RANDY POWELL
President & Chief Executive Officer

Randy Powell was appointed President & Chief Executive Officer of Armstrong Group in October of 2009 after spending two years as the first outside President in the company’s 20 year history, second only to the founder.

Mr. Powell joined Armstrong Group with 25 years of extensive consumer products and services business leadership. Prior to joining Armstrong Group in 2007, he was the Global President of Maple Leaf Fresh Foods, President & CEO of Second Cup, and President of S.C. Johnson and Sons. His track record is that of a master strategist, consumer brand builder, and proven leader.

A native of Toronto, he earned his bachelor of Administration Studies from York University, where he subsequently sat on the Dean's Advisory Board for York’s Atkinson College. During his career, Mr. Powell has received a number of accolades, including the Financial Post’s “Top 40 under 40” award and Business Hall of Fame recognition from Sheridan College. Randy currently serves on the Faculty Advisory Board for Sauder Business School – University of British Columbia.

As President & CEO of Armstrong Group, Mr. Powell has set a clear vision and put the company on track to deliver its long term goals of building its Rocky Mountaineer brand, delivering superior consumer value, and driving strategic growth.

ROBERT NICE, C.A.
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Bob Nice joined the Armstrong Group in 2006 and brings over 20 years of experience in finance and accounting in both public practice and industry and his international career includes positions in England and Bermuda.

Since leaving public practice 10 years ago, Mr. Nice has progressed through various financial positions in several industries including retail oil and gas, cable television and telecommunications where, most recently he worked as the CFO of Primus Telecommunications located in Toronto, Ontario.

At AG in his role as Chief Financial Officer, his department is responsible for the production of all financial information and reporting, and for the implementation and maintenance of all information technology.

A native of New Brunswick on Canada’s east coast, Mr. Nice has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of New Brunswick and is a Chartered Accountant.

ED BAKLOR
Executive Vice President, Guest Services

As Executive Vice President, Guest Services, Ed Baklor leads the team that delivers extraordinary Guest experiences on the Rocky Mountaineer train.

With over 30 years experience in hospitality, leisure travel and retail, Mr. Baklor is a strategic operations executive with an impressive and extensive skill set. Most notably is the 15 years he spent with Disney as a senior executive leading many aspects of Disney’s business – including Adventures by Disney, Downtown Disney and their Resort Room Operations. During his career with Disney, Mr. Baklor was responsible for over 6,000 employees and a 120‐acre retail, dining and entertainment property with nightclubs, movie theaters and Cirque du Soleil.

An American University graduate, Mr. Baklor’s community service work includes board involvement with the Human Rights Campaign, Jewish Community Center of Central Florida, the Stepping Stone Medical Equipment Bank and the Maitland Art Center.

BOB NICHOLAS
Vice President, Global Sales

Originally from British Columbia, Mr. Nicholas brings over 23 years of experience with senior roles in sales, marketing and business development. The extent of his leadership experience comes from leading consumer goods companies such as Pillsbury, General Mills and ConAgra Foods.

Most recently, at ConAgra Foods Grocery he served in assignments as Vice President of Sales, Business Development and Vice President Marketing and prior to this as Director of National Customer Teams for General Mills Inc. In all of his tenures, he led the company’s sales and marketing efforts across multi channels of distribution.

Mr. Nicholas and his team are responsible for the strategic direction and world-wide sales initiatives of Armstrong Group and its entities. He has extensive experience in sales and business development both in Canada and the United States.

Mr. Nicholas holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Simon Fraser University and has completed the University of Western Ontario's Executive Program.

HUBERT WAT
Vice President, Global Marketing

Hubert Wat joined Armstrong Group in 2008, bringing to the organization over 20 years of senior marketing experience.

Prior to joining the company, Mr. Wat was Vice President, Corporate Marketing for eight years at The Forzani Group Ltd., which owns and operates such well-known retail chains as Sport Chek, Sport Mart and Coast Mountain Sports. He has also held senior marketing positions with Rogers Communications and TBWA Vancouver. In 2005, Mr. Wat was named by Marketing Magazine as one of Canada’s Most Influential Marketers.

Mr. Wat is responsible for the brand architecture and integrated marketing programs for the Rocky Mountaineer brand through Product Development, Advertising, and Digital Marketing.

Mr. Wat holds a Diploma in Marketing Management from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and Diploma, Communications and Advertising Accredited Professional from the Institute of Canadian Advertising.

DEBBIE PAULSEN
Executive Director, Human Resources

Debbie joined Armstrong Group in 2006 and brings an extensive background in human resource management, strategic planning, organizational change and client relations.

Originally from Vancouver, Ms. Paulsen spent the early part of her career in progressive levels of human resource management with a privately owned, high technology company where she played a leading role in developing organizational development programs and annual strategies to attract, develop and retain high calibre staff. Most recently, Ms. Paulsen was with 3M Company leading and directing the human resource activities for the Vancouver office.

As Executive Director, Human Resources, Ms. Paulsen is responsible for leading the human resource team and sustaining a high performing employee group by partnering with senior management in designing annual strategies and delivering goals that support the company’s strategic business objectives.

GORD MILLER
Executive Director, Railway Operations

Gord Miller joined Rocky Mountaineer in 2008 as Executive Director, Railway Operations. With over 20 years of experience in Canada’s transportation industry, he has a proven track record for leadership, strategic planning and improved efficiency.

Based in Kamloops, BC, Mr. Miller is responsible for the day to day management of train operations, the leadership of the maintenance team and plays an integral role in the development of the organization’s strategic business plan.

Prior to joining the company, Mr. Miller worked in a variety of senior roles for CN Rail. As the Superintendent of Operations, he led a team of nearly 1,000 unionized and non-unionized employees before moving to the position of Network Director of Service Design. During his tenure, he was honoured with CN Rail’s President’s Award of Excellence for maximizing efficiencies in the Vancouver Terminal.

Mr. Miller also holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Alberta.