John Wilson

John Wilson is a well-known name in our region. For 35 years he has been a pillar of business, and philanthropic circles, and despite moving to Calgary now remains involved in the community.

He arrived in Fort McMurray in 1977 with his father to establish H. Wilson Industries Ltd., a heavy equipment business specializing in paving, road building, and sewer/water services. The 1980s saw him emerge as a powerful businessman. John, 67, sold H. Wilson Industries to Volker Stevin in April of 2010. A sewer and water, asphalt/paving and site construction business, H. Wilson is front and centre in supporting local social profits – the red trucks you see at every major food bank drive.

So what keeps him busy nowadays?

"My wife Leslie and I have been together for 40 years. We have four adult children all residing in the Whistler and Vancouver area. My family is active in the outdoors and we like to spend time skiing, golfing and hiking in the mountains around Whistler," shares John.

His love for skiing led him to building a small ski hill in McMurray in the 1990s. That labour of love eventually became Vista Ridge All Seasons Park, of which he was board chair for 23 years. In fact, Vista Ridge named their quad chair after him. A "builder" by nature, he chaired Keyano's Syncrude Sport & Wellness building campaign. He sat on the Keyano Board and chaired it for a number of years receiving the Board Governance Award. The Wood Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame inducted him under the category of "builder" in 2013. In 2012 John was named to MacDonald Island's Wall of Honour, and wait for it… when he retired his employees gifted him with a 1966 Corvette Stingray.

Councillor Phil Meagher shares John's love of skiing, and has exponential respect for his community work.

"John always wanted what was best for our community. He lived here, worked here and played here. His children were involved in many activities and John himself was a very accomplished athlete in many sports. He participated in different clubs and no matter which hockey rink in the city you walked into, you would see the Wilson sponsorship on the bottom of the team jerseys. Our ski hill, Vista Ridge, would not be here today if it were not for the efforts and sacrifices John made with his company's equipment and free labour by his crew."

"The 2004 Arctic Winter Games were dubbed the 'Best Arctic Games ever!' Fort McMurray put on a show like never seen before, and who to credit but John Wilson as Games co-chair. John insisted that we would put on the best games ever and we did! I think the thing that separates John from other leaders is that John is just as comfortable in a room full of executives as he is in a room full of regulars Joes and Janes like myself. He's our community saint, and salt of the earth for sure!" Councillor Meagher enthused.

Active in the social profit circle as well, John was the President of the United Way Board of Directors in 1998, an organization he still supports along with the Wood Buffalo Food Bank Association, and the Wood Buffalo Humane Society. He also co-chaired the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games.

"I have made community involvement my cornerstone for over 35 years and my efforts have been (and still are) focused on Vista Ridge, Keyano College, CAREERS Next Generation (which links youth with local businesses). Although I reside in Calgary, I continue to call Fort McMurray my home. I continue to spend time in the community with Hedco Group and continue to support a number of community organizations," he notes.

Cindy Amerongen, Executive Director, Northern Lights Health Foundation (NLHF) notes, "John Wilson's legacy of community development and building community capacity is apparent everywhere you look."

"His enormous energy and personal drive has contributed to the governance of Keyano College where he was acknowledged with the creation of the John H. Wilson Exemplary Governance Award and the creation of a wall to commemorate the award. John's contributions to the regional sport community through Vista Ridge, numerous provincial, national and international competitions and his personal support for a number of sports and athletes has created a dynamic sport culture. As a personal and business sponsor and donor, John has contributed well over $2 million to our community including a $500,000 donation to the NLHF's Gratitude Campaign. His generosity, humour and dynamic spirit is evident in all of his interactions," she adds.

Melissa Blake, former Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Mayor, worked with John on numerous initiatives, and recalls his contributions.

"John has been an amazing community booster for decades in the region! He very successfully built his business up, but it's the whole region that reaped the rewards. His unending contributions to a variety of good causes are just the start. He rolls up his sleeves and literally digs right in, just look at our spectacular Vista Ridge as a shining example of what I mean. When not building from the ground up, he's leading a number of successful games, mentoring those around him and inspiring us all to 'be more like John.'"

"Be more like John" – sums it up well. Thank you for continuing to build the region, John, we are stronger for it!