J. Richard (Rick) Ferris

Partner, Finance and Operations

Rick's career has spanned 35 years throughout Canada as a senior banker. Rick was Area Manager, northern BC for Continental Bank of Canada before moving to Calgary to become VP Finance for Avis Corporate (Western Canada). He returned to banking as District General Manager, Southern Alberta (CIBC) before taking on the responsibilities of General Manager, commercial banking and industrial finance, Foothills Group, Canadian Western Bank. During his tenure at CIBC, Rick was board chair for Equity and Diversity, Alberta and Northwest Territories.

For the past seven years, Rick has been partner in boutique investment bank Redtail Capital Partners, which is closely associated with BDLS. Redtail has completed numerous debt, equity, and restructuring assignments for various clients in Western Canada, as well as holding positions in and delivering advisory services to these clients.

Rick has also served as mentor for the MBA program at the Haskayne School of Business, as an associate of the Faculty of Management, and member of the President's Circle at the University of Calgary. He was also a recipient of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology's Partnership award, and sat on SAIT's Capital Campaign Board's Financial Services committee.

Over this period, Rick has served on a number of corporate boards in various capacities, including board chair.