Daryl Fridhandler
Chair, Calgary Economic Development

When Calgary Economic Development released a report in 2004 calling for the expansion of the city's post-secondary education capacity, it had, to some, a strange ring for an agency whose mandate is business boosterism. But Daryl Fridhandler has been putting a new spin on the CED ever since he was appointed chair last December. A Liberal swimming in conservative waters, Fridhandler, 48, sees post-secondary education as an ignored "economic cluster" that is, in ways, an industry no different from the O&G sector. The CED has been in a rebuilding phase ever since Mayor Dave Bronconnier was first elected in 2001. Known as little more than a meet-and-greet kind of agency, under the Fridhandler, it has become a proactive force in expanding existing business opportunities in Calgary. Fridhandler has been Bronconnier\\'s campaign manager for two elections, a huge feat considering he helped win victory for the Liberal Bronc in blue, blue Calgary. He was also regional chair for Paul Martin's leadership campaign and was a co-chair of the federal Liberal campaign party in Alberta. Fridhandler is a partner in the Rolls-Royce law firm of Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer. When high-ranking Albertans want an audience with the federal government hierarchy, it's Fridhandler they call. - AD

Calgary Economic Development has been reconstituted since 2003. What do you want the agency to focus on now?
To me, right now, having a skilled labour force is a key issue for this city. We have to be able to fulfill the needs of businesses coming to the city, but right now we have a very tight labour force.

Who do you think is the greatest Albertan ever?
Grant MacEwan. As an activist, politician, a writer, I think he had a broad influence in a number of capacities.

In 100 years, will you warrant your own chapter in the history books, a footnote to great events or a single Google hit?
A single Google hit.