I asked Ralph how he sees his business, and his industry, faring over the next 90 days?
… still good. Even the hype looks good. I can’t imagine what would deflate that. My vision is a bit myopic – I have to see beyond Calgary because we easily forget how fragile the whole world is – economically, environmentally, politically.
And over the next 5 years?
…. in the west I see us shifting more of our focus to urban core in pursuit of growth opportunities – how to develop on our own and in Joint Ventures, mixed use re-developments in the heart of cities (Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Victoria).
What qualities distinguish your preferred colleagues, collaborators and suppliers?
… price can't be ignored. Relationship based. Ability to perform. People you trust and respect. Loyal if it is consistent. Loyal to my colleagues – we are all part of a team.
What distinguishes you that causes people to choose Ralph Huizinga, why do they do business with you and your company over your competitors?
... relationship, track record. JV’s are tricky. The second project is easy. The first one is very hard – and no agreement is going to help you get along. The test is whether there is a 2nd or a 3rd project.
What do you lose sleep over, what do you worry about?
…all family related. Not leaving a sustainable world to our children and grand-children.
Who or what influenced you most – that has made a difference in your life, or that was a major turning point?
… Mark Ward, a high school history teacher. Extremely intelligent, articulate, passionate about history and politics and understanding them. Mom .. great. Dad … still working on it. My heart attack took me a long time to process. No surgery, but I had couple of stents installed. It took me two years to quit smoking, longer still to get into restraint and exercise. It taught me life is fleeting – there are things you should enjoy; friends, kids, grand-kids.
Do you have a hero?
… Aleksandr Solzenhitysn. I was intrigued by his story – resilience and character. I’ve read all three volumes of the Gulag Archipeligo
Work life balance?
… I suck at it, but I try getting better. Travel, running (till recently – knee trouble), still play beer league hockey, golf, +50 games, travelling to softball tournaments with my wife Nancy.
What do you read?
… eclectic mix. Recently .. A Thousand Splendid suns by Khaled Hosseini, False Economy by Alan Beattie, travel books. I haven’t read a history book in quite a long time.
His ride?
… Camry Hybrid, Ford F150, 865cc Triumph Bonneyville for fun