Rod Bryden
Prominent Business Executive
Ottawa-based businessman Rod Bryden has enjoyed a successful career in the business world - much of it in Ottawa's hi-tech industry.
Former president and CEO of Plasco Energy Group Inc., Bryden is chairman of SC Stormont Inc., which participates in the development of small to mid-sized Canadian businesses. Bryden is also on the board of directors of Clearford Industries Inc. and Gallium Software Inc.
During the late 1950s and early 1960s, Bryden earned an honours degree in economics from Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick; a law degree from the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton; and a masters in law from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
From 1967 to 1969, Bryden was professor of law at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. In 1969, he moved to Ottawa and held various positions with the government of Canada, including assistant deputy minister of regional economic expansion, prior to moving to independent business at the end of 1973.
In 1974, he founded Systemhouse Ltd., with seven senior information systems professionals. He was president or chairman of Systemhouse until June of 1991, as Systemhouse became Canada's leading computer integration company with over 3,000 employees and revenues of more than $800 million.
In 1979, he founded Paperboard Industries Corporation (PIC) by acquiring Trent Valley Paperboard Mills, which had 166 employees and annual revenues of $12 million. Bryden was chairman of PIC until 1991, when PIC had become Canada's largest manufacturer of paper from recycled fibre, and the largest manufacturer of paperbox packaging. PIC revenues were $700 million, with 4,000 employees in 1990.
In 1991, Bryden and two associates founded SC Stormont Corporation, an Ottawa-based company specializing in the management of complex corporate transactions. He served as chairman of SC Stormont Corporation until it ceased operation in 2004, and was succeeded in September 2004 by SC Stormont Inc., of which Bryden is owner and chairman.
In January 1992, Bryden became CEO of Terrace Corporation, the principal owner of the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club, and vice-chairman and alternate governor of the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club. On September 1, 1993, he became chairman and governor of the club. In July 1994 construction of the Palladium (Corel Centre) was begun and the new stadium opened in January 1996. Both the hockey club and the Corel Centre were sold in 2003.
In 1996, Bryden joined with Dr. Tofy Mussivand, director of the Cardiovascular Division of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, and Dr. Michael Cowpland to form World Heart Corporation. He was chairman, or president and CEO of World Heart Corporation, until July 2004.
Bryden supports the UCDSB Champions for Kids Foundation because he knows the academic heights children in need can achieve if they are given opportunities in sports and the arts and their dental and medical needs are addressed.