Calgary Journal Online

Wayne Stewart’s first career was in the private sector with Shell Canada as a senior manager in the areas of marketing, product research, human resources and public affairs.

In 1991, he began a second career in the non-profit sector. Over the years, he has served as executive director of the Calgary Foundation, project director of HomeFront, president and CEO of the Calgary Homeless Foundation, and chair of the Alberta Secretariat for Action on Homelessness.

Naheed Nenshi comes from a business consulting background. He has worked advising large telecommunications, banking, retail, and oil and gas companies in corporate strategy. Also, he’s formed his own business, the Ascend Group, a consultancy firm that works with public, private, and nonprofit organizations.

Ric McIver has served as alderman for Ward 12 on city council for nine years. Before entering the political world, he worked in the food business.
He was the national sales manager for a major food company and then went out on his own in the food distribution and marketing business in the early 1990s.

As far as what sets him apart from other candidates, McIver says it’s his experience, his demonstrated willingness to stand up for what he believes in, and his track record of listening to Calgarians.

John Lord served as alderman of Ward 8 from 1995 to 2001 and as MLA for Calgary-Currie riding from 2001 to 2004. Founder and owner of Casablanca Video, Lord has over 30 years of experience as an entrepeneur and small businessman.

In addiition, he was the founding chairman of the organization which named the Marda Loop area, the first Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ) in Calgary. Also, not only is he the founding director and current chair of Calgary’s barbeque competition, BBQ on the Bow, he is also a championship competitor.As for his run for mayor, Lord says, “I’m trying to encourage a change at City Hall where we don’t tolerate people who are selfish, self-centered and opportunists looking to see what’s in it for them.”

Born in Kenya to Indian parents, Alnoor Kassam later moved to London, England and earned his chartered accountant designation. After working as an auditor, he began a career as an entrepreneur.

Over the years, he has taken part in dozens of business ventures ranging from taxis in London; to matchsticks, credit cards and banks in Kenya; to hotels and executive suites in Canada.

Though he’s coached hockey for over 30 years, started a record label, organized music festivals, and put on large art shows, Paul Hughes is probably best known in Calgary for being a local food activist. He’s the former chair of the Calgary Food Policy Council.

He has been a proponent of establishing a food charter and advocates for more community gardens. He’s also an activist for urban chickens and still keeps four chickens in his own backyard.