Photo: Contributed
Okanagan Edge and the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce are partnering to showcase some of the region’s most exciting entrepreneurs through the “Top 40 Over 40” program.
Sponsored by BDO, the “Top 40 Over 40” recognizes high-achieving professionals in our community and showcases their accomplishments. This marks the seventh year the chamber has conducted a “Top 40” showcase. Honourees will be featured throughout the year on Okanagan Edge.
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Brian Wall describes himself as determined—and a wee bit stubborn—going after what he wants with decision and vigour. His career began as a commercial pilot—a dream since being a young boy—but he returned to school wanting to be successful in business. Wall has since served more than 35 years in senior leadership roles for a variety of organizations, most recently as AEM’s vice-president of operations and now CEO.
On weekends, Wall spends the endless joys of summer relaxing on the Kettle River with family, friends and his dog, Noki. He hopes to one day ride some of the best roller-coasters in the world.
“Life is a lesson. Take it all in while you can,” Wall says. “Have a willingness to recognize that you can always do better tomorrow than you did today.”
Wall draws from the leadership lessons of Patrick Lencioni, John Maxwell, Marcus Buckingham and the inspiration of his family as he quarterbacks AEM’s cohesive team. Ultimately accountable for the successful and profitable growth of the organization and its people, Wall challenges his team to do good and be meaningful in everything they do.
“I believe in putting employees first,” he says. “If employees aren’t supported to be the best they can be, customers and the success of the organization are just a dream.”
In the 90s he was provided the opportunity to give back, he says, “to this incredible community we all live in as a member of the RCMP Auxiliary and was proud to represent, at that time, the largest volunteer police group in Canada. This led to a voluntary contribution of 400 to 600 hours per year.”
Most recently and currently, Wall gets to meet some incredible individuals that have relocated to Kelowna and are currently seeking insight and knowledge of opportunities that exist here in the Central Okanagan. This program is supported and provided through the Connector program under the direction of the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission.
“My desire to become a commercial pilot saw my education go from high school to flight school,” Wall says. “Then, after flying commercially for a number of years, I went back to OUC at the time to study business, and the last 35 years have provided a lifetime of learning.”
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