Santa Cause

The Calgary Food & Drug Executives (CFDE) hosted the 15th annual Santa Cause event in collaboration with the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) at Heritage Park in Calgary. The event was held December 7, 2015, at the Wainwright Hotel.  Guests of honour were the idea men who’s after hours debriefing session one evening back in 2001 got the ball rolling on this annual tradition.

The initial idea of recognizing excellence in western Canada came as a result of Grant Hansen (President and COO Canada Safeway) being awarded the “Golden Pencil” in 2001 in Toronto.  Many grocery industry members in the west were unable attend that event to show their support.

The idea evolved from a discussion between Bryan Walton (Vice-President, Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors) and Jim Rose (Vice-President, Oppenheimer).  Bryan called Rick Jolie (President, Calgary Food and Drug Executives) and suggested the CCGD & CFDE co-host an event in western Canada to recognize Grant being named a “Knight of the Golden Pencil.”

December 19, 2001 a Christmas Open House was held at the Danish Canadian Club honouring Grant, with the proceeds being donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Calgary.  Feedback from that night was overwhelming, and the committee suggested making this an annual event called the “Santa Cause”.   Each year a nominating committee puts forward individual’s names who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and leadership to our industry, and their community, and from that list recipient(s) are chosen.

In 2011 when the CCGD dissolved it’s organization, and the Retail Council Of Canada (RCC) took over their membership, they were invited to replace the CCGD as a co-host.

Jim Rose started his career with Canada Safeway in Winnipeg in the late 1960’s. After seven years with them as a produce manager and learning the retail aspect of the industry, he realized he was quickly gaining a keen interest in the supplier side. He left Safeway and joined Seven Cities Food Brokers Limited as a sales representative. Rose worked his way up through various management positions, and in 1987 became president and co-owner of the company.

As the grocery industry in western Canada evolved, the supplier side had to change along with it, and being a regional broker was no longer an option for Seven Cities. They merged their company with Oppenheimer in British Columbia, and Ramsay Brokerage in Alberta, to become Oppenheimer across western Canada. Rose soon moved to Calgary to join the new head office team that had been created there.

In 2000 Oppenheimer sold their business to Crombie Kennedy Nasmark (now Advantage Sales and Marketing) and Rose stayed on until 2005, completing a 30 year career in the food brokerage industry. Not ready to retire and wanting to stay within the industry he loved, he joined Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) as Marketing Manager working with local processors and manufacturers to get their products into the retail world. He spent eight years with ARD.  Rose retired after 45 years in the grocery industry December 2013.

Bryan Walton started his career working for the Minister of Agriculture in Alberta.  During his nine years at Alberta Agriculture Walton worked in several marketing roles geared to understanding markets around the world and help Alberta based producers identify market opportunities for export.  Taking his skills working within a government department Walton’s next role was a vice-president at Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors.  His understanding of government helped Walton be a voice and advocate for Grocers in Western Canada and on national issues.  Working with all levels of government, Bryan was especially active on the Food Safety front.  Managing the file nationally, Walton opened the CCGD office in Ottawa to working closely with the Federal Government of many industry files including Food Safety with lead responsibility for crisis management.

Currently Walton is CEO of Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association and is GM for National Cattle Feeders’ Association. Managing a diverse agenda of initiatives, having a broad range of contacts in the public and private sectors along with Cabinet level political experience, marketing in domestic and international arenas Bryan has a distinguished career as an advocate for industry in Canada.

STARS and McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association were the beneficiaries of the evenings charitable donation.

STARS Air Ambulance (Manitoba).  STARS offers time, hope and life-saving transport to critically ill and injured patients in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association provides of a wide range of innovative programs and individualized support to youth and families who face challenging social issues.