Saskatchewan's men of influence.

After the wildly successful introduction of the 10 Most Influential Men in Saskatchewan a year ago, Saskatchewan Business Magazine has decided to follow up with another crop of the province's top 10 Men of Influence. Once again, the debates were long and loud from determining this list -- but they may still pale in comparison to the feedback this list is sure to generate.

Edmund Bellegarde

President and CEO, SIGA

At 30 years of age Edmund Bellegarde has been a fast riser in Saskatchewan's corporate community. A member of the Saskatchewan Chamber board, this young executive's success in the business world has no match, particularly for his skillful engineering of the turn around at the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority. His quiet, thoughtful manner in difficult circumstances has earned respect in all quarters. He was an early star. As a Royal Bank employee after graduating from business school, he was twice named for an award given to the top one per cent of the bank's employees worldwide.

Norm Beug

Plant Manager, IMC Kalium Belle Plaine Division

The general manager of IMC's potash mine at Belle Plaine, Beug's profile has been on the rise lately. He quietly pushed the recent ethanol play, which resulted in construction of the first of several new ethanol production plants adjacent to the Belle Plaine mine. His work behind the scenes and willingness to advance a vision for industrial development in the Moose Jaw-Regina corridor has made him a key player in industrial development activity in southern Saskatchewan.

Dale Botting

CEO, SREDA

As head of Saskatoon's Regional Economic Development Authority, Botting has emerged as one of the leading voices for a Saskatchewan growth agenda. A former executive of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and a senior official in the provincial economic ministry, his background on economic issues is unmatched and his ability to articulate the development agenda gives him centre stage on most economic issues.

Wayne Clifton

Principal, Clifton Associates

A leader in environmental technology development as head of a Regina-based engineering firm, Clifton has broad experience in taking Saskatchewan know-how to the world. His international expertise landed him in the role of board chair for the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) which assumed responsibility for trade development when the provincial government turned that activity over to the private sector. Known for innovative thinking on public policy initiatives, his voice carries weight in political and business circles.

John Gormley

Talk Show Host and Corporate Lawyer, Rawlco

As the province's leading radio personality, this former Member of Parliament has the power to set the political agenda simply by his choice of subjects for his daily talk show. Unafraid to kick sacred cows, his legal and political backgrounds provide a solid foundation to push for change -- for everything from daylight saving time to the way we look at ourselves. Getting on his show is a prerequisite for advancing new ideas or a political agenda.

Lester Lafond

President, Lafond Financial

As a leading figure in First Nations business circles Lester Lafond's background in finance and development places him at the forefront of projects such as Muskeg Lake Cree Nation's Packham Avenue development. As president of the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, he has helped bring First Nations business interests to the mainstream economy. A primary force in pushing for a casino in Saskatoon, his opinion is valued by business organizations looking to strengthen or develop ties with the growing First Nations population.

Mark MacLeod

Partner, Windward Group

MacLeod's profile has risen significantly since assuming the role of interim president and CEO of Information Services Corporation, the province's troubled land titles company. An individual known for challenging conventional thinking, he has been a catalyst in Saskatchewan's business community examining its approach to policy issues. A proponent of abundance-based thinking -- where success is championed and turf protection is despised -- he is a key player in Regina's economic development authority and the leading voice in positioning the Queen City has a leader in environmental technology development as the debate over Kyoto heats up.

C.M. (Red) Williams

President, Saskatchewan Agrivision Corporation

A veteran of the public affairs arena, Dr. C.M. (Red) Williams is the 'go-to' guy on issues related to agriculture as well as the federal government. His longtime support of the Liberal Party gives him access to the corridors of power in Ottawa and his views are given considerable weight by Saskatchewan's minister in the national cabinet. A professor emeritus of the College of Agriculture, he is the driving force behind Saskatchewan Agrivision Corporation which is a leading voice in policy development on the farm front.

Peter Zakreski

Senior Vice-President, Federated Co-operatives Ltd.

Sports spectaculars and Peter Zakreski are synonymous. This former Saskatoon council member and senior vice-president of Federated Co-operatives Ltd. is presently spearheading his biggest ever spectacular, Saskatoon's bid for the 2007 World University Games. Previously, he was a key player in the Jeux Canada Games in Saskatoon and chaired the 1991 World Junior Hockey Championships. Known for trying to 'raise the bar' on each successive event, one of his trademarks is to press a permanent legacy such as the Promenade on Spadina Crescent, new community leadership and heightened civic pride.

Craig Zawada

Partner, WMCZ

A partner in the Saskatoon law firm of WMCZ (Wallace Meschishnick Clackson Zawada), Zawada has long been a voice for Saskatchewan business interests as a member of the Saskatchewan Chamber's senior ranks. A key player in advancing the Chamber's Action Saskatchewan agenda which has become a significant element of provincial economic development thinking, Zawada is generally close to the action in efforts to strengthen Saskatchewan's economic and investment climate.