The 2026 General Sir Arthur Currie Award dinner celebrates the Pierce Family – an enduring part of the fabric of Calgary and strong advocates and supporters of its rich military heritage for over 50 years.
Robert Pierce, OC, QC together with his beloved wife Eleanor (more affectionately known as “Candy”) and their four children, Greg, Brad, Jennifer and Susannah, moved to Calgary from Regina, where he had a thriving law practise, in the early 1970’s. He joined Bob Blair as a senior executive at what was then known as Alberta Gas Trunk Line and which ultimately became NOVA Corporation, at the time, one of Calgary’s most successful energy petrochemical and telecom conglomerates. He was instrumental in the financing and development of the Foothills Pipeline project opening Alberta gas exports to US markets, the Joffre petrochemical complex upgrading rich gas liquids to base materials for a range of plastic and other products, and of Novatel in bringing telecom technology and tech talent to Calgary, among others.
Very soon upon arriving in Calgary, Robert developed a close friendship with William A. Howard, CM, CMM, CD, QC, a prominent Calgary lawyer with senior rank and close ties to the Canadian army which at the time had a military base, CFB Calgary, which included the Currie Barracks, home to the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), and Harvie Barracks, home to the Lord Strathcona Horse Regiment (LdSH (RC)). Soon visits to the regiments and dinners at the various officers’ messes or homes of the commanding officers became common place with luminaries such as General George Brown and Stan Waters (of the Devils’ brigade) and visiting senior military leaders from National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa in attendance. Brad also joined the PPCLI cadet corp. and spent many a Wednesday night and Saturday drilling, training and participating in the extraordinary activities available with the bases located in Calgary, including winter maneuvers with the militia and regular force and live fire power demonstrations.
In the mid 1980’s, Robert along with Generals Bill Howard and Stan Waters, Honorary Colonels Fred Mannix and Neil Stewart and other prominent Calgarians formed the Calgary Military Museums Society (CMMS) to develop what was then called The Museums of the Regiments and later renamed The Military Museums (TMM) to honour and memorialize the deep connection of Calgary to our army, navy and air force service men and women. TMM is now Western Canada’s only tri-service museum and military education centre containing the regimental museums of the Princess Patricia’s, The Strathcona, The King’s Own, and the Calgary Highlanders along with the Army, Naval, and Air Force Museums of Alberta. In addition to these galleries, the University of Calgary features a comprehensive military library and archives, as well as an exhibition gallery that is regularly updated.
In the early 2000’s, after a series of negotiations and mediations with Canadian Forces senior leadership and a representative from Justice Canada to reach an acceptable service contract, CMMS made the difficult decision to leave TMM and concentrate its efforts on educating Canadians, particularly youth, about our shared military history and heritage. Both Robert and Jennifer, who was then on the Board of CMMS, worked countless hours and participated in the judicial mediations with Ottawa to try and reach an amenable solution however were unsuccessful. After CMMS disengaged from TMM the society’s Board undertook a strategic review and rebranded as Valour Canada. In that time Brad assumed Jennifer’s position on the Board and together with his father Robert, assisted the Board and CMMS’s/Valour’s supporters during the transition.
Valour Canada is today a nationally recognized charity focused on creating engaging programming to educate our youth on Canada’s military history and heritage and the values of Canadian citizenship. In 2025 over 6600 students, girl guides, scouts, and cadets participated in Valour Canada’s in-person programs and nearly 135,000 online engagements on its website offering interactive and educational resources. Valour has also partnered with and supported other like-minded charities with educational programming at the Field of Crosses and with Calgary Salutes.
Sadly, Robert passed away in March 2012, and Candy passed in December 2017 and with Greg predeceasing them in June 1975. Brad, Jennifer and Susannah are proud and grateful to carry on their legacy by instilling and promoting the values of a strong work ethic, dynamic community engagement and patriotic fervor in not just their children, friends and colleagues, but the many others they engage with.
Brad continues to serve on the Board of Valour Canada and splits his time between Calgary and Canmore where he has his principal residence. Brad retired from the law firm BLG (formerly Howard, Mackie) in December 2019 however remains active in several private enterprises primarily in the innovation sector, or as he likes to say, “failing at retirement”! Brad, along with partner Donna Tilden, also continue be engaged in Calgary’s civic and philanthropic community as well as assisting Brad’s son David with a thriving craft coffee roasting business and eldest son Benjamin, and wife Yako, with moves and other activities in Vancouver where they reside.
Jennifer, having served in senior executive roles with other companies both in Calgary and abroad, is now a senior executive with a Canadian pipeline company. She resides in Calgary with husband Ross and daughter Charlotte and son Harrison and is a proud hockey and horse jumping Mom! Jennifer has served as Chair of the Mount Royal Foundation and is co-founder of the Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards and is a current member of the Advisory Council for Board Ready Women.
Susannah has served nearly 30 years in the energy sector, most recently as President and Country Chair, Shell Canada. Susannah was recently inducted as a member of the Order of British Columbia for her role in making LNG Canada, the largest private sector project in Canadian history, a reality; for her role in building the Human Trafficking Prevention Network of BC and being an advocate for young women advancing careers in the private and public sectors and the trades. From BC, she has supported the Invictus Games, the Veterans Transition Network and this year will join True Patriot Loves Expedition to climb Mount Waddington.
Brad, Jennifer and Susannah are honoured and humbled to be part of and to support Valour Canada’s mission to educate youth and instill values reflective of our military heritage and serving men and women and strongly believe now more than ever this mission is critical in the face of today’s global uncertainties.
Click here to view event details and purchase tickets to attend the 2026 General Sir Arthur Currie Award Dinner.
About The General Sir Arthur Currie Award:
The General Sir Arthur Currie Award was initiated in 2006 to recognize Canadians who, by demonstrating leadership and determination, have made an outstanding contribution to Canadian military heritage and community. In 2014, Valour Canada commissioned Studio West to produce the award: a bronze statue of General Sir Arthur Currie upon his horse, Brock.
The 2025 event was highlighted by the presentation of the General Sir Arthur Currie Award to Mr. W. Brett Wilson.
For their services to the Canadian military community, we have awarded the General Sir Arthur Currie Award to the following recipients in previous years:
2025 – W. Brett Wilson
2024 – George Brookman
2023 – Murray McCann
2019 – Commander Chuck Mawer
2017 – Royal Canadian Legion
2015 – MCpl (Ret’d) Jody Mitic & Sgt Alannah Gilmore
2014 – Daryl “Doc” Seaman
2009 – Stanley A. Milner
2008 – Capt(N) (Ret’d) William H. Wilson
2007 – Jack Lawrence Granatstein
2006 – Fred P. Mannix