About Us

The Centre for Entrepreneurial Leaders is a recently established centre at the School of Business, Trinity Western University.

The Centre for Entrepreneurial Leaders pursues the development of Godly entrepreneurial leaders who focus on social transformation and ethical practice. By providing information, organizing events, publishing an exclusive series of books, and compiling an extensive database of entrepreneurial resources, the Centre prepares students for the various marketplaces of life.

The Centre for Entrepreneurial Leaders grew out of the Entrepreneurship Program at Trinity Western University. The Centre now supports a variety of initiatives and publishes an annual book of interviews with Christian entrepreneurs.

Mission

The Vision of The Centre for Entrepreneurial Leaders is:

To be a leading international centre for education, advancement and research of values-oriented entrepreneurial leadership.

The five-fold mission of the CEL involves:

1. Research
   To develop instructional materials that are rooted in the practical business and faith insights of Christian entrepreneurs.
2. Teaching
   To create pedagogical tools and provide practice-oriented instruction for the development of innovation and entrepreneurial skills among student leaders, and to pass the legacy from one generation to the next.
3. Publications
   To highlight the expertise of the proposed CEL through the publication of leading works on faith and entrepreneurship.
4. Community Impact
   To host an annual Forum, and other events as appropriate, for the edification and encouragement of those interested in Christianity and entrepreneurship.
5. Promotion
   To publicize the expertise of the proposed CEL through participation in key local, national, and international gatherings related to faith and the marketplace, and through promotional tools that create awareness of the proposed CEL's activities.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Committee is co-chaired by the President of TWU and the Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Leaders  

Rod Bergen, Managing Director, Tax & Financial Analysis, Jim Pattison Group (www.jimpattison.com) – The Jim Pattison Group is the third largest private company in Canada. Rod is a Chartered Accountant and a former member of the Board of Governors of the Canadian Tax Foundation. Prior to joining the Jim Pattison Group, Rod was the partner-in charge of the British Columbia tax practice for one of the "Big 6" accounting firms as well as being a member of the firm's Partnership Board and chairman of the firm's technology steering committee.

Barry Borthistle, Presidential Director, TriVita Inc. – Barry (bborthistle@shaw.ca) is a co-founder and former International President with TriVita, Inc., a $200 million/year nutritional products company.  He remains involved with TriVita as a Presidential Director.  He was previously a corporate executive with The Bay, Sears and Canadian Tire.  Barry was also a pastor for 6 years.  He has won numerous awards around the world for his business acumen:  Price Waterhouse recognition for new start-up companies, a Leading Health Professionals Award.  Barry teaches adult education classes and has written materials on “Marketplace Ministry.”

Ross Colello, CA, CFO, Spa Utopia (www.spautopia.com) – Spa Utopia is a day spa with three locations, all in excess of 10,000 square feet, in Vancouver B.C. Canada. He was also Chairman of the Board for the first ten years. The company has 325 employees. It also owns Utopia Academy of Integrated health & Beauty Ltd, which currently has a hair dressing and aesthetics academy in Abbotsford, and a 12,000 square foot massage therapy academy in Vancouver. The Company also has the Utopia Foundation which works closely with employees to support orphanages in Africa.  After 30 years in public accounting servicing clients, Ross retired as a partner in Manning Elliott, a regional Chartered Accounting firm in British Columbia. He had also worked with a large international CA firm, ran his own practice, and functioned as the Chief Financial Officer of the largest regional daily newspaper in Australia.  Ross has hands-on experience with a number of software development and internet related companies as part owner, as independent CA, as a director, and as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Josh Coleman, Project Manager, Titan Construction Company Ltd. (www.titanconstruction.net) - Titan Construction is one of the Lower Mainland’s leading general contractors, specializing in tilt-up construction.  Started by Richard Coleman in 1986, Titan Construction is a privately held company with a staff of 30.  Titan Construction has extensive experience in a variety of projects, including educational facilities, churches, shopping malls, restaurants, film studios, mixed-use warehousing, office space, industrial process users and manufacturers, and mixed use commercial/residential.  Josh has worked at Titan for 2 years, preceded by 2 years at BCIT studying Architecture Building Engineering Technology (dip.Tech) and 5 years at TWU studying Business Administration (BBA).  Josh benefitted as a student from the Entrepreneurial Forum, the discussions and learning associated with entrepreneurial classes and from the success of TWU’s Business Department.   

Don M. Enns - Don was most recently President and CEO of CANTEST Ltd., a comprehensive laboratory providing professional analysis and consultation in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, environmental, industrial hygiene and food safety related fields. Through inspired leadership, impressive growth and industry-leading business practices, Don helped CANTEST earn a spot amongst the 50 Best Managed Companies in Canada and the company was recognized as one of BC’s 25 best companies to work for. Don has been actively involved in the Canadian life sciences industry for more than 20 years. He is also the 2009-2010 United Way Campaign Cabinet Co-chair and a director for numerous non-profit organizations involved with national standardization, education, community development and public health.  He received his B.Sc. from TWU and his MBA from UBC.

Willi Hamm, Founder & President, Westcor Services (www.westcoreservices.com)  - Will founded and has grown Westcor’s operations in Vancouver, BC and Edmonton, AB over more than 25 years.  Westcor provides insulation, fireproofing and environmental services to the petrochemical, marine, pulp and paper and utility industries.  Westcor has completed a number of complex projects:  Albian Sand Energy, Burrard Generating Station, Scotford Upgrader for Shell Canada and major refits of the Queen of Coquitlam and the Queen of Cowichan for Vancouver Shipyards.  Willi and his wife, Marilyn, have four children, all of whom have attended TWU.  Willi has attended previous Forums and is a committed supporter of the CEL and TWU.

Jame Healy, Principal, Avantage Partners – Trained originally in finance and economics at TWU and UBC, Jame has developed a reputation for building world-class teams known for delivering large and complex solutions using niche and specialised skills. As a seasoned management consultant with over 15 years experience, Jame has led short and long-term projects and with his background in trading system efficiency brings unique perspective as team lead to the Business Process Integration Practice. Jame is a consultant at Avantage Partners (www.avantage.com) and his focus within the practice is on supply chain and trading partner integration.

Jim Janz, President, Janz and Associates – Jim started his working life as a teacher, graduating from the University of Alberta Calgary in 1962. He left teaching two years later and has been engaged successfully in business ever since. Janz and Associates Distribution Inc., and Intercontinental Consulting Inc. are the marketing companies; and Ambassador Business Network and Achievers International Inc. are the training and motivational companies, that have been the driving force behind most of his business activities.  He has served as the Chairman of the Foundation Board for TWU, as chairman of a task force on small business for the Province of British Columbia and as the chairman for nine charitable and religious organizations over the past 40 years; Schuller Ministries and World Serve being two of the major organizations.  In addition to this he is currently serving as Governance and Oversight for the Independent Business Owners Association International, out of Grand Rapids, MI. His business operates in over six countries, and has been recognized by achieving all of the highest awards in his area of expertise, which today focuses mostly in the on-line shopping business.  He is an accomplished speaker and has spoken to crowds of up to 25,000 people in many countries around the world.

Eugene Kaulius, CEO, The British Group – Eugene has extensive experience as an upper-level executive. He was President of Samoth Financial Corp., a company founded by high-profile entrepreneur, Peter Thomas. He is presently CEO of The British Group, and is involved in real estate financing in Canada and the US. Eugene also is an advisor to Opportunities International, a charity involved in microfinance lending in Third World countries. Eugene is a Chartered Accountant by profession.

Marvin P. Kehler, Director, Great Commission Media - Over the years Marvin has been actively involved in the business arena. His involvement has included positions of President or Director in the industrial, developmental and agricultural sectors.  A few of these include the oil and mining industries, land development and poultry farming.   Marvin was President of Campus Crusade for Christ, Canada for 28 years (1974 to 2002) and the Executive Director position of Campus Crusade for Christ, Western Europe for five years. He also served as a Vice President of Campus Crusade for Christ, International for twenty-five years.  Today, Marvin continues to use his leadership abilities as:  Board of Director (Canadian and U.S.A.), Great Commission Media (IRRTV); Board of Directors, the Great Commission Foundation; Co-director of the website Thoughts About God (with his wife Katherine); and spearheading Leadership seminars for businesses and organizations.

Rob Maat, President, Wilco Landscaping – Rob is President and co-owner of Wilco Westcoast (www.wilcowestcoast.ca).  Rob has a degree in landscape architecture from Michigan State University and has worked in the field his entire career, including high profile projects such as Expo 86.  Rob is also a Director of Fleetwood Port Kells EDA for the Conservative Party of Canada.  Wilco Westcoast is part of the Wilco group of companies across Western Canada which form the largest civil and landscape development group in Canada.  With over 20 years in B.C. and 50 years of total history, Wilco has become expert in the construction and delivery of built landscapes. Services in project management and construction of parks, sport facilities, as well as environmental, landscape and civil works make Wilco a leader in delivering complex projects to its clients. Projects constructed by Wilco Westcoast are found throughout Southwestern B.C., Vancouver Island, and the Interior of B.C.

Franco Papalia, Financial Advisor, Raymond James – Franco is a Financial Advisor to high net-worth clients with Raymond James (www.raymondjames.ca), one of North America’s largest investment firms. His experience in the financial services industry spans 30 years. His multi-faceted background enables him to identify innovative solutions to meet the specific needs of individual clients. Franco oversees all aspects of client service, working closely with key professionals to achieve clients’ best outcomes.

Richard Scott, Business Coach, Clarity Business Strategies - Rich is a leading FocalPoint Certified Business Coach & Coach Trainer (www.focalpointcoaching.com).  He is a TWU alumnus, an accomplished entrepreneur and an experienced sales and marketing professional.  He has over 15 years of sales, marketing and leadership experience.  In 2000, he co-founded Qualica Financial Group Inc, a commercial equipment lease finance firm.  By 2005 he had help grow it to #1 status in Western Canada.  In 2006, he then successfully managed the sale and transition of the company to one of MCAP, one of Canada’s largest independent mortgage and finance companies.  Among other awards he was named “Top Graduate” from UBC’s Sauder School of Business for their Sales and Marketing Management program.  When he isn't working with clients, Richard enjoys skiing, running and soccer. 

Terry Smith, Chairman of the Board, Smith Gardens, Bellingham, WA (www.northwestgrown.com) – Smith Gardens is the producer of Northwest Grown garden products, and has been a family-owned and operated business for over 100 years.  The business now has 4 locations and employs over 600 workers in peak season; its products are available through leading retailers such as Costco, Walmart and Home Depot.  Terry was President of Smith Garden for many years and engineered a significant expansion phase, before successfully transitioning management of the business to two of his sons.  Terry believes in God-given DNA:  divine gift, natural gifts and acquired gifts.

Bernie Thiessen – Bernie began his sales and management career immediately after completing his 2nd year of University at Trinity Western in 1971.  He enjoyed 17 years with Tandy Electronics ( Radio Shack) as Joint Venture Store Manager and District Manager of Atlantic Canada and Southern Alberta achieving numerous sales and management awards including several years as District Manager of the Year for Canada.  Since 1990, Bernie has excelled at selling residential and commercial Real Estate in the Upper Fraser Valley and has achieved annual top national sales awards and CADREB Presidents Club every year as well as serving as Vice Chair and Director for the Commercial Division of the Chilliwack Real Estate Board.  Bernie also manages his own Real estate Investment portfolio as President of several Corporations.  Bernie has been active in his church as Deacon, Treasurer, and Chairman as well as serving 7 years as a Director on the Camp Squeah Board.

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