W. Brett Wilson

W. Brett Wilson (born on July 1, 1957) is a Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and panelist on Dragons' Den. Wilson was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan.

Career

Wilson graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1979 with a Bachelor of Engineering degree and worked for three years in the oilfields of western Canada. He then graduated from the University of Calgary’s MBA program in 1985, and began work as an investment banker with McLeod Young Weir Limited (now Scotia McLeod). Wilson co-founded his first company, Wilson Mackie & Co., in 1991.

In 1993, he co-founded FirstEnergy Capital Corp., a Canadian brokerage firm that provides investment-banking services to Canada’s oil and gas sector. Wilson retired from FirstEnergy in 2007, but retains his role as Chairman of the company.

He is Managing Director and President of a private merchant bank focused on business opportunities in the energy, agriculture, real estate, sports, and entertainment industries. He is part owner of two professional sport teams: the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx and the Derby County Football Club [Peschisolido: Canadian invested wisely in Derby [http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/2008/10/08/7017921-cp.html] ] . He is also a business partner with celebrated country music singer/songwriter Beverley Mahood.

Philanthropy

Wilson is active in the charitable community, having given, and engaged others to give, tens of millions to nonprofit initiatives. He often takes a hands-on approach to philanthropy, including shaving his head to support kids cancer care, and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to support Alzheimer’s research. He has for many years made annual trips to Mexico to build homes.

Wilson has focused his philanthropic initiatives on his home provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. He is a strong supporter of his alma mater, the University of Saskatchewan, and established the Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence there in 2007 [Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence Established at University of Saskatchewan [http://announcements.usask.ca/news/archive/2007/04/wilson_centre_f.html] ] .

After surviving an advanced case of prostate cancer in his early 40’s Wilson has focused much of his philanthropic initiatives on health care projects including the Southern Alberta Institute of Urology [Urology centre kick off [http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/local/article/53227] ] and Saskatchewan Children’s Hospital. He has supported a number of provincial and national initiatives related to prostate cancer, having helped to raise $3 million for the cause in 2007.

He is active on the issue of domestic abuse, and has funded the Wilson Centre for Domestic Abuse Studies at the Calgary Counselling Centre [One of Calgary's Bravest Men Steps Forward [http://www.calgarycounselling.com/pdf/2006_05_10_BravestMen.pdf] ] . He is a supporter of the 2008 Canadian Olympic Swim Team and has made a significant donation toward the men’s relay training [Talking Business To The Canadian Swim Team [http://www.swimnews.com/News/view/6217] ] . He also supports the sport of volleyball, and has developed Rally Pointe volleyball centre in Calgary.

Personal

Wilson was married to Pamela Janzen in 1981. They divorced in 2001. They have three children: Justine, Rebecca, and Russell.

Selected Awards

* Canada’s Top 40 under 40 (Caldwell - 1997)
* Top 20 Deal Makers in Canada (Globe & Mail -1999)
* Top 10 list of M&A specialists in Canada (Globe & Mail - 2000)
* Management Alumni Excellence (MAX) Award, University of Calgary, Haskayne School of Business (2003)
* International Legacy of Honour, Young Presidents Organization - recognizing the leader from around the world who best exemplifies commitment to excellence in business, community orientation and the ideals of YPO (2004)
* Spirit of Giving Award (Association of Fundraising Professionals - 2005)
* University of Calgary Top 40 Alumni (2006 - 2007)
* Calgary’s Person of the Year (Avenue Magazine - 2007)
* University of Saskatchewan Alumni Award of Achievement (2007) [2007 U of S Alumni Recipients - Alumni Award of Achievement [http://www.usask.ca/alumni/alumnisite/association/2007recipients.shtml] ]
* University of Saskatchewan Top 100 Alumni (2007) [100 Alumni of Influence [http://www.usask.ca/100/alumni/brett_wilson.php] ]
* Distinguished Lecturer, CJ Mackenzie Banquet, University of Saskatchewan College of Engineering (2008)

References

External Links

* Dragons’ Den - http://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/
* Beverley Mahood - http://www.beverleymahood.com
* FirstEnergy Capital Corp. - http://www.firstenergy.com/
* Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence - http://www.usask.ca/wilsoncentre/
* Rally Pointe - http://www.rallypointe.com/
* West Tenn Diamond Jaxx - http://www.diamondjaxx.com/
* Derby County Rams Football Club - http://www.dcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/