Author Archives: PFM Search

Marcia Buchholz – Managing Director, Human Resources for The University of British Columbia (UBC)

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PFM Executive Search is pleased to announce that Marcia Buchholz has recently accepted the role of Managing Director, Human Resources – Advisory Partnerships, Central Services and Professional Standards with The University of British Columbia (UBC).

Marcia was previously the Associate Vice-President, Human Resources, at the University of Calgary, where the HR team provided HR support to over 11,000 faculty and staff, and championed emerging and priority HR programs, policies and practices.

Since 2011, Marcia had guided the university’s people practices in employee programs, employee, labour and faculty relations, change management and business transformation with a commitment to building positive and respectful workplace cultures.

Marcia led U.Calgary’s transformation to a new HR shared services model, evolving HR operational business practices in advance of an enterprise-level systems renewal project (similar to UBC’s IRP/Workday project).

Marcia has a key focus on employee engagement and culture initiatives, creating the “Respect in the Workplace” initiative that led to a more engaged and supportive culture of work.

She was instrumental in the launch of the mental health strategy and initiatives for faculty and staff, including a WellBeing and WorkLife portfolio, which led to U.Calgary being the first Canadian university and first Canadian organization to receive the World at Work “Seal of Distinction” for flexible and supportive employee policies and programs.

Marcia has served as a senior HR professional across Canada in both post-secondary and the private sector for over 20 years, with such organizations as IBM Canada, Jayman, CIBC, EDS Canada, and Ceridian Canada. She has led large teams and has worked collaboratively with all stakeholders in these organizations.

Marcia has been a life-long learner and has also been actively involved in the development of the HR profession throughout her career and has been actively involved in organizations such as CAUBO and HRAUWC.

PFM Executive Search is recognized as a national leader in recruiting senior officials to progressive post-secondary institutions. Our firm is known for creating an inclusive and transparent facilitation procedure with stakeholders and partner groups, ensuring a fair and open selection process that brings forward a diverse slate of qualified candidates for senior academic and non-academic roles.

Ken McCormack – President & CEO for Construction Labour Relations Association of BC

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PFM Executive Search is pleased to announce that Ken McCormack has joined the Construction Labour Relations Association of BC (CLR) as President & CEO.

Ken was most recently the President & CEO of the Automotive Retailers Association. A strategic professional and seasoned executive leader with more than 25 years of management experience at the highest levels, Ken has worked in government, consulting, agriculture and automotive sectors, representing associations similar in size and scope to CLR. Ken will work with the Board and staff to establish a vision and develop sound strategies to address the future needs and expectations of CLR and its membership. Opportunities will be explored both within the organization and the industry with a view to turning those opportunities into advantages for CLR members. Among other things, Ken strives to inspire people and teams, to form strong relationships and partnerships, to be a credible voice in decision making, to advance the needs of CLR and its membership, and to effectively support the Board of Directors.

In addition to a degree in Economics from the University of Alberta, Ken has invested further in his own passion of being an effective negotiator and mediator through advanced training and education from the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society. After announcing that he was leaving his position with the Automotive Retailers Association, he was asked to remain on the Board of Directors of the foundation started by ARA under Ken’s leadership to offer scholarships and bursary awards to people entering into automotive careers. That invitation is a testament to the respect and credibility Ken has earned from his employer and peers.

PFM Executive Search is a recognized leader in senior leadership recruitment and is known for its ability to facilitate large and complex Selection Committees in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Over the past 27-years, PFM has recruited senior leaders from all over the world.

Rod Bianchini – Chief Operating Officer for the Industry Training Authority (ITA)

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PFM Executive Search is excited to announce the appointment of Rod Bianchini to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) with the Industry Training Authority (ITA).

Rod’s previous roles at the ITA include Manager of Apprenticeship Advisors, Director of Industry Relations, and most recently as Interim COO. Rod’s decades of work experience around apprenticeship, his background as a trades professional, solid experience working with government, and his ability to build relationships with key stakeholders set him apart in the competition for this role.

Rod’s experience and understanding of ITA’s strategy, mandate, and initiatives will continue to be an asset as the ITA move forward on their collective vision of advancing apprenticeship and championing diversity within trades for our province.

PFM Executive Search is a recognized leader in senior leadership recruitment and is known for its ability to facilitate large and complex Selection Committees in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Over the past 27-years, PFM has recruited senior leaders from all over the world.

Gordon Duke – President & CEO for Prince George Airport Authority (PGAA)

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PFM Executive Search is pleased to have been the firm selected by the Prince George Airport Authority (PGAA) to conduct an international search for the airport’s new President & CEO.

Engaged by the Board of Directors, PFM Executive Search created an inclusive search process which led to the appointment of Gordon Duke as the new leader of the Prince George Airport – known as being strategically located on the North Pacific Corridor and on Great Circle air routing – and an integral part of the Asia Pacific Gateway linking the economies of Asia and North America.

Gordon Duke joins PGAA from the North Peace Airport in Fort St. John where he was Managing Director.  In making the announcement, Dean Mason as Chair of the PGAA said “…our board is thrilled to appoint Gordon Duke as our CEO. In our extensive search, Gordon impressed us with his qualifications and reputation. We think that he will be a great fit for the community.  We have had a decade of excellent growth and airport improvements, and we will continue our strategic growth with Gordon Duke as CEO.”

Gordon’s extensive aviation background includes eleven years with Air Canada Cargo, an eight-year period as Director of Operations at Halifax Airport, as well as time with GardaWorld Aviation Services. He has served as Chair of the Canadian Airport Council’s Operations, Safety and Technical Affairs Committee and brings a high degree of technical skill to the job, including logistics, Six Sigma and labour relations.

“I am excited to join PGAA and the Prince George community. I look forward to bringing my skills and leadership style to their strong team of professionals.” said Gordon Duke.

We at PFM Executive Search echo the comments from both PGAA and from Gordon, as the search for the new CEO of the Prince George Airport was thorough and inclusive. Early stakeholder discussions led by PFM with community stakeholders and business partners to PGAA spoke of a new CEO who will build on the progressive nature of the airport’s operation over the last decade and bring a new strategic direction for the airport.

Over the past 27-years PFM Executive Search has been recognized for its work within the aviation sector, identifying and recruiting senior leaders to various airports and related operational roles within the sector. Our 17-person firm consistently demonstrates an ability to work efficiently and effectively with Boards and Selection Committees in the facilitation of the appointment of diverse leadership talent to a wide variety of large and complex organizations.

Ron Quirk – EVP, Digital Information Services & Innovation for Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA)

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PFM Executive Search was pleased to undertake an international search for the newly created position of Executive Vice President, Digital Information Services & Innovation for Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). One of Canada’s largest and most progressive health systems gave our firm the mandate to identify a diverse group of well qualified senior level candidates who could simultaneously balance innovative, systems-thinking with pragmatic operational agility. PHSA has over 19,000 employees and an annual operating budget of close to $3 billion.

Selected through a thorough international recruitment process was Ron Quirk from PHSA who brings a deep 30-year understanding of the British Columbia healthcare landscape, positive relationships across multiple health authorities, and a proven track record in shaping large initiatives like the Clinical & Systems Transformation (CST) project.

In keeping with PHSA’s expanded mandate, Ron is tasked with working collaboratively with the Ministry of Health and PHSA’s many stakeholders in navigating the complex and critical landscape of digital information systems and the opportunities that will shape the future of health care in our province. He will guide PHSA through the essential work of maximizing current investments in information technology and digital health across all health authorities to create a clear, actionable plan on what PHSA can achieve through collaborative planning and investment, on behalf of patients, their families and the authority’s own care providers.

Most recently, Ron has been serving as the Chief Information Officer for PHSA, as well as Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health Care. In his new leadership role, Ron will continue to have oversight for IMITS services, allowing for continuity on priority projects. He also retains IT-related leadership of the CST project, an initiative he was instrumental in resetting earlier this year, allowing all partners to start working with greater confidence towards clear “go live” dates.

Ron is passionate about his new role, which he sees as an opportunity to think, on a provincial level, of patient care as a continuous journey and not as a moment in time or as a series of isolated interventions. Drawing on both personal and professional experiences, Ron appreciates how fragmented the BC healthcare system – the IT systems supporting it – are today. He sees vast potential in better coordinating existing investments across the province and taking advantage of lessons learned, and in doing so, leap-frogging forward to a place where both patients and providers are equipped with the tools necessary for real “digital empowerment”.

PFM Executive Search congratulates Ron on his appointment as an EVP with PHSA during a critical time in the organization’s history.

PFM Executive Search is recognized as one of Canada’s premier executive search leaders and is known for its extensive work within the healthcare sector for the past 27-years. PFM has recruited senior leaders to major hospitals and healthcare authorities and has worked closely and collaboratively with Boards and Committees within Canadian healthcare. PFM takes pride in creating fair, open and transparent search processes within the sector as well as ensuring a focus on inclusivity and diversity in its acclaimed search methodology.