MY SKILLS
Executive experience in High Tech sector
Public Relations planning and implementation
Entrepreneurial and
start-up skills
Presentation and
Public Speaking
Who is Dale Gann?
I am the former president of the University of Victoria’s Vancouver Island Technology Park and the Marine Technology Centre. With over eighteen years of executive experience in the high technology sector, including my role as the founding member and first president of the Canadian Association of University Research Parks. I am also involved in the community, participate in a variety of committees and boards, and strive to develop our economy as displayed in my recent foray into federal politics. I am born and raised in Victoria, and live with my partner Connie, daughters Marina (15), Asia (9) and son, Connor.
My Experience
OVERVIEW
As the past president of the University of Victoria’s Vancouver Island Technology Park and the Marine Technology Centre, I was accountable for the vision, master planning, development, and day to day management of 50 acres of land and over 240,000 sq ft of 2 specialized high tech spaces. Recognized as a pioneer of the Victoria technology community, I was instrumental towards establishing a ‘critical mass’ of technology based companies that create $358M in annual economic impact in Greater Victoria.
With over 18 year’s executive experience in North America’s high technology sector, I have long been recognized for building relationships with industry, academia, government and media. I have achieved significant success in public relations campaigns and economic development initiatives.
My Vision and Plan
To keep Greater Victoria vibrant and growing we must encourage the development of a totally engaged community focused on furthering our knowledge based economy and sustaining it as our key economic driver.
Greater Victoria has the physical resources and assets to assemble this diverse knowledge based economy. Our future depends on developing a culture designed to attract and retain skilled talent. We must keep our young graduates from leaving while attracting qualified individuals.
My Vision and Plan is to bring these elements together, to improve avenues of communication, allowing us to further our economy, create jobs and continually improve the community where our families live and thrive.
We Must:
1. Improve our educational achievement levels.
2. Ensure our colleges and universities are leaders in their disciplines in the country.
3. Attract investment in research and development, and higher education.
4. Champion Entrepreneurship
5. Invest in smart and more specialized infrastructure.
6. Encourage immigration and attract talent.
7. Reduce poverty. End Homelessness.
8. Encourage vibrant cultural neighbourhoods.
9.Celebrate our accomplishments and use them as a springboard to greater things.
10. Always look at issues and opportunities through the lens of the economy, environment, scientifically and social & financial sustainability
Success & Awards
My commitment to the industry and economy is greatly reflected by my participation in a variety of committees, boards and awards. The following is a detailed list of my contributions to North America’s technology industry:
- Founder & First President of the Canadian Association of University Research Parks
- In my 6th year on the board of directors of Canadian Association of University Research Park
- Past Board member of Association of University Research Parks AURP (International)
- Served as a member of the University of Victoria’s Co-Op Advisory Board 2011/13
- Served on the Board of Directors of VIATeC for 7 years
- Served for 5 years as Chair of British Columbia’s BIO Conference Steering Committee
- Served on the Board of Directors for Streetlight Intelligence (TSX: SLQ)
- Served as a Member of the Municipality of Saanich’s Economic Development, Transportation, and Planning Committee
- Awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in December 2012
- Awarded the Colin Lennox Award for Technology Champion in June 2012
- Awarded Vancouver Island’s “Visionary Under 40” Award
- Awarded LifeSciences BC Volunteer of the Year Award in 2006
Community Involvement
Co-Founded Power To Play
Corporate Challenge for youth and families
In 2009, I began working with Tim Commode, Power to Be Adventure Therapy Society and created Power to Play, a first of its kind, corporate adventure challenge for Greater Victoria. Power To Play is a one of a kind adventure race and the premier fundraiser for the Power To Be Wilderness School – a program that provides access to nature based adventure experiences to children and youth with special needs in BC. It is an opportunity for corporate teams to challenge one another and experience some of the challenges the children and youth face in their outdoor adventure pursuits. Whether it is running through a mud pit, building a tent blindfolded or carrying sandbags you’re guaranteed to have the adventure of a lifetime while helping a great cause!
Co-Founded Canary Derby
Corporate Challenge for youth and families
From 2006 until 2011, I worked with the Canary Derby Committee, the Canary Foundation, BC Cancer Foundation and the Greater Victoria Tech Sector to raise money for early detection cancer research. The Canary Foundation was founded in 2004 by Don Listwin – who lost his mother due to misdiagnosed ovarian cancer. Don discovered that less than 15% of research funding goes to early detection even though early intervention is far more effective than late stage treatment. To this day little funding is available for researchers investigating new ways to detect cancer at its earliest, most curable stages. Thanks to the annual Canary Derby, we have raised over $520,000 for the Canary Foundation. The Canary derby brings together the technology and business communities of Victoria and challenges them to build traditional soapbox cars, with teams relying on ingenuity, creativity, and gravity to lead them to victory.
References
“Dale is a consummate professional who has an ear to the tech / biotech scene in Western Canada like no one I know. He’s got great vision for the industry and gets his hands dirty enough to get things done. Get Dale on your team if you’re looking to tip the odds in your favour.”
Walt Nicholson
Enterprise Marketing Senior Advisor
U.S. General Services Administration
“…He has always worked tirelessly to raise the profile of the high technology industry in British Columbia…Dale devotes a great deal of his personal time to the development of the technology industry in British Columbia, working on boards and committees to meet or, more often, exceed strategic objectives for the industry.”
Karimah Es Sabar
Past President
LifeSciences British Columbia
