Torode Realty founder John Torode is stepping down March 1.
The veteran Calgary realtor and businessman cited new business and personal opportunities in announcing his resignation as director and shareholder to board members last week.
The company was incorporated by Torode in 1973, and after significant provincial expansion and the acquisition of Knowlton Realty and Calgary-based Merrett Management in the mid 1990s, the firm began trading on the Alberta Stock Exchange in 1997.
No other organizational changes are anticipated as a result of Torode’s departure.
Torode Realty has offices in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. Its services include office and industrial leasing and sales; investment sales; retail leasing and development, and strategic planning.
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| Michael Grandin |
Calgary business leader Michael Grandin has been appointed dean of the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business.
The chairman of Fording Coal begins his five-year term at the university on April 1.
“Over my career I have had the good fortune to work for 10 dynamic companies spanning six different industries,” said Grandin. “This appointment provides a wonderful opportunity for me to put that experience to work helping the already successful Haskayne team build on the school’s first-class reputation.”
Grandin was president of Pan Canadian Energy when it merged with Alberta Energy to form EnCana Corporation. He also took over as chair an0d CEO of the Fording Canadian Coal Trust following a $1.8-billion merger deal last year with Teck Cominco, Sherritt International and other investors.
Roadking Travel Centres Inc. has named Greg Spicer to the position of chief financial officer.
He replaces Delores James, who resigned in December last year.
Her post had temporarily been filled by former CFO Alan Tookey.
As well, Erin Oor has been named general counsel for Roadking. Oor was previously counsellor with Bryan & Company, corporate counsel for Roadking (RKG-TSXV), based in Sherwood Park.
New faces have joined the Workers’ Compensation Board of Alberta.
David Carpenter of Lethbridge has been appointed chair of the board of directors. A board member for two years, he is a chartered accountant who spent more than two decades in elected office, including 15 years as mayor of Lethbridge.
As well, two new public members have been named to the board.
Fauzia Lalani of Calgary and Jim Kallal of Tofield have been appointed to three-year terms as members representing the public interest.
Lalani is president and chief executive officer of Aquila Networks Canada.
Kallal founded and spent two decades building a successful car dealership. As an active member of Alberta Motor Dealers' Association of Alberta, he helped create Alberta’s tire recycling program. Kallal is also chairs the Tofield Health Services Foundation for the East Central Health Authority.
Jane Gauthier has resigned as chief operating officer of Solium Capital Inc.
June Davenport, Solium’s chief products officer, will assume the responsibility for operations.
Calgary-based Solium specializes in the administration of equity-based incentive and savings programs.
Michael McKelvie is taking the chief executive officer’s chair at Red Deer-based VHQ Entertainment.
He will continue as senior the company’s VP of marketing and communications, a position he has held since May 2000.
He replaces Gordon Hillman, who continues as the company’s board chairman.
McKelvie has held senior marketing, sales and communications positions in the home entertainment industry since 1977.
His past companies include Universal Studios Home Entertainment Canada, EMG Media Inc., and Blockbuster Canada Co.
VHQ Entertainment Inc. (VHQ-TSE is a video and home entertainment retailer with 58 corporately owned retail stores in secondary and suburban markets in Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories.
Craig Copeland has joined the Brown Communications Group as associate creative director for the company’s Calgary operations.
Copeland was previously copy chief at Venture Communications and prior to that held senior positions at Parallel Calgary and PJDDB Vancouver.
Saskatchewan-based Brown provides marketing communications services for clients including Morrison Homes and the Alberta Research Council.
(To submit your appointments, corporate changes or photos to this column, send an e-mail to: news@businessedge.ca)
