University of Alberta Edmonton, Canada 10 January 1997

Eric Newell to receive 1997 Canadian Business Leader Award

Recognized nationally for his support of postsecondary education

By Elizabeth Whitlock

The President and CEO of Syncrude Canada Ltd, Eric Newell, has been named the 1997 recipient of the Canadian Business Leader Award, presented annually by the Faculty of Business, University of Alberta, and its Business Advisory Council.

Since joining Syncrude in 1986, Newell has become a leading spokesperson for Canada's oil sands industry. Under his guidance, Newell has led it to significant business growth as well as scientific and environmental achievement. He is recognized across Canada as a major advocate of business and educational partnerships and has implemented innovative educational programs within and outside his company.

"It's a tremendous honour for me to join the company of distinguished Canadians whose leadership I have learned from and admired," Newell said. "This award is really a reflection of Syncrude's success, which has been made possible by our dedicated employees and supportive owners; I gratefully share it with them."

Between 1969-86, Newell worked for Imperial Oil Limited/Esso Petroleum and held positions of successive responsibility including Manager of Planning and Development.

Newell, a recent addition to the University's Board of Governors, holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering (1967, University of British Columbia) and an MSc in Management Studies (1968, University of Birmingham). In 1995, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Athabasca University and was elected a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

Newell's numerous professional and community affiliations include: Co-Chairman, Alberta Economic Development Authority; Director, Conference Board of Canada; Co-Chair, Conference Board of Canada Council on Education; Member, Business Council on National Issues; Chairman, Junior Achievement of Fort McMurray; Director, Corporate Higher Education Forum; and, Honorary Council Member of the Association of International Studies of Economics and Commerce (AIESEC). He has recently been named a member of the Board for the Keyano College Foundation. In 1992, he received an Alberta School Trustees' Friends of Education Award; he is also the recipient of a 125th Commemorative Medal of Canada.

"Eric Newell is an outstanding choice for this award," Rodney Schneck, Dean of the Faculty of Business, said. "He exemplifies those characteristics-uncommon vision, sound common sense and a dedication to his community-that defines the CBLA." Newell is the 16th recipient of the prestigious award.

The Canadian Business Leader Award (CBLA) is presented to Canadians of distinction. Recipients are leaders, entrepreneurs and pioneers of progress in the business world, recognized for their outstanding achievements and business acumen. The CBLA will be presented to Newell 19 March at "Recognizing Excellence," a dinner and award ceremony at The Westin Hotel in Edmonton.

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