For Immediate Release

October 24, 2014

Ted Hillstead to be honoured at ABEX Awards for contributions to chamber network

Weyburn entrepreneur will receive inaugural ‘Roger Phillips Chamber Builder Award’

When over 750 people gather on November 1 to celebrate business’ best and brightest, a special light will be directed toward Ted Hillstead, the first-ever Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce ‘Roger Phillips Chamber Builder Award’ recipient. This new award recognizes long-term contributions of time, intelligence and leadership in strengthening the chamber of commerce network in the province, and is named for an ABEX founder and former Sask Chamber board member Mr. Roger Phillips.

Ted Hillstead, Senior Partner with Cogent Business Consulting, is a Certified General Accountant who received his Fellowship designation in 2003. Throughout his career, Ted has worked in public practice, private industry and the public sector, giving him a well-rounded view on business. He has volunteered time on the governance boards of many business enterprises, and has been actively involved in the CGA profession over the years.

Ted held a position on the Board of Directors of the Saskatchewan Chamber for 14 years, including a term as Chair in 2005-2006. He also served on several Chamber committees and projects, including Investment and Growth, the ABEX Awards, the Steering Committee for Action Saskatchewan, and the Audit Committee. Ted has represented the Chamber on the Saskatchewan Management Association Commercial Advisory Committee and the Education Property Tax Coalition Committee, and is the Chamber’s principal advisor when matters of taxation arise.

Ted’s interests aren’t just with the provincial chamber, though; he has been active with the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce, serving as a board member for approximately 17 years, during which time he served as President twice.  He has been designated a ‘special advisor’ to the Weyburn Chamber, and has been actively involved in the Weybex business excellence awards.

The Chamber Builder award recipient is chosen by the Chair of the Board of the Saskatchewan Chamber with input from directors and other members of the Chamber network.

“The Roger Phillips Chamber Builder Award is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the people who have provided great service to the chamber network in Saskatchewan. The chamber network has been built on the shoulders of people like Ted, and we are so pleased to have the opportunity to recognize him in this way,” said Sask Chamber CEO Steve McLellan.

Roger Phillips, for whom the award is named, was the CEO of IPSCO Steel (based in Regina) and served on the governance boards of several multi-national companies. Roger was a leader in business and on issues of local and international interest. His expertise was often sought by elected leaders and other corporate CEOs. The ABEX Awards exist today because of Roger’s drive to celebrate Saskatchewan’s business community.  Sadly, Roger passed away in January of 2013 at the age of 73.

The award will be presented by Saskatchewan Chamber Chair Mr. Bruce Anderson at the sold-out ABEX Awards November 1 at the Delta Regina Hotel.