Wilbert Hopper
Encyclopedia
Wilbert Hill Hopper, (March 14, 1933 – July 3, 2006) was a Canadian
civil servant and business executive. He was the president, chief executive officer, and chairman of Petro-Canada
, a Canadian oil and gas firm.
Born in Ottawa
, Ontario
, he received a Bachelor of Science
in geology from the American University
and a Master of Business Administration
from the University of Western Ontario
.
In 1955, he joined Imperial Oil
and in 1973 he became assistant deputy minister of energy policy in the federal Department of Energy, Mines and Resources
.
In 1975, he was involved in the formation of the Crown corporation Petro-Canada was appointed president and CEO in 1976. In 1979, he became chairman and CEO and worked until 1993 when Petro-Canada was privatized. From 1983 to 1992, he was the Chairman of the Board of Westcoast Energy Inc.
In 1985, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
for his "encyclopaedic knowledge of energy and of the environment in which the industry operates has enabled him to skillfully guide the development of the company into a major component of this country's petroleum industry".
He held honorary degrees from Wilfrid Laurier University
and Memorial University of Newfoundland
. He died in July 2006.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
civil servant and business executive. He was the president, chief executive officer, and chairman of Petro-Canada
Petro-Canada
Petro-Canada was a crown corporation of Canada in the field of oil and natural gas. It was headquartered in the Petro-Canada Centre in Calgary, Alberta. In August, 2009, Petro-Canada merged with Suncor Energy, a deal in which Suncor investors received approximately 60 per cent ownership of the...
, a Canadian oil and gas firm.
Born in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, he received a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in geology from the American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
and a Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
from the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
.
In 1955, he joined Imperial Oil
Imperial Oil
Imperial Oil Limited is Canada's largest petroleum company. The company is engaged in the exploration, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas. It is controlled by US based ExxonMobil, which owns 69.6% of its stock...
and in 1973 he became assistant deputy minister of energy policy in the federal Department of Energy, Mines and Resources
Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources (Canada)
The Minister of Energy, Mines, and Resources was a member of the Cabinet of Canada from 1966 to 1995.-Ministers:The office of Minister of Mines and Technical Surveys was abolished and the office of the Ministers of Energy, Mines and Resources created by statute 14-15 Eliz. II, c...
.
In 1975, he was involved in the formation of the Crown corporation Petro-Canada was appointed president and CEO in 1976. In 1979, he became chairman and CEO and worked until 1993 when Petro-Canada was privatized. From 1983 to 1992, he was the Chairman of the Board of Westcoast Energy Inc.
In 1985, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
for his "encyclopaedic knowledge of energy and of the environment in which the industry operates has enabled him to skillfully guide the development of the company into a major component of this country's petroleum industry".
He held honorary degrees from Wilfrid Laurier University
Wilfrid Laurier University
Wilfrid Laurier University is a university located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It also has campuses in Brantford, Ontario, Kitchener, Ontario and Toronto, Ontario and a future proposed campus in Milton, Ontario. It is named in honour of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the seventh Prime Minister of Canada....
and Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland, is a comprehensive university located primarily in St...
. He died in July 2006.