Meet the Board

Ron Ghitter received his law degree at the University of Alberta and began practicing law in Calgary in 1960. Mr. Ghitter, was first elected to the Provincial Legislature in 1971, representing the riding of Calgary Buffalo. In 1972, he sponsored Alberta’s first Human Rights legislation. He was re-elected to the Provincial Legislature in 1975, before retiring from Provincial politics in 1979. He was a Founding Director of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, appointed by the Federal Government. In 1990, he became a recipient of the Alberta Human Rights Award, awarded by the Alberta Human Rights Commission. Mr. Ghitter was later appointed to the Senate of Canada in March of 1993, before retiring from the senate in March 2000.

Mr. Ghitter is a frequent lecturer on Human Rights issues in Canada. Mr. Ghitter was awarded the highest honour bestowed to a Canadian, Member of the Order of Canada for his work in human rights and various social issues in 2018. As a champion of the Human Rights movement in Canada, Ron has helped to enrich the lives of Canadians through his work on various social issues, particularly in youth development and the promotion of healthy living. In 2022, Ron co-founded the Dignity Foundation (Alberta), a non-profit organization established to encourage the support research and educational activities that promote respect for human diversity and human rights in Alberta. He was also a founding Director of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development. Most recently, he was awarded the Top 7 over 70 Award in 2023 for his work with Human Rights and Tennis Development after the age of 70.

Mr. Ghitter developed a passion for tennis as a junior, ranked as a Provincial Alberta Junior Tennis Champion for three years. As a university player, he was a playing Coach and Captain of the University of Alberta’s Tennis Team for 5 years. After graduation, he coached tennis in both Edmonton and Calgary. Mr. Ghitter served on the Board of Tennis Canada, and he played an instrumental role in spearheading the process to develop the OSTEN & VICTOR Alberta Tennis Centre, where he served as Chairman until his retirement in 2023. He founded the Friends of Ron Ghitter Fund in 2019, which provides financial assistance to Calgary youth tennis players and those from the under resourced community. Mr. Ghitterwas also named a recipient of Tennis Canada’s Distinguished Service Award in 2016 and was inducted into Tennis Canada’s Hall of Fame (Builder Category) in 2022.

Mr. Ghitter is married to Myrna Ghitter and they have three children and two grandchildren.

Allan Fowler, a lifelong enthusiast of tennis, seamlessly combines a fervent love for the sport with a distinguished career marked by astute financial leadership. His professional journey is a testament to his versatile skill set, with roles ranging from director and President to CEO, Vice President, CFO, and private equity investor, spanning diverse industries. Beyond his financial prowess, Allan has actively contributed to the establishment of multiple corporate entities, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit.

A strategic thinker, Allan has played pivotal roles in numerous corporate acquisitions and investments, demonstrating his ability to navigate complex business landscapes with finesse. His wealth of experience not only underscores his proficiency in financial matters but also highlights his dynamic and multifaceted career. Allan Fowler stands as a seasoned professional whose passion for tennis and entrepreneurial acumen converge to create a unique and impactful presence on and off the court.

Wendy Ng is a seasoned financial professional, bringing more than two decades of diverse corporate experience. She is a chartered professional accountant (CPA, CA) and a chartered business valuator (CBV).

Beyond her stellar financial career, Wendy actively contributes to the Calgary community. She has lent her expertise to several volunteer initiatives and previously served as Treasurer on the Board of Calgary Legal Guidance, an organization dedicated to providing access to justice for disadvantaged Calgarians.

Away from the boardroom, Wendy is not only a strategic thinker but also an avid recreational tennis player. You can find her enthusiastically participating in Calgary’s inter-club league and local tournaments, showcasing her passion for both the game and community engagement. Wendy Ng epitomizes the perfect blend of financial acumen, community commitment, and a love for the game of tennis.

Steve Kirk is an investment professional currently celebrating his 27th year with BMO Nesbitt Burns. Married and the proud father of three children, Steven’s journey in the financial sector is marked by dedication and expertise. His career started with obtaining the Chartered Accountant designation in 1991 at Deloitte, where he gained valuable experience in both public and private practice.

A proud alumnus of the University of Las Vegas, Steven earned his Bachelor of Commerce while showcasing his tennis prowess on an NCAA scholarship. Beyond the boardroom, Steven’s love for tennis has taken him to impressive heights. He proudly represented Canada in the Men’s over 35 world team competition and clinched the Alberta Open Men’s Singles title in 1982.

In addition to his achievements on the court, Steven has generously shared his passion by teaching tennis at various clubs in Calgary, including The Calgary Tennis Club, The Tennis Academy, and the Glenmore Racquet Club. His commitment to both his profession and the sport of tennis reflects a unique blend of expertise, athleticism, and a personable touch. Steven stands as a shining example of balancing a successful career, family values, and a lifelong love for tennis.

With a distinguished career in the oil and gas investment business, Mike Smith has dedicated his professional journey to sales and research activities. A proud alumnus of the University of Alberta, he earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1980, complemented by a Chartered Financial Analyst designation from the University of Virginia in 1988.
He was a stockbroker for 18 years at Peters & Co., an independent energy focussed brokerage firm. He then co-founded Ross Smith Energy Group, a reservoir engineering research firm which has grown into a billion-dollar market capitalization company.

Beyond his contributions to the financial sector, Mike has been actively involved in the community. A past Director of the Calgary Golf and Country Club, he has also previously held Board positions with Hospice Calgary and the Mount Royal Community Association, showcasing his commitment to community service.

Mike’s interests extend beyond the boardroom and community involvement. An avid sports enthusiast, he finds joy in tennis, golf, cycling, and skiing. With a passion for capturing moments, Mike is also an enthusiast of photography and travel, combining his love for exploration with a keen eye for detail.

As a tennis player and fan for over 40 years, Mike’s love for the sport is a testament to his enduring commitment to both professional excellence and a well-rounded, active lifestyle. In the world of finance, community leadership, and sports, Mike Smith stands out as a true multifaceted professional.

Meet Jason Balakas, the culinary virtuoso and entrepreneur behind a collection of renowned restaurants in the Calgary area. While he’s masterfully orchestrating the culinary scene, Jason is also a passionate tennis player, bringing his love for the sport to the forefront.

Beyond the kitchen, Jason is an integral part of the Alberta Tennis Centre community, where his dedication to the game mirrors the precision and creativity he brings to his restaurants. With a racket in one hand and the pulse of the culinary world in the other, Jason Balakas embodies a dynamic fusion of mouth-watering excellence and a love for the game, making him a distinctive and cherished figure in both the culinary and tennis communities of Alberta.

Meet Derrick Rowe, the dynamic CEO of Bluedrop Training & Simulation Inc. and the Executive Chairman of the Board of BPLI Holdings Inc., overseeing its two operating divisions, Bluedrop Training & Simulation Inc. and Bluedrop ISM.

Derrick’s leadership style is a product of four decades of international corporate experience, marked by a keen focus on executive excellence. His expertise shines in navigating highly complex, regulatory, and challenging operating environments, making him a valuable asset to the Bluedrop team.

As the founder, Chairman, and former CEO of Stratos Global Corporation, Derrick played a pivotal role in transforming the company from a start-up into a successful public corporation. His leadership journey continued as Chairman of Fishery Products International (FPI) Limited, where he served as CEO from 2001 to 2005. In 2010, Derrick took on the role of Executive Chairman of Bluedrop Performance Learning, showcasing his commitment to innovation in the training and simulation industry.

Beyond his corporate ventures, Derrick is the President of Name 3 Capital Inc., a private investment firm he founded after his tenure at Stratos. His influence extends to the boardroom, where he presently chairs the board of directors of Atlantic Aqua Farms Limited, an Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan-owned company.

Derrick’s commitment to community extends to his past roles as Chair of Tennis Canada, Chair of the Council of Provinces (COP), President of Tennis Newfoundland and Labrador (TNL), and President of the Greenbelt Tennis Club. Off the corporate stage, Derrick’s passion for tennis is evident in his active involvement and leadership within the tennis community.

With a rich tapestry of leadership and a love for tennis that extends beyond the boardroom, Derrick Rowe stands as a visionary CEO, an accomplished leader, and a true enthusiast of the game.

Patrick Thomas is an active member of the Calgary tennis community, currently serving as President of the Calgary Tennis Club and a co-founder of the Calgary Tennis Society back in 2009. He was also the founder of the Dinos Tennis Society for the University of Calgary Dinos Tennis Team and was previously the executive director and team manager. He was responsible for creating two University Dinos scholarships and lifting the team from club to varsity level play.

Patrick was an active provincial player over the last four decades with many doubles and mixed doubles titles at the provincial and club level. In his younger years, he mentored many junior players, and was an active tennis official, umpiring several junior national tournaments in Calgary.

Patrick has played a major role in fundraising for many of Calgary’s high level tennis tournaments and for the university of Calgary Dinos tennis team. In 2021, Patrick was recognized with a Tennis Canada Distinguished Service Award for helping to grow and nurture the sport in Alberta.

Michael Bennett is the President of Tennis Alberta and has worked hard to build strong relationships and while creating a sense of community within the tennis Alberta. Michael’s background is in leadership roles across multiple industries. As a result of his progressive experience, he brings excellent change management skills to gain alignment while building stronger organizations. Michael, a highly motivated hands-on leader, leads the National Account Team at BASF. He is respected for bringing an innovative and dynamic approach ensuring exceptional results and building highly engaged teams. Michael brings strong leadership, analytical, and motivational skills complemented by an ability to build excellent relationships with all stakeholders. He is an avid tennis player at the Calgary Tennis Club.

Michael Downey possesses extensive management experience in sport, beer and packaged goods marketing industries. Michael Downey is no stranger to tennis in Canada. Michael served two stints as Tennis Canada’s President and CEO: from 2007 – 2013 and again from 2017 until his retirement in 2023. From 2014 to 2017, Michael became the Chief Executive of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), becoming the first the first expatriate to lead the 130-year-old LTA.

While at Tennis Canada, Michael led the organization through its golden era. In his first 9-year term at Tennis Canada, Michael developed a bold plan to diversify and increase revenue to reinvest in tennis development and the National Bank Open tournaments. He changed the culture of the organization and cultivated partnerships within the tennis and business communities to enhance Tennis Canada’s image on the domestic and international stage.

In 2007, Michael prompted the Board of Directors of Tennis Canada to invest in high performance; an initiative that led to Canada’s first ever, National Tennis Centre in Montreal and regional U14 programs in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. This included the hiring of world renown international coaches, Louis Borfiga from the French Tennis Federation and Bob Brett, the former coach of world #1 Boris Becker. Both Milos Raonic (personal best world ranking #3) and Eugenie Bouchard (PB #5) were developed at the Montreal NTC. Others to follow included Felix Auger-Aliassime (PB #6) and Bianca Andreescu (PB #4 and US Open Champion). Michael stewarded Tennis Canada in back-to-back years (2022 and 2023) to win Canada’s first ever Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup world team titles and for a brief period, Canada was ranked the #1 tennis nation across both genders.

In his second term at Tennis Canada, Michael secured new National Bank title sponsorship for the Canadian Opens to become lead partner of Tennis Canada through a breakthrough investment in women’s and girls’ tennis. He was also successful in negotiating Rogers Communications’ deep dive into community tennis development, through the sponsorship of a year-round covered courts program which will eventually help build 30 new year-round tennis facilities and a ‘First set’ program aimed to introduce tennis to young kids and teenagers. Tennis Canada was also successful in securing federal funding for the National Bank Opens which will see these events upgraded from a 7 to 12-day main draws starting in 2025 and the achievement of equal prize money by 2027.

While at the LTA, he led the development of a new strategic plan focused on reversing a decade long decline in grassroots participation. With a strong focus on parks tennis and attracting young families to clubs, British Tennis achieved nearly 2 million monthly recreational players. Participation turnaround was aided by the successful Great British Tennis Weekend, Tennis for Kids, and a ‘Go hit it’ advertising campaign. Under Downey’s leadership, the British pro grass court circuit leading up to Wimbledon was revamped, re-combining Eastbourne, creating a new combined event in Nottingham and expanding the Centre court at Queen’s.

Prior to joining Tennis Canada and the LTA, Michael was President of the Ontario-Western Canada region at Molson Breweries – Canada’s largest brewer, generating record profits and contributed to award-winning marketing campaigns, including the internationally renowned I Am Canadian television campaign. Michael also held held senior executive positions with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, owners of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors and Air Canada Centre, and served as President of Skydome and Molson Sports & Entertainment. Michael graduated from Western University in 1980 with an undergraduate degree in Business. In October 2023, Michael was awarded the prestigious ACA Gold Medal in recognition of over 30 years’ experience as an exemplary marketing leader and most notably as Tennis Canada’s CEO.

Michael currently resides in Delta, BC with his wife Jinder. They have three adult children, Schara, Mackenzie and Sam.