Jeff Stibbard from Kelowna has done everything in the mining industry, from worker, welder, drill and miner to shift boss, mine manager and now CEO of an international mine development company.
One such career arc caught the attention of the Kelowna Business Excellence Awards jury, which Stibbard named Kelowna Business Leader of the Year 2019.
Stibbard, 53, is the CEO of JDS Mining, a company that produces diamond mines in Canada’s Arctic and South Africa, copper and gold mines in the Yukon, numerous gold mines in South and Latin America, gold mines in Turkey, silver mines in BC. has developed and energy projects in Alberta and around the world.
While JDS is headquartered in Kelowna, 95% of its business is outside of the city and more than 50% of that activity is outside of Canada.
The Kelowna Business Excellence Awards will present trophies in a dozen categories at the Delta Grand Hotel on November 1st and honor Stibbard at the gala event.
The business leader of the year will be announced in advance to promote the awards.
Although most of Stibbard’s work takes place outside of Kelowna, the Business Excellence Awards chose to honor him because such a company is important to the city’s economy and image.
Entrepreneurs are drawn to Kelowna for its weather, scenery, lifestyle, business-friendly attitude, and airport connections.
Many companies can be based in Kelowna and do business around the world.
“Jeff and his family have enriched our city, province and country tremendously,” said Nikki Csek, president of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce.
“What he has done for the resource sector and how he has ethically enriched communities in Canada and around the world is remarkable. We are so happy to have him here in Kelowna. “
Before settling in Kelowna with his wife Brenda and two sons in 2004, Stibbard had lived in 13 northern and western mining communities in Canada.
Mining and oil and gas production often have a bad reputation for environmental degradation and their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
“JDS embodies the values of professionalism, honesty, integrity and no harm to people, the environment, assets and reputation,” said Stibbard.
“We are eager to offer our partners in the resource industry the highest cost, deadline and quality commitments in some of the toughest, highest, deepest, coldest, hottest, remote, wettest, driest and riskiest places in the world. We can do it.”
Stibbard was the senior manager of the leadership team that successfully designed, approved, financed, built and operated Canada’s first diamond mine in the Northwest Territories – BHP-Ekati.
Kelowna geologist Chuck Fipke discovered the diamonds that led to the development of the mine.
JDS also developed Shell Albian, one of the largest oil sands operations in Fort McMurray.
JDS’s headquarters in Kelowna employs 25 people in finance and administration.
Another 50 JDS employees live in Kelowna and travel to work on various mining, construction, railroad and heavy industry projects around the world.
JDS employs 350 more worldwide as engineers, craftsmen, miners, operators and managers.
Stibbard graduated from Montana Tech as a mining engineer.
He attributes his success to hard work and good luck meeting, working with, and mentoring from some of the most progressive leaders in the global mining industry.
“(As such) my focus is on creating the same opportunities and motivating others to invest in themselves and be a productive Canadian leader,” said Stibbard.
“Our growing business success is the result of the freedom of business, favorable taxes and security of property that Canada offers us. We are doing our part as leading corporate citizens by investing in the development of responsible citizens and healthy residents, by donating to sport, building strong minds through donating to education, building strong souls through personal mentoring, and strong communities through donating to health care and the performing and visual arts. “
JDS also employs retired and transitioning Canadian military personnel.
From 2016-19, Stibbard was an Honorary Colonel in the Royal Canadian Air Force, a position where he publicized the work of the Air Force, stood up for the Air Force, and mentored Air Force members.
Stibbard and JDS also won the Hugo Dennett Diamond Award from the BC Association of Mineral Exploration, a BC Top 25 Exporters Award, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Montana Tech.
