| His father’s New Zealand heritage enabled him to qualify as a domestic player in the National Basketball League based in Australia and New Zealand. While he dreamed of playing for a National Basketball Association team, he told Business in Vancouver that he was realistic and about his limitations. After three and a half enjoyable years playing basketball Down Under, he reached a turning point. “I made the intelligent decision to come back and do some more schooling in business,” he said. His diploma in marketing management, with a focus on entrepreneurship, helped him get his foot in the door as a marketing co-ordinator at EnWave when it was getting off the ground. He attributes his many promotions to being able to find ways to create value for executive management and to go above and beyond to try to push the business forward. “Being a small organization, it is less difficult than a large organization to leverage up,” he said. At one point he was headhunted away by a health-care venture but, a week later, EnWave’s CEO coaxed him back with the offer of a significant promotion that would entail handling investor relations and helping raise capital. One move he made as CEO may have stemmed from his success on a basketball team: he started to reward teams of workers with bonuses for successes instead of awarding individuals. “That makes it less competitive, and we work together more synergistically,” he explained. Where you live now: Port Moody, B.C. Highest level of education: CFA charter holder (chartered financial analyst) Currently reading: Memos from the Chairman by Alan C. Greenberg Currently listening to: “Player’s Ball” by Outkast When you were a kid, what you wanted to be when you grew up: Professional basketball player Profession you would most like to try: Prime minister (half joking) Toughest business or professional decision: My toughest business decision was to temporarily leave EnWave Corp. to pursue a more stable position at an emerging health-care company. Shortly after I left, the CEO of EnWave called me and offered me the opportunity to create value in whatever role I saw fit Advice you would give the younger you: Leaders grow people by first growing themselves. Understand your own needs and wants, strengths and weaknesses What’s left to do: Many things. I’m hyper-focused on helping grow EnWave into an extremely profitable business entity and eventually attract an acquirer. I’m motivated to help my colleagues advance their careers and create lasting value. Lastly, my primary motivation is to help raise a loving and successful family with my wife Join us to celebrate the 2019 Forty under 40 Awards on January 30, 2020, at the Westin Bayshore. For tickets and event information visit https://www.biv.com/forty-under-40 |
