He landed his job as regional vice-president and general manager at Canadian Springs Water Co. in February 2004, after working as its vice-president of finance. He schmoozed with investment bankers and planning to launch an IPO, but the IPO collapsed when Chakrabarti helped negotiate the January 2003 deal to sell the entire Sparkling Spring Water Group, including the Canadian Springs division, to French multi-national Group Danonel. That sale was worth $500 million and it gave SSWG shareholders a 40-per-cent premium on the payout they expected from an IPO.

Chakrabarti's start in the water business came at the tender age of 30, when he jumped from being the TD Bank's relationship manager of corporate banking to be Sparkling Spring Water Group Ltd.'s vice-president of finance.

Armed with an MBA from Simon Fraser University, Chakrabarti helped Sparkling Spring expand by navigating 10 acquisitions in seven countries while moving the company's head office to Vancouver from Halifax.

"Two deals in Holland were interesting because both the president and I don't speak Dutch. The sellers wanted to negotiate the deal in that language so we needed good faith and a good lawyer," he said.

Outside work, he mentors students and is a guest speaker at SFU's faculty of business. He also teaches a full-day course four times a year to junior-high students across B.C., encouraging them to stay in school.

Profession you would most like to try: Business teacher or NHL hockey coach

Where do you feel most comfortable? Anywhere with my family

Favourite movie: Old School or Goodfellas

Currently reading: Pagan Christ by Tom Harpur and Eighth Habit by Stephen Covey

Toughest decision: To join Canadian Springs and leave a good career at TD Bank with co-workers who I enjoyed working with

Car: My wife has mini-van and I'm shopping for an SUV

Would most like to meet: Of those alive, Richard Branson; all-time, Leonardo da Vinci

Birthplace: Barrie Ontario

Last CD bought: Best of Pearl Jam

Education: MBA at SFU

What's left to do: Attend every game of a Stanley Cup Final