Men of influence 2007.

For the sixth consecutive year, Saskatchewan Business Magazine is pleased to recognize some of the province's most influential men. As the accompanying graphics indicate, by virtue of their attributes and accomplishments, these men are all worthy of cover stories in our magazine.

Terry Baker

As chairman of the board, and a prominent player in agricultural circles, this Denzil-area farmer leads one of Saskatchewan's largest companies, the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. Active in community affairs he has chaired the local school board, the church board and credit union boards. He currently sits on the board of the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, Agrivita Canada and is an executive committee member of the Crop Nutrients Council.

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Alan Cruickshank

An executive with the Union Securities branch in Saskatoon he piloted development of an over-the-counter market for unlisted Saskatchewan reporting issuers. He also spearheaded development of a unique fund comprised of emerging Saskatchewan resource company stocks.

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Peter MacPhail

As president of IPSCO Saskatchewan Inc. he is a member of IPSCO's senior management team with the dual role of vice-president of primary operations, giving him overall responsibility for steel production at the firm's mills in Canada and the U.S. as well as its coil processing operations.

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Ray McKay 

As CEO of Kitsaki Management, for years he oversaw a portfolio of companies owned by the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. Despite his recent retirement, his leadership and influence continues to reverberate in the First Nations business community. His background includes senior posts with the provincial government as well as currently serving as vice-chair of the Investment Saskatchewan board.

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Graham Pearson

As senior partner of professional services firm Deloitte in Saskatchewan, he oversees the largest accounting and advisory firm in the province providing close contact with business and government leaders. He is a member of the U of S Thinking the World of Our Future campaign Saskatchewan committee.

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Florian Possberg

As chief executive of Big Sky Farms, the province's largest farming enterprise, he has become the prime voice of the production industry that has undergone significant consolidation and now faces an unsettling future on the processing side. He currently is vice-chair of the national industry association.

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Jack Vicq

Every Saskatchewan taxpayer can thank this retired U of S commerce professor for his work as chair of two commissions that led to an overhaul of the provincial tax systems. He is a member of the PotashCorp board of directors.

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Joe Vidal

The chief executive of Bioriginal Food & Science Corporation, this chartered accountant first came to prominence as the top-ranking local at Hitachi Canadian Industries. He chairs the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority and a publicly listed Calgary oil company.

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Tom Waller

After heading Crown Investments Corporation, this Regina lawyer with solid connections to the provincial government was asked to head a task force looking into the problems affecting Saskatchewan's forestry sector. He also chairs the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation board.

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Mel Watson

Best known as the patriarch of a Weyburn family that grew to prominence in the farm equipment business, this former Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce president sits on the board of Saskatchewan Power Corporation.

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Men of Influence previous years

              2002

Don Black            Harold MacKay
Harry Cook               Wil Olive
Paul Hill              Frank Proto
Doug Hodson        Doug Richardson
Jim Hutch                 Jim Yuel

              2003

Ed Bellegarde        Lester Lafond
Norm Beug             Mark MacLeod
Dale Botting          Red Williams
Wayne Clifton       Peter Zakreski
John Gormley          Craig Zawada

              2004

Keith Brown         Russel Marcoux
Bill Doyle        Warren Michelson
Barry Ghiglione      Evan Ortynsky
Tim Gitzel            Tom Robinson
Gerry Grandey         Mayo Schmidt
Stu Irvine            Gavin Semple

              2005

Bob Peterson         David Bernard
Craig Gates            Ron Waldman
Ted Hillstead           Ray Basler
Harvey Granatier        David Dube
John Cross           Neil McMillan

              2006

Darcy Bear          Chris Krywulak
Clay Dowling         Keith Martell
Rich Gabruch           Jim Scarrow
Larry Hiles        Larry Schneider
Marty Klyne          Brad Wildeman