Richard (Grant) Howes, MBA, died suddenly at his home in Waupoos, Ont., in January. Grant had worked in finance in Toronto before moving to B.C., where he was involved in a number of businesses, before returning to the family farm in Prince Edward County, Ont., to open a cidery. He was a mentor and friend to others in the cider industry and became recognized as the grandfather of cider in Ontario. He is survived by his wife and partner in the County Cider Company, Jennifer Dean; son Alastair; his father Bill; sister Liz Howes (Stewart Colvin); and step-children Cassie and Neil Dobosh.
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Michael Blank, BCom, has been named an independent member of the board of directors and acting CFO of PyroGenesis Canada, which designs, develops and sells advanced plasma processes and products. Michael has over 30 years of experience leading finance and operations for private and public organizations, and previously spent 10 years at KPMG in Canada and Europe. Michael lives in Montreal with his wife, Linda, and seven-year-old daughter. On winter weekends he enjoys teaching skiing at Mont Tremblant.
Published in: Winter 2020
Alex J.B. Pierson (BCom) joined Siemens Enterprise Communications as Senior VP, Contact Center Solutions, in November, the latest move in his 30+ year career in enterprise communications. He and his wife Wendy call Roslin, ON, home, although Alex spends weekdays in Thornhill. They are anxiously awaiting the July arrival of a third grandchild to keep Colton and Madison company. Email: Pierson58@hotmail.com
Published in: Summer 2012
Nancy Powis, BCom, died on June 10 in Port Moody, B.C., at age 62. She moved from Toronto to Tofino, B.C., a decade ago. She spent her summers at a family compound in Knowlton, Que., and at her island on Georgian Bay in Ontario, where she enjoyed painting. Nancy is survived by her brothers, Tim and Charles, her many cousins, nieces, nephews and godchildren.
Published in: Fall 2020
Lawrence Jackson Scott, MBA, age 62, died June 2, 2017 after a battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his wife Donna, Ed’79; children Laura, Amy, ArtSci’09, and Brandon; and siblings Murray Scott and Jill Forrester-Fretz. He was predeceased by his brother Allen. Lawrence had a successful career in banking in Toronto and London, England, before taking early retirement and getting into politics as President of the federal Conservative Electoral District Association and the Oakville Conservative EDA, before running as the Conservative candidate for Oakville in the last two elections. He was also active with the Oakville Community Foundation and the United Way of Oakville.
Published in: Winter 2018
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Andy Gross (BCom) was promoted from COO to President and CEO of Giant Tiger Stores across Canada in September. During his 25-year career with the all-Canadian, privately held chain of discount family stores, he is credited with implementing strategic planning and building a stronger, deeper management team. The first Giant Tiger opened in Ottawa’s Byward Market in 1961. Today Andy oversees 200 department stores with 7,000 employees. His strategy is to make the chain even more customer centric, support its franchise system and ownership culture, and encourage its store managers’ long-standing tradition of community outreach. In 2009, Giant Tiger contributed more than $2-million to some 700 local charities and service clubs. Andy, his wife Nora (Connolly, Artsci’82) and their children Geoffrey and Sarah still call Ottawa home.
Published in: Winter 2011
Victoria Steele (BCom) is now Executive Director of AOE Arts Council in Ottawa. Previously, she was Managing Director of English Theatre at Canada’s National Arts Centre. Victoria is also a member of the Advisory Cabinet to the Dean of Arts and Science at Queen’s.
Published in: Winter 2015
Karen Flavelle (BCom), the CEO of Purdy’s Chocolates, reports that her company opened two shops in Ottawa in Autumn 2014. The 107-year-old Vancouver-based business now has stores across B.C., Alberta and Ontario. “Sorry,” writes Karen, “none in Kingston...yet!”
Published in: Winter 2015
Philip Forster (BCom) and his Barbadian wife, Tracey, are settling into life in Calgary, after Philip’s eight years in Barbados. He was President of Caribbean Protection Barbados Inc., a manufacturer of hurricane and sun protection products.
Published in: Winter 2014
Karen Flavelle (BCom) has received the 21st Annual Henry Singer Award from the Alberta School of Business. This award was established in 1992 to recognize exceptional leaders in the retailing and service sectors. Karen is the sole owner and CEO of Vancouver-based Purdy’s, the largest retailer of premium chocolates in Western Canada and second-largest nationally.
Published in: Winter 2013