About Us
We believe that deep, long-term relationships are fundamental to business success and creating a lasting impact. Our team works in close partnership with portfolio companies to deliver strategic insight and bespoke solutions that help transform and grow their business while driving bottom-line results.
Cal Nichols, C.M.
Cal was born in Paradise Hill, Saskatchewan and began his business career in 1962 as the Esso Agent in St. Walburg, Saskatchewan. Cal and his wife Edna moved to Edmonton in 1969. He worked for Imperial Oil as an Agency Supervisor for three years. Following that, he was appointed the Esso Agent in Edmonton until he left the company in 1982.
Subsequent to the de-regulation of crude oil and natural gas marketing in 1983, Cal and two associates founded Northridge Canada Inc. which became the first private crude oil and natural gas marketing company in the country. Northridge was ultimately sold to TransCanada Pipelines.
Cal created Gasland Oil Ltd. in 1985, which grew to over 50 branded independent petroleum outlets in Western Canada. 1996 saw Cal sell all of Gasland's petroleum marketing business, retaining Gasland Properties Ltd.
Cal is best known locally for his commitment to retain NHL hockey in Edmonton. He co-chaired the Friends of the Oilers ticket drive in 1996. The campaign resulted in more than doubling the season ticket base to 13,000 which was required by the League, therefore averting the risk of the team moving.
The Oilers franchise was put up for sale in 1997. Nichols spearheaded the bid from the Edmonton Investors Group by raising the $110 million required to purchase the Team. Established in 1997, The Edmonton Investor's Group was the limited partnership that owned the Edmonton Oilers National Hockey League Franchise. EIG initially consisted of 38 investors when the purchase of the Oilers was completed on May 5, 1998. Prior to the sale of the Oilers to Daryl Katz in June 2008, EIG, with more than 30 individual shareholders, was the largest ownership group in the NHL. For ten years, founder Cal Nichols served as the Governor and Chairman of EIG.
The Edmonton Investors Group sold the Oilers to Daryl Katz in June 2008.
Cal has always been driven to give back to the community in which he lives and works. He served as Town Councillor and President of the Chamber of Commerce while living in St. Walburg. He was also captain of the senior hockey team, and in December 2002, the St. Walburg community honoured him by retiring his jersey. In recent years Cal has been inducted into the Alberta Business Hall of Fame, awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, and received the Paul Harris Fellowship from the Rotary Club of Edmonton. On December 26th, 2014, it was publicly announced that Cal was awarded the Order of Canada.
Personally Cal finds great satisfaction in participating in all of life's adventures within his community and family - especially time with his grandchildren.
In 2015, Cal Nichols was awarded the Order of Canada, inducted into the Alberta Business Hall of Fame and was awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal by the Governor General of Canada for his exemplary service to his community. Mr. Nichols is best known for his prominent role in saving the Edmonton Oilers National Hockey League franchise from leaving Edmonton.
Ken Nichols
Born in St. Walburg, Saskatchewan, Ken graduated from the University of Alberta in 1991 with a BA in Economics. Shortly thereafter, he worked for Northridge Canada in Calgary. After experiencing the upstream part of the petroleum industry, Ken joined his father's company Gasland Oil to gain experience in the downstream sector of the fuel retailing business. Ken was involved in many facets of the business including Gasland's network-wide roll out of its proprietary pay-at-the-pump technology. At a time when the major retailers were still piloting their systems, Gasland was able to implement their pay-at-the-pump system across its entire chain. The work done on this project would foreshadow his later involvement in the payments business, on a much larger scale.
In 1994, Ken jumped at the opportunity to be in business for himself, while still remaining within the Gasland family, by becoming the contract operator of its busiest store located on Yellowhead Trail in Edmonton. Ken successfully owned and operated this store for 7 years through the transition of the sale of Gasland to Husky Oil in 1996. It was this experience that solidified his passion for entrepreneurship.
In 1998, Ken founded Cash N Go ATM Network. In August 2008, Cash N Go became a full member of the Interac Association, becoming only 1 of 3 private ATM companies to be members. Cash N Go eventually grew to be Canada's 5th largest private label ATM company, operating 1,250 ATMs in every province and territory. Cash N Go directly processed all of its ATM transactions and dispensed over a Billion dollars every year until he sold the business in 2011.
Ken's strong commitment to give back to his community, a trait he proudly admits comes from his parents, includes many volunteer and charitable activities. Board member of local Community League, Board Member of the Telus World of Science Edmonton, as well as numerous charities have been the beneficiaries of Ken's time and resources.
Ken has been a member to the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) since 2003, a dynamic, peer-to-peer global network of more than 11,000 business owners in 48 countries. Currently he is a member of the Dallas Chapter.
Among many activities such as playing hockey and golf, Ken has had a lifelong a passion for flying and aviation. Ken earned his Private Pilots License while still in high school at the age of 16.