TEC Success Stories
Our members have determination. They take risks. They give. They strive for new levels of success. They have a vision for a better world. And we're proud they are TEC members! Some have shared their remarkable stories of leadership, learning and success – and the joy that comes from being leaders who help others succeed.
For more TEC member success stories take a look at TEC in the News and our ever-expanding list of TEC Canada Award Winners.
John Bockstael
Bockstael Construction Ltd.
TEC 274
Celebrating a century in business is a huge accomplishment for any company, but for a family business, the achievement becomes even more meaningful. What does it take to survive – and thrive - for 100 years and counting?
Established by Theodore Bockstael in the small town of St. Boniface, Manitoba in 1912, Bockstael Construction has been led by three generations of family members. Although much has changed in the past 100 years, Theodore’s values of integrity, honesty and hard work remain a cornerstone of the company he founded. His family would have it no other way.
Teresa Coady
B+H Bunting Coady Architects
Alumnus, TEC 234
When it comes to addressing issues of climate change, architect and TEC member Teresa Coady knows how essential a role the built environment can play.
According to the United Nations, buildings also use about 40% of global energy, 25% of global water and emit approximately 1/3 of GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions. Despite these somewhat daunting statistics, there is potential to significantly improve how buildings are built and operated. “If we could learn to do that better,” Coady says, “we could literally reduce the impact of our human activities by half.” This belief is the foundation upon which Teresa Coady’s highly successful architectural practice has been built.
In architecture, creativity often becomes like a second language, but the same does not always apply to business knowledge. “I have to say that before I started TEC I had no idea how to run a business. I was just doing it kind of intuitively.” Coady says.
Bruce Buchan
CleanRiver Recycling Solutions
TEC 329
When Bruce Buchan founded Midpoint International in 1990, his business philosophy was simple: to make a living as a distributor of office recycling programs designed to eliminate desk-side garbage cans. However, Bruce - a self-professed serial entrepreneur - soon saw a different, bigger picture as he further understood the sheer impact of recycling and the growing demand for waste management education.
Bruce transformed his business perspective into a passion for providing clients with solutions to support their recycling efforts. He began offering innovative and sustainable programs with customized recycling containers and stations as well as waste bins - which are manufactured with recycled material.
TEC 235
Vancouver, British Columbia
Chair: Harold Copping
Since the inception of TEC 235 in 1995, this CEO forum has facilitated the development of some of Vancouver's most successful business leaders. Much like the city in which it is based, the strength of TEC 235 is drawn from the diversity of the 14 members who have come together from all different walks of life with the same goal in mind: taking their leadership to the next level.
"With a broad range of extroverts and introverts, education and experience, the group is an interwoven fabric of ideas, talents and backgrounds," says Harold Copping, who took over as group Chair in 2002. "Everyone is the best at something, so the members influence one another with their expertise."
To illustrate how this unique exchange of influence takes place, here is a glimpse inside the dynamic and highly diversified membership roster of TEC 235:
Linda Eagen
Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation
Alumnus, TEC 289
As the president and CEO of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, Linda Eagen is a proven fundraising professional. Her work over the years has been instrumental in increasing cancer survivorship in Eastern Ontario. Somewhere along the line, though, she began to feel like there was a piece missing.
"Going through cancer treatment, before, during and after is not a nice time in your life," Eagen says. "It is extremely overwhelming and our health care system is not equipped properly to deal with the human and wellness aspect that most people want to have addressed when they have cancer."
On a gut feeling, she set out to transform the cancer experience by developing a specific type care.
David Wallach
Barclay Street Real Estate Ltd.
Alumnus,TEC 303
My approach to leadership was shaped during my army service as a Staff Sergeant and is a combination of “lead by example” and “treat your people with respect.” “Lead by example” is key for every leader. You can only ask your people – whether they are your kids, employees, soldiers, or basketball players to do just what you yourself would do. When your actions follow your words, when you honour your commitments and promises to your people, they will follow you. In the Israel Defense Force the command is “Follow Me” – it is not “Charge”.
The other key leadership quality is respect - treat your people with respect, whether it is your top sales person, or your newest employee – you have to care about their personal life and their professional development. My view is that my employees are my clients and I have to maintain client satisfaction, I have to make them want to come back the next day. And if I treat my employees with respect they will treat their clients – the company’s clients – with respect.
Ben Elzen
Cormode & Dickson Construction
TEC 241
When Ben Elzen joined the team at Cormode & Dickson Construction in 1983, he had no idea that one day he would be sole owner of the company.
During his years working as a project manager, Elzen began buying shares and eventually became a partner. Things were falling into place for him. That is, until there was outside interest to buy. But with over two decades invested into the company, Elzen wasn’t ready to let go.
“I kind of had a moment where I’d really rather rule in my own pond than serve in someone else’s ocean,” says Elzen who six years ago bought out the full service general contracting firm.
Cailey Stollery
Angus Glen Golf Club
TEC 364
When asked what the key is to being a successful entrepreneur, Cailey Stollery’s answer is simple, yet wise.
“Experience,” she says. “You need many experiences in life to help build the type of leader you’ll be. And opportunity, so you can encounter different successes and failures, within life and business, and to learn how to move forward.”
After numerous rewarding business endeavours throughout her 20s and 30s, including the launch of a successful line of women’s golf attire, Cailey’s big opportunity came when she assumed the role of President at Angus Glen Golf Club in 2009.
Judy Davis
Hospitals of Regina Foundation
Member, TRT 647
As the CEO of the Hospitals of Regina Foundation, Judy Davis has a sense of drive and commitment that is unmistakable.
“I am completely passionate about what I do,” she says of her work with the foundation, a charity that builds and sustains philanthropic and community support for essential health services such as advanced equipment and other urgently needed enhancements for southern Saskatchewan’s specialized care hospitals.
Pat McKeough
Successful Investor Wealth Management
Member, TEC 214
Pat McKeough is not afraid to take a risk.
In 1995, at age 47, Pat McKeough quit his position as a well-known investment publishing editor to launch a solo business venture. He began researching, writing and publishing the Successful Investor, the first of four newsletters that established his company, The Successful Investor Inc., as one of the top-rated investment publishers in North America.
Ruth Douglas
News Canada Inc.
Member, TEC 220
To say that Ruth Douglas is an accomplished woman would be an understatement.
A longtime TEC member, Douglas has achieved great success in her role of Publisher at News Canada. She has made the list of Profit Magazine’s Top 100 businesses run by women in Canada for seven years now (she is ranked # 56 this year). As well, she sits on the Board of the Renascent Foundation and is the very proud mother of two.
Now at the age of 57, Douglas has found another mountain to climb in life. Literally.
In January 2011, Douglas and 20 other Canadian women, a team she personally assembled, are raising money to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest free-standing mountain in the world.
Mike Gerbis
CEO, The Delphi Group
Member, TRT 662
Our company, The Delphi Group, is one of the first thought leaders in climate change and corporate sustainability in North America. More importantly we are taking a leadership role by walking the talk.
What I mean by this is that when I took over the company just over four years ago, I realized that leadership in this country around environmental and social issues was lacking at the corporate and government levels. While numerous individuals were taking initiatives and making a difference, the recession was forcing many corporations and governments to pull back their support for activities that were advancing sustainability and establishing strong environment policy.
Marc Grandbois
President, Schwank Ltd.
Member, TEC 280
Mark Grandbois has been a member of TEC since 2003. He firmly believes the knowledge and advice he has gained from TEC over the past six years has helped him accomplish his goals. As the President of a world leader in innovative heating solutions, Marc believes hands-on experience is the best way to learn, and the TEC experience eliminates costly mistakes and identifies growth and profit opportunities.
Catherine Osler
Alumni and former TEC Chair
Vancouver, BC
A Vision to the Future
Catherine Osler has been involved with the TEC community since 1989. Whether participating as a member, chair or speaker, she has recognized TEC's ability to successfully inspire and guide CEO members to build strong, thriving organizations. Now, as President, Catherine looks to lead the next phase of growth for TEC.
