commerce, business, and industry

A renowned business leader, philanthropist and volunteer, University of Saskatchewan (USask) alumnus Jefferson (Jeff) Mooney (BA’66) has distinguished himself in the boardroom and in the community.

Don Seaman was born in Rouleau, Sask., in 1925, to parents who encouraged their four children to take advantage of educational opportunities. Like his two brothers, Doc and B.J., he pursued a degree in mechanical engineering at USask, graduating in 1947.

Tim Hearn grew up in Regina, and received a bachelor’s degree in science at the University of Manitoba. He began his career with Imperial Oil as a marketing representative in North Battleford, Sask., and took on positions of increasing responsibility in the company, including close to a decade managing international business ventures associated with Imperial Oil and its parent company Exxon Mobil.

Born on the family trap line in 1943 in Stanley Mission, Sask., Harry Cook began his career as a journeyman welder and went on to become Chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and helped develop it into one of the most successful and effectively managed bands in the province. Cook was elected Chief in 1987 and served for 18 years. Cook was also a member of the Board of Directors for Cameco Corporation for 16 years, and now serves as a Senator for the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, the Prince Albert Grand Council, and the Federation of Sovereign Indian Nations.

Merlis Belsher is a successful businessman and philanthropist whose acts of generosity reflect a deep commitment to volunteerism and community. Mr. Belsher grew up on the family farm and attended elementary school at McCord, a small village in southwestern Saskatchewan named after his pioneer grandfather. Following the accidental death of his parents at age 15 Merlis entered Luther College in Regina to complete grades 11 and 12. He attended the University of Saskatchewan to obtain a Bachelor of Commerce degree and thereafter was admitted to the Saskatchewan Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Being the eldest of four children raised by a single mother, Keith Martell learned how to take on responsibilities early in life. He also found that taking personal responsibility was necessary to achieve success. Armed with the first university degree in his extended family and an ethic for hard work, he was determined to achieve a better life for himself, his family and his community.

Fred Carmichael is a businessman, commercial pilot, political leader and Gwich’in Elder who exemplifies the spirit of Aboriginal Northerners.

Born in Aklavik, Northwest Territories, Fred’s father was a Trapper who was the first elected Member to the Northwest Territories Council. The Council held meetings in Ottawa at the time, and evolved today into the Legislative Assembly of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Fred’s mother came from a long line of Gwich’in Chiefs.

Mr. Ron Graham graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. That same year he joined the family construction business, P.W. Graham & Sons Ltd. in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Over the next twenty years, the company grew to nine offices in Western Canada and the USA.

In 1978, Ron was appointed President and CEO of the company and in 1985, after nearly sixty years of family ownership, employees joined forces with the Graham family to form Graham Construction and Engineering (1985) Ltd.

Graduating from the University of Saskatchewan in 1967 with a degree in mechanical engineering, Art Dumont did not take long to start making his mark on the oil and gas industry. By 1985, he had been appointed president and CEO of a multitude of companies. He retired as CEO of Technicoil in 2008.

William J. Doyle is president and chief executive officer of Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (PotashCorp) the world’s largest fertilizer company. He assumed his current duties on July 1, 1999 after 12 years as a key member of the PotashCorp senior management team. He has served on the board of directors since the company was first listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges in 1989.