Rick Orman
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Richard “Rick” D. Orman was born in Calgary, Alberta on June 9, 1948 as a fourth generation Albertan. He studied at the University of Calgary before graduating with honours from Eastern Washington University in 1971. Orman served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1986 to 1993. Since 1993, he has been active within the business community, both provincially and internationally.
Orman first became a member of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen in 1975 and has provided provincial and federal political commentary on the CKUA Radio Network since 1994.
Early career: 1975-1983
Following the formation of the first Peter Lougheed Progressive Conservative government in 1971, Orman served as executive assistant to two successive Alberta energy and resources ministers from 1972 to 1975.
In 1975, Orman co-founded Orman & Benini Land Services (subsequently Canadian Landmasters Resource Services). In 1978, he joined Signalta Resources Ltd., a joint venture partnership where he served as Manager of Land and Contracts until 1982. In 1982 he founded Nexus Resources Ltd., a private Calgary based exploration company.
From 1980 to 1985, Orman was non-operating partner of the Board for CorpSport International Inc., an Edmonton based sports management firm.
Political career
In 1983 Orman ran unsuccessfully for the Federal Progressive Conservative nomination in Calgary Centre, finishing second to Harvie Andre. At the time it was one of the biggest nominations in PC party history with more than 3,200 ballots cast.
In 1985 Orman was a senior Calgary organizer for the successful Don Getty provincial leadership campaign.
In 1992 Orman ran for the Progressive Conservative leadership and placed a distant third to future Liberal leader Nancy Betkowski and eventual winner Ralph Klein. Orman received 7,649 votes on the first ballot. Orman withdrew from the race prior to the final ballot and endorsed Betkowski, who lost to Klein in the final ballot.[1]
Legislative career: 1986-1993
Elected to the Alberta Legislature in May 1986, Orman held three Cabinet portfolios before his resignation from Cabinet in November 1992 to run in the provincial leadership campaign where he finished in third place.
A lifetime Progressive Conservative, Orman served the constituency of Calgary Montrose from 1986 to 1993.
Minister of Career Development and Employment: 1986-1988
Following his election in 1986, Orman was appointed the Minister of Career Development and Employment, where he served until September 1988. He was also responsible for Lotteries, Exhibitions and Fairs, and served as a member on the Economic Planning Cabinet Committee.
As Career Development and Employment Minister, Orman developed and implemented the Labour Market Strategy and the Employment Alternatives Program which aided social assistance recipients in entering the job market. He also established the Immigration and Settlement Services Advisory Council and opened a Business Immigration Office in Hong Kong where he led two investment missions to Southeast Asia.
Minister of Labour: 1988-1989
In September 1988, Orman was appointed Minister of Labour, a position he held until March 1989. As Labour Minister, he was responsible for the Department of Labour, Human Rights Commission, the Alberta Labour Relations Board and the Personnel Administration Office. During his tenure, Orman was responsible for the Human Rights Commission and implemented major changes to the Labour Relations Code.
He served as Vice-Chairman of the Labour Relations Committee and also served on the Priorities, Finance and Coordination Committee of Cabinet.
Minister of Energy: 1989-1992
From 1989 to 1992, Orman served as Minister of Energy where he was responsible for the Department of Energy, Energy Resources Conservation Board, Alberta Oil Sands Equity, Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission, Public Utilities Board, and Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority.
During this time, Orman was appointed Chairman of Energy Committee and Chairman of Economic Planning Committee of Cabinet, and continued to serve on the Priorities, Finance and Coordination Committee of Cabinet. Additionally, Orman was instrumental in the establishment of the National Resources Conservation Board and served as a Member of the Treasury Board. As Chairman of Economic Planning Committee, Orman played a lead role in planning and organizing Towards 2000 Together – a province-wide consultative initiative that sought public input into how Alberta could prepare for, and prosper in, the decade ahead.
Orman led many of Alberta’s energy negotiations and took part in frequent speaking engagements on both national and international stages. During his tenure, natural gas pipeline expansion to the United States was a primary focus. As Minister of Energy he was actively involved in the natural gas contract dispute between Alberta producers and California. He also played a leading role in organizing and co-chairing the first federal-provincial energy and environment ministers joint meeting on climate change held in Kananaskis, Alberta. In 1991, he was awarded the prestigious Crossborder Award as the person who played the most significant role in enhancing natural gas trade between Canada and the United States.
As Minister of Energy, Orman served as a delegate to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the United States Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, and the South West Energy Council. Additionally, Orman was a founding member of the Clean Air Strategic Alliance – a group dedicated to managing a clean air environment. He also led energy related trade missions to Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
Career following political service: 1993-present
Since Orman’s return to the private sector, he has remained active as an officer and board member in a number of publicly traded companies.
From 1994 to 1998, Orman founded and served as Chairman and CEO of Kappa Energy Company Inc., an international energy exploration company. In 1999, Kappa merged with Vanguard Oil Corporation, where Orman sat on the Board of Directors until 2000. In April 2003, he co-founded Exceed Energy Inc. and served as Vice-Chairman until September 2005. He was also a Board Director of Novatel Inc. (NASDAQ) until its takeover in 2007.
Orman is currently a Board Director and former Lead Director of Daylight Energy Ltd. (TSX) and is a Founder, Director and Chief Executive of NOR Energy AS.
Community involvement
Orman has been deeply involved in the Alberta volunteer community working with inner city children as a teen.[citation needed] Since then, he has been involved with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, Citizen Advocacy for the Disabled and the Chrysalis Foundation for the Mentally and Physically Handicapped [citation needed]
Additionally, Orman has been a Honourary Chairman for the Aga Khan Partnership Walk (Calgary, 1990 and 1991), Philippine Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund (Alberta, 1990), and the African Famine Relief (Alberta, 1991). [citation needed]
References
External links
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