2012 Red Deer Citizen of the Year - James McPherson from 247RedDeer.ca on Vimeo.
NAIT has named a longtime Red Deer volunteer, businessman and politician as one of its top 50 alumni of the last 50 years.
James McPherson, a retired financial planner and insurance company executive, was chosen for his community commitment, leadership, innovation and service as a role model.
Those qualities emerged for him in 1968 when he attended NAIT to study distributive technology.
He organized the school’s first Shinerama, drawing more than 110 students to shine shoes and raising $2,503.39 for cystic fibrosis research.
Since then, Cystic Fibrosis Canada has received $530,000 from NAIT Shineramas.
That experience launched a lifelong commitment to serving the community.
He was named 2012 Citizen of the Year for his involvement over many years with the United Way, Rotary Club of Red Deer, Alberta Motor Association, Special Olympics, STARS, Red Deer Hospice, Red Deer College, SPCA, Red Deer Food Bank and Alberta’s Progressive Conservative party.
He’s also a director on numerous company boards and served as Red Deer MLA from 1982 to 1986.
The top 50 alumni is one of NAIT’s projects to marks its 50th anniversary this year. A full list is available online at www.nait.ca/88284.htm.