I asked Reid how he sees business, for restoring historically important facilities and supporting arts groups … over the over the next quarter?
… demand for affordable tenant space, positioned for investment, operational soundness, cost recovery.
And over the next 5 years?
… philanthropy, a driving element of our model, has been flood-affected. Yet, there is new money. We have to differentiate ourselves. Our ability to attract support from philanthropists and the investment community will be driven by portfolio health.
What qualities distinguish your preferred colleagues, collaborators and suppliers?
… passion, pragmatism, sense of humour. I don’t need flaky people in my life.
What distinguishes you that causes people/employers to choose Reid Henry, why do they do business with you, why have they hired you, over your competitors?
… passion, pragmatism, sense of humour! A sense of purpose, an ability to execute. I’ve created cSPACE from the outset. It has a lot of me in it. Community, creativity, collaboration and change – a set of values about how and why I work.
What do you lose sleep over, what do you worry about?
… health. Exercise, keeping the balance. I love this job, and have a great family life.
Who or what influenced you most – that has made a difference in your life, or that was a major turning point?
… nothing forms you like a child. Making the move to Calgary – always driven by community needs but serving someone else’s projects. I had a need/desire to be part of another grand building somewhere. Darryl Cariou, mentor and colleague since Edmonton days.
Work life balance?
… absolutely. Start ups take a lot of time – lots of event, lots of evenings. My child (she’s 2) is my #1 focus. Volleyball (played/toured competitively in university days), spin biking, yoga. My wife Jillian Frechette is Director of Marketing and Digital Media for the Calgary Flames so she is busy too – lots of home games. We still have a cottage near Toronto.
What do you read?
… lots of trade magazines. Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly.
His ride?
… Audi (he couldn't remember the year or the model number - but his eyes lit up when he talked about restoring a ’72 Camaro when he was in high school)