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ages, within First Calgary Savings isn’t anything
new for him.
It dates back more than 40 years, when a
knee injury eliminated his hopes of attending
college in the U.S. on a sports scholarship.
Instead, he went on an interview for a job in
financial services.
“I don’t want a job,” he told the interviewer.
“I want a career.”
And a career he got. After working in a variety
of banking services, including as a bank
teller, human resources and personnel, Gregory
ended up in Calgary where he became
President and CEO of First Calgary Savings
16 years ago, and where he now admits to
being “firmly entrenched,” despite an aversion
to the cold weather and the limited golf season.
He’s also firmly entrenched in the community
here, a commitment he sees as part of his
duty as a business leader.
“Our success is also about how we get
involved and share our knowledge in the community.”
Gregory’s involvement revolves around his
passions — linking kids to education and work,
and strengthening our local community.
“Having access to education and staying in
school, to whatever degree — that’s just building
a foundation for tomorrow,” says Gregory.
First Calgary Savings supports a variety of
local programs, such as United Way, Imagine
Canada, Alberta’s Promise, Volunteer Calgary,
LBG Canada and others.
G r eg o r y h a s a l s o
recently stepped down
as chairman of the Calgary
Educational Partnership
Foundation, where
he volunteered for many
years with school districts
and businesses in the city
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making a difference
Stepping Stones is a partnership
between The Calgary Foundation and
First Calgary Savings, designed to
encourage active citizenship and community
involvement.
It supports local citizens who have a
vision of how they can make their community
better through small, creative
projects that will influence their surroundings
and make their neighbourhoods
more vibrant.
The first three projects funded were
all unique. One helped support a yoga
class for children in a day care, another
provided holiday hay rides for children
in a new Calgary neighbourhood and
one went towards a community-based
celebration of Native culture for Aboriginal
youth.
Projects like these remind Gregory that
small contributions to the community can
go a long way.
“I have a blessed job,” he says.
“I get to help and influence the lives of
others by contributing to community programs
that impact everyone.”
For more information about Stepping
Stones or First Calgary Savings, visit
www.1stcalgary.com
to strengthen school-to-work programs.
A recent source of pride for Gregory is
Stepping Stones, a new community development
program launched in 2006 by First Calgary
Savings, in partnership with The Calgary
Foundation.
“We’re not a big organization, but that
doesn’t stop us,” says Gregory. “We contribute
with time and effort.”
“People wonder if you can really do that in
today’s world and I say you are marginalizing
yourself if you don’t.”