Entrepreneur in Residence

Entrepreneur in Residence 2011

Kotler applies expertise as Entrepreneur in Residence

Mel Kotler’s record of service to the community is about to grow longer, but this time he’ll be helping the next generation of entrepreneurs in the Okanagan.

Kotler, who is one of three Honorary Fellows for 2011, has signed on as Entrepreneur in Residence for the coming academic year in Okanagan College’s School of Business.

“We’re excited that someone with Mel’s reputation for entrepreneurial success and his devotion to community is willing to voluntarily invest his time as a mentor for students,” said Dr. Heather Banham, Dean of the School of Business. “The value of being able to draw on his knowledge and experience will be huge for students.”

“I’m eager to start working with the students,” said Kotler. “If I can inspire some and help them with advice borne of practical experience, then I know my contributions are of value. I know the School of Business has a reputation for providing students real-world experience and producing graduates who are career-ready. I’ll take great satisfaction in being a part of that process.”

Kotler was born and raised in Montreal where he took on his first job in the textile industry immediately after high school. He spent 16 years learning the ins and outs of sales, management and marketing before moving west to Calgary in 1977 where he opened his first business, Fabricland. It wasn’t long before Fabricland opened its second location becoming a fast-growing chain of fashion fabric and textiles.

At the time of his retirement from Fabricland in 2001, there were 40 Fabricland stores in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba and another 20 franchises across the region. Since retiring he has devoted his time to community projects.

In 2002 he was presented with a Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal by Sindi Hawkins for his outstanding service to the community. He was also named Entrepreneur of the Year as well as Community Leader of the Year. In 2004 Kotler was awarded the Fred Macklin Memorial Award for his contribution to the well being of the City of Kelowna. The previous year he raised more than $1 million as chair of the Kelowna United Way fundraising campaign. United Way has recognized his leadership and service with a series of honours including the BC Vice-Chair’s Award of Distinction in 2004 and the Award of Distinction in 2008. In his retirement Mel has also served as a board member of several Kelowna companies including QHR Technologies and Pacific Safety Products.

Though he is no longer President of Fabricland, Kotler currently operates Mel Kotler Consultants Ltd., where he manages building projects such as South Point at Big White and The Madison in downtown Kelowna.

Kotler is Okanagan College’s fourth Entrepreneur in Residence following in the footsteps of Bill Redmond, Ed Hall and Doug Manning. As the Entrepreneur in Residence Kotler will meet with students, make presentations to classes and mentor students in small groups or individually.

Entrepreneur in Residence 2010

Doug Manning Biography

Educational Credentials

Bachelor of Education, University of Victoria, 1975
Master of Education (Psychological Foundations), University of Victoria, 1983

Employment Experience

Teacher, Central Okanagan School District, BC (1975 – 1981)
Counselor, Central Okanagan School District, BC (1981 – 1986)
District Administrator, Central Okanagan School District (1986 – 1994)

Initiated and led the development of district career development program
Thousands of students, educators, and community members involved
Selected as provincial model district for career development
Awarded national Conference Board award for community collaboration in 1993

CEO/President/Director/Founder – Bridges Transitions (1994 – 2006)

Initiated and led publicly traded business from start-up to $21.5 million
Designed and developed first Internet-based career information system
Served over 15,500 subscribing schools and colleges in the U.S. and Canada
Selected as Business of the Year in Kelowna for 51+ employees in 2000

Educational Consultant – self-employed. (2006 – 2009)

Coached educational leaders in guidance and graduation rate improvement
Provided keynote presentations and workshops to more than 100 conferences
Presently coaching a Virginia company in business design and development

Volunteer Experience

Director – Career Education Society of BC (1986 – 1997)
Director – Canada WorkInfoNet (2000 - 2004)
Member – British Columbia Premier’s Council of Technology (2002/2003)
Board Member – BCCampus Advisory Board (2003 – 2007)
Delegate – Nat’l Symposium on LMI, Lifelong Learning and Career Development (2003)
Member – University of British Columbia – Okanagan: Advisory Board (2005 – present)
Member – 2008 BC Summer Games Leadership Team (2007/08)

Significant Awards

Community Leader of the Year – Kelowna, BC (1995)
Lifetime Membership Award – Career Education Society of BC (1998)
Entrepreneur of the Year – Kelowna, BC (2000)
Ernst & Young eBusiness Entrepreneur of the Year – BC (2001)

Author

Connected Students – white paper on what works in graduation rate improvement
Proactive Living – blog about living a purposeful life
Reel Life Wisdom – book and website on motivational quotes from movies
BC Learning for Living Guidance Scope and Sequence – Career Development (co-author)
BC Provincial Career Education Guidelines (co-author)
Numerous lesson sets, including 10,000 Hats, Peak Experiences, and Snapshots

Entrepreur in Residence 2009

Well-known Okanagan developer steps forward to help business students

One of the Central Okanagan’s best-known developers and businessmen is adding a new entry to his resume: entrepreneur-in-residence for Okanagan College’s School of Business.

Ed Hall, co-president of Canadian Adult Communities and CEO of Regency Retirement Resorts, has accepted the volunteer challenge of helping provide real-world perspective to the 1,400 students enrolled in the College’s Business Administration programs.

Entrepreneur-in-residence
Ed Hall

“We’re more than pleased that Ed has accepted our invitation to bring his experience, insight and education to our program,” said Dr. Jayne Brooks, Dean of the Okanagan College School of Business. “He has a sterling reputation as a thoughtful, ethical and successful businessman who has helped shape the face of our valley.”

Hall, through his partnerships in Regency Resorts and Canadian Adult Communities, has been involved in building several retirement resorts and communities, accounting for about 2,500 dwelling units in the region. Regency Retirement Resorts owns and operates more than 500 dwelling units in the Kelowna area, targeted at the seniors market. The include Sandalwood, Missionwood and Westwood Retirement Resort.

“I was contemplating how I might contribute to the development of young entrepreneurs and businesspeople when I was approached by the College with this opportunity,” said Hall. “The School’s focus on entrepreneurialism, small- to medium-sized enterprises as well as its reputation and track record of working in and with the community all led me to accept.

“I’ve already met some of the professors and students and am looking forward to the challenge.”

Hall has a Masters of Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Calgary.

He is the College’s second entrepreneur-in-residence. The first, another well-known area businessman, was Bill Redmond, who founded and headed HRI Foods before the Okanagan company was bought by SYSCO Foods in 2001.

What is it that an entrepreneur-in-residence does?

“That’s a great question because each individual who takes on the role will get to decide how it is answered,” explained Associate Dean of Business Barry McGillivray, who brought the concept to the Okanagan.

“We know that Ed will be speaking to some classes and that he will be available to students who want to talk to him about their future in business, but from our experience with Bill, we know the role can – and will – be much more. The advice and insights these individuals can offer to students is invaluable and our students are quick to take advantage of opportunities such as this when it is afforded them.

“It’s another example of the opportunities for our students to make real connections between their business education and the communities they will be working in.”

Entrepreneur in Residence 2008

Bill Redmond takes on new role with Okanagan School of Business

Bill Redmond – well known throughout the Okanagan Valley as a businessman and community volunteer – is geared up to take on a new role at Okanagan College on Jan. 15.

Redmond has accepted the offer to become the first Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Okanagan School of Business.

"The emerging generations of young people are remarkable in so many ways," says Redmond. "They out-perform previous generations. They provide higher levels of service, are more efficient, embrace technology and create smarter business models and strategies. I am sure I am going to get more out of this experience than I give and am looking forward to interacting with the bright young business people of tomorrow."

Jim Hamilton, President of Okanagan College is also pleased with the appointment.

"We are honoured to have the opportunity to work someone with such a successful background and a record of community service and entrepreneurial accomplishments and sincerely welcome him to our College," says Hamilton.

Drawing on a history in business spanning more than four decades, Redmond is best known as the founder, President and CEO of HRI Supply. The company, which was founded in 1978, became the largest broad-line distributor of food and related products to the hotel, restaurant and institutional trade in the BC interior. In 2001 HRI Supply was purchased by Sysco Corporation and became the only company in the BC Interior to merge with a Fortune 500 company in 27 years.

"The potential benefits to students and professors from an Entrepreneur-in-Residence program are tremendous," says Heather Banham, Dean of the Okanagan School of Business. "Our students will have the opportunity to share and learn from Bill’s accumulation of wisdom and experience. Having an advisor and mentor of Bill’s calibre available in a non-teaching role adds an exciting dimension to the student experience."

While holding the yearlong appointment of Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Redmond will be working out of an office at Okanagan College twice per month. During his time on campus he will guest-lecture in classes, consult with students one-on-one or in small groups and will work with professors to brainstorm and strategize about modern, relevant business practices.

Though Redmond has never formally taught, his life experiences have prepared him well for this exciting new role.

"I loved every minute of every day I was in business," says Redmond. "I became a manager at age 25 and have considered myself a teacher for most of my life. When you run a business and it reaches a certain size, you need to delegate responsibility and take on more of an inspirational role. I have been doing that for a long time and plan to continue that approach with the students at the College.