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.
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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
Susan Catherine (Haight) Craig (BCom) passed away peacefully in Mississauga, ON, on March 22, of cancer. She was 53. Her 30-year professional career was spent primarily in human resources with the Bank of Montreal and then Hewitt Associates. Susan will be missed by her many friends and colleagues. She was a devoted mother and a true sports fan. She and her husband Barry spent much of their family time devoted to dance lessons and hockey games and fun weekends at the cottage.
Published in: Winter 2011
Graham Jones (MBA, BA’70), a marathoner and long distance solo hiker, is emigrating to New Zealand to marry a local landowner, Mrs. Elle Muntz, who he met while hiking that country’s Te Araroa National Trail. Graham will be returning to management consulting and technical writing and intends to teach at the Southland Institute of Technology. He will be living in Riverton, on the south coast, near the “brown trout and Country and Western capital” of New Zealand. “Now all I have to do is learn how to play rugby!” he says. Email: almostheaventf@gmail.com
Published in: Winter 2013
Harold Roozen (MBA) was inducted into the Alberta Business Hall of Fame on May 8, 2013. The current Executive Chairman and former President and CEO of CCI Thermal Technologies has contributed extensively to the business community through membership in the World Presidents’ Organization, the Alberta Investment Management Corporation Board of Directors and the Canadian Council of Chief Executives. He is a former owner of the Edmonton Oilers and former member of the Edmonton Eskimos Board of Directors. He has served on numerous public and private boards, and is currently a member of two public boards, as well as the University of Alberta Hospital Foundation.
Published in: Winter 2014
Geoffrey Arnoldi, BCom, died suddenly in January in Creemore, Ont., three weeks after celebrating his 60th birthday at a boisterous party with family and friends. Geoff worked in senior roles at major marketing and advertising agencies, but was happiest running his own business, The Arnoldi Group. He is survived by his wife Susan Corbett; children Michael Arnoldi (Lindsey Mocherniak), Meghan Arnoldi, Kristopher Phippen (Alisa Jonas), and Jillian May (Jeffrey); and two grandchildren.
Published in: Summer 2017
Janet Longmore, BCom, Founder and CEO of Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT), was presented with the Meritorious Service Cross by Governor General David Johnston in April 2016. This honour recognizes remarkable contributions that are innovative, set an example for others to follow, improve the quality of life of a community, and bring considerable benefit or honour to Canada. DOT has empowered more than 5,000 youth in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East to transform their communities through social entrepreneurship.
Published in: Winter 2017