Former CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie has been tapped to quarterback a southern Alberta First Nations business group.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, the Siksika Group of Companies (SGOC) said it has hired Ambrosie to serve as its president and CEO following a national search.<\/p>\n
Ambrosie, who stepped down as league commissioner in 2025 after eight years at the helm, brings a wealth of governance experience, said SGOC Chairman Romeo Crow Chief.<\/p>\n
\u201cRandy is a purpose-driven leader with a proven track record of building strong organizations, aligning stakeholders, and delivering sustainable growth,\u201d Crow Chief said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Ambrosie keenly understands the mandate of the Nation-owned SGOC, which is more than profit-making, said Chief Samuel Crowfoot.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything we do economically is tied to something socially \u2014 there\u2019s a human element involved as well and we want him to understand there\u2019s a history to it,\u201d said Crowfoot.<\/p>\n
He said Ambrosie\u2019s political and economic connections are something the SGOC is hoping to capitalize on and take to the next business level.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re thankful for the people who\u2019ve gotten us this far, but Randy will take us to the Grey Cup,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Ambrosie said he feels privileged to take the post at a crucial time for the SGOC, and is eager to devote his skills to advancing the organization whose business portfolio ranges from tourism to energy and retail.<\/p>\n
\u201cThroughout my career, on the field and in the boardroom, I have been driven by purpose, teamwork, and a belief in building organizations that create lasting impact,\u201d he said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI look forward to working closely with the Board, leadership team, and community partners to strengthen SGOC\u2019s portfolio, pursue new opportunities, and contribute to sustainable economic growth that benefits Siksika Nation for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Previous executive experience<\/p>\n
The CFL\u2019s 14th commissioner was also a league player for nine years at the offensive guard position for the Calgary Stampeders, Edmonton Eskimos and Toronto Argonauts in a career that ended in 1993.<\/p>\n
In the early 1990s, he was the secretary of the Canadian Football League Players\u2019 Association and after that, held executive positions with HSBC Securities and AGF Management Ltd.<\/p>\n
In an interview, Ambrosie said the prospect of working with a First Nation was one of the reasons he decided to take the job.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow the SGOC will really build the Nation and strengthen the community was a really important part of my decision,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI spent some time on the reserve and felt very compelled that it\u2019s an opportunity to give back . . . I wanted to work with really good people and council has been remarkably gracious in welcoming me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Multiple investments, partnerships in hospitality, retail, construction, energy<\/p>\n
After beginning his CFL playing days in Calgary and with his wife starting her career in the city, moving back to southern Alberta seems like the right fit, said Ambrosie.<\/p>\n
SGOC, which is owned by the Siksika Nation, has investments in the hotel and hospitality sector and operates retail outlets on the Blackfoot First Nation an hour east of Calgary.<\/p>\n
The Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, an hour west of the city, and the Calgary Airport Westin hotel are among its lodging investments, as are hospitality properties in B.C.<\/p>\n
It also has partnerships in the construction and energy industry involving industrial projects on Blackfoot traditional territory.<\/p>\n
Its Siksika Irrigation Land Corporation and Siksika Farms manage more than 8,700 irrigated dryland acres on the Nation, with hemp protein and alfalfa hay included in its harvests.<\/p>\n