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Staff Northlands Park is one of the largest employers in Edmonton, boasting over 250 full time staff and 1,300 part-time events people. A variety of personalities, both colourful and more contemplative, had worked at Northlands Park. A few—the General Managers—have even worked with the volunteer Board of Directors through good times and bad to keep Northlands afloat. General Manager Al Anderson found himself under investigation for his alleged part in the scandal surrounding the Royal American Shows fair company. He was replaced by George Hughes, who went on to work with Northlands for 14 years. Hughes, born 19 August 1924, was raised in Alberta and trained in management. He also earned a BSc in Agriculture from the University of Alberta in 1950. He worked first as a teacher, and then in various financial capacities for the City of Edmonton before landing at Northlands in the wake of Anderson’s dismissal.
In his capacity as General Manager, Hughes was instrumental in getting the Coliseum built. He was followed into the role by Colin Forbes, who was born 30 March 1928 in Woodstock, Ontario. After finishing high school, Forbes went on to complete a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Toronto. He finished his education in 1949 and jumped into management with both feet, becoming involved with Exhibition management in the late 1960s. Forbes became Assistant General Manager for Edmonton Northlands in 1978, moving up through the ranks until he became General Manager following Hughes’ departure in 1990. Nearly a decade later, Forbes was replaced by Ken Knowles, a man who had earned his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary before going on into the field of Exhibition Management. After 15 years in the business, Knowles relocated to Edmonton and in 1985, became Assistant General Manager at Northlands. He was made General Manager in 1999, and used his influence to keep NHL Hockey in Edmonton. While each of these individuals played an important role in organizational development and growth, all staff at Northlands—working with an even larger volunteer base—are essential to the organization’s continued operation.
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