Biography
Arthur Gordon Stollery (Gordon) was born on April 30, 1947, in New Liskeard, Ontario. He spent his early years in the neighboring town, Haileybury, Ontario. He attended Princeton University in New Jersey, graduating with a civil engineering degree in 1970, followed by a Master's of Science, Geology from the University of Toronto in 1972.
Gordon spent the majority of his career in Calgary, moving to Alberta in 1979 to practice geology and to work in the oil and gas business. Gordon started his first oil and gas company Morrison Petroleums Ltd in 1980, which merged with Northstar Energy in 1997 and then Northstar Energy was purchased by Devon Energy in 1998. Gordon founded Highpine Oil and Gas in 1998, which later merged with Daylight Energy. In 2011, Daylight Energy was purchased by Sinopec International Petroleum. In 2010, Gordon provided seed capital to start Clearview Resources, a dividend oriented oil and gas company based in Alberta. Throughout his career, Gordon was founder of, seed capital investor for, or director of many Alberta based companies including: Canada Fluorspar, In Depth Resources, Gridiron Drilling, Midfield Tubulars, The Purple Perk, Pacific Rodera Energy Ltd, Middlefield Bancorp, West Energy, Ballistic Energy, Storm Energy, Veritas Seismic Ltd, Boardwalk Properties Ltd, OGY Petroleum Ltd, Valiant Petroleum, Canadian Gas Gathering Systems Ltd, and AGS Energy.
Gordon continued his family's stewardship of Angus Glen Farm in Markham, Ontario, which bred thoroughbred horses that have won a number of stakes races in North America, most notably Talkin’ Man, Laurie’s Dancer and Kennedy Road. Recognizing the lucrative business opportunity in breeding horses, Gordon redirected the company to focus on breeding horses in Kentucky, where he successfully ran a breeding operation.
Gordon’s love of sports was ingrained in him early on. He was a passionate and dedicated golfer - a member of Rosedale Golf Club since 1961, winning their championship four times - in 1967 and 1972 through 1974, as well as runner up at the 1965 Canadian Junior Golf Championship. He played on the Princeton golf team and also played hockey for UTS and Princeton University.
His passion for golf led him to direct the development of Angus Glen Golf Club, which opened in 1995. Angus Glen was named the Best New Course in Canada by Golf Digest, and has hosted a number of prestigious golf tournaments, including the Canadian Open in 2002 and 2007, and will host the Pan Am Games in 2015. Gordon oversaw the development of the Angus Glen residential community, including the acquisition of the Kylemore Communities. In 2007, Gordon created Goodwood Golf Club in Uxbridge Ontario, an 18 hole course he enjoyed as his private sanctuary.
Gordon was an active and respected member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists, and the Independent Petroleum Association of Canada. His contributions to the business community were recognized through awards acknowledging his activities in energy production, entrepreneurship, and management. To name a few the America Association of Petroleum Geologists, 1993 Oilweek Producer of the Year, 1992-1993 Pinnacle Award for Entrepreneurship in Alberta, and the Wall Street Week Gold Award.
Gordon was passionate about Alberta and believed in giving back to the community through mentorship and through the support of other entrepreneurs. He gave generously to various causes both in Toronto and in Calgary, most recently to Markham Stouffville Hospital and the University of Toronto. Gordon also supported the Edge School, the Canada West Foundation, Alberta College of Art and Design, and the Sandy Cross Foundation. He loved the outdoors, and especially the Albertan topography and landscape; and for this reason he generously supported several Albertan artists over the years. Gordon felt very strongly about the Calgary Stampede and supporting the tradition. He was a proud sponsor of the chuckwagons at the Calgary Stampede under his leadership at Morrison Petroleums and Highpine Oil and Gas.
Gordon passed away suddenly while on vacation in the British Virgin Islands on December 12th, 2011. The Canadian business community as well as his robust group of friends and family will miss his brilliant mind, gregarious personality and his sense of adventure.
Biography
Clayton Woitas was born in 1948 in Edmonton, AB. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Alberta. Clayton has 35 years of experience in the oil and gas industry with extensive experience in the areas of acquisitions & natural gas exploration and production.
Clayton has been Encana's Chairman of the Board since 2013. From January 11, 2013 to June 10, 2013 Clayton acted as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Encana. He is also Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Range Royalty Management Ltd. (a private company which is focused on acquiring royalty interests in Western Canadian oil and natural gas production). He is currently a director of Gibson Energy Inc. (a public oil and gas midstream company) several other private energy-related companies and advisory boards. He was founder, Chairman, and President & Chief Executive Officer of Profico Energy Management Ltd. (a private company focused on natural gas exploration and production in Western Canada) from January 2000 to June 2006. Prior to April 2000, he was a director and President & Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance Energy Ltd. (a public company focused on the Western Canadian energy sector).
His contributions to the business community were acknowledged as Saskatchewan Oilman of the Year in 2003 and as Alberta’s 50 Most Infulential People in 2013 by Alberta Venture Magazine.
Apart from his business ventures, Clayton actively supports through donations and by giving his time as a fundraiser to: The Glenbow Museum, Alberta Cancer Foundation, Calgary Homeless Foundation, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary Catholic School District, Inn from the Cold, Calgary Catholic Services, University of Calgary and Schools in Zambia.
David (Dave) P. Werklund
Canadian entrepreneur, oilfield-industry leader and dedicated philanthropist, David (Dave) P. Werklund developed a can-do attitude from his upbringing on a farm in rural Alberta. He is well known for his commitment to strong leadership principles, life-long learning, and strong values.
Beginning his career in 1965 as a production operator with Shell Canada, Mr. Werklund has risen in the oilfield industry to become a trusted industry partner. Early in his career, Mr. Werklund recognized and capitalized on the need to address environmental and waste management issues in the oil and gas exploration industry. As the co-founder of Concord Well Servicing, founder of Tervita Corporation (formerly CCS Corporation), founder of Werklund Capital Corporation and Founder of Werklund Foundation with his daughter Deanna.
Through the Foundation, Dave furthered his vision for leadership education establishing The Werklund Foundation Centre for Youth Leadership Education in the Faculty of Education at the University of Calgary. The Werklund Foundation is the major sponsor of the Empowering Minds student leadership program that offers world class leadership programs which empower Alberta students with confidence, resilience and motivation to lead in life.
Among Dave Werklund’s many honors:
- 2012, Honorary Doctor of Laws from University of Calgary
- 2010, Honorary Bachelor of Applied Technology Degree from SAIT Polytechnic
- 2007, Industry Legend Award from Energy TV
- 2005, Ernst & Young’s Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year
- 2005, Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year, Prairie Region
He has been featured in various publications including the Globe & Mail, the Financial Post, Canadian Business Magazine, the Calgary Herald, Calgary Inc., and Alberta Venture where he was listed as one of Alberta's 50 most influential people.
Dave and his partner Susan delight in time spent with grandchildren and entertaining family and friends at their summer retreat at Shuswap Lake in British Columbia and at their winter retreat in Wailea Maui. World travel is one of their great pleasures.
As an entrepreneur, in the oil business, and as a dedicated philanthropist, David Werklund is defined by a can-do attitude he absorbed from his roots in rural Alberta.
And he’s gone further still, to establish the Werklund Foundation, working with the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Education to develop and support research, teaching and community service activities focused on… what else…. Leadership.
David Werklund didn’t shy away from a challenge, and nor should you. Use every bit of experience and knowledge you’ve gained here to shape a better future. And as you aim higher, take your profession, your community and your country with you.
We’ve gathered our community leaders together to help celebrate tomorrow’s leaders who sit amongst us. Their diverse talents, significant achievements and tremendous promise represented by this celebration ….
Bob Brawn
Born in Calgary in 1936 to Gerald and Daisy Brawn, Bob has spent most of his life in Calgary as a community leader and entrepreneur in the energy industry. In 1958, Bob graduated from the University of Alberta with a BSc in Chemical Engineering, married Carole and started his professional career.
Bob’s career began as a chemical engineer for Mobil Oil before moving on to International Drilling Fluids. In 1965, Bob purchased an oil recycling refinery in Edmonton, launching SL refineries – later to become Turbo Resources. As President and CEO, Bob grew Turbo Resources from $1 million in sales to over $500 million in 12 years.
After Turbo, Bob lead and grew a number of successful companies including Merland Exploration, Bankeno Mines, OMV Canada, Grande Cache Coal and Acclaim Energy Trust.
Apart from his business ventures, Bob has always been an active community volunteer. While his family and business were growing, Bob coached and played hockey, and was president of the Springbank Park for All Seasons. Community activities also included being chairman for the Calgary Economic Development Authority, Rotary Club of Calgary South, Calgary Winter Festival Foundation, Calgary Chamber of Commerce, the Independent Petroleum Association of Canada, the Van Horne Institute, OCO’88, the Calgary Airport Authority and many others.
The political world has not been immune from Bob’s leadership and advice, as he has accepted appointed roles to a number of provincial committees. These include chair of the Alberta Economic Development Authority, the Alberta Competitiveness Council, a member of the Premier’s Council for Economic Strategy, and Honorary Colonel of the 746 Calgary Communications Squadron.
Through a family foundation formed in 1976, Bob has contributed to many worthy community initiatives. In 2007, the Association of Fundraising Professionals recognized the work of the Brawn Family Foundation with their prestigious Generosity of Spirit Philanthropic Family Award. He also received the Community Service Award from APEGA in 2001. Bob was admitted to the Petroleum Hall of Fame in 2008, received the Kay Pringle memorial Award from the Calgary Chamber of Commerce in 1995 and the Canadian Commemorative Award from the Government of Canada in 1992.
Currently, Bob presides over a private investment company, serves as director for a number of private and public companies and is a loving husband of 55 years to Carole. He is a father of four and grandfather of 9.