2004 Recipients

Garth Buchko, Commerce/Industry Sales and Marketing, 1982

As we move ahead in the 21st century, radio has become one of the most powerful mediums for communication – it’s immediate and it’s mobile. Standing behind two of Winnipeg’s most successful radio stations is a Red River College Polytechnic graduate.

That man is Garth Buchko, President and General Manager of CJOB and Power 97, Corus Entertainment’s radio stations in southern Manitoba.

Garth graduated from RRC Polytech’s Commerce/Industry Sales and Marketing program (C&I Sales) in 1982. He moved to a small community in Saskatchewan, just o fulfill his goal of getting into radio. Four years later, he moved back to Winnipeg and worked as the sales Manger at Q-94 FM before signing on a CJOB/Power as Vice President of Sales. Three short years after starting at ‘OB, he was promoted to President and General Manager.

Under Garth’s leadership, CJOB and Power 97 have become two of the most popular and respected radio stations in Winnipeg and southern Manitoba. He also watches over some of Corus’ radio stations in Ontario.

Not only does Garth happily handle those responsibilities, he is married with three children, ranging in age from four to 15 and he gives a tremendous amount of time to local charities. He has served as a Board member and the Fundraising Chair of the Manitoba Special Olympics, Public Relations Chair for the Children’s Hospital Foundation, a member of the Public Relations committee and an Executive Board member for the Victoria General Hospital. Garth is also on the Advisory Council for the Neeginan Development Corporation, an organization working towards the revitalization of the Aboriginal community in Winnipeg. Last year, Garth served as the fundraising coordinator for the Canadian Amputee National Open, held in Winnipeg last September.

Brad Wright, Design and Drafting Technology, 1977

From working at a small company in small town Manitoba to holding the position of Senior Manager of Urban Design and Architecture at Hopewell Residential Communities, a large Calgary company, Brad Wright has come a long way since graduation from Red River College Polytechnic.

Brad’s first position after finishing the Design and Drafting Technology program in 1977 was a senior draftsperson at Tripe E of Canada Ltd. in Winkler, where he spent seven years honing his craft. He also spent time with New Flyer Industries, Sears Siding and Solariums/Wet-Home Industries, and at Con-Force Structures. In 1991, Brad moved to Calgary and worked for seven years before landing his current positions.

Professionally, he has made a mark in his field. Brad has played an important role on the Hopewell team, which has won the Calgary Regional Home Builders Associations’ “Developer of the Year” award for the past five years.

The Vice-President of Hopewell Residential Communities, Paul Taylor, says that Brad’s work is felt most behind the scenes where, “He motivates and supports his staff and our development partners to produce award-winning products in some of the most prestigious communities in the world. We are very lucky to have Brad as a member of our team, and we believe his roots of success come from his solid technical basis, which he received from RRC Polytech.”

That’s something Brad says he wholeheartedly agrees with. “Going to RRC Polytech gave me confidence. I always thought I had talent in design, but I wasn’t sure. People always say Red River opens the door, but I think it started my engine. When I think of how the instructors challenged us, and about the workload, I thought, if I can make it through this, I can make it through anything!”

Personally, Brad spends a great deal of his spare time volunteering for various charities. He is currently a member of the board of the Calgary Ronald McDonald house, and regularly lends his time to Meals on Wheels. He has also been on staff with the Cher Convention 2002, a fundraiser of the Children’s Craniofacial Association, and has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Alberta Outreach – Home and Hope, and with the Alberta Film Commission’s 1999 Fundraiser.  Brad is very excited to be receiving the Distinguished Alumni award, and has one piece of advice of graduation students who hope to achieve the same level of success, “Don’t be afraid to take a chance, be engaged and never stop learning.”