(Business Edge columnist Gyle Konotopetz regularly profiles the top three stock picks of some of Canada's most accomplished investment pros.)

FEATURED PRO: Deb Abbey is president and portfolio manager of Real Assets Investment Management (www.realassets.ca). The Vancouver-based firm was the first investment management company in Canada to focus exclusively on social investing.

Fund Form: The Social Leaders Fund has a one-year return of 6.9 per cent; the Real Assets Social Impact Fund has a one-year return of 5.7 per cent.

Management Expense Ratios: Social Leaders, three per cent; Social Impact. 2.75 per cent.

Deb Abbey

Abbey's Perspective: "The economic backdrop in 2005 is less stimulative than it has been over the past two years as corporate earnings growth is moderating, short-term interest rates are rising and the U.S. currency depreciation begins to show its full impact on global trade - all of which will create a high level of market volatility in 2005.

"Three factors presenting risk are high oil prices, accelerating inflation and geopolitical factors. Companies that pay dividends are more attractive than the traditional high-beta stocks (technology stocks)."

First Star

* Medtronic Inc. (NYSE:MDT)

* Recent Price: $52.39 US.

* 52-Week Range: $43.99-$53.70.

* Snapshot: This bio-medical device pioneer is the world's leading medical technology company. Its markets include defibrillators and cardiac pacemakers.

* CEO: Arthur Collins Jr.

* Head Office: Minneapolis.

* Vital Stats (U.S. dollars): Current Price/Earnings Ratio, 30.56; Revenue (last 12 mos), $9.6 billion; 5-Yr Revenue Growth, 15.1 per cent; Earnings (last 12 mos), $2.1 billion; 5-Yr Earnings Growth, 19.2 per cent; Market Cap, $63.33 billion; Shares Outstanding, 1.21 billion; Dividend Yield, 0.60 per cent.

* Abbey's View: "This is a fine example of a company dedicated to responsible corporate governance, diversity, community, employee relations and environmental sustainability. In 2002, Medtronic was one of Fortune magazine's 100 Best Places to Work in America. Two of its board members are women and, as of July 1998, 32 per cent of its officers and managers were women, which are rare rates for corporate America. Medtronic contributes two per cent of pre-tax earnings to innovative projects in the community. This company walks its talk.

"Medtronic is expected to grow top-line revenue by 13 per cent to over $11 billion US this year. Earnings are expected to grow by 13 per cent to $2.18 US per share.

We believe Medtronic will continue to show above- average growth."

* Abbey's Risk Rating: Low.

* Web Watch: www.medtronic.com

Second Star

* Interface Inc. (Nasdaq:IFSIA)

* Recent Price: $9.76 US.

* 52-Week Range: $5.90-$10.84.

* Snapshot: Interface globally markets, installs and services modular carpet products for commercial and industrial markets. Its products in the modular carpet segment include carpet tile and two-metre roll goods.

* CEO: Daniel Hendrix.

* Head Office: Atlanta.

* Vital Stats (U.S. dollars): Revenue (last 12 mos), $968.4 million; Earnings/Loss (last 12 mos), $34.5-million Loss; Market Cap, $508 million; Shares Outstanding, 52 million.

* Abbey's View: Interface founder Ray Anderson is deeply committed to sustainability. The company aims to have zero waste and closed-loop production. Interface developed Solenium, a carpet tile that can be recycled into itself (most recycled materials are used to make lesser-quality products). The company introduced corn-based biodegradable carpet tiles in 2000.

"Interface stock gained 80 per cent in 2004, as the company is at the tail end of successfully restructuring operations to focus on its core products. Most recently, the company has divested its company-owned distribution network to reduce its overall cost structure and improve overall cash flow. We expect Interface to earn 40 cents (per share) in 2005, which equates to a forward price-earnings ratio of 23.3."

* Abbey's Risk Rating: Medium.

* Web Watch: www.interfaceinc.com

Third Star

* Railpower Technologies Corp. (TSX:P)

* Recent Price: $5.35.

* 52-Week Range: $3.09-$6.40.

* Snapshot: Railpower is the world leader in hybrid yard locomotive technology, offering and managing energy solutions for rail operators. They develop natural gas locomotive power plants and battery-powered electric motors for railroad locomotives.

* CEO: Jim Maier.

* Head Office: Vancouver.

* Vital Stats: Revenue (last 12 mos), N/A; Earnings (last 12 mos), N/A; Market Cap, $226.3 million; Shares Outstanding, 42.3 million.

* Abbey's View: "In July 2004, the Texas Emissions Reductions Corp. (TERP) approved $24 million US of funding for customers wanting to employ Railpower's hybrid locomotive technologies. In November 2004, Railpower signed an agreement with a Class 1 railroad for delivery of 35 Green Goat locomotives over a four-year period.

This order goes a long way toward validating Railpower's technology.

"Currently, Railpower is not cash-flow positive, as it continues to invest in research and development, and marketing to build its order book. Currently, the company has an order backlog of 50 units. On Dec. 2, 2004, Railpower completed an equity offering of $41.6 million, bringing its total cash on hand to approximately $64.5 million. We believe the company has sufficient resources to transition to a commercial manufacturing company through 2005 and be profitable in 2006."

* Web Watch: www.railpower.com

* Abbey's Risk Rating: High.

Abbey's Edge Record: Six per cent. Best Pick: Church & Dwight Co. (NYSE:CHD) +36.4 per cent. Worst Pick: SunOpta (TSX:SOY) -29.8 per cent.

Disclosure: The featured stocks are held in Real Assets funds. Abbey owns shares in those funds.