Calgary Technologies Inc. poised for pivotal change with appointment of president and chief executive officer

On March 26, 2018, Calgary Technologies Inc. (CTI) announced the appointment of Terry Rock as president and chief executive officer. Rock is a passionate promoter of Calgary’s potential and has an extensive entrepreneurial and strategic leadership background. He brings diverse experience in consulting for high-potential technology ventures, government relations, marketing and sector development, all critical to CTI in its work to establish Calgary as a global innovation hub.

This announcement represents the next step in the division of Innovate Calgary into two fully independent organizations, which began on Jan. 1, 2018. Innovate Calgary and CTI each focus on delivering a subset of the mandate of the previous organization: Innovate Calgary provides tech transfer and business incubation services to the University of Calgary, while CTI accelerates local innovation-driven ventures by providing access to space, programs, mentorship and capital.

CTI supports innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Calgary with advisory sessions and programs through the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, Schulich School of Engineering, Cumming School of Medicine, the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and the Graduate Student Association. UCalgary is a shareholder of CTI, along with the City of Calgary and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

“I have long believed that Calgary has the potential to be a leading centre for world-changing innovation,” says Rock. “The work of CTI, its partners in the innovation ecosystem, and most important, the passionate entrepreneurs and creators that call this place home, are essential to the long-term prosperity of our city, province and country. I cannot wait to join the CTI team and roll up my sleeves to do my part to make this vision reality.”

Rock joins the CTI team from the Alberta Small Brewers Association where his leadership as executive director influenced government policy and raised the profile of the fast-growing Alberta craft beer industry. He was also the founding CEO of Calgary Arts Development Authority. He holds a PhD in management from Texas Tech University with a focus on strategy, entrepreneurship and innovation.

CTI has been under the leadership of CEO Evan Hu, who will return to his role of board chair. Hu will continue to advise Rock during a transition period. 

“The next 12 months will be pivotal as we move forward launching new programs for startups, scale-ups and large enterprises,” says Hu. “I am confident that with this leadership announcement and the team in place at CTI, we are poised to navigate Calgary toward an innovation-driven economy.”

“Terry’s appointment is another exciting stage in the development of CTI into a robust, influential organization that is critical to Calgary’s innovation ecosystem,” says Pete Garrett, associate vice-president research – innovation at the University of Calgary. “We look forward to continued collaboration with Terry and his team.”

Rock will begin his tenure at CTI on May 3, 2018. Learn more about CTI.

Staff from the University of Calgary Vice-President Research Office contributed to this story.