Dr. T. Chen Fong
Chen was born and raised in Shanghai. He moved to Hongkong as a teenager where he completed high school. Chen attended the University of Manitoba, graduated with MD in 1977; the same year he became a Canadian citizen. After his radiology training, Chen joined the Foothills Hospital in 1981 as a junior doctor. He also taught at the University of Calgary School of Medicine. He chaired the Examination Board (Radiology) of the Royal College and served on the Academic Advisory Council of GE Medical. He retired in 2006 after serving as the Head of Diagnostic Imaging of the Calgary Health Region and the Head of Radiology at the University of Calgary. In 1999, he was honored by the American College of Radiology and elected as a Fellow. Dr Fong is Professor Emeritus of Radiology at the University of Calgary.
Chen has enjoyed investing early in his career. In 2006, he turned this passion into his vocation. His first foray outside of energy investing was a medical imaging start up. He helped to build Ultrasonix Medical Corporation which was sold in 2012. Chen has helped 11 groups of entrepreneurs to turn university based intellectual properties into successful companies. In addition, he seed funded and guided 43 start ups, mostly in medical technology.
Chen has been deeply engaged in Calgary in many ways. He contributes to and is a key fund raiser for healthcare and research, especially for the University of Calgary. He is in the Million Dollar Donor Circle of the United Way of Calgary and Area. Recognizing the need to bring new and specialized clinical skills to Southern Alberta, he funded the Helios Fellowship. This Fellowship has sent 38 young medical specialists to further their training around the world. These specialists are bringing their expertise back to our communities.
In 2015, Chen joined the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) at the University of Toronto business school as a mentor. CDL helps young entrepreneurs to shape or pivot their nascent ideas. He is widely credited with launching CDL at the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary, bringing together seasoned business leaders from Alberta, Canada and the US to grow budding companies. Chen is on the Strategic Advisroy Board of CDL and a Fellow of CDL in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver.
Currently, Chen is on four corporate boards and five philanthropic and research institution boards. He is a co-founder of Calgary Scientific Inc.
In 2017, Chen was invested into the Order of Canada for his contribution to medical technology innovation and philanthropy.
David E. Mitchell (1926 – 2010)
David E. Mitchell was born in Calgary in 1926. After finishing high school at the age of 17, he decided to join the Royal Canadian Air Force. During training, the Air Force discovered he was underage, so he had to “age up”. During this time, he worked at the Hudson’s Bay Store in Calgary until he could return to the Air Force, where he completed his aircrew training in 1945.
He started his career in the oil business in what he termed “the classic fashion,” by digging ditches in Turner Valley. He then enrolled in university and worked summer months as a geological field assistant. In 1950, he graduated from the University of Oklahoma in Petroleum Engineering. After graduation, he joined Great Plains Development Company of Canada Ltd. As a trainee engineer, he did land work and scouting, later working in wildcat drilling and production operations. His responsibilities gradually increased and he soon became Head of Drilling and Productions. In 1956, he was appointed Vice President and over four years, moved up to oversee the firm’s head office in Calgary, and eventually became Director of the company. By 1963, he was appointed Vice President of Finance and Corporate, and the following year became the President & CEO. He remained in this position until the end of 1974 when Great Plains was sold. In January 1975, Dave started Alberta Energy Company (AEC) with a staff of four. The Alberta Energy Company developed Alberta’s natural resources responsibly and profitably. He led the company on behalf of its 60,000 shareholders, in an era of corporate diversification fervour. He went on to become the Chairman of AEC.
Dave was an enthusiastic participant and supporter of many local and national voluntary endeavors, and received many accolades for his community activities. He founded, and was President of, The Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation. He was a member of the Senate and Board of Governors at the University of Calgary; Chairman of the Calgary Police Commission, Honorary Chairman of the World Police and Fire Games; Honorary Calgary Fire Chief, General Campaign Chairman of the Calgary United Way. Dave was one of the three individuals who brought JA to southern Alberta and became one of the chapter’s first Board members. Dave was married and had two children.
Patrick Daniel
Patrick Daniel held the position of President and CEO of Enbridge Inc from January 2001 to October 2012. Pat's energy experience spans over 40 years. His background includes process engineering, information technology, business development, and corporate planning with Hudson’s Bay Oil and Gas and Enbridge (and its predecessor companies). He was responsible for the start-up of Enbridge's technology and consulting business unit, its international division, and its expansion into the Natural Gas business. As CEO, Patrick led Enbridge's entry in wind, solar and geothermal energy. During his tenure as CEO, Enbridge was named Canada's most sustainable corporation and always among the Top 100 in sustainability in the world.
Pat is currently the Chair of Cenovus Energy Inc. and Director at Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and Capital Power. He also chairs the North American Review Board of Air Liquide. Pat is an active industry and community volunteer. He chairs the Daniel Family Foundation, a philanthropic charitable organization and volunteers with the Light Up the World charity. He has travelled to three continents on projects to bring energy to those who cannot afford it. The Daniel Family Foundation supports the Perimeter Institute, University of Calgary Psychosocial Oncology, Outward Bound Canada, Servants Anonymous, University of Alberta, and students at the University of British Columbia and McGill University.
In 2007, Pat was named Canadian Energy person of the year by the Energy Council of Canada. In 2009, he received the Distinguished Business Leader Award from the University of Calgary and the Chamber of Commerce. Patrick was named 2010 Resource Person of the Year by the Alberta Chamber of Resources.
In 2011, he was awarded Canada's Outstanding CEO of the Year Award as chosen by an independent national advisory board. In 2013, he was named Canadian Business Leader of the Year as awarded by the University of Alberta.
Patrick holds a Bachelor of Science
Gerry Wood
Gerry first began his career in Scotland at his father’s Ford Dealership where he was involved in converting vehicles to hand-controls for disabled drivers.
In 1969 Gerry headed west and began work for Maclin Ford as a Sales Representative and then spent five years as the New Vehicles Sales Manager. In 1979 Gerry purchased a small GM Dealership in Vulcan, AB and by 1983, Gerry bought Southridge Mercury Lincoln which is now Woodridge Ford Lincoln.
Over the past 36 years, Gerry has grown the business to include six dealerships city-wide, a Collision Centre facility and other business enterprises. The Wood Automotive Group has pioneered and fine-tuned customer marketing initiatives, the concept of vehicle leasing and cost effective, excellent service, and fostering life-long relationships.
The Wood Automotive Group now employs over 600 individuals providing outstanding employment opportunities in the Calgary area.
As a recognized leader in the Canadian Automotive Sector, Gerry has accepted many key appointments with local, provincial and national associations. As a member of several executive bodies, he represents Canadian automotive dealers to both manufacturers and governments.
He is highly active in the Calgary and Okotoks communities. Some of Gerry’s involvements entail organizations such as the Calgary Stampede Corporate Hospitality Committee, Canadian Down Syndrome Society, United Way, Inclusion Alberta, Robbie Burns Club of Calgary, Mustard Seed, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and The Salvation Army. The Woodridge Charity Golf Tournament celebrated its 30th and final year in 2015 and with the tireless efforts and hard work of his wife Elaine, has raised almost 4 million dollars in funding towards the building of the PREP School and programs for individuals with Down syndrome. Gerry has furthered his commitment to supporting children’s charity as a major sponsor of the Shaw Charity Classic Golf Tournament and the creation of the Wood Automotive Group Kid Hero of the Month Award in support of KidSport and Comrie’s Sports Equipment Bank.