I asked Mark what qualities distinguish preferred colleagues, collaborators and suppliers?
… dependable. People who enjoy what they do. People who figure things out, show effort.
I asked what distinguishes him, why his customers choose him over competitors?
… open, honest, not afraid to admit my fears. Whatever comes my way, I think I can handle it, I can figure it out
What do you lose sleep over, what do you worry about?
... I’m committed to raising awareness of PSAC, our role in R & D, creating greater awareness of the truth about hydraulic fracturing – those things are on my mind. I wish more journalists would get educated on who far we’ve come.
Who or what influenced you most – that has made a difference in your life, or that was a major turning point?
… the influence of those summers (age 13,14,16) I spent on a ranch in Saskatchewan, the influence of Denzil Sutton (think of a Canadian John Wayne type) – and facing up to and taking responsibility for my own actions . . . like putting a front-end loader up through the roof of a quonset we’d just built. And, more recently, I had a mini-stroke. A TIA. Thanks to Foothills hospital I got through it without damage.
I asked Mark how he sees oil and gas business from PSAC’s perspective over the next 90 days?
… steady as she goes, oil prices are high, demand for production, our member companies are still looking for skilled workers. Steady is good.
Over the next 5 years?
Even better! Pipelines – we’ll get them – east/west, KeystoneXL, BC .. we all need oil & gas. Helping our members do more business in Canada and around the world.
Work life balance?
… did some sparring in the ring with my son. Not so much the boxing, but the time spent working out with my son. Gardening. The fish pond. Love it. I report to my boss Mrs. Salkend. We do a lot of hiking. Traveling. 2 children, 2 grandchildren.
What are you reading?
… novels – I like Ludlum, La Carre types; read a ton doing my MBA. Lots of business reading. Currently enjoying Rick George’s book Sun Rise.
His ride?
… 2006 Jag Super Plus V8, it fits me like a glove. My 3rd Jag. I’ve always bought used ones – the 2nd and 3rd were each the result of stopping into the showroom when my car was in for service.