BEST OF TIMES “Being involved in the construction and operation of the Moscow Aerostar Hotel (1986 – 2003) was the most interesting business project of my career. As the first ‘western hotel’ to be built in Russia, the international business experience at a critical time in Russia’s history has proven to be invaluable as I.M.P. continues to grow globally in our various business segments.”

CHANGE AGENT If there was one public policy change Stephen Plummer could immediately implement, he says he would “convert all public sector pension plans from defined benefit to defined contribution.”

Christine Power
President & CEO
Capital District Health Authority

ALL THAT & MORE She’s been in the health care system for more than three decades, working her way from the frontline up, and picked up some impressive designations along the way (bachelor of science in nursing, Mount Saint Vincent University; master in health services administration, Dalhousie University; certified health executive, Canadian College of Health Service Executives; fellowship in management for executive nurses, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania). Put it all together, and you have a Power like no other — a bionic synthesis of experience and knowledge, determination and guts.

DARING ADVENTURER As head of Nova Scotia’s largest provider of health services, Capital District Health Authority, Christine Power has dared to boldly go where no one have gone before. “For the first time in the history of Capital Health (and, in fact, my career), we have drawn a line in the sand and committed to making bold improvements in our efficiency and effectiveness.” She admits that these milestone targets for 2013 are no walk in the park. “This work is hugely difficult. We are attempting to change practices and cultures that have been in place for many years … however, we need a different today for a better tomorrow and we are starting to see the fruits of our labours.”

Thomas Ruth
President & CEO
Halifax International Airport Authority

BELOW, BETWEEN, ABOVE Ruth’s career has taken him from sea to land to sky. From 1979 to 1984 he was a naval officer, but then spent the next 10 years at Northwest Airlines. By 1994, he was living in Toronto, working as vice president (USA) for cross-border trade service provider Livingston International. In 2004, he moved into the role of president at Canadian North Airlines, where he remained for three years. After a short-lived time as head of Oceanex until its privatization in late 2007, Ruth was again looking to the skies as president and CEO of Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

KEY TO SUCCESS “The most successful leaders find ways to ‘connect’ to all their employees across a broad spectrum of the company. Leaders that make employees feel valued almost always do better than those that are just plain geniuses in their field.”

FOR FUN “I play the clarinet (not great) and am a half decent baseball player.” When he isn’t blowing the reeds or tossing a curve ball, Ruth enjoys spending his downtime with friends, travelling with his wife, or walking their dog, Merlin. If you’re lucky, you might even catch him singing; for a 2010 fundraiser, Ruth performed as Roy Orbison, raising $132,000 for the Nova Scotia Mental Health Foundation.

Robbie Shaw
President & CEO
IWK Health Centre Foundation

EXECUTIVE CONNOISSEUR When asked to describe his 40-plus year career, Robbie Shaw answers in one word: “eclectic.” He’s been all the way up the corporate ladder; probably even added a few rungs. With a resume to put a head hunter into a tailspin, Robbie has held numerous key positions, mostly bearing the titles “VP” or “president.” Five years ago, his refined taste for professions led him to accept the role of president & CEO at IWK Health Centre Foundation, which raises funds for IWK Health Centre in Nova Scotia. There, he heads a staff of 28, and early estimates show that revenue grew by 10 per cent last year.

COFFEE, ANYONE? Asked to describe his core values, Shaw talks about collaboration (“so that everyone feels ownership”), accountability (“take personal responsibility when things go wrong”), family (“set the example of work-life balance”), honesty (“never shade the truth”), and equality. “As a CEO, don’t allow a superiority complex to develop — do the dishes in the office kitchen as often, or more often, than anyone else!”

RETIRED — OR NOT With months of preparation, and just days after his 69th birthday, Shaw stepped down in March. But does a CEO ever really retire? “I will be going on to something else that will be part-time. It is not finalized yet!”

Karen Sheriff
President & CEO
Bell Aliant Regional Communications Inc.

HEADS OR TAILS? It sounds flippant in the extreme to launch your career based on the flip of a coin, but that’s just the kind of down-to-brass-tacks, let’s-make-a-deal decisiveness that inspired Karen Sheriff to do just that: flip a coin to choose between two equally appealing career-opening opportunities. Sheriff’s pragmatic go-getter attitude is likely one of the reasons why she’s now president and CEO of Bell Aliant, one of North America’s largest regional communications providers.

REACHING THE TOP Sheriff has been with Bell since 1999, and in that time has led numerous achievements for the company, such as spearheading the country’s first city-wide launch of a fibre-to-the-home network and launching the first combined Internet/long distance residential bundle in Canada. “We have competition like we’ve never had before — that’s been a shift for our company. It has forced us to be smarter, faster, and more creative.” Sheriff’s leadership vision has been successfully molding the company into a more efficient and market-savvy version of its former self.

ART AFICIONADO “I have a real passion for art,” explains Sherrif, who studied metalsmithing and jewellery-making in university. “I love what I do immensely and it satisfies so many of my intellectual needs. But the art world has always provided food for the soul.”

Rob Sobey
President & CEO
Lawtons Drug Stores Ltd.

GOOD MEDICINE For more than 20 years, Rob Sobey has been consistently and ambitiously advancing up the chain of command at the Sobey-family-controlled corporate empire. So when a new challenge came knocking in 2006 (to run Sobeys Inc.-subsidiary Lawtons Drug Stores Ltd.), Sobey never hesitated in answering the door. Since arriving at Lawtons, which offers pharmacy and related healthcare goods and services, Rob has been putting his competitive nature to good use. Motivated by what he saw as untapped opportunities, he has been leading the business through dramatic changes, from revamping stores to overhauling IT systems and product offerings. As a result of his efforts, Lawtons has been Atlantic Canada’s fastest-growing drug store chain in recent years.

#1 JOB LOVE The one thing Sobey loves most about his job? “Being reminded of all the things I don’t know or didn’t think about. I love working with people so much smarter than me: it’s humbling and therefore good for the soul.”

THE COLLECTOR A lover of art, Sobey favours the works of Canadian painters like James Morrice, JEH MacDonald and Goodridge Roberts. He also appreciates art of the vehicular fashion: he collects “fun German cars” suitable for racing, as well as M series BMWs and RS series Porsches. His prized automotive possession is a Porsche GT2 RS.

Jon Stanfield
President, Stanfield’s Canada
Stanfield’s Limited

FIFTH IN LINE As president of Stanfield’s Canada (he’s the fifth generation to lead the undergarment company), Jon Stanfield is responsible for the Canadian operations of Stanfield’s Limited (90 per cent of their products are produced in Nova Scotia) as well as two subsidiary companies. As if that’s not enough to fill his calendar, he also sits on the board of directors for Stanfield’s Limited, Cobequid Investments, Performance Apparel Corporation, Longworth Industries and Harvey Woods Apparel. Plus, he’s chaired or led many community-based organizations, including CORDA, Truro Golf Club and Ignite the Spirit campaign (raising $5 million for a recreation and wellness centre).

THE MARKETER Though he juggles multiple managerial demands, Jon Stanfield says his real strength is in marketing, branding and product development. Which may be why he’s so appreciative of Stanfield’s 2010 promotional campaign. The guyathome.com promotion featured a subject (Mark McIntyre) who had to survive 25 days of underwear-exposed living and gain 25,000 “likes” on Facebook, for which Stanfield’s would donate $25,000 to testicular cancer research. The result? Fifty-thousand FB likes, $50,000 for cancer research and, says Stanfield, “easily $750,000 in free PR from national TV to national and regional press.”

ROLE MODEL “My father is my mentor. He is a man of great honour and integrity.”

Ed Stratton
President & CEO
Distribution Group Inc.

LONG TIME LEADER Ed Stratton has held the position of president and CEO comfortably and successfully since the late 1980s, first at Matchless Group of Companies, and now at Distribution Group Inc. (DGI). DGI is an investment holding and executive management business that owns shares in Terra Nova Foods Inc., Sani Pro Inc. and Big Eric’s Restaurant Supplies Ltd. (the latter two of which recently amalgamated into Big Eric’s Inc.).

IN THE GENES Ever since he was a child watching his father in his workshop or on job sites, Stratton knew one day he’d be an entrepreneur himself. “My father was a very successful small time building contractor, recognized by all as one of the best at what he did,” says Stratton. “He conducted his business with the highest principles for honesty, integrity, quality and, above all, an intense passion for everything he undertook, with a ‘never quit’ attitude. Those values have guided me throughout my career.”

BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT “There have not been many companies in mature industries… that have expanded successfully outside of Newfoundland. In December 2010 we finally achieved our goal of becoming truly an Atlantic Canadian food service equipment and smallwares distributor as well as a sanitation and janitorial equipment and supplies distributor.”

Brian Thompson
President
Vector Aerospace Engine Services – Atlantic

SUCCESSFUL NAVIGATOR From a diverse and experienced background in senior management roles, Brian Thompson came aboard Vector Aerospace Engine Services – Atlantic in 2006 as the new VP of business development. Four years later, Thompson sits in the president’s chair, overseeing strategy, finance and operations, including facilities in Summerside, South Africa, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Calgary and Nairobi.

THE COMMUNICATOR “Taking every opportunity to get to know the team of Vector Atlantic and connecting with them on a personal level to understand what motivates them is a key priority,” says Thompson. “It is my desire to ensure each team member is motivated through engagement, and engagement begins with effective communication.” His multifaceted strategy includes small team lunches, large team meetings, leadership meetings, an employee relations committee, a recognition program, emailed notes of thanks and MBWA (management by walking around).

BEST MENTOR Throughout his career, Thompson was fortunate enough to have many influential mentors however, when it comes to aerospace, he immediately thinks of his predecessor, John McDougall. “John encouraged me to evaluate my next career move and ultimately take on the role of president of Vector Aerospace. It not only was the best decision of my career, it reinforced a strongly-held view that continuous learning is essential.”

Anne Whelan
Executive Director & President
Caregivers Inc.

PIVOTAL MOMENTS In 2002, newly graduated with an MBA from Memorial University, Anne Whelan agreed to help manage her mother’s home care company, CareGivers Inc. — for one year. Today, not only is she the sole owner, but the company has enjoyed 600 per cent revenue growth under her direction (over 200 per cent in the last three years alone). In 2010, Whelan received a Visionary award from the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization for Women Entrepreneurs and the national RBC Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award (growth category).

THE UNKNOWN MENTOR “The person whose advice has helped me most is not someone I’ve even met. When I was just starting with CareGivers, I went to an event where Harry Steele was speaking. He said to surround yourself with people who are better than you, and also to build good relationships with your banker, your accountant and your lawyer, even when you don’t need them. That way, when you do need them, they know and understand your business. That is excellent advice, and I have followed it very carefully — much to my benefit.”

SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR Not only does she run CareGivers Inc., Whelan is principal owner and president of industrial supply company BrenKir Industrial; partner in The Three Sisters, a restaurant/pub; and, is developing a new line of assistive technology for seniors.

Ian Wilson
President
Wilson Fuel

NEXT GENERATION It’s surprising, but Ian Wilson says he didn’t know he was destined to run his family’s enterprise. Growing up in Halifax, he admits the business (located in Truro) was not front-and-centre in his life or his mind. Still, it didn’t take him long to catch on when he began working for the company full-time in 1992 — becoming the eighth generation in a long entrepreneurial line of Wilsons.

BUSINESS BUILDER When his father died suddenly in 1999, Wilson took over as president. Today, Wilson Fuel supplies 275 of the region’s gas stations, operates over 50 retail stores and employs more than 560 people. His latest venture is the acquisition of an HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) installation and service company. “The largest challenge [with this integration] has been to communicate effectively throughout the organization the need for change, the reasons, and to motivate all involved to see the process through.”

POLICY CHANGE “I would reduce or eliminate the government agencies for economic/business development. I would apply the savings against the business tax collected and proportionately reduce the business tax rate. I am not in favor of handing out money to businesses to attract them or to finance businesses that can’t attract capital in the market. Allow businesses to keep more of their money for reinvestment and let the market decide the winners and losers.”

Stephen Winter
President & CEO
Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation

THE PERFECT MATCH Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC) produces, distributes and sells wine and spirits. Stephen Winter is its president and CEO, a position for which he is uniquely qualified. From having his first job in a brewery to owning a packaged goods distribution business for more than 20 years, to being an avid wine collector, it’s evident that Winter is where he’s meant to be.

SERVICE WITH A SMILE Though it’s not a natural evolution for a crown corporation in a monopoly environment, Winter is determined to infuse NLC with a customer-oriented corporate culture. To date, he’s improved product selection, renovated or built stores and increased sales through successful marketing campaigns. What’s next? The challenging but rewarding recruitment of key personnel who share his passion for service. “We pride ourselves on being a best-in-class retailer, and that only comes with a combination of key elements, the pinnacle of which is customer service.”

LESSON LEARNED “The worst thing that ever happened to me was losing several key product lines in my former food brokerage business within the same week. Financially it was very challenging, and not something I had expected nor planned for. It actually taught me one of the most valuable business lessons ever. It made me re-focus on the operating costs and not just the top line.”

Catherine Woodman
President & CEO
United Way of Halifax Region

THE HEPTATHLETE OK, so Catherine Woodman only competes in half and full marathons (only!), but her career matches the diversity of the two-day, seven-event contest. Following university, she worked on the PR team at IWK Health Centre. Between IWK and her next event (VP, corporate and public affairs at Maritime Life), she coordinated Queen Elizabeth’s 1994 visit to Nova Scotia. For the past five years, she has been providing energetic and visionary leadership for United Way of Halifax (which has raised $31.2 million for community initiatives under her guidance). She also chairs the Mount Saint Vincent University board of governors as well as the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Community Spirit Award and is a member of the Premier’s Advisory Council on the Economy. Small wonder she was named Woman of the Year by the 2010 Consumer Choice Awards for outstanding community impact.

WALKING THE TALK “Great leaders instill a sense of purpose and urgency — an authentic belief that something exciting and important is always happening. If you want people to take risks, let them see you taking risks. If you want them to have fun at work, let them see you having fun. If you want them to own up to mistakes, try admitting a few of your own. If you want a team that delivers, you deliver 100 per cent of the time.”