2003 Presenter Full Presenter List

Nelson Skalbania

Entrepreneur

Whether it is various forms of ownership of sports teams (the NHL’s Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers, or the CFL’s BC Lions), the service industry (Vancouver’s Wedgewood Hotel), or other businesses (Pacific Western Brewery, Norton Motors Ltd., or Malibu Grand Prix theme parks), Nelson Skalbania’s endeavors have run the gamut.

Skalbania began his career with McKenzie Snowball & Skalbania (1964-1981), and engineer consulting firm, then moved into an extensive real estate career, purchasing hotels, shopping centres, entertainment complexes, apartments and raw land.

Skalbania, an avid sportsman, then delved into the sports world in 1977. His accomplishments include signing 17-year-old Wayne Gretzky to the Indianapolis Racers, moving the Memphis Rogues soccer team to Calgary, and signing Quarterback Vince Ferragamo to the Montreal Alouettes.

Other businesses have included opening Vancouver’s largest art gallery (now the Heffel Gallery), revitalizing the Downey Street Sawmills in Revelstoke. BC, and founding Solar Energy Ltd., a renewable energy and water research and development company in Los Alamos, New Mexico.