Alumni Notes

Elizabeth Geiger (BCom) died June 28 in Ottawa after a courageous battle with cancer. Liz was an Associate Partner at IBM and had an international career that took her to the U.S., Europe, Asia and South America, where she developed business solutions for C-level executives across a range of industries. She was a talented visual artist, fashion designer, athlete and pianist. She is survived by Paul Sutcliffe, her husband of 19 years, sons Alexander and Malcolm, her mother Dorothy Geiger and five siblings.

Jay Wright (BCom) was promoted in December 2009 to President of Constellation Wines North America (CWNA), a division of Constellation Brands, Inc., the world’s leading wine company. Its portfolio includes such recognized brands as Robert Mondavi wines, Ravenswood, Franciscan, Kim Crawford, Blackstone, Clos du bois, Simi, Estancia, Inniskillin, Black Box wines, SVEDKA Vodka, and Black Velvet Canadian Whisky. CWNA encompasses Constellation Wines U.S. (CWUS) and Vincor Canada. Last March, Jay relocated to CWNA’s headquarters in Rochester, NY. His previous positions at Constellation include EVP and Chief Commercial Officer of CWUS,as well as President and CEO of Vincor Canada. Prior to joining the company, Jay held various management and marketing roles at Borden Foods, Molson Breweries, Nabisco Brands and Procter & Gamble. He is currently a Director on the Boards of the Canadian Vintner’s Association and Opus One Wineries and was profiled in the Winter 2008 issue of Inquiry.

Christopher H. Hopkins (MBA), in keeping with his absolute belief in Canada’s tremendous non-conventional energy potential, resigned from Oilsands Quest Inc. to found Canshale Corp. as its President and CEO. The Canshale mission is to establish Saskatchewan’s first commercial oil shale mining operation. Chris founded Oilsands Quest Inc. in 2004, when he and his team established Saskatchewan’s presence in the Canadian oil sands industry with the development of the Axe Lake Project. In 1999, he co-founded Synenco Energy Inc., discovering and initiating the development of their Northern Lights Project. Chris and his wife Edna continue to live in Calgary, although Victoria, BC, may soon be beckoning.

Robert Cohen (BCom) reports that seven classmates and former housemates at 81 Clergy Street reunited in Toronto on July 24. Pictured, from left, are Robert Cohen, Mark Krajicek, David Munro, Rick Prosser, Craig Beggs, Rick Fantham, and Todd Corradetti. “The spontaneous and wonderful reunion was sparked by Dave’s visit from his home in Singapore and Craig’s quick thinking in bringing the rest of the gang together from across Ontario. The afternoon started at the Dog’s Bollocks, a pub resembling Kingston’s Tap Room. Many of us had not seen each other since graduation in 1980. Despite a wealth of career, life and family experiences that happened over the subsequent 35 years, the stories and laughter flowed as if we had never left Queens.”

David Holland (BCom) was named President and CEO of Torstar Corporation in November. Its businesses include the Star Media Group led by the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest daily newspaper, toronto.com, Workopolis, Olive Media, eyeReturn, Metroland Media Group, and Harlequin Enterprises. David has worked throughout Torstar since 1986, serving as Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer since 2005.