AROUND TOWN WITH BILL BROOKS

Social scribe shines light on the city

Federal and provincial government policies have only exacerbated the challenging business environment in the patch. We all know of at least one or two people who have lost their jobs as a result of the economic downturn in an industry that was —not all that long ago — the economic darling of the country.

It should come as no surprise then that the recent GMP FirstEnergy seasonal celebration held Nov. 22 in the leading independent global energy investment bank’s offices was not the most raucous of parties. Fun, to be sure, but muted would be the best description.

Nonetheless, those who work in the patch are a resilient lot and the resounding vibe this night was one of ‘ We will survive.’ Who was not in attendance would make a much shorter list as seemingly the entire industry was represented. Consummate hosts with the most, Jim Davidson, chairman of GMP FirstEnergy, and John Chambers, vice-chairman and president, were kept busy this night welcoming guests: Obsidian Energy’s Brad Monaco and Kyle Doucet; Tamarack Valley Energy vice-president finance and CFO Ron Hozjan; Westbrick Energy’s Douglas Kay; Colliers International executive vice-president Jim Rea; Secure Energy Services’ Allen Gransch; Pace Wellness executive vice-president Michael Palmer; Touchstone Exploration president and CEO Paul Baay; Trican Well Services’ Robert Skilnick and Daniel Lopushinsky; Scott Land & Lease’s Gregg Scott; Storm Resources’ Stuart Clark; United Way of Calgary and Area CEO Karen Young with colleague Connie Hamilton and board chair Bruce McFarlane; Marina Caron; Michelle Broderick; Kristi Hiller; DJD’s Kathi Sundstrom; GMP FirstEnergy’s Nick Johnson, vice-chairman and co-head of Energy Investment Banking; and GMP FirstEnergy’s Darren Engels, Robert Fitzmartyn, Oana Garis and Beverley McCartney.

PHOTOS: BILL BROOKS The who’s who of the ’patch gathered in the offices of GMP FirstEnergy for the iconic firm’s annual celebration of the holiday season. Pictured, from left, are GMP FirstEnergy deputy chairman Jim Davidson; Nick Johnson, vice-chairman and co-head Energy...

From left, Obsidian Energy’s Kyle Doucet, Tamarack Valley Energy vice-president finance and CFO Ron Hozjan, Obsidian Energy manager Brad Monaco and GMP FirstEnergy’s Darren Engels.

From left, Trican Well Service’s Robert Skilnick, Secure Energy Services’ Allen Gransch and Trican’s Daniel Lopushinsky.

GMP FirstEnergy’s Beverley McCartney and Colliers International executive vice-president Jim Rea.

Scott Land & Lease’s Gregg Scott, left, and Pace Wellness executive vice-president Michael Palmer.

From left, Marina Caron, Michelle Broderick and Kristi Hiller.

GMP FirstEnergy’s Oana Garis, left, and DJD’s Kathi Sundstrom.

From left, United Way of Calgary and Area CEO Karen Young, board chair Bruce McFarlane and Connie Hamilton.

From left, Westbrick Energy’s Douglas Kay, Storm Resources’ Stuart Clark and GMP FirstEnergy managing partner Robert Fitzmartyn.