The Influence List 2015: 11-15
- Dev Team
- 02 Sep 2015
The first annual ranking of Hamilton’s most influential people
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, influence is defined as the power to change or affect someone or something : the power to cause changes without directly forcing them to happen. Selected and ranked by a panel of local leaders, our first annual Influence List pro- files thirty of the people who affect Hamilton profoundly on a daily basis.
This is The Influence List.
Selection Panel: Larry Di Ianni (Consultant, former Mayor), Shendal Yalchin (GM, The Hamilton Club), James Lefebvre (AVP, FirstOntario Credit Union), Stephanie Vegh (Executive Director, Hamilton Arts Council)
11. PATRICK DEANE
PRESIDENT, VICE CHANCELLOR, McMASTER UNIVERSITY
By Hubert R Krygsman, President, Redeemer University College
Hamilton’s three post-secondary education institutions are vital to the new post-“rust belt” Hamilton that is beginning to bloom. This certainly is true of McMaster University, thanks in no small part to the leadership of Dr. Patrick Deane.
Dr. Deane became the seventh President and Vice-Chancellor of McMaster in July 2010, and is now into his second five-year term in that position. Deane’s early experiences growing up in South Africa during the last throes of apartheid, and his early academic career as a professor of English literature, have given him a passion for the liberal arts and social sciences and for education and research that serve human dignity and the social good.
From this background, Deane has lead McMaster in advancing its outstanding national and international reputation for innovative teaching and research, while also connecting that work to local community needs. Recent developments like the McMaster Automotive Resource Centre established to advance research in sustainable-energy hybrid automotive powertrains, and most notably the creation of a downtown Health Sciences campus to provide both educational and local medical services, are testament to McMaster’s commitment under Deane’s leadership to innovative research and learning that engages and serves the community.
Dr. Deane is an admired colleague whose vision is a welcome force for Hamilton’s educational, social, and economic future.
12. TIM POTOCIC
CO-OWNER & OPERATOR, SONIC UNYON RECORDS
By Bill Curran, architect Thier & Curran Architects Inc.
A community developer, businessman, musician, husband and dad. A devoted Hamiltonian and a superb homegrown Hamilton music and arts advocate.
Tim Potocic fits both of those descriptions, as well as being a selfless, serial volunteer who devotes an extraordinary amount of time away from his family and businesses. Notably, Potocic has co-invented, nurtured, and grown the all-volunteer Supercrawl into a truly amazing free festival for all Hamiltonians.
But perhaps we forget that Potocic also is a successful music producer, record label co-owner, downtown advocate and real estate developer — an astounding and diverse combination of interests. Further, consider his work as a festivals and events creator, organizer and promoter: the Junos, Because Beer Craft Beer Festival, Seven Sundays in Gage Park, Westdale’s Blues & Roots Music Festival, Mills Hardware. Sonic Unyon Records has survived and thrived during the 20 most tumultuous years in the history of music industry, an incredible achievement alone.
Potocic’s unbelievable energy, acumen, drive and his dogged perseverance in dealing with the obstacles in his path are enviable. I’m stunned that he is always positive, always smiling and unflappable — and that I’ve never seen him angry.
Hamilton would be a far less rich place to live without Potocic and his endless cultural contributions.
13. PAUL BERTON
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, HAMILTON SPECTATOR
By Meredith MacLeod, journalist
Paul Berton threw himself into learning about Hamilton when he arrived from London to become editor-in-chief at The Spectator in June 2010.
He hit the streets by foot and by bike, met with those making things happen and, with journalism in his blood, asked endless questions.
A well-connected, 30-year Spectator veteran says in just five years Berton has come to know the city as well as he does and become a “prototypical Hamilton guy.”
That has earned him a place as an influential voice in community conversations.
He’s quiet, thoughtful, collaborative, curious and sharply observational. He challenges convention, often with a sense of humour. He’s also a confident leader willing to share advice with up-and-comers.
Berton pushes The Spectator to continue to be an agent of change, urging reporters to find hidden stories and ignored voices and ask questions readers want answered.
Berton, father to two grown children, and son of prolific historian and journalist Pierre Berton, explores the modern role of newspapers in a weekly Spec column.
He’s an avid reader and artist, and a passionate urbanist who also loves to explore the outdoors, especially by canoe.
He is leading The Spectator’s 169-year-old newsroom at a time of unprecedented upheaval and seems to relish the challenge.
14. TERRY COOKE
PRESIDENT, HAMILTON COMMUNITY FDN.
By Justin Cooper, Former President, Redeemer University College
With gifts and experience in the political, business and not-for-profit sectors of our city, Terry Cooke now enjoys his most impactful role to date. Having served as City Councillor and then Chairman of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth from 1994-2000 and worked in business, notably as President of Fluke Transport, his desire to give back to his community attracted him to become President of the Hamilton Community Foundation in 2010.
In this role, he has again found his city- wide stride, using his considerable networking and communication skills in a variety of areas, including poverty alleviation, health, the arts and social housing. Under his leadership the Foundation is now poised to foster more community investing and facilitate increasing educational success in challenged neighbourhoods to improve access to post- secondary opportunities.
Terry is passionate about Hamilton and its potential. An inspiring man of vision, wisdom and integrity, he grasps the complexity of issues and relishes working strategically with others to effect transformative social change through partnerships. As a result, he is also increasingly recognized on the national stage.
Up close, he is personable, energetic and quite a history and sports buff, as well as runner and basketball and squash player.
15. BOB YOUNG
OWNER, HAMILTON TIGER CATS
By Brian Lewis, Chairperson, Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame
Great leaders come in various shapes and sizes. They each have their particular strengths which contribute to their ability to reach incredible heights; they take risks and make decisions that not everyone will be happy with; and they each have their quirks, idiosyncrasies and passions.
Sometimes those passions don’t make obvious sense. Why would any one individual — let alone wise and successful business people — want to own a professional sports organization when it’s been shown so often that they not only lose money, but lose a lot of money?
In the case of Bob Young, the self-proclaimed caretaker of our venerable Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the volume of stories on his history and reasons for operating the club is vast and well documented. The stories have often been written many professional scribes who are artists with the written word… unlike this amateur, who clearly is not.
But I have had the good fortune of having worked and volunteered in the world of sport and entertainment, and believe these leaders should be cherished — whether we always agree with them or not.
So thank you Bob Young for taking care of our team both on and off the field. Based on the relatively recent news of the organization’s business success — and great on-field improvements — congratulations on finally leading it to a level where it actually makes cents. Oskee Wee Wee.
Comments 0
There are no comments
Add comment