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CAN'T FIND SOMETHING? |
Business in Vancouver December 30, 2008-January 5, 2009; issue 1001 Todd Kobus VP, finance and CFO, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Age: 36 If someone in the room asked who has their dream job, you would see Todd Kobus waving his hand high in the air. The lifelong sports fan dreamt as a child of having Vancouver Canucks and B.C. Lion tickets at the same time. He played soccer, basketball and lacrosse, but found his aptitude lay in numbers and business. All roads led back to sports, however, and his current role as vice-president, finance, and CFO for Canucks Sports & Entertainment. When it was time to choose an accounting firm to complete his articling, Kobus selected KPMG because it was the Canucks’ auditor. One day, he hoped, he just might get to work the file. “It has just been one of those surreal things that everything has lined up for me in my career and here I am today. I’ve been very fortunate,” he said. But the Canucks would have to wait. He left KPMG in 1998 to become director of finance for the NBA’s Vancouver Grizzlies. He subsequently moved to Memphis, Tennessee, when the team pulled up stakes in 2000. After spending four years in the U.S., Kobus returned to Vancouver as project director, budgets and financial planning, with VANOC. In April 2007, he joined the Vancouver Canucks’ organization. “It is a very different environment when you work somewhere where you are literally in the newspaper every day. You learn a lot about the media and to read things with a little more of a discerning eye,” said Kobus. “You have to be very conscious of what you are doing. Both at VANOC and now here at the Canucks, you are working for what is, in effect, public assets.” The best part of his job is coming to the arena every morning, he said. “When I come over the Cambie Street Bridge and I see GM Place, I get a smile on my face knowing that I’m going there today.” • Birthplace: North Vancouver Where do you live now: Vancouver Highest level of education: BBA, chartered accountant Car or chosen mode of transport: Land Rover Currently reading: When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi by David Maraniss Last CD bought or music downloaded: Coldplay Favourite movie: Hoosiers Favourite local restaurant: Crave Profession you would most like to try: Teacher/professor Mentor: I have been very fortunate to work with many first-class professionals. I try and learn from everyone whether it is in business or personal life Toughest business or professional decision: Though ultimately not my decision, the decision to relocate the NBA’s Vancouver Grizzlies was the hardest thing I have had to go through professionally What’s left to do: Be the best dad I can for my two sons |
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