i s i n g s t a r sCAMERON PLEWESStellar adviceDrive, dedication, and leadership sum upCameron Plewes’ career in financial servicesIt wasn’t always apparent to CameronPlewes that the energy business was one <strong>of</strong>the most fascinating in the world. In fact,there was a time when he thought about leavingCalgary and joining a different business.“But once you realize that the oiland gas business is about finding thingsnobody can see several kilometres in theground,” he says, “you realize it’s actuallyone <strong>of</strong> the most complex and interestingbusinesses in the world—aside from itbeing among the biggest.”That’s why he stayed. That and the factthat Calgary has matured greatly as a financialcentre since 1980, or even 1990.“The financial part <strong>of</strong> the oil and gasbusiness, as it exists today, didn’t exist backthen,” Cameron says. “The opportunities inCalgary have been tremendous for people inmy cohort.” And that cohort is investmentbanking services.Cameron is a financial pr<strong>of</strong>essionalwho holds three pr<strong>of</strong>essional designations:chartered accountant, chartered financialanalyst, and chartered business valuator.His entire career has been spent in Calgary,where his family resettled in the 1980swhen his father became the chief executive<strong>of</strong>ficer <strong>of</strong> an oilfield services company.in-depth knowledge <strong>of</strong> the energy industryand is regularly consulted by industry, government,and the capital markets playerson courses <strong>of</strong> action. Cameron provides anumber <strong>of</strong> those prominent clients withfinancial and strategic advice on mergersor acquisitions.“If a client is considering buying anothercompany, they may want advice on whetherit’s a good idea, how much they should pay,how best to finance the purchase, how toavoid possible complications, how to integratethe purchase, and how to make it workfor all the stakeholders.”Of course, this year is a bit different. Thefirm still gives the same service to its clients,“but the solutions are more difficult thisyear,” Cameron says. “There are just feweroptions for companies. It will be tougher toaccess capital and get things done.”Cameron has two focuses to hiscommun ity involvement. One is as a member<strong>of</strong> the United Way’s People Living inVulnerable Situations committee, whichoversees the disbursement <strong>of</strong> a significantamount <strong>of</strong> United Way’s annual giving budget.“We’re out in the community workingwith and evaluating the organizations [thatreceive United Way funding] on a direct basisFASTFACTSBorn: Sept. 14, 1971Education: B. Comm, University <strong>of</strong> CalgaryFamily: Married to Janice. They havethree children: two daughters(8 months and 4) and one son (2).Photo: Neil Koven PhotographyIn the mid-1990s, Cameron spent fouryears with audit, tax, and advisory servicesfirm KPMG and then started in the investmentbusiness in 1997 as an analyst withSprott Securities Inc. After five years asvice-president with a private equity group,RedTree Capital, independent investmentdealer Peters & Co. invited him to become apartner in 2003.“My proudest moments are when thingscome together,” Cameron says, reflecting onhis years <strong>of</strong> service. “The most importantthing is a terrific team <strong>of</strong> partners and othercolleagues. Each time it’s a little different.There have been some terrific successes andsome terrific saves.”In his role as Peters & Co.’s managingdirector <strong>of</strong> corporate finance, Cameron is amember <strong>of</strong> the firm’s executive committee.Peters & Co. enjoys a stellar reputation forand ensuring that the relationship is workingthe way it is supposed to,” he explains.The other, his less formal communitywork is the Community LeadershipInitiative. “In concert with another fellow,we host a dinner twice a year,” Cameronexplains. “To each dinner, we invite 20to 40 people <strong>of</strong> about our age and featurea speaker who talks about charitablegiving initiatives.”These speakers are typically well establishedin the philanthropic field, deliveringthe message that as pr<strong>of</strong>essionals developand become established in their careers,they also think more about how to give backto the community.“[The speakers] provide different perspectives,”says Cameron. “It’s also where we canlearn about specific opportunities for volunteerleadership and how to fill those spots.” ★24 | Oilweek May <strong>2009</strong>