Running a business is not for the faint of heart. And to do so successfully — especially in challenging economic times — is a skill worthy of the highest praise. The Leaders Awards, now in its 11th year, salutes business leaders who demonstrate outstanding leadership acumen and drive. And 20 of the best in class were honoured at the Leaders Awards dinner June 27 at The Westin.
Scores of applicants were vetted by leaders in their own right. David Allwright, dean of the Chiu School of Business at Bow Valley College; Trevor Winkler, regional managing partner at MNP LLP; and Myron Feser, vice-president of business and agriculture at ATB Financial were tasked with narrowing the field down to 20 winners.
Host with the most, Business in Calgary Magazine publisher Pat Ottmann joined forces with emcee Dave Kelly to present the awards to this year’s honourees. Congratulations to award recipients: Sharlene Massie, About Staffing founder; Arup Datta, Arup Datta Architect Ltd. president and principal; Geoff Best, president, Best of Seven Barbers; Jesse Messom and Kerri McGrath, Bigfoot Industrial Services; Gerry Baxter, executive director, Calgary Residential Rental Association; Edward Alfke and Alastair Handley, Carbon Credit Solutions; Alina Martin, president and COO, Danatec Educational Services; Brock Schroeder, managing director, Entuitive; Megan Szanik, proprietor, Espy Experience; Bill Hunt and Dan Evans, managing partners, Evans Hunt; Scott Kerr, president and CEO, IronCreek Oilfield Rentals; Jay McKeen, managing partner, Jack Carter Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC; Sheri MacMillan, founder and CEO, MacMillan Estate Planning; Milena Radakovic, president, Nexus Exhibits; Linda Robinson, president, Pacific Wine & Spirits; Dr. Greg Uchacz, owner and director, ProActive Health Group; Sam Corea, team leader and realtor, Sam Corea, Re/Max House of Real Estate; Desiree Bombenon, CEO, SureCall Contact Centers; Graham Sherman, co-founder, Tool Shed Brewing Company; and Tom Chisholm, president, Trico Homes. Others in attendance are pictured.
Congratulations to all the award recipients. You do our city proud.
SureCall Contact Centers’ CEO Desiree Bombenon is pictured with her husband Marc at the Business in Calgary Leaders 2018 gala. Desiree, a Top 40 Under 40 alumna, was one of the recipients of a Leaders award at the event this night.
Arup Datta Architect Ltd. president Arup Datta was one of the honourees at the Business in Calgary Leaders 2018 gala. Pictured with Datta is Business in Calgary’s Sarah Jones, director of custom publishing.
Pacific Wines & Spirits president Linda Robinson is pictured with Servpro’s Steve Pollard at the Business in Calgary Leaders 2018 gala. Robinson was presented with a Leaders award while Servpro was a sponsor of the event.
All smiles at the Westin are Wood Automotive Group founder Gerry Wood and his wife Elaine. Wood was a past winner of a Leader Award and his company was one of the sponsors of this year’s gala. This night also happened to coincide with the Wood’s 43rd wedding anniversary.
Pictured representing IronCreek Oilfield Rentals at Business in Calgary Leaders 2018 gala is Chris Murray with his wife Brandi. IronCreek president and CEO Scott Kerr was the recipient of a Leaders award but was unable to attend the event.
Pictured, from left, at Business in Calgary Leaders 2018 gala are honouree, Evans Hunt co-founder Dan Evans with his wife Marie Evans and event emcee Dave Kelly. Evans Hunt has been in business for 10 years and boasts 98 employees.
The Business in Calgary Leaders 2018 gala at the Westin June 27 was a resounding success thanks to the support of sponsors. Pictured representing gold sponsor ATB Financial are ATB vice-president Myron Feser and managing director Judy Duncan.
About Staffing has been in business for an impressive 22 years. Founder Sharlene Massie (pictured) was honoured at the Business in Calgary Leaders 2018 gala. Pictured with Massie is her proud husband Corrie Massie, founder of Bedrock Construction.
Business in Calgary Leaders 2018 honouree Brock Schroeder, managing director of Entuitive and his wife Meagan. Entuitive has been in business for seven years and has 190 employees.
Best of Seven Barbers Ltd. president Geoff Best was one of the honourees at the Business in Calgary Leaders 2018 gala. Pictured with Best is Kerri McGrath.