recipient and undergraduate student Kristan Ohrn; Heather Cornish; Taylor Rolheiser, ’05 BCom;

Jennifer Fink, ’86 BCom; and Erin Dalueg


SCHOOL B Y M O N I C A W E G N E R

REPORT TO THE COMMUNITYOCTOBER 1

The Alberta School of Business presented its ninth annual report to the community at the U of A’s downtown campus at Enterprise Square with the event drawing a standing room only crowd of alumni, students, faculty, and leaders from our community.

Dean Mike Percy; John Ferguson, FCA, ’64 BCom, Chairman Princeton Ventures Ltd and Chairman Suncor Energy Inc; and Carole Hunt, QC, ’94 LLB, ’91 MBA, Chief Legal Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Alberta Investment Management Corporation, discussed the school’s growing list of achievements and future aspirations.

The School’s 2008/2009 annual report “A Higher Business Education” was also released. The complete report is available on the School’s Website at www.business.ualberta.ca; alumni may also request a copy be mailed to them.

news

HIGHER EDUCATION

LEADERS

IN

2010 Tuesday, March 16, 2010Canadian Business LeaderAward Dinner

Gordon Nixon PRESIDENT & CEO, ROYAL BANK OF CANADA

LEADERS

IN FINANCECANADIAN BUSINESS LEADER AWARD MARCH 16, 2010

The School of Business 29th CBLA recipient is Gordon Nixon, CEO, Royal Bank of Canada. Contact [email protected] to reserve your table. Please consider sponsoring a student.

John Ferguson, ’64 BCom

Dean Mike Percy and Carole Hunt, QC, ’94 LLB, ’91 MBA


SCHOOL news

LEADERS

IN ENERGY

LEADERS

IN RETAILING

LEADERS

IN FAMILYALBERTA BUSINESS FAMILY INSTITUTE NOVEMBER 3 & 5

The School’s Alberta Business Family Institute celebrated the achievements of the Fuller Family – owners of the Earls, Joeys, and Saltlik restaurants – at it 7th annual signature events in both Edmonton and Calgary. The 2010 events will feature the Brewster family: a fifth-generation business family that brought tourism to the Canadian Rockies.

Yoga wear, Henry Singer suits, and “Watch It” watches were well represented at the School of Retailing’s 18th Annual Henry Singer Award, presented to Chip Wilson, founder and Chief Product Manager of lululemon athletica.

The event also recognized the year’s Outstanding Retailer – Derks Fine Group of Companies; Outstanding Researcher – Marketing Professor Peter Polkowski Leszczyc and Director of CampusAuctionMarket.com; and Outstanding Alumni – Darren Bondar, ’98 MBA, and founder of Watch IT! – a specialty watch shop.

DARREN BONDAR, ’98 MBA

Darren was also on the cover of the July/August issue of Franchise Canada where the feature “Watch It Grow – A timely franchise opportunity celebrating ten years of melding fashion and function” begins as follows:

“No one knows the importance of timing better than Watch It! CEO Darren Bondar. As hundreds of stylish watches tick away in his specialty watch franchise, Bondar reminisces back to when he set up his flagship Watch It! store ten years ago. Bondar, who had just graduated with an MBA from the University of Alberta, came up with the idea and put it into practice in a mere three weeks.

Recalls 35-year-old Bondar, “I was in a watch store in New York and told my wife someone should open up a watch store called Watch It. I’d always wanted to run my own business and I figured there was no time like the present.” As soon as Bondar returned from his New York jaunt in 1999, he leased a space on Edmonton’s Whyte Avenue where the company’s head office sits today. From there, he made a quick trip to Eaton’s – a department store that was going out of business – and purchased jewelry cabinets for $100 each.”

Watch It! opened its latest corporate store in Calgary in November which was the company’s 20th location.

HENRY SINGER AWARD OCTOBER 6

EPCOR DISTINGUISHED LECTURE APRIL 8, 2010Professor Rob de Loe, University Research Chair, Water Policy and Governance, University of Waterloo. For information please contact Richard Dixon, ’00 MBA, Executive Director of the Centre for Applied Research in Energy and the Environment at [email protected].

Kyle Murray, Director School of Retailing, with Darren Bondar, ’98 MBA.


BCOM news

BUSINESS STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION: GAMES, GOLF, AND GIVE AWAYS

Students donned daring duds October 24 for dodge ball.

We’re not sure if the costumes or competition drove attendance up 50 percent from the previous year but more players equals no waiting between games and better prizes!

The inaugural BSA Charity Golf Tournament on September 26 offered excellent networking opportunities for students plus raised $2,200 for the Youth Emergency Shelter. Despite the rain, it had great attendance by students, faculty members, and corporate sponsors.

Alex Bergquist and Lacey Suen show off some of the free food and drinks the BSA hands out to students on the first Wednesday of each month during anti-burnout events to combat exam and studying stress.

studeNts with biG hearts BCOMS SPINNIN’ AND CHILLIN’FOR UNITED WAY

Frosh activities on September 19-20 gave more than 120 new students the opportunity to learn about the School of Business and how to become involved in various clubs, events, and services.

Leah Sherman and Marie-Claire Pigarowa helped staff the all-new BSA Book Sale in September. Business students bought over 750 new and used books and 1,000 course packs without having to advertise or negotiate. The second edition (pun intended) of the sale occurs January 4-8.

LAzY FAIRE: FARE FOR THE MINDThe BSA launched its new magazine Lazy Faire in August as a

tool to communicate with new and existing students. The monthly publication, edited by Carly Zapernick and Breanne Fisher, features student and alumni profiles, activities, and introductions to clubs.


FEMALE BCOMS OUTEARN MALE COUNTERPARTS FOR FIRST TIME

Salaries for new female business graduates at the University of Alberta have exceeded their male counterparts for the first time, according to a new survey by Business Career Services at the School.

Female BCom students had an average starting salary of $43,077 versus $41,214 for males in the annual report released this fall.

Dale McNeely, Director of BSC, said: “This has to be looked at over a period of time. We won’t know if this is a long-term trend unless we see it consistently over a number of years.”

CO-OP STUDENT STANDS OUT

Adrien Ambrozuk (third from right) received the 2009 Claudette J de Bruijn Business Co-op Student of the Year Award for his work with Nexen Inc. as an Operations Coordinator. He was feted October 7 during a special luncheon with his peers at the School of Business where two mentors were also recognized, including Kirsten Lindquist, ’08 BCom (third from left), a Strategic Planner with Optamedia. She was nominated by her co-op student Marianne Meijer.

STUDENTS TAKE OATH OF INTEGRITYOn November 26, business students voluntarily pledged to

uphold a high standard of ethics during the first Business Ethics Awareness Day, spurred by the Marketing 488 class.

The idea started as a discussion at the class level and the students hope the pledge will make its way to other business schools and boardrooms everywhere. Students also shared displays on various ethical issues in business and marketing.

studeNts with biG hearts BCOMS SPINNIN’ AND CHILLIN’FOR UNITED WAY

Undergrads united for United Way this fall by pedalling and polar bear dipping to raise funds for the charitable organization.

The fourth annual Chillin’ For Charity, organized by the Jeux Du Commerce West team, saw dozens of students – plus staff and faculty – get soaked November 4 while raising approximately $7,500 for a good cause.

Business students also organized the first ever Spinsation for a combination of fun, fitness, and fundraising with a new spin. The event brought together student groups and faculty associations from across campus to participate in a 24-hour spin cycling session October 29-30 at SUB stage in the name of charity and wellness while raising $1,400 for United Way.

COMPETITIVE SPIRITICBC: alberta style

Over 20 teams competed in the Inter-Collegiate Business

Competition Round on September 18. This year, the Marketing team will represent the U of A at ICBC held at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, January 7-9. AICC: THE STARTING POINT

Organizer Sorab Gill presented Lindsay Hornland, Kris Simard, and Melissa Ball with their first place prize at the Alberta Internal Case Competition held November 14. It attracted over 30 student teams with 100 participants honing their business savvy. The trio will represent the School of Business at the John Molson Undergraduate Competition February 21-27, in Montreal.

Bryan Harris, Stephen Reinsch, and Thomson Leung won second place for senior students at AICC while Kurtis Letwin, Theshan Naidoo, and Stephanie Cornforth placed first in the junior division. Both teams represented the U of A in Toronto at the LIVE Conference November 19-20


FIVE YEARS AGO, STARTING AN APPAREL COmPANY WAS

mERELY A ThOUGhT IN ThE

mINdS OF CURRENT BUSINESS

STUdENTS ShAUN BRANdT ANd

CAm SERVICE, mARkETING ANd

FINANCE mAjORS, RESPECTIVELY.

ThESE TWO YOUNG mEN SET OUT TO

PROdUCE CLOThING WITh A CAUSE. IN

2008, hONESTY CLOThING WAS BORN.

profi le B Y C A R LY z A P E R N I C K

MAKING A DIFFERENCE CLOSE TO HOME

The company is more than just t-shirts and sweaters; Shaun and Cam are truly passionate about the products they produce and the causes they support.

“It’s more about the process, than the product,” said Shaun in an interview with Lazy Faire. Their business is based on a model of having “competent people working towards the same ideas and goals, with the good of society in mind.”

They make this model a reality through a single cause-driven line per season that supports initiatives close to their hearts. In the past, the pair teamed up with Axe Music for their “Live for Music” campaign. Inspired by frustration with the lack of funding and emphasis placed on music in

honestly Clothing

Clothing with a Cause:

STUDENT


“IT WAS INCREDIBLE. HE WAS AN AUTISTIC BOY, BUT

ThE LYRICS hE PROdUCEd WERE AmAzING,”

RECALLS ShAUN.

ThE STUdENT ThAT SUBmITTEd ThE WINNING LYRICS WON A FENdER GUITAR. WhO WROTE ThE WINNING LYRICS?

the public school system, the project challenged elementary school students to write song lyrics, about anything, in an attempt to foster an appreciation for music and the role it can play in a child’s education.

With shirts that resembled a blank piece of sheet music, Cam and Shaun set out to inspire the masses. They received over 1,500 entries and had the difficult task of narrowing it down to the top ten lyrics, which were used to make limited edition t-shirts and sweaters.

The student that submitted the winning lyrics won a Fender guitar. Who wrote the winning lyrics? “It was incredible. He was an autistic boy, but the lyrics he produced were amazing,” recalls Shaun.

Honesty Clothing’s involvement didn’t stop at making apparel and donating 50 percent of the proceeds to the cause. Shaun and Cam visited schools and gave presentations on the role music has played in each of their lives.

“It was extremely rewarding. Being able to interact with the kids and see the impact first hand was the best part,” he said. Currently, Honesty Clothing has two cause-based campaigns in the works.

“Technology Owes Ecology an Apology,” an environment-based campaign, will feature a reverse-graffiti initiative encouraging participants to create a design while cleaning the pollution off buildings.The most creative designs will be captured and

featured on the company’s apparel. The second clothing initiative is dedicated to ending slavery and will work to promote the company’s new global initiative in Central America.

GOING GLOBAL

Looking to make an impact beyond the borders of Canada, Honesty Clothing recently purchased land on Nicaragua’s textile belt that will act as the future spot for the Honesty eco house, powered 100 percent by solar energy. The investment was made after both Shaun and Cam got a first-hand look at the unethical labour standards that plague Central America.

“We will never promote or sit back and watch the unethical labour standards in practice. We hope to act as a voice to help end slave labour and promote workers rights.” The eco house will be close to many of the major manufacturers currently used by a number of American clothing companies.

The duo plans to personally visit these manufacturers and press for better human and worker rights, while building positive relationships that can help them develop a plan to implement the improved standards.

The vision for the eco house is that it “will not only be a spot for us to design in peace and be within an hour’s commute of over 100 manufacturers, but to be a place for us to build relationships and our social responsibility.” Construction on the home is expected to start in November 2010.

For more information about Honesty Clothing go to www.honestyclothing.com

honestly Clothing

Clothing with a Cause:


MBA news

ALUMNI & RECRUITMENT

MBA ALUMNI RECEPTION SEPTEMBER 17

More than 200 of our MBA students and alumni gathered at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald on September 17 for a networking reception to welcome the largest incoming MBA class in the School’s history. The great weather allowed the group to spill onto the patio and enjoy the warm fall sunshine.

The Alberta MBA started on a high in September 2009 with the highest ever global ranking, 77, by the Financial Times of London, and the highest ever intake of full-time MBA students, 83, a 51 percent increase in full-time applications, and representation from 18 countries, the highest ever – thanks to a great program, great recruitment, and great referrals from alumni and friends.

The product is well known by those who head up recruitment – MBA Associate Dean Joan White, ’94 PhD, who was joined last year by Bruce Laverty, ’07 MBA, as the Director of Development and Recruitment.

Local recruitment activities continue with information sessions held both on campus and downtown Edmonton in Enterprise Square. Winter sessions include January 13, February 1, February 20, March 4, and March 27 with a session also planned on February 4 in Fort McMurray regarding the National Resources, Energy

and Environment specialized Fort McMurray MBA.

The School, along with most other Canadian MBA schools, as well as some international participation, continues to participate in the Canadian MBA Tour in Toronto and Vancouver and, new this year, in Calgary. All events were very well attended overall and

alumni perspectives were welcomed by many of the prospective students. Kristin Ator (nee Hagel), ’07 MBA, and Adam Zukowski, ’08 MBA, of Stantec helped Bruce staff the booth and answer questions in Calgary while Monika Owczarek, ’08 MBA, a partner with Global Wine Merchants joined Bruce in Vancouver, and Dan Kickham, ’08 MBA, Associate with CIBC Mid-Market Investment Banking, Susan McKay, ’08 MBA, with sports management IMG Canada, and Inanc Inan, ’07 MBA, a Senior Financial Analyst with ADP Canada, were on hand in Toronto.

Several alumni also identified themselves as they visited the booth including Brian Rothwell, ’73 MBA, of Medicine Hat and his daughter who is considering her options. And an alumnus also helped answer questions at the University of Calgary booth – that would be Jim Dewald, ’84 MBA, and Associate Dean, Graduate Programs at the Haskayne School of Business. Bruce also participated on a four-school panel discussing admission requirements and career opportunities.

Joan would also go on to participate in the MBA World Tour in India with Bruce getting the difficult assignment of representing the School in Brazil and Chile for the first time! We wish Heather Christensen, former Executive Director, well as she moves into a new position at the School with Executive Education. Please contact Bruce ([email protected]) if you might be interested in participating in either an information booth or on an alumni panel next year!

Luis Serpa, ’11 MBA candidate, at the MBA orientation, who joined the program this year from Peru.

FORTY-FIVE mBA STUdENTS GAVE

ThEIR hEARTS ANd hANdS TO ThE

COmmUNITY SEPTEmBER 28 dURING

ThE FIRST mBA dAY OF CARING

WhEN ThEY VOLUNTEEREd FOR

hOmELESS CONNECT.


Gregor Allan, ’97 MBA Regional Sales Director, Alcatel-Lucent Canada Inc.

David Asquin, ’09 MBADirector, Planning and Governance, Information Services, EPCOR Utilities Inc. *Nancy Beauchemin, ’94 BComPartner, SVS Group LLP Chartered Accountants

Myron Borys, ’94 MBAVice President and General Manager, Synergy Products

*Melanie Bowbell, ’06 MBA/LLBMiller Boileau Family Law Group

Marion Burnyeat, ’90 MBAVice President, Spectra Energy Transmission

Leslie Campbell, ’95 MBADirector of Employment Services, University of Alberta

Billy Chan, ’05 MBASenior Advisor Workforce Planning (EPCOR)

Richard Dixon, ’00 MBAExecutive Director, Centre for Applied Business Research in Energy

Diane Ewanishan, ’89 MBAInvestment Management and Community Board Member

Russ Farmer, ’04 MBARussell Farmer and Associates Consulting Ltd

*Kelly Gibbon. ’06 MBADirector, Garstad Whittingham Realty Inc.

Chris Grey, ’95 MBAInvestment Advisor and Financial Planner

Wilma Haas, ’82 MBAAssistant Deputy Minister, Learning Supports Education, Government of Alberta

*Larry Harris, ’99 MBADirector, Strategic & Economic Analysis, Edmonton Airports

Robert Huston, ’05 MBAGeologist, Alberta Department of Energy

*Steve Jackson, ’00 MBAExecutive Director of Claims and Recoveries, Alberta Justice

*Monte Koenig, ’09 MBAPartner, Management Consultant, CGI ISMC Inc.

Jay Krushell, ’87 MBA Partner, Witten LLP Barristers and Solicitors

Chris Lavin, ’98 MBAVice President, Sierra Systems Group

*David Leeworthy, ’88 MBAPresident and COO, First Industries Corporation

Darryl Lesiuk, ’07 MBA, ’91 BComEntrepreneur

Calvin Li, ’99 MBAVP, Technology at Castle Rock Research Corp.

*Gary Loblick, ’89 MBAPresident, The Winslow Group

Dianne Lougheed-Keefe, ’94 MBA President, Dianne Lougheed-Keefe Consulting

*Lisa Mansell, ’06 MBASenior Talent Management Specialist, Suncor

*Deb Manz, ’95 MBACEO, Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors

Sharon J Matthias, ’83 MBAMatthias Inc.

John Mitchell, ’78 MBAEntrepreneur

*Andrea Mondor, ’07 MBAPrincipal, Andrea Mondor Management Consulting Ltd.

*Daniel Okrusko, ’09 MBARegional Sales Manager, 3M Canada Company

Rob Parks, ’99 MBASenior Associate, RC Strategies

Wynn Payne, ’68 BComOwner Kwik Kopy Design and Print Centre

Tracey Scarlett, ’02 MBACEO, Alberta Women Entrepreneurs

*Joe SheldrakeVice President, Sales, GE Capital Business Finance

Rod Simpson, ’86 MBA President and Partner, Redstone Management Consulting Ltd.

Bo Stachniak, ’02 MBASenior Consultant Strategic Management, Stantec

Dave Terriff, ’75 MBAPresident, Unisorb Canada Ltd.

Todd Tougas, ’91 MBAArea Manager, Business Development Bank of Canada

*Alex Umnikov, ’00 MBADirector, Commercialization Capacity, Alberta Advanced Education and Technology

*Susan Urra, ’02 MBAOperational Risk Management Engineer, Enbridge

Trevor Vegh, ’04 MBAAssociate, Timber and Infrastructure InvestmentsAlberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo)

Chris Vilcsak, ’97 MBAPresident & CEO, Solution 105 Consulting Ltd.

Keith Walton, ’94 MBASenior Research Analyst, Alberta Investment Management

Chris Williams, ’04 MBAManager, Financial Planning and Analysis, ATB Financial

*Kristina Williams, ’05 MBADirector of Investments, Alberta Enterprise Corporation and Consultant for Sweden

Larry Yakiwczuk, ’99 MBALarry Yakiwczuk Enterprises

*John Yamamoto, ’86 MBAVice President and Investment Advisor, RBC Dominion Securities

Carlee Yukes, ’07 MBAConsulting Manager, Sierra Systems

Mentors Andrea Mondor, ’07 MBA; Wynn Payne, ’68 BCom; and Myron Borys, ’94 MBA at the Mentor information session held at the School on November 26.

THANK YOU TO OUR MBA MENTORS

* New Mentors

the Business Alumni Association is still recruiting mentors for our 2010 MBA Mentorship program. if you are interested in getting involved, please contact Jami Drake at (780) 492-1192 or [email protected].

“WE HOPE THAT THE DAY OF CARING, WhICh WAS

SUCh A GREAT BONdING ExPERIENCE,

CONTINUES AS AN ANNUAL EVENT” SAYS

kATRINA BONNYCASTLE, PRESIdENT OF

ThE mBA ASSOCIATION.


PHD

DELOITTE & TOUCHE POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPSamantha Fairclough

Understanding the complex structures of transnational organizations, such as the largest accounting firms, is a daunting yet intellectually exciting prospect. But with a generous gift from Deloitte & Touche LLP, and one of its Canadian Managing Partners and School of Business alumnus, Mark Robinson, ’79 BCom, CA, the School hopes to learn how such firms coordinate their worldwide multi-dimensional structures and processes.

The gift takes the form of a postdoctoral fellowship, which has been awarded to Samantha Fairclough whose

doctoral research at the University of Oxford examined the United Kingdom’s ‘magic circle’ law firms.

The project, another collaboration between the School of Business and the newly-named Novak Druce Centre for Professional Service Firms at the University of Oxford, will involve Professors Royston Greenwood and Tim Morris.

Samantha is naturally delighted with this new research opportunity and grateful to Mark and Deloitte for making it possible. “This project is a fantastic opportunity for me to build upon my own experience of, and interest in, professional service firms. Given that the largest accounting and law firms are amongst today’s most successful yet complex organizations, I am excited by the prospect of exploring how they are able to organize their teams and management systems across international borders.”

news

BOB HININGS’ FESTSCHRIFT

Forty-five people attended Bob Hinings’ Festschrift - a volume of writings by different authors presented as a tribute or memorial especially to a scholar - on October 1 and 2. The majority of the attendees were PhD students who had Bob as a supervisor, advisor, or committee member during their studies here. Tom

Lawrence, ’93 PhD, Simon Fraser University, and Nelson Phillips, ’95 PhD, Imperial College of London, were the organizers of the event, contacting dozens of Bob’s former students and conducting interviews with those unable to attend.

Thursday night was a reception at the Varscona where all was revealed to Bob (he was told he was to speak to some of the new PhD students about research).

Friday was a day full of presentations by former students explaining how Bob had influenced their own research. There was also a video of David Hickson and Derek Pugh, the other ‘pioneers of leading edge research’ who worked with Bob at what is now Aston University. They are both in their late 70s and unable to travel such distances anymore. Aboy Ojha travelled from India to attend Bob’s celebration.

Friday night a dinner at Murrieta’s honoured Bob with glowing toasts from Steve Barley, Stanford University; Christine Oliver, York University, and Greg Berry, ’96 PhD, Providence College, and his wife Karen Whalen-Berry (the only two of Bob’s PhD students to marry). Christine’s was more of a ‘rap,’ but it was just fantastic!

Michelle MacLean, School of Business research Coordinator

Bob Hinings and Michelle MacLean

Nelson Phillips, ’95 PhD, & Tom Lawrence, ’93 PhD


FINAL ORAL EXAMSOdette Pinto, ’09 PhD, of Edmonton, Alberta,

successfully defended her thesis titled: “Advice and Complexity in Tax Planning Judgments” on November 17. Her supervisor was Professor Mike Gibbins.

Brad Pomeroy, ’09 PhD, of Champaign, Illinois, successfully defended his thesis on June 8. His supervisor was Professor Mike Gibbins. Brad joined the University of Illinois as Assistant Professor of Accountancy.

Leo Wong, ’09 PhD, of Edmonton, Alberta, successfully defended his thesis on December 4. His thesis was titled: “Understanding Donor Response to Donation Appeals: The Role of Deservingness in the Dictator Game and Optimum Donation Promises in Charity Auctions.”

OTHER NEWS

Shelley Lukasewich, Business PhD student (Accounting), of Edmonton, Alberta, received the $10,000 CGA Scholar Award, sponsored by the Certified General Accountants Association of Saskatchewan, at the University of Regina.

Christian Schmid, Business PhD student (Marketing), of Edmonton, Alberta, passed his candidacy exam on October 19. His co-supervisors were Professors Gerald Häubl and Jennifer Argo.

Cagri Topal, Business PhD student (Organizational Analysis), of Edmonton, Alberta, and wife Figen gave birth to a daughter Asya on September 22.

The Business Research Conference supporting research being conducted by our Business PhD students held on October 16 was a great success. Congratulations to Keri Kettle (Marketing) for the Best Presentation Award and to Lu Zhang (Finance) for the Best Poster Award.

Aboy Ojha, ’93 PhD, Ban-galore York University; John Amis, University of Memphis

Karen Whalen-Berry, Providence College; Greg Berry, ’96 PhD, Utah Valley State College

Christine Oliver, York Univer-sity; Michael Mauws, ’97 PhD, Athabasca University; Alex Kondra, ’95 PhD, Athabasca University

Bob Hinings joined the School of Business in 1983 from the University of Birmingham and was, and still is, one of the School’s most prolific researchers, publishing over eight books and more than 100 papers. His career has included numerous significant accomplishments as an author, editor, reviewer, as well as both local and international named professorships. Honourary memberships are also many including the European Group for Organizational Studies where it was eloquently said by Mitchell Koza, long-time professor at INSEAD:

“In addition to the significant academic accomplishments, Bob is a scholar and teacher in the oldest and best sense of those words. In talking to many senior and more junior members of the profession, I was struck with the unanimity of opinion from those he has worked with closely. Bob is always described in glowing terms. Some quotes: ‘always carries and exceeds his contribution’; ‘always sensitive to citation and giving credit where due’; ‘willing, indeed eager, to work collectively as a team’; ‘careful to attribute good ideas to others (even when he has had a major influence)’ - a gentleman of the old school. I can think of no greater accolades for a scholar. He sets a standard for us all.”

And adds U of A Business Professor Trish Reay, ’00 PhD, “Being a student of Bob’s, such an engaging and caring man, turns into a life-long mentor and friend.”

In studying organizational change, Bob, in turn, changed a profession, an organization, and many individual lives for the better.

Dev Jennings, Professor, University of Alberta School of Business; Steve Barley, Stanford University

B Y K I R S T E N L I N D Q U I S T

1 ALBERTA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS • FALL/WINTER 2009 ALBERTA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS • FALL/WINTER 2009 1

t imePAGES IN

“Pages in Time” is dedicated to sharing the history of the

School of Business and is named in honour of Robert

Page, one of our first three graduates.

Kirsten Lindquist, ’08 BCom, of Elk Point, Alberta, is the Strategic Planner for McRobbie Optamedia, a full service strategy and creative agency established in Edmonton.

She has been the project manager for ensuring the design, content and technical layout of the Alberta School of Business history section is up and running for early 2010. �is project not only gives an innovative and in-depth review of the popular A Chronicle of Commerce: A History of the School of Business at the University of Alberta

written by Professor Emeritus Bill Preshing, but will give the book a strong online web presence.

Kirsten, while completing her major in Marketing, was also a volunteer researcher assisting Dr. Preshing with the review and assembly of the Alberta School of Business student clubs history from the past decades.

For copies of the book, please call Jacqueline Kokic and ask for the special alumni rate: 780.492.6705.

Class Note

About This Project As we approach 100 years, the University of Alberta School of Business’ history is rich in stories. Please share yours with us. �e goal of expanding what was done for A Chronicle of Commerce: A History of the School of Business, written by Dr. Bill Preshing, Professor Emeritus, and published to coincide with the University’s Centenary in 2008, will hopefully be achieved by encouraging graduates and friends to visit the website version of the book to not only comment on the rich history of the School of Business, but also contribute stories and help identify past alumni in images to create a strong, uni�ed online alumni community.

Please remember that this is a work in progress and it’s based on written documents. We encourage you to share your memories – “the unwritten history” if you will. �e site will be available in early 2010 at www.chronicleofcommerce.com. For copies of the book, please call Jacqueline Kokic and ask for the special alumni rate: 780.492.6705.

We are proud of this project, as we are the only business school we are aware of that has documented its lengthy history in print and online.

About McRobbie OptamediaA portion of this project has been sponsored by McRobbie Optamedia.

McRobbie Optamedia’s history began 17 years ago with the founding of McRobbie Design Group by Kenneth McRobbie. Optamedia was founded in 2001 by Chris Bolivar and has become one of Alberta’s fastest growing advertising and marketing communications strategy agencies.

In 2009, McRobbie and Optamedia merged to create a full-service creative agency that has demonstrated business success and the ability to provide added value to clients.


t imePAGES IN

“Pages in time” is dedicated to sharing the history of the

school of business and is named in honour of robert


1 ALBERTA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS • FALL/WINTER 2009 ALBERTA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS • FALL/WINTER 2009 1

t imePAGES IN

“Pages in Time” is dedicated to sharing the history of the

School of Business and is named in honour of Robert


Kirsten Lindquist, ’08 BCom, of Elk Point, Alberta, is the Strategic Planner for McRobbie Optamedia, a full service strategy and creative agency established in Edmonton.

She has been the project manager for ensuring the design, content and technical layout of the Alberta School of Business history section is up and running for early 2010. �is project not only gives an innovative and in-depth review of the popular A Chronicle of Commerce: A History of the School of Business at the University of Alberta

written by Professor Emeritus Bill Preshing, but will give the book a strong online web presence.

Kirsten, while completing her major in Marketing, was also a volunteer researcher assisting Dr. Preshing with the review and assembly of the Alberta School of Business student clubs history from the past decades.

For copies of the book, please call Jacqueline Kokic and ask for the special alumni rate: 780.492.6705.

Class Note

About This Project As we approach 100 years, the University of Alberta School of Business’ history is rich in stories. Please share yours with us. �e goal of expanding what was done for A Chronicle of Commerce: A History of the School of Business, written by Dr. Bill Preshing, Professor Emeritus, and published to coincide with the University’s Centenary in 2008, will hopefully be achieved by encouraging graduates and friends to visit the website version of the book to not only comment on the rich history of the School of Business, but also contribute stories and help identify past alumni in images to create a strong, uni�ed online alumni community.

Please remember that this is a work in progress and it’s based on written documents. We encourage you to share your memories – “the unwritten history” if you will. �e site will be available in early 2010 at www.chronicleofcommerce.com. For copies of the book, please call Jacqueline Kokic and ask for the special alumni rate: 780.492.6705.

We are proud of this project, as we are the only business school we are aware of that has documented its lengthy history in print and online.

About McRobbie OptamediaA portion of this project has been sponsored by McRobbie Optamedia.

McRobbie Optamedia’s history began 17 years ago with the founding of McRobbie Design Group by Kenneth McRobbie. Optamedia was founded in 2001 by Chris Bolivar and has become one of Alberta’s fastest growing advertising and marketing communications strategy agencies.

In 2009, McRobbie and Optamedia merged to create a full-service creative agency that has demonstrated business success and the ability to provide added value to clients.



’60s’63 Lorne Braithwaite, BCom, returned home

to his alma mater to share some of his stories of and

experiences in the development business over the

past 45 years with our students, alumni, and friends

in the business community. During a CMA Beyond

the Boardroom Dinner, he tackled the question of

‘Building the Edmonton Downtown Arena’ based on his

own experiences in urban development in downtown

Toronto and other major centres and fielded a variety

of questions from some 30 dinner participants. The

following afternoon, he captivated the attention of a

room full of MBA students, faculty, alumni, and a few

undergrad students at the CGA/MBA Dean’s Forum with

his tale of progression in the real estate development

industry and lessons (hard and not quite as hard)

learned along the way. In April 2009, Lorne accepted the

role of CEO of the new Build Toronto real estate venture,

which will engage private- and public-sector partners in

the development of under-utilized City of Toronto

real estate.

’64 John Ferguson, BCom, of Edmonton,

Alberta, has been named Chairman of the Board of

Directors of the recently-merged company of Suncor

Energy and Petro-Canada. John was the guest

speaker at the Business Alumni Association Dinner

on November 17 that was held at the Crowne Plaza,

Château Lacombe in Edmonton. His topic title was

“Canada’s Biggest Deal.” John is a Chancellor Emeritus

of the U of A.

’64 Dan Ondrack, BCom, of Toronto,

Ontario, is the

Academic Director,

Executive Programs

and Professor of

Organizational

Behaviour at the Rotman School of Management,

University of Toronto. His main research focus is the

relationship between corporate strategy, management

of mergers, human resources strategy and international

human resources management. A current research

project is a comparative study of human resources

management in Canada and in a variety of countries in

Asia and Europe.

’70s’72 Greg Martin, MBA, of Calgary,

Alberta, is President of

Brine-Add Fluids which

recently celebrated 25

years of business in

Calgary. “Greg now

owns buildings and a total of four hectares of land in

Eastfield Business Park and runs a very successful

manufacturing company that doesn’t have a salesman

on staff or even a company brochure” according to a

feature story in the Calgary Herald October 29.

’73 Albrecht Hallbauer, MBA, of Viernheim,

Germany writes: “Dear Dean Percy: In 2006 my wife

Uschi and I had the great pleasure to participate in

celebrating 50 years Alberta School of Business with

you and last year we enjoyed very much indeed the

privilege being part of the very well orchestrated event

“100 Years UofA” providing us with the opportunity to

meet some old friends after some very long years at

the 1973 MBA Class Reunion set up by Brian Hesje and

Yusuf Karbani in a very stylish way. Events of which

we have very fond memories reminding the two of us

also of the good times we had way back in 1972/1973 at

the UofA. As it is Homecoming Season again with the

“Alberta School of Business Dean’s Brunch and Open

House” today (October 3) in which we would have

loved to participate we would like to send you all our

best wishes that this day will be full of good memories

for the already a bit more advanced generations and

will provide the young “shooting stars” with some

good ideas for their careers being ahead of them. May

they be good ambassadors of the Alberta School of

Business. All the best for you and the Alberta School

of Business.”

’73 Brian Hesje, MBA, of Edmonton, Alberta, was

appointed to the Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions board

in November.

’74 Wayne Lovatt, MBA, of Edmonton, Alberta,

was mysteriously missing from the list of Commerce

graduates who are on the Off-Ice Officials crew for

the Edmonton Oilers in the last issue (our apologies,

Wayne!). Wayne runs the law practice Lovatt LLP in

Edmonton and when he’s not golfing down in Phoenix,

he’s ensuring that the television and commercial crews

are all operating in sync during the Oilers home games.

’74 Rick Radulski, BCom, of Calgary, Alberta,

is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ancala

Resource, a natural gas company start-up. Rick was an

“Executive in Residence” at the University of Alberta

School of Business. He spoke to a group of MBA

students at a CGA MBA forum on October 15.

CLASSnotesin memor iam

James Allan Johnson, ’43 BCom, of Vancouver, British Columbia

Evan Maurice Wolfe, ’46 BCom, of Vancouver, British Columbia

Harold Park, ’48 BCom, of Kelowna, British Columbia

Francis Edward Haughian, ’48 BCom, of Ottawa, Ontario

Walter Ronald Ross, ’54 BCom, of Calgary, Alberta

Richard Young Charlton, ’71 BCom, of Edmonton, Alberta

William Harvey Walker, ’72 BCom, of Edmonton, Alberta

Thomas Christopher L. McDonald, ’93, BCom, of Edmonton, Alberta

The school of Business is saddened by the passing of these alumni:

’74 James Ralston, BCom, of Ottawa, Ontario,

was appointed Comptroller General of Canada. Prior

to taking this position, James was the Chief Financial

Officer and Assistant Commissioner of the Canada

Revenue Agency since 2003.

’77 Wendy Hassen, BCom, of Sherwood Park,

Alberta is the Principal at Wendy Hassen Facilitation.

She is a trained and energetic facilitator providing

facilitation, mediation and committee project support

services to private and public sector clients.

’77 Cathy Roozen, BCom, of Edmonton,

Alberta, is receiving a Doctor of Laws Honourary

degree in November.

’77 Jim Prentice, BCom, of Calgary,

Alberta, as Canada’s

Honourable Minister of

the Environment, lead

the Canadian delegation

at the COP15 United

Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen

December 7 – 18.

’78 Katherine Tsang, BCom, of

Shanghai, China, was

appointed Chairperson

of Standard Chartered

Bank’s Greater China

operations in August.

She has served as the bank’s Chief Executive Officer for

China’s mainland since January 2005. Katherine will

play an important leadership role in delivering the bank’s

strategy for the region.

’79 Janice Rennie, BCom, of Edmonton,

Alberta, has been named to the board of the new

Capital Power Corporation. Capital Power is a growth-

oriented North American independent power producer

that was formed when EPCOR Utilities spun-off its

power generation business.

’79 Ralph Young, MBA, of Edmonton, Alberta,

was nominated for a volunteer fundraiser award at the

National Philanthropy Luncheon on November 12 in

Edmonton. Ralph is a member of the Business Advisory

Council at the Alberta School of Business.

’80s’80 Peter Bowal, BCom, of Calgary, Alberta, a

former University of Calgary law professor, was recently

appointed to the Immigration and Refugee Board of

Canada for a three-year term in the Calgary office.

’80 John Colbert, MBA, of Edmonton, Alberta,

took part in the Chancellor’s Cup Golf Tournament on

June 22. John’s daughter Elyse Colbert,’08 BCom, is also

a School of Business graduate.

’80 Brian Ferguson, BCom, of Calgary, Alberta

received multiple media mentions as he took over the

helm of Cenovus, EnCana’s oil sands and refining spinoff

that officially began operating December 1. Calgary

Herald – November 28: “CEO Brian Ferguson isn’t your

typical oilman. With his accounting background and a

commerce degree, he often stood out from EnCana’s

other senior executives, as a bean counter among

engineers and geologists. His oilpatch credentials

are impeccable.”

’80 G. Keith Henning, BCom, of New York,

New York, is an Assistant Professor in the Department

of Management at the Adelphi University School

of Business. Keith is a certified human resources

professional and has worked as an executive recruiter,

organizational consultant, and human resources

consultant. He has taught at the University of Calgary

and the University of Lethbridge.

’80 Robert Seidel, BCom, of Edmonton, Alberta,

was appointed as Chair of the Alberta Innovates Health

Solutions board in November.

’80 Tim Wiles, BCom, of Edmonton, formerly

Deputy Minister of Alberta Seniors and Community

Support, was appointed Deputy Minister of Alberta

Finance and Enterprise on July 8.

’81 Paul McCuaig, MBA, of Oakville, Ontario is

currently the Regional Manager of Powerex Corp. in

Toronto. Powerex is a wholly-owned power marketing

and trading subsidy of BC Hydro, Canada’s third largest

electric utility.

’81 Brian Vaasjo, MBA, of Edmonton, Alberta,

is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Capital

Power Corporation. Brian will be the guest speaker

at the January 15 Eric Geddes Breakfast Lecture in

Edmonton at the Royal Glenora Club.

’82 Suzanne Bizon, BCom, Gabriola Island,

British Columbia, writes to say: “Four years after

graduating from the U of A, I obtained my law degree

from UBC and practiced as a litigator in Vancouver for

18 years. I have now returned to the business world as

the owner and operator of Pilot Bay Guest House on

Gabriola Island, British Columbia (close to Nanaimo).

I’ve already had some great U of A grads as guests and

would love to see more of you.” You can reach Suzanne

at 250-247-7867 or www.PilotBayGuestHouse.com.

’82 Terry Freeman, BCom, of Edmonton,

Alberta, Managing Director for Northern Plains Capital

participated in the 2nd Annual Energy Services Summit

as a panelist. Terry recently accepted an appointment

to McCoy Corporation’s Board of Directors.

’82 Maxwell Girvan, BCom, of Calgary,

Alberta, was recently elected a Director of the Calgary

Board of Education Staff Association.

’82 Ann Wilson, MBA, Kingston, Ontario,

recently graduated with an MA, Psychology from

Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado with hopes to

meld her counseling skills with her previous corporate

experience.

’83 James Mayer, BCom, of Camrose, Alberta,

was one of the distinguished alumni inducted to the

Camrose Composite High School’s (CCHS) wall of fame

for making outstanding contributions to society and



achieving excellence, at a ceremony on November 20.

The inductees each addressed CCHS students with

words of advice and wisdom. James told the students

in attendance, “My message today is simple: education,

education, education.... Wherever your path in life takes

you or wherever you call home do not forget about

community.” He returned to Camrose after graduating

from the University of Alberta to join the family business,

Central Agencies.

’83 Brenda Leong, BCom, of Vancouver, British

Columbia, was appointed by the provincial government

as Chair and CEO of the British Columbia Securities

Commission (BCSC) in October. Prior to this undertaking,

Brenda was the Chief Operating and Chief Enforcement

Officer of the BCSC.

’84 Vincent Chahley, BCom, of Calgary,

Alberta, was appointed as Managing Director of

Corporate Finance at FirstEnergy Capital Corp. in May.

’84 Altaf (Al) Jina, BCom, of Vancouver,

British Columbia, has been reappointed to the Board of

Continuing Legal Education Society and to the Board

of Health Employers Association of British Columbia.

Al is the President of Park Place Seniors Living Inc.

which operates seniors care and residential facilities in

Alberta and British Columbia.

’84 Jim Pratt, BCom, of Langley, British

Columbia, is the Chief Executive Officer of Sepp’s

Gourmet Foods Ltd., a manufacturer of private label

frozen breakfast products. With three plants in North

America (Vancouver, Toronto, Oklahoma), Sepp’s

supplies waffles, pancakes, and French toast to

retailers such as Sobey’s and Safeway. Jim spoke to

a group of MBA students at the CGA MBA Forum that

took place at the School on October 22.

’85 Judith Athaide, MBA, of Calgary, Alberta,

was appointed to the Board of Directors of CIMARRON

Engineering Ltd, an employee owned engineering firm

specializing in the development, design, installation and

integrity maintenance of oil and gas pipeline systems

and station facilities.

’85 Joe-Anne Priel, BCom, of

Hamilton, Ontario, is the

General Manager,

Community Services for

the City of Hamilton. As

a city manager, she

oversees issues such as Ontario Works, affordable

housing, recreation centres and long-care facilities. She

led the effort to marshal resources for tackling poverty,

with the creation of the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty

Reduction. Joe-Anne received the YWCA Women of

Distinction Award for her work in reducing poverty and

homelessness. The awards ceremony was held at the

Hamilton Convention Centre on May 5.

’86 Ernie Zelinski, MBA, of Edmonton,

Alberta has just released

Career Success without

a Real Job. Ernie is the

author of the

international best-sellers

How to Retire Happy,

Wild, and Free, with over

100,000 copies sold and

published in seven

foreign languages, and The Joy of Not Working, with

over 225,000 copies sold and published in 17 languages.

To download a free e-book visit: www. retirement-cafe.

com; www.love-a-recession.com.

’86 Greg Gazin, BCom, of Edmonton, Alberta,

is a tech columnist, small business and technology

speaker, and avid blogger and podcaster. He received

the Toastmasters International Presidential Citation

on August 14 in recognition of his outstanding

achievements in representing the goals and ideals of

Toastmasters International. Referred to as the “Gadget

Guy,” he has penned more than 1,000 articles for Sun

Media, Canoe.ca, Edmontonians, and others and has

appeared on numerous radio and TV programs.

CLASSnotesDIALOGUE AND DISCUSSIONERIC GEDDES LECTURE SERIESFOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

’88 Richard Damecour, MBA, of Aurora, Ontario, was the guest speaker at the November 13 Eric Geddes Breakfast

Lecture in Edmonton at the Royal Glenora Club. He spoke on the topic of “Producing Energy as if People Mattered!” Richard is the CEO of FVB Energy Inc.

Edmonton – Royal Glenora Club

november 13 – richard Damecour, ’88 MBA, CEO, FVB Energy, Toronto

Topic: “Producing Energy as if People Mattered”

January 15 - Brian Vaasjo, ’81 MBA, President and CEO, Capital Power

Topic: “Capital Power The Next Chapter: Blazing a Trail”

February 10 - Anne Smith, President and CEO, United Way

Topic: “Answering the Call - Rationalize, Renew, Reward”

Calgary – Calgary Chamber of Commerce

april (tbc) - Pat Kiernan, ’90 BCom, Anchor, NY1, New York

may 18 - ivor ruste, ’77 BCom, Executive Vice President and CFO, Cenovus Energy

June (tbc) - Guy turcotte, ’76 MBA, Chairman, President and CEO, Stone Creek Resorts

Toronto

January 19 - Court Carruthers, ’93 BCom, President, Grainger International,Toronto Marriott Airport Hotel

april 15 - Mark Maybank, ’93 BCom, President and COO, Cannacord Capital Royal York

To register please visit www.business.ualberta.ca. For further information please contact [email protected]

’86 Cynthia L. Hansen, BCom, of Edmonton,

Alberta, is currently the Vice President Finance for

Enbridge Pipelines.

’86 Heather King, BCom, of Vancouver, British

Columbia, was appointed Vice President of Finance at

Jinshan Gold Mines in November. Heather began as a

consultant with Jinshan in January 2009.

’86 Cam McDougall, BCom, of Toronto,

Ontario, was promoted to the position of Senior Vice

President, Credit and Market Risk Management.

Since joining Manulife in 2006, he has significantly

strengthened the Credit Risk Oversight function and has

recently assumed responsibility for the Reinsurance

Credit and Market and Model Risk Oversight functions.

Cam will also assume the role of Chief Credit Officer for

Manulife Financial.

’86 Rodney Simpson, MBA, of Edmonton,

Alberta, was appointed as Business Advisor at

Meyers Norris Penny following the merger of MNP

with Redstone Management Consulting Ltd. Rod was

previously the Managing Partner of Redstone.

’87 Linda Banister, MPM, ’83 BCom, of

Edmonton, Alberta, is the President and owner of

Banister Research & Consulting Inc. Linda held an all-

day survey research workshop titled “Survey Research:

A Practical Workshop for Planning and Managing

Surveys” at the Canadian Evaluation Society Alberta

Chapter in the summer.

’87 Margaret Samuel, MBA, of Toronto,

Ontario is President, CEO, and Portfolio Manager for

Enriched Investing Incorporated.

’87 Megan Watson, BCom, of Reading,

United Kingdom, and partner Wayne Lui, ’84 BSc, have

just moved back to England after spending six years

working for BG Group in Egypt and, most

recently, Kazakhstan.

’88 Jay Mehr, BCom, of Edmonton, Alberta, was

appointed Group Vice President, Operations of Shaw

Communications Inc.

’90s’90 Dave Bodnarchuk, BCom, of Edmonton,

Alberta, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of

eventIQ Inc., an event software and services company.

Dave saw an opportunity to provide not-for-profits

with a reasonably-priced, easy-to-use product that

would help them streamline their event planning, from

issuing invitations, to tracking RSVPs, to doing online

registrations. When alumni attend School of Business

events chances are high they are registering via

Dave’s system.

’90 Lisa Davis, BCom, of Calgary, Alberta, is

Partner at FentonLea Capital Corporation an equity

investor in real estate projects. Lisa is also involved

with the Calgary Childrens Centre. The centre offers

both high quality educational and recreational programs

for children.

’90 Ray Iler, BCom, of San Francisco, California,

recently joined the hedge fund team of Deloitte’s Asset

Management Services practice. Prior to joining Deloitte,

he served as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate

Secretary for Quandris Canada, an oil and gas

technology company.

’90 Wayne Wright, BCom, of

Blackfoot, Alberta,

participated in the

“Shave Your Lid for a

Kid” for Kids Cancer

Care Foundation of

Alberta. On September 4, Wayne’s head was shaved,

with a little help from his friends at the Worlds

Professional Chuckwagon Association Races in Edmonton.

Wayne raised $7500 and plus for this great cause!

’91 Bill Addington, MBA, of Edmonton, Alberta,

Executive Vice President for Canadian Western Bank,

participated in the 2nd Annual Energy Services Summit

in July. Bill was a panelist on the topic “Access to

Capital,” during an active Q & A from the audience on

practical and strategic methods for raising money and

accessing investor funds in challenging markets.

’92 Monica Norminton, MBA of Edmonton,

Alberta, is the Chief Executive Officer and President of

the Alberta Pensions Administration Corporation (APA).

She was recently appointed to the City of Edmonton

Audit Committee. At APA, Monica oversees operations

and service delivery for the employers, plan governors

and members of Alberta’s public sector pension plans,

with transactions of approximately $3 billion annually.

Prior to joining APA, Monica was an Assistant Deputy

Minister with Alberta Environment. She also worked

for the Office of the Auditor General of Alberta as Chief

Administrative Officer.

’93 Graham Colwell, BCom, joined the

University of Alberta as Consultant, Compensation and

Design, Human Resource Consulting Services, in July of

this year from ISL Engineering.

’94 Kevin Smith, BCom, of Calgary, Alberta,

was appointed as the Managing Director of Corporate

Finance at Paradigm Capital Inc in October.

’95 Eric Axford, MBA, of Fort McMurray,

Alberta, was appointed Senior Vice President,

Operations Support of Suncor Oil Sands. His role

is to drive operational excellence and responsible

operations across Suncor’s integrated businesses,

with responsibility for the company’s environment,

health and safety and sustainable development

functions, as well as corporate centres of excellence

for maintenance and reliability, technical services

and standards, business and process improvement,

manufacturing and operations analysis and workplace

learning and competency. Eric is an active supporter

of the United Way and is a past chair of Suncor’s

Calgary campaign. He has served as a board member

on the Northern Lights Health Region and is active

volunteering for various charitable initiatives in

the community.

’95 Lesley Campbell, MBA, of Edmonton,

Alberta, is joining the Provost’s Office at the University

of Alberta in the role of Director, Faculty Relations.

Lesley is also a mentor for the MBA Mentorship

program at the School of Business.



’95 Barbara Engelbart, BCom, of Edmonton,

Alberta, is the Director of Marketing for Goodwill

Industries of Alberta. Barbara is involved with the

Advertising Club of Edmonton - Advertising Creative

Excellence (ACE) Awards. The annual ACE Awards

recognize the best advertising and design work created

by in-market agencies, design houses, freelancers,

clients, media and suppliers.

’95 Mike Lake, BCom, of Edmonton,

Alberta, Member of

Parliament for

Edmonton-Mill

Woods-Beaumont and

Parliamentary

Secretary to the Minister of Industry, spent an afternoon

on the North Campus this August to see how the

University of Alberta has grown. He revisited his alma

mater participating in a tour, visiting world class labs

and received several briefings about the institution’s

various initiatives, including a roundtable on the School

of Energy and Environment led by Dr. Joseph Doucet of

the School of Business.

’95 Sean Price, BCom, of St. Albert,

Alberta, took a position

as Associate Vice

President (Alumni

Affairs) and Executive

Director, Alumni

Association, at the University of Alberta. Prior to

returning to his alma matter, Sean served the Edmonton

Oilers in several leadership positions, including, most

recently, as Vice President (Family Brands) and, in that

capacity, was responsible for the highly successful

launch of the new Edmonton Capitals baseball team

. ’95 Craig Senyk, BCom, of Calgary,

Alberta, writes: “Here

are our new arrivals

Chase Dillon and Claire

Danielle born on May

21. They join our

3-year-old Carter. I think we are now done adding to the

world’s population; we don’t want to have any TV reality

shows following us around!!” Craig attended the annual

Stampede breakfast for business alumni in Calgary on

July 8.

’96 Todd Nash, MBA, of Edmonton, Alberta,

was named Business Advisor at Meyers Norris

Penny following the merger of MNP with Redstone

Management Consulting Ltd. Todd had been a Partner

at Redstone.

’98 Ruth Collins-Nakai, MBA, of Edmonton,

Alberta, is a board member and chair of the Medical

Advisory Committee at Exciton Technologies Inc. and

a member of the International Advisory Committee

at ProCor, a program of the Lown Cardiovascular

Research Foundation. Ruth was honoured by the City

of Edmonton for her community service. The Annual

Salute to Excellence Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

was held on June 9 in Edmonton.

’98 Marshall McAlister, BCom, CFA, of

Edmonton, Alberta, was recently established as the

Principal for Harrow Partners Private Counsel in their

first Edmonton office. The Alberta School of Business

was proud to partner with Marshall and Harrow

Partners in a recent event that brought Dr. Meir

Statman (globally renowned for his work in Behavioural

Finance) to campus where he spoke to an intimate

crowd at Alumni House. Marshall, his wife Jenny, and

son Grayden are also proud to announce the recent

arrival of Harris Benoit on April 25, 2009.

’98 Darcie Roach, BCom, of Edmonton, Alberta,

was recently named Nominating Chair of the Board of

Directors of the Edmonton YMCA.

’99 Sean Crockett, MBA, ’94 BCom, of Tokyo,

Japan was instrumental

in organizing related

events in July for Dean

Mike Percy’s visit. Sean

is the Managing Director of the Government of Alberta’s

Japan Office. Dean Michael Percy travelled to Japan to

meet with various University clients, stakeholders and

alumni to identify potential collaboration and exchange

partners for the University of Alberta. In addition to

meeting with Japanese universities, Dean Percy and

the Government of Canada, Alberta - Japan Office

organized an alumni dinner attended by 15 alumni

and clients.

’99 Steven Visscher, BCom, of Calgary,

Alberta, is a Canadian Investment Manager and

Chartered Financial Analyst. Steven provided

investment advice to students and young alumni. The

Investment 101 seminar took place at the U of A Calgary

Centre on November 19.

’00s’00 Pamela Freeman, MBA, of Edmonton,

Alberta, accepted the position of interim CEO with TEC

Edmonton as of September 2009.

’00 James Montgomery, BCom, of Uppsala,

Sweden, attended the School’s September Alumni

Welcoming Reception while home for a holiday. James

is the Logistics Controller for Fresenius Kabi AB, Market

Company Sweden.

’00 Joel Tennison, BCom and ’99 Melissa Moulton, BCom, of Calgary, Alberta, welcomed

their daughter, Sloane Olivia (8 lbs. and 50 cm long), on

August 3, 2009. “All is well as all are happy

and healthy!”

’00 Steve Lusk, BCom, of Austin, Texas, is the

Director of Global Planning for National Instruments

(NI), a maker of process control devices and a

consistent top finisher in the 100 best companies to

work for in the US. His employers told him they were

most impressed by his experiences gained in the U of

A’s Business Co-op program and by the overall depth

and breadth of his post-secondary education.

’01 Amanda Babichuk, BCom, of Edmonton, Alberta, opened

CLASSnotes


JOiN facebook u of a business alumni association (baa)

More than 700 membersWould you do us a favour?1) if you haven’t already done so, invite your friends who are

alumni to check out our group. it’s easy. in the upper right of the BAA page there is an “invite people to join” button.

2) Click the “Share +” button and post it to your profile (just three below the invite link)

Fax: 780.492.8748

telephone: 780.492.4083toll-free in Canada & us: 1.877.362.3222

thank you for sharing your news with us, and thank you for mentioning the university of alberta school of business affiliation in your announcements where many of these classnotes are found. thank you also for keeping your contact information up to date in order that you may continue to receive

your business alumni Magazine. we encourage you to stay connected with your alma mater and your classmates!

Network: See inside front cover for upcoming events

email: [email protected]

email for life: Your U of A Alumni Association now offers a full 6GB, Web-based ualberta.net e-mail account. Visit www.ualberta.ca/alumni/emailforlife to find out more.

Mail: external relations Alberta School of Business University of Alberta 4-40 Business Building edmonton, Alberta, Canada t6G 2r6

d’Lish Urban Kitchen, a meal-assembly studio, less than

a year ago. At various stations, clients assemble fresh

local, organic and natural ingredients to create tasty

ready-to-cook, freezer-friendly packaged meals.

Amanda’s innovation won her the 2009 Entrepreneur

of the Year Award at the YWCA’s Women of

Distinction Awards.

’01 Ryan Bowhay, BCom, of Calgary,

Alberta, was appointed Vice President of Corporate

Development at the Crossing Company Inc, Canada’s

leading provider of Horizontal Directional Drilling

Services, in July. Ryan has been with the Crossing

Company since 2003.

’01 Lara Oberg-Stenson, BCom, of

Edmonton, Alberta, was recently promoted to Senior

Manager at BDO Dunwoody LLP where she provides

tax and accounting services to personal and corporate

tax clients.

’01 Catherine Vu, BCom, of Edmonton, Alberta,

is the President of Pro-Active IT Management Inc.

Catherine received the Woman of Influence Award

which honours local women across Canada. The

awards ceremony was held on November 10 at the

Crown Plaza in Edmonton. A Woman of Influence is

defined as an authentic leader, an inspiring role model,

an extraordinary achiever, a catalyst for change, is

engaged in life, and is publicly recognized. Another

honour for Catherine was to be on the finalist list for the

2009 Edmonton Chamber of Commerce Small Business

Owner of the Year Award.

’02 Farah Albert, BCom, of Edmonton, Alberta,

works in a leadership role in the Revenue Requirements

department of ATCO Gas. “ATCO has an excellent

leadership program to encourage people within the

company to acquire the skills needed to progress

upward in their careers,” says Farah. She also takes

her leadership skills outside of the office and into

her volunteer role with Junior Achievement (JA) of

Northern Alberta where she spends time acting as an

advisor for the JA program, which provides opportunity

for young people to better understand how businesses

are developed, organized, managed and operated.

’02 Duane Bentley, BCom, of

Kelowna, British

Columbia, and his wife

Janna celebrated the

one year birthday of

their first daughter, Briar

Rose, on July 14.

’02 Shannadoa Pletcher, MBA, of Spruce

Grove, Alberta, is a Project Manager at Stantec. She

attended the School of Business Brunch and Open

House during Reunion weekend on October 3 after

recently returning from Australia.

keep in touch

New linkedinhttp://tinyurl.com/baa-linkedin

website: www.business.ualberta.ca

38 ALBERTA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS • FALL/WINTER 2009

CLASSnotes’02 Cory Wagner, BCom, of Edmonton,

Alberta, and his wife

Heidi bought the rights

to all four Canadian

locations for The

Melting Pot, a

Miami-based restaurant chain where you cook your

own food at the table. The Melting Pot expects to open

its first non-US location in Edmonton in January 2010.

’02 Von Whiting, MBA, ’96 BCom, of

Edmonton, Alberta, has accepted the position of Senior

Administrative Officer in the Office of the Provost and

Vice-President (Academic) at the U of A. She started

her new position on August 1.

’03 Jen Panteluk, BCom, of Edmonton,

Alberta, has qualified to compete in the World Triathlon

Championships in Budapest, Hungary, in August 2010.

’03 Cary Williams, BCom, of Edmonton, Alberta,

has moved to Edward Jones in January 2009 after

working for almost five years as a Product Manager

with J. Ennis Fabrics. In his free time, Cary is active

in the Edmonton arts community working to create

a local branch of artsScene, a national organization

that brings together young business professionals

interested in growing the arts and creative industries

in their cities. He’s also the Co-chair of the City’s “Next

Gen” Committee, which has teamed up with the U of

A Office of Alumni Affairs to bring Petcha Kucha Night

5 to Edmonton. Explains Cary, “Petcha Kucha nights

were developed in Tokyo in 2003 to allow designers,

architects, and other young creative types to present

their work in a quick, simple, and exciting format.

Edmonton was the first Canadian city west of Toronto to

host a night, and it’s fifth one should be really exciting.”

For more about Petcha Kucha Night 5 visit:

www.edmontonnextgen.ca.

’05 Launa Linaker, MBA, of

Edmonton, Alberta

writes: “If you really

listen, can you hear

what your heart is

whispering? January

2009, my heart kept whispering if not now, when! 2009

was the year I really listened! This came two years after

a tragic personal loss, family gain and growing a

business - which resulted in burn out. It was divine

timing that I heard, that I listened and created ReNEW.

The essence of ReNEW Yoga & Retreats is to create

experiences for people to journey to the sacred space

of their heart so they ultimately live with joy each and

every day. The foundational principles including

mindfulness, intention, breath and affirmations I write

about in my book and are what help me to create each

day. At ReNEW we provide different services to support

the journey including yoga, retreats, lunch seminars and

workshops. Alot of the foundational work in the

seminars is based on my DREAMER coaching process

and years of self study in eastern principles and

philosphy. I am excited to tell that I am writing a book on

deliberately designing your dreams...in fact four of my

interviewees are UofA graduates. ReNEW services

focus on corporate, to support health and wellness at

the office and in the mountains too. The retreats are

built around a common theme of strengthening and

connecting Mind, Body and Spirit - from a corporate

view - we explore concepts for discovering/creating/

recreating the heart of business - I do utilize my MBA

education! Finally I have an amazing group of certified

facilitators who I call upon from alpine guides, outward

bound guides, adventure leaders, yoga, and corporate

coaches. I am also a certififed yoga instructor and soon

certified fitness instructor. ReNEW is hosting a ReNEW

City Retreat at the UofA Alumni House March 6 & 7,

2010. You can find out about upcoming retreats, and our

corporate wellness programs and workshops at www.

renewretreat.com and www.ceoscoach.com

’05 Blaire McCalla, BCom, of Edmonton,

Alberta, was recently promoted to Communications

Consultant in the Office of the Mayor where she is

responsible for media relations, event planning, issue

management, writing, and special projects. She is also

a member of the City’s “Next Gen” Committee and

has worked extensively with “Edzimkulu,” a society

dedicated to enriching the lives of children in South

Africa living with AIDS.

’05 Tim Yewchuk, BCom, of Vancouver, British

Columbia, President and Co-founder of SWS Digital,

was recently featured on CTV National for a quirky

iPhone application that he developed called “Poop

the World.” The new iPhone application uses GPS

technology to literally track its user’s movements. He

also produced an infomercial for a pet shampoo which

he licensed.

’06 Robert Heinrichs, MBA, of Langley, British

Columbia, started his own engineering consulting

company named Guardian Engineering in spring 2009.

’06 Tyrel Brochu, BCom, of Edmonton,

Alberta, writes: “My

wife (Shannon) and I

have been ballroom

dance students at the

Arthur Murray studio for

the past 17 months. What started out as a desire to

learn basic social dance skills quickly grew into an

addictive (and expensive) obsession. At the end of

October, we were part of a 27‐member team from

Edmonton that went to the Superama 2009 dance

competition at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas. This is the

largest dance competition of the year, held by the Arthur

Murray franchise, featuring studios from all over the

world. This year’s event had 11,000 individual dance

entries. Of those entries, Shannon and I had 61, dancing

nine different dance styles: waltz, tango, foxtrot, rumba,

cha cha, swing, salsa, west coast swing and salsa. We

are pleased to report that we took home gold in all of

the dances we performed together and we also

received an award for Top Solo (Newcomer Division)

for our lindy hop. This was particularly rewarding since

our routine was entirely choreographed by Shannon.”

While not dancing Tyrel is a Prospect Research Analyst

for the University of Alberta.

’07 Allan Berg, BCom, of Calgary, Alberta,

joined Cormark Securities Inc. which is a leading

independent investment dealer counseling Canadian

and international institutional investors and Canadian-

listed mid-cap and emerging growth companies from

offices in Toronto, Calgary and Montreal.


’07 Jen Lafferty, BCom, of Edmonton, Alberta,

took a position as an Account Executive with Incite

Solutions Inc, an Edmonton-based marketing firm.

Jen was formerly with the Institute of Chartered

Accountants of Alberta.

’07 Darryl Lesiuk, MBA, ’91 BCom, of

Edmonton, Alberta, was the guest speaker in the MBA

Program International Speaker Series. Darryl spoke

to the MBA students on this fall about what is working

and what is not when doing business in China. His topic

was titled An “In the Trenches” Experience of Doing

Business In and With China. Darryl is also President of

the Business Alumni Association.

’08 Taisa Ballantyne, BCom, of Hong Kong,

China, writes: “I took

time off to do some

missionary work for the

“Youth With A Mission”

program that started in Australia and has brought me to

Chennai, India. I’ll be back in Hong Kong in early

December before heading home for Christmas. I’ve

learned so much about different cultures this year. It’s

been quite incredible!”

’08 Angela Kercher, BCom, of Edmonton,

Alberta, a Research Analyst in the Centre for Excellence

in Operations at the School, walked her first full

marathon on August 16 in six hours and 16 minutes. She

finished 10 overall and first in her age group. She also

finished her first half marathon in Vancouver in May.

’08 Fraser Murray, MBA, of Rome, Italy, writes

to us from Italy: “Right now, I’m helping launch a new

performance management system at the Food and

Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The bulk

of my job is training the staff in the Rome office, but I

also went to Bangkok to deliver training there and will

likely be off to other offices in the New Year.”

’08 Byron Wakeling, BCom, of Edmonton,

Alberta, writes that since graduating from the School of

Business in December 2007 he has been working as a

sales rep with Xerox.

’09 Charlene Butler, MBA, of Edmonton,

Alberta, is following her heart by doing as many things

as she can fit into each day. She incorporated her

consulting company “Butler Business Solutions Ltd.”

in March. Over the summer, she helped The Edmonton

Business Revitalization Zone Council (BRZ) with the

development of their strategic and communications

plans. She had the pleasure of working with Tamara

Korassa, an MBA summer intern at the BRZ Council,

on this very successful project. Earlier in the summer,

she finished up a project that started in January with

Edmonton’s Task Force on Community Safety. This

involved developing a social return on investment

evaluative framework for the recommendations that

were released in the Reach report. In September,

she returned to teaching Risk Management at Grant

MacEwan University to third and fourth-year BCom

students and, in October, she accepted a part-time

position as Manager of the Resource Centre for

Voluntary Organizations. Charlene also has a few new

consulting projects in the pipeline, sits on the advisory

council for GMU’s insurance and risk management

program, and is considering a couple of potential

board appointments.”I had worked for a variety of

large companies in senior roles prior to returning to the

University of Alberta School of Business to complete

my MBA. My goal upon graduation was to have career

independence and the freedom to work on a wide

variety of projects of my choosing. I have realized

that dream and I love it!” Charlene also participated

in the “Homeless for a Night” fundraiser for the Youth

Emergency Shelter Society and individually r

aised $3700.

’09 Brendan O’Connor, BCom,

of Edmonton, Alberta,

writes: “ Over the past

two months I’ve been

working as an

Investment Banking

Analyst for TD Securities in the Global Energy and

Power group. TD has been very busy lately, announcing

a $4.1 billion deal. Despite the long hours (every day this

week I’ve worked until at least 12:30 am) the days go by

fairly quickly. As the most junior guy in the office, most

of my day is spent digging up research, formatting

documents, and updating charts. The stakes are high

and the level of intensity and attention to detail is like

nothing I’ve ever experienced. That being said,

everyone here is very sharp, and can offer a lot of

valuable insight to someone breaking into the world

of finance.”

’09 Nick Keyko, BCom, of Edmonton, Alberta,

and his wife Kacey moved to Australia at the end of

November to explore the country and work there for a

couple of years. Nick had been working as a Business

Development Coordinator at the Edmonton Economic

Development Corporation since before graduating with

his Commerce degree.

’09 Jeff Martens, BCom, of Edmonton,

Alberta, is working with PricewaterhouseCoopers

and is currently working on becoming a Chartered

Accountant. He is training to run the BMO marathon

in Vancouver next spring and got in some practice

this year when he attended the Running of the Bulls in

Pamplona, Spain.

’09 Tyler Shapka, BCom, of Edmonton,

Alberta, helped move

the earth after

graduation by helping

start a landscaping

company and has been

moving around the world since. He left Canada on June

23 and spent four months in Europe before hitting Cairo,

Egypt, in October. After Egypt, he planned on spending

two months in South East Asia before settling down in

Australia where he obtained a work visa, for an

undetermined period of time

’09 Darren Tansowny, MBA, of Ottawa,

Ontario, writes: “After graduation, I moved to

Ottawa with my family and resumed working for the

Department of National Defense, albeit in a new role at

the National Headquarters. My specific organization

is called Director General Land Equipment Program

Management, or “DGLEPM” since that is quite a

mouthful. DGLEPM is responsible for all material

acquisition and support (MA&S) for land equipment for

the Canadian Forces. The specific MA&S activities vary

by capability, but in general DGLEPM is responsible

for design, development, acquisition, and in-service

support for all land equipment and systems. Land

equipment includes everything from a tent to a tank.

A significant portion of our work is ensuring that

the soldiers in Afghanistan have the best possible

equipment support. My specific job entails strategic

and annual business planning, so the MBA goes

exceptionally well with my P.Eng to allow me

to conduct business oriented planning for a

technical organization.”


ONE YEAR outAIDAN cole carruthers: FUTURE GOLDEN BEAR OR PROFESSOR?

AIdAN’S FAThER, COURT CARRUThERS, ’93

BCOm, OF mISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, IS ThE

PRESIdENT ANd ChIEF ExECUTIVE OFFICER

OF GRAINGER INTERNATIONAL, a company that in November was recognized as having one of the most admired corporate cultures in Canada in an annual study by Waterstone Human Capital. It was the first time that an industrial company had been acknowledged in this regard by the study.

“WHAT IS CRITICAL IS TO PERSEVERE. LEARN WHAT YOU CAN, LAUGH AT THE CHALLENGES, AND CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND WHY. SUSTAINED PERSISTENCE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY IS WHAT SEPARATES THE FEW PEOPLE WHO CHANGE THE WORLD, FROM THE MANY PEOPLE WHO ASPIRE TO.” Court Carruthers, ’93 BComBCom Convocation AddressMarch 2008

GOLDEN BEAR?

PROFESSOR?

Dustin Bateyko, ’01 BComCushman & Wakefield Edmonton

Bill Blais, ’98 BComVice President Land DevelopmentMaclab Enterprises

Katrina Bonnycastle President, MBA AssociationAlberta School of Business

Ross Bradford, ’79 LLB, ’85 MBA School of Business Faculty Representative

Aaron Brown, ’97 BComSenior Manager, Portfolio Research Alberta Finance BAA Past President

B A A board of d i rectors

Cheng-Hsin Chang, ’06 MBAFinancial Security AdvisorFreedom 55 Financial

Elke Christianson Assistant Dean, External Relations Alberta School of Business

Jami DrakeManager, Alumni Programs Alberta School of Business

Christopher C. Grey, ’95 MBAInvestment Advisor and Financial Planner RBC Dominion Securities Inc.

Jane Halford, ’94 BComCEO & Executive DirectorInstitute of Chartered Accountants of AlbertaU of A Alumni Council Business Representative

Darryl Lesiuk,’91 BCom, ’07 MBABAA President

Thomson Leung President, Business Students’ AssociationAlberta School of Business

Kristan Morin, ’08 BComStudent Recruitment AdvisorUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Nursing

Michael Richard, ’06 BComInvestment AdvisorCanaccord Capital Corporation

Christoph Wilser, ’06 MBAManagement Consultant

John Whitmore, ’05 BComAssistant Branch ManagerRBC Dominion Securities Inc.

B U S I N E S S adv isory counci l members

Judith Athaide, BCom (Honours),MBA, PEng, ICD.DPresident The Cogent Group IncCalgary, Alberta

Linda Banister, FCMC, CMRP, ICD.D. PresidentBanister Research & Consulting Edmonton, Alberta

Court Carruthers, BCom, MBA, CMA Senior Vice President, W.W. Grainger President, Grainger International Mississauga, Ontario

Marc de La BruyèreManaging DirectorMaclab EnterprisesEdmonton, Alberta

Rosemary DomeckiPresidentDomtex Equities IncDallas, Texas

John Ferguson, FCAChairman, Princeton Ventures LtdChairman, Suncor Energy IncChancellor Emeritus and Chairman Emeritus of the Board of GovernorsUniversity of AlbertaEdmonton, Alberta

Karl H FunkePresidentA.M.I.G. InvestmentsDirectorArcway AGMunich, Germany

Bob GomesPresident and CEOStantec IncEdmonton, Alberta

Brian HeideckerChairBoard of GovernorsUniversity of AlbertaEdmonton, Alberta

Barry James, FCAManaging PartnerPricewaterhouseCoopers LLPEdmonton, Alberta

Kent JespersenChairman and CEOLa Jolla Resources International LtdCalgary, Alberta

Irv Kipnes, PEng, LLB (Honourary)President and CEO Delcon Development Group Ltd. and Executive ChairmanLiquor Stores Income FundEdmonton, Alberta

Phil LachambrePresidentPCML Consulting IncEdmonton, Alberta

Michael LangChairmanStoneBridge Merchant Capital CorpCalgary, Alberta

Ruo Hong LiChairman, China World Peace FoundationVice Chairman, Beijing Association for International Friendly Contact and Beijing Association of EnterprisesBeijing, China

Neil ManningPresident and CEOWajax LtdMississauga, Ontario

Gay Mitchell, ICD.DDeputy ChairmanRBC Wealth ManagementRBC Toronto, Ontario

Amit Monga, PhDExecutive Professor of FinanceUniversity of Alberta School of BusinessEdmonton, Alberta

Randall MorckStephen A Jarislowsky Distinguished Chair in FinanceUniversity of Alberta School of BusinessEdmonton, Alberta

Patricia (Tricia) O’Malley, FCAChairCanadian Accounting Standards Board Toronto, Ontario

Donald J. OborowskyCEOWaiward Steel Fabricators Ltd.Edmonton, Alberta

Mike PercyStanley A Milner Professor and DeanUniversity of Alberta School of BusinessEdmonton, Alberta

Roger PhillipsHonourary DirectorIPSCO Inc.Regina, Saskatchewan

Larry PollockPresident and CEOCanadian Western BankEdmonton, Alberta

Mary Ritchie, FCAPresidentRichford Holdings LtdEdmonton, Alberta

Indira SamarasekeraPresident and Vice ChancellorUniversity of AlbertaEdmonton, Alberta

Robert SandermanPresidentOakwood Commercial VenturesDenver, Colorado

Don SwystunExecutive Vice-President andPresident, Canadian Plains DivisionEnCana CorporationCalgary, Alberta

Joseph ThompsonChairmanPCL Construction Group Inc.Edmonton, Alberta

BAC Chairman:

Guy J TurcotteChairman, President and CEOStone Creek ResortsCalgary, Alberta

Kim WardPresidentInterward Asset ManagementToronto, Ontario

Don Wheaton JrPresidentDon Wheaton LimitedEdmonton, Alberta

Steven WilliamsChief Operating OfficerSuncor Energy IncCalgary, Alberta

Ralph YoungPresident and CEOMelcor Developments LtdEdmonton, Alberta

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40065532 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO

EXTERNAL RELATIONS UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS 4-40 BUSINESS BUILDING EDMONTON, ALBERTA CANADA T6G 2R6

e-mail: [email protected]

is for Alberta: now and Forever

In October 2008, the Alberta School of business launched a $20 million initiative

called the “Preservation of the Name” campaign. Preserving the name might seem contrary to some in

a world where universities are aligning themselves with individual’s names

for an established price. But we believe that the name ALBERTA has

more brand equity than any one person’s name. We have raised 96% of our goal but we need your help. Preservation funds

go towards protecting the name forever while sustaining the

School’s outstanding work in educating leaders of tomorrow.

As alumni, you are a part of Alberta’s reputation, its history,

and its future. Join your classmates in being part of the

Preservation of the Name Campaign by

making a preservation gift to your School –

the Alberta School of Business.

For more information, go online at

www.business.ualberta.ca or call us

at 780-492-9195.

Date post:	26-Mar-2016
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Business Alumni Magazine (Fall90/Winter10)

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