Winner’s Circle |
Alberta Venture salutes those individuals and companies which have been singled out for recognition of their accomplishments. Send your notices of awards or appointments to feedback
On June 15 the Edmonton YWCA presented its Women of Distinction awards to local leaders.
Honourable Lois E. Hole award for lifetime achievement: Muriel Stanley Venne
Advocacy: Diane Burgerson
Arts & Culture: Shelly Switzer
Athletics, recreation & fitness: Jadeene Wheaton
Business management & the professions: Elaine Warick
Community Service: Janice Sutherland
Education: Brenda Willis
Entrepreneurs: Amanda Welliver
Health & medicine: Marliss Taylor
Industry & the trades: Karla Horica
Post-secondary education: Patricia Demers
Science & technology: Meghana Saincher
Youth, 18 and under: Ariel Hendin
Two members of the Alberta biotechnology industry were recognized at the BioteCanada National Biotechnology awards on June 19. Alex McPherson received the “Contribution to Advancing the Benefits of Biotech for Canadians” award and Mbec BioProducts Inc. received the BioteCanada award for a “Promising Early Stage Company.”
The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology bestowed an honourary Bachelor of Applied Technology degree on Arthur Smith, a former Calgary alderman, MLA and three-time member of Parliament. Smith is currently the chair of the University of Calgary Centre for Innovative Technology and the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies. An honourary BAT degree was also given to Larry McDonald, the CEO of North Point Energy.
The Institute of Corporate Directors bestowed its ninth annual Fellowship Awards on June 5 and two Albertans received recognition for their contributions to Canadian business leadership: Hugh Bolton, of Calgary and chair of Epcor Utilities, and David McLean of Vancouver (originally of Edmonton) were both recognized for their ability to bring “good governance leadership to boardrooms across the country.”
Rocketfuel Productions, a joint venture between Hot Rocket and Redengine, two of Alberta’s leading interactive service and technology companies, was recognized as one of Canada’s new media leaders with a “Most Promising New Company of the Year” Pixel Award at the 2006 Canadian New Media Awards in Toronto on June 1. The company produces original and licensed entertainment programming across platforms on the web,
TV and mobile devices.
The Banff Centre and the Sutton Place Hotel Edmonton were winners in June of the annual award recognizing outstanding employers, the Workplace Hospitality Employer of Excellence & Leadership (WHEEL) award. The Banff Centre won in the Canada Select 3.5 stars and under category and Sutton Place won in the Canada Select four stars and over category.
Appointments
Vern Hartwell, former chair of the Alberta Capital Region Alliances and the Alberta Industrial Heartland Association – as well as former mayor of Strathcona County – was appointed chair, Natural Resource Conservation Board, effective July 1.
Alberta Energy has announced the appointment of Harry Hobbs to the position of chair for the Alberta Electrical System Operator (AESO), the ministry announced in May. Hobbs is the president of an energy consulting firm and is the director and one of the founders of Teague Exploration, Inc., a private oil and gas company.
Overlord Financial Inc. appointed Eric Tremblay as chair of the board at its annual general meeting in Calgary on June 5. Other appointments included Claude Blanchet as president and chief executive officer; Kirk Purdy, executive vice-president; Larry Titley, vice-president and chief financial officer and Theresa Devost, corporate secretary.
Bob Splane, founding president of the Bank of Alberta (now Canadian Western Bank), has been appointed chair of ATB Financial, the institution announced June 16.
Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP announced in May the partnership of Frank Alexander, a top international petroleum lawyer with nearly 30 years experience with projects worldwide. He will focus on the international energy industry, adding to the firm’s International Natural Resources and Infrastructure Group.
The Natural Resource Conservation Board appointed Peter Woloshyn chief executive officer on May 12. His background is in agricultural policy, economics and science. Prior to this appointment he was director, Alberta Agricultural Research Division, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
