Junior Achievement has major benefit

It was business unusual for many of Calgary’s top executives this month, at a gala dinner to support Junior Achievement. The evening focused on the legacy of three visionary leaders: Edward Galvin, James Palmer, and Donald Taylor, all of whom were inducted into the Calgary Business Hall of Fame that night. CBC’s Peter Mansbridge flew in from Toronto to act as master of ceremonies.

A cocktail reception preceded the dinner and induction ceremony, which took place in the Hyatt’s Imperial Ballroom. Prominent figures included Arlene Dickinson, president of Venture Communications, Richard George, president of Suncor, Michael Mezei, president of Mawer Investment, and Gretchen Bell-Dinning, daughter of past laureate Max Bell.

The evening held a number of surprises. Our national anthem was sung beautifully by Connie Gibbens (performed a capella when the background music unexpectedly failed); earnest teenagers made up a significant portion of the evening’s guests; there were four delicious courses rather than the standard three; Jim Palmer revealed himself to be a “flaming and fervent Liberal”; and Peter Mansbridge was very funny.

“When you come from a have-not province,” Mansbridge began, “The opportunity for a free meal is very exciting. Think about it – you have the Rockies, we have not. You have an abundance of oil, we have not. You have a hockey team, and we have not.”

Each honouree was given a video tribute before making a speech, and then sitting off stage for a one-on-one with Mansbridge, complete with armchairs and faux bookshelves. The brief interview was projected onto large screens around the room.

Edward Galvin, who passed away in 2005, is remembered for his beloved Lamborghini, and building two successful oil companies: Poco Petroleum, which was sold for $4.5 billion dollars in 2000, and Norcen Energy Resources, worth $1.5 billion per year at the time of its sale. Galvin’s legacy lives on through his contributions to United Way and Calgary Foundation. Don Taylor is the former president of Engineered Air, which boasts current sales exceeding $2 billion. He has also been active in the real estate market, holding 65% ownership of Three Sisters development in Canmore until recently. Jim Palmer helped to build one of the country’s leading corporate law firms: Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP. There is a public policy lecture series in his name at the University of Calgary. He has chaired the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and supports many charitable organizations, including Calgary Homeless Foundation.

Much was heard of Junior Achievement’s efforts to mentor young people, and the number of fresh faces in conservative business attire was a testament to their success. High school teachers spoke of the valuable education their students receive from JA. One teacher said there was an increase in bathroom breaks among her grade nine students, who were found to be running into the library to check their virtual stock portfolios.

Guests enjoyed a Caprese salad, roasted tomato bisque, espresso-rubbed beef tenderloin with polenta, and lemon-vanilla Panna Cotta. With networking, inspiration, and a well-balanced meal, the Junior Achievers of Calgary are well prepared – and eager – to tackle the financial world of tomorrow.

Published in National Post, November 15 2008

A Starry Starry Night in Calgary

With fire balls whipping around her head and torso, flames licking her red sequined bodysuit, a Cirque Phoenix performer earned rapt attention from a black-tie audience at the Calgary Hyatt Regency last Friday night. The impressive display, one of several by the acrobatic team, was a welcome respite from the distressing cause that brought 350 guests together for the Starry Starry Night Gala and Auction this past weekend: type 1 juvenile diabetes.

The sixth annual gala to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) attracted guests from every corner of the country, and the corporate landscape. Tables of ten were purchased for a donation of $2100 each, with major banks, law firms, and telecommunications companies nabbing many of them.

“This is a city that really gives back,” said marketing consultant Kelly Moi. She was accompanied by Gerry Albert, partner at property and commercial law firm Masuch Albert LLP. During the live auction portion of the gala, Mr. Albert won the right to name a star in the sky for a donation of $2600; a prize donated by the Societe Betelgeuse Ltee.

Megan Davidson, the chief operating officer of JDRF, flew in from Toronto specifically for the event. She was seated with Harold P. Milavsky, chairman of Quantico Capital Co. and an individual donor of ten years, and Bryan Haynes, partner at Bennett Jones LLP, one of the major corporate sponsors of the event. Senior vice president of TD Canada Trust Prairies Region Ron McInnis and his wife Carol Lee McInnis, both originally from PEI, attended the plush affair, as well as Telus director of product marketing Rob Tasker and his wife, Lee Tasker.

Making waves were Bob and Betty Schulz, a building contractor and owner of Commitments Lingerie respectively, who bid competitively on half the items in the silent auction and won the largest item at the live auction: a return trip to Vancouver for a salmon fishing excursion and two-night stay at the Hyatt Regency.

Guests were treated to a glittering emcee in local television personality Nirmala Naidoo, a rousing country-style performance from Las Vegas singers Mollie and Jackie, a delectable three-course meal with free-flowing wine , and a dynamic performance from Cirque Phoenix (west-coast based former members of Cirque du Soleil). Between each course and performance, bids were collected on the silent auction items and stories were told by those whose lives have been touched by juvenile diabetes. On each table was a card with a number, the story of a young life struggling with the disease, and a startling fact about juvenile diabetes. So despite the wonderful hospitality, food, and entertainment, no one could forget what they had paid for – a cure.

Published in the National Post, October 4 2008