Junior Del Brocco (BCom) has accepted a leadership role in corporate banking with BMO Harris Bank in Chicago, IL, after six years with BMO in Toronto. He and his family plan to relocate this summer and look forward to living in another city that has an NHL team. Junior is also proud to report that his son Junior Jr. (or Blake) has just finished his first year at Queen’s, although not in Commerce.
Alumni Notes
Submit your alumni note to Smith Magazine1988
Peter J. Dravers, MBA, celebrated his 25th year at CIBC Wood Gundy (York Mills and Yonge branch in Toronto), where he’s now vice-president, portfolio manager. Peter is pictured here with his wife, Christina, and their daughters on vacation in Turks and Caicos last year.
Published in: Summer 2018
Peter J. Dravers (MBA) celebrated his 20th year with CIBC Wood Gundy. He is currently an Investment Advisor and Vice President at its York Mills office. Peter’s wife, Christina Caney, is President of Toronto’s Granite Club for 2012-2013. They are the proud parents of Anna (3) and Claire (16 months). Peter enjoys attending Queen’s Business Club events in Toronto to exchange ideas with fellow alumni and can be reached at Dravers@CIBC.ca
Published in: Summer 2013
Monika Federau, MBA, has been appointed to the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board. Monika also serves on the board of UNICEF Canada, the advisory board at Smith and the advisory board of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation.
Published in: Fall 2021
John Wenek (MBA) founded Navatar Communications in April 2011. The company offers writing, editing and quality review services to the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. A wide variety of subject matter is covered, but the primary focus is technical subjects, for technical or non-technical audiences. Other services include quality reviews of HR postings, public tenders and bid proposals. Prior to launching Navatar, John held progressively more responsible positions in the Canadian Armed Forces and the private sector, including the Canadian subsidiary of a Japanese multinational and a California-based division of an American company. He lives in Ottawa and may be reached at johnwenek@gmail.com
Published in: Winter 2013
Laura Jo Gunter, MBA’88, was the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Alberta). She was awarded the medal in June 2022 for her contributions and service to the province. Laura is president and CEO of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and previously served three years as president and CEO of Bow Valley College in Calgary.
Published in: Spring 2023
Peter Kozicz (MBA) has been appointed President and CEO of Strata Minerals Inc. in Toronto.
Published in: Winter 2013
Bob Ripley (MBA) has retired as Deputy CAO/CFO of the City of Orillia, ON. He began working for Orillia in 1999 as City Treasurer.
Published in: Winter 2013
Benjamin Laird, MBA, Artsci’82, died on Dec. 31 at age 60 as a result of complications from cancer. Ben loved gardening, home fashions, colour, being a snappy dresser, singing, making pies and quality time with his girls. In summer 2018, he realized a lifelong dream when he and his wife Susan (Ford) Laird, BCom’83, took a train tour through Switzerland. Benjamin is survived by his wife and his daughters, Kathleen and Rachel.
Published in: Summer 2019
Christopher Lythgo, MBA, was recently confirmed as national chair of Commissionaires Canada, the largest private-sector employer of Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP veterans. Commissionaires is a self-funded, not-for-profit security-provider that employs 22,000 people across Canada. Christopher is a Canadian Forces retired colonel.
Published in: Winter 2020