Peter Merchant, BCom, recently celebrated his 65th birthday, officially becoming a senior citizen. He is working with a Calgary-based, not-for-profit, private-equity destination club called Destination M. With 33 destinations around the world and 145 members, Destination M, he says, “is boutique in size but a fantastic way to elevate one’s travel lifestyle now that we will all soon have more time to travel.” You can reach him at peter@destination-m.com.
Alumni Notes
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Peter Merchant (BCom) has taken on the role of General Manager, Real Estate, for Canadian Pacific Railway, working at CPR’s head office in Calgary, AB.
Published in: Summer 2011
William “Bud” Owen (MBA) has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of Clinverse Inc., a global technology and e-commerce network for the clinical-trials industry, based in Raleigh, N.C. Bud is a veteran senior finance executive who has served as CFO at a number of global companies in the software, web services, media and chemical industries.
Published in: Winter 2014
Dan O’Neill, MBA, died on May 17 at age 68. Dan spent his career working in the consumer packaged goods industry with SC Johnson, HJ Heinz and Campbell Soup. His career culminated when he became CEO of Molson Breweries, where he helped with the creation of the famous “My name is Joe, and I am Canadian”
ad. He was a generous philanthropist as a donor to Canadian women’s hockey, hospitals, Covenant House and more. He is survived by his wife, Lise; his children, D’Arcy, Patrick, and Jennifer;
and grandchildren.
Published in: Fall 2020
Tom Reilly, BCom’76, is living in Mississauga, Ont., and tells us he’s retiring at the end of December. He says travelling, spending time at his summer property with his wife and volunteering for several service organizations will keep him busy. “I’m also looking for a chess club or other players to hone my game.”
Published in: Fall 2023
Allan Stewart, BCom, President and CEO of Human Synergistics Canada, recently published Get Your Head in the Game. Focused on leadership and coaching, the book draws on best practices from business and sports to help leaders and coaches improve. The book can be purchased through the company’s website.
Published in: Summer 2017
George Vassos, BCom, LLB’80, after 31 years, recently integrated his law practice, Kuretzky Vassos Henderson LLP, into Littler LLP, the world's largest employment- and labour-law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers in 12 countries: “An exciting new chapter on the road to Freedom 95, a road shared with the lovely Krystyna, Kasia, Louis (BA’16), Emily (BA’17), David, Michael and Nicholas.”
Published in: Winter 2016
Bill Bryck (BCom) was appointed President and CEO of Build Toronto, a real estate and development corporation owned by the City of Toronto. Its mandate is to generate greater value from the city’s real estate holdings and to be a leader in city building initiatives. Previously he served at Queen’s as Acting Vice Principal, Operations and Finance, from 2009 to 2010. Bill and Kate (Catherine Totten, BCom‘76) reside in Toronto.
Published in: Winter 2014
David Walker, BCom, died unexpectedly on August 30, at the age of 62. He was the Executive Director of the Rideau Waterway Land Trust, and “passed away doing what he loved best — living life to the fullest, enjoying friendship and the outdoors while helping make the earth a better place for all,” his family reports. He is survived by his wife Sharon (Foster); mother, Muriel; daughter, Allison Hartley (Lee); and four grandchildren.
Published in: Winter 2016
W. Brian West, MBA’76, BSc(Eng)’72, tells us he’s been retired for 15 years, following a 40-year career in the global mining industry. Brian lives in Bobcaygeon, Ont., and enjoys travelling, gardening and relaxing at home, as well as spending time with eight grandchildren. He’s looking forward to travelling once the COVID pandemic eases. He plans to start by travelling around the Pacific and Europe. A road trip across Canada is also a possibility.
Published in: Spring 2022