Ronald Southern was a businessman, founder of ATCO, and the equestrian center Spruce Meadows. He was a key figure in the development of the Calgary community and improved the lives of millions. Southern became a role model and a source of inspiration. Read more about his life and professional journey below on calgary1.one.
Childhood and Education
Ronald (often called Ron) was born on July 25, 1930, in Calgary. In his youth, he was passionate about sports – playing hockey, football, and basketball.
After graduating from Crescent Heights High School, he entered the medical faculty at the University of Alberta.
Founding ATCO
ATCO is a public Canadian holding company headquartered in Calgary, involved in modular construction, and the supply of natural gas and electricity. Its subsidiaries include power utilities, natural gas production and distribution companies, and construction firms.
Ronald co-founded ATCO with his father as Alberta Trailer Co. in 1947 while still in high school. Their business started with five employees. Ronald and his father each invested $2,000 into the company. Initially, they rented 15 trailers in Calgary and nearby areas and then began selling them. After graduating from the University of Alberta, Ron worked full-time in the company and helped transform it into a global corporation with thousands of employees. By the early 1960s, the company was operating across North America and in Australia.
In 1968, ATCO became a public company, with its shares listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. In the 1970s, the company expanded into the natural gas and oil sectors, and in the following decade, into the electricity sector. By 2016, the company had grown to over 8,000 employees worldwide.
Ron was able to grow from a budding entrepreneur to a respected giant in Canadian trade within a few years. ATCO provided a wide range of services, including gas and electricity distribution, drilling, pipeline construction, logistics, housing for workers, leasing, and more. This story proves that it is possible to build a company with minimal initial capital and transform it into a business empire.
Creating Spruce Meadows
For 61 years, Ron and his wife Margaret worked on the equestrian center, Spruce Meadows. Construction of the complex began in 1973, the grand opening took place two years later, and the first equestrian tournament followed in the next year.
The center hosts annual outdoor and indoor equestrian tournaments, congresses, and exhibitions, as well as show jumping competitions. The center has its own TV factory, which produces a series on equestrian sports broadcasted in over 100 countries, along with other special programs. Spruce Meadows became the home ground for the Cavalry Football Club in the Canadian Premier League, with a stadium for 6,000 spectators built for football purposes.
Moreover, Spruce Meadows is a center for breeding, training, and selling Hanoverian horses. By the early 21st century, the center was visited by about 500,000 people annually, and from 1975 to 2022, Spruce Meadows welcomed athletes from over 60 countries and attracted 10.2 million spectators.
The complex was repeatedly recognized as the world’s #1 center for show jumping. The Southern family, through the creation of Spruce Meadows, transformed the perception of equestrian sports from an elitist activity into one that is accessible to everyone.
Hobbies and Personal Traits
In adulthood, Ron frequently traveled the world, meeting with leading businessmen and politicians. He was genuinely interested in different cultures and peoples. He had an excellent memory and could recount his adventures in great detail. Those he met were often impressed by his ability to remember names well.
Ron was a true admirer of education. Despite his hectic schedule, he always found time to engage with local students, support their involvement in sports, and help the youth. Additionally, Ronald was an avid reader. Every 2-3 weeks, he would pick a new topic to read about, ranging from autobiographies to space exploration. He was particularly fond of the books of Winston Churchill and books about him. He regularly took notes of quotes and re-read the speeches of the British politician.
Notably, Southern always carried colored markers and paper with him to jot down important ideas, typically those related to improving Spruce Meadows.
Ron maintained strong connections with influential political figures. When Queen Elizabeth II visited Spruce Meadows in 1990 to inaugurate the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, Ronald met her personally, and they formed a warm relationship, allowing Ron to visit Buckingham Palace on multiple occasions.
As Bob Booth, ATCO’s Board Director, stated, Ron was known for his unwavering moral values, courage, and great love for Canada. Scott Thon, President and CEO of AltaLink, described Southern as a highly competent and passionate businessman who was fully dedicated not only to his business but also to his family and, of course, to Alberta.
Other employees of his companies noted that Southern was a strict, fair, and demanding leader. However, despite his vast wealth, he always remained grounded and communicated with employees without any arrogance.
Recognition
For decades, Ron managed ATCO, Canadian Utilities, and AKITA Drilling Ltd., and actively participated in the boards of some of Canada’s most prestigious companies. He represented Canada in the Trilateral Commission.
For his efforts, he was honored with many awards, including the highest national distinction, the Order of Canada in 1986, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002, the Companion of the Order of Canada award in 2007, the Alberta Excellence Award and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, and the Canadian Forces Medallion in 2013.
Ron also made his mark in sports. In 1986, he was named Athlete of the Year by the Calgary Booster Club. In 1992, he was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2006, into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.
Ronald was a supporter of internationalism, actively advocating for cooperation among nations. In 1990, Queen Elizabeth II awarded Southern membership in the Order of the British Empire for his contribution to Anglo-Canadian relations. Five years later, Ron was promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
In 2006, the Dutch government awarded Southern the Dutch Trade Award for his significant contribution to the foreign economic relations of the Netherlands and inducted him into the Dutch military Order of Orange-Nassau.
In 1976, Ronald was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of Calgary and in 1991 from the University of Alberta. In 2007, he was inducted into the Canadian Manufacturing Hall of Fame. In 1986, the University of Alberta named him Businessman of the Year, in 1990, the University of Manitoba recognized him as an Outstanding International Entrepreneur, and in 1996, the Financial Post named him the Best CEO of the Year among all Canadians.
The businessman and community builder passed away at his home on January 21, 2016, at the age of 85. Ronald lived a vibrant life full of adventures. He was loved, respected, and admired.